Committee schedules rules review for next meeting, introduces science-policy fellow as resource

A legislative committee meeting set the start of a formal rules-review process for its next scheduled meeting and introduced a year-long science and technology policy fellow who will serve as a research resource.

Committee members were given rule-assignment sheets and told to review the assigned items and read other rules so they could consult with the assigned reviewers before the committee begins hearings. "All of the committee members have a sheet here with rule assignments. And because we didn't have that many this year, we just gave everybody 2 to review," Vice Chair Senator Zito said.

The committee said agencies that wish to present on rules will be scheduled to appear; members will hear from agencies before voting. "Then as the agencies come in, we'll deal with the rules as the agencies can schedule to come in, and then we won't vote on them that day so that we can consider what the agencies tell us," Zito said. The chairwoman confirmed the panel will reconvene next Tuesday to begin the formal rules process.

The meeting included a brief introduction of Ellen Upton, who identified herself as a doctoral-trained scientist and a fellow available to assist the committee with research. "My name is Ellen Upton. I recently got my PhD in immunology from the University of Iowa, and I'm here for a year long, science and technology policy fellowship," Upton said. She offered help with analysis, data presentation and other research questions.

Members were reminded they can direct questions about the rules to Vice Chair Zito, the chairwoman or the committee secretary, who will manage roll and scheduling. The meeting lasted about four minutes and adjourned after confirming the next date.

The session did not include motions, votes or decisions on specific rules during this meeting; members were instructed to discuss assigned rules with one another and await agency presentations before any votes are taken.