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House Business Committee chair lays out rules, deadlines and OneDrive transition at organizational meeting
Summary
Chairman Clow opened the House Business Committee's first meeting of the year and outlined committee procedures, RS and bill-introduction deadlines, public testimony rules, a transition to a paperless OneDrive system, and scheduled follow-ups including proofreading assignments and consultations with the electrical board.
Chairman Clow opened the House Business Committee at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, and used the organizational meeting to outline how the committee will handle bill drafts, rules review, public testimony and electronic document access for the session.
Clow told members he prefers sponsors to provide a draft bill before filing an RS and urged concise questioning during RS and rule reviews. He cited a February 3 RS deadline to LSO, a Feb. 10 cutoff for introducing bills without speaker permission, a Feb. 28 target for the committee's rules review, a March 3 transmittal target for interhouse legislation and a goal of adjourning sine die by March 21.
The chairman said the committee will operate paperless and use a shared OneDrive folder where agendas, bills and RS documents will be posted. IT staff were scheduled to assist members immediately after the meeting to ensure access. He also said agendas will generally be posted three days before meetings when possible and described how a scrolling agenda in the OneDrive will let members follow items in sequence.
On public testimony, Clow said sponsors should present first and the committee will ask questions after that presentation; public testimony will follow the sponsor's presentation. He said the committee typically reserves the right to limit testimony to two minutes, will allow virtual and in-person testimony, and that sponsors should note incorrect testimony during their closing remarks rather than the committee interrupting public speakers.
Members volunteered for administrative tasks and follow-ups. Representatives Thompson and Birch volunteered to proofread committee minutes. The committee also scheduled follow-up meetings to begin rules work and planned consultations with the electrical board to discuss administrative-rule issues related to that board.
The chairman emphasized that motions to act on bills should generally wait until after public testimony so the committee hears public input before deciding. He closed by reminding members to leave folders provided in the room after meetings and announced a likely next meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 14.
The meeting included brief introductions from members representing districts including Meridian, Nampa, Caldwell, Blackfoot, Hayden and Lewiston, and a page from Valley View High School. No public hearings or formal votes were held at this session.
