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Committee introduces rule change to limit former legislators on House floor during business
Summary
The Idaho House State Affairs Committee voted to introduce RS 32024, a proposed change to House rules that would bar former legislators from being on the House floor while the chamber is transacting business unless the Speaker grants permission.
Representative Mickelson told the House State Affairs Committee on March 20 that RS 32024 would modify House Rule 70 to require Speaker approval before former legislators may be on the House floor during the transaction of business. "All this rule change would do was make it so that when we're actually in the process of transacting business that they cannot be on the floor and if they are that they have received approval from the speaker," Representative Mickelson said.
The measure grew out of concerns raised during the previous legislative session, Mickelson said, when former members would occupy floor seats while business was underway; some were now lobbyists and their presence could be confusing or give the appearance of participation. He said the change would still allow former legislators to be on the floor with the Speaker's permission for events such as the governor's State of the State address.
Committee members asked clarifying questions about when the restriction would apply and whether it would prevent appearances during "at ease" periods or ceremonies. Chairman Crane and Mickelson both said the restriction applies only while the House is transacting business and would not bar guests during times when the body is at ease. Representative Nicholson asked whether the rule would keep staff off the floor; Mickelson replied it would not, saying, "it specifically says that staff can be on the floor."
Representative Scott moved to introduce RS 32024. Representative Barbieri said she would not support Scott's original motion but offered a substitute motion to introduce the RS. The substitute motion to introduce RS 32024 carried on a voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded in the committee transcript.
Representative Mickelson said whether the proposal proceeds beyond introduction is up to the Speaker; if the Speaker declines to send it forward the measure would go to the Judiciary and Rules Committee for a full hearing. The transcript does not record further amendments or a final disposition beyond the committee's vote to introduce the RS.
The committee advanced the RS by voice vote; the transcript does not specify a vote tally or a scheduled next hearing or referral beyond the procedural notes on how the Speaker may handle an introduction.
