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Legislative Administration committee concurs in two House bills, tables HB 348
Summary
The committee concurred in House Bills 539 and 546 (clarifying veto-tally procedures and restricting nonmajority bodies from requesting legislation) and tabled House Bill 348 after debate and a roll-call on an amendment.
The Legislative Administration committee took executive action on several House bills on April 9, 2025. The panel concurred in House Bill 539 and House Bill 546 and tabled House Bill 348 after debate over proposed amendments.
House Bill 539 (concurrence) was described as clarifying the veto-override tally process following prior confusion; the bill adds a requirement that the Secretary of State publish a daily tally of votes and the list of legislators who have voted within 15 days of when veto messages and voting instructions are sent. The committee agreed to concur in the bill by voice vote; a proxy was recorded in the affirmative for Senator Zolokov.
House Bill 546 contains a new codification section that would prohibit an interim committee, task force, work group, commission or other entity attached to the legislative branch from requesting legislation unless at least a majority of its membership are legislators. Staff explained the provision aims to ensure majority-legislator bodies make bill recommendations. Members debated whether the change should be in statute or in internal rules and raised concerns about minority representation on some commissions. The committee approved concurrence.
House Bill 348 drew more extensive debate. Members discussed multiple drafted amendments; Senator Emmerich moved an amendment to remove the draft-legislation requirement for calling a special session, arguing drafting authority belongs in internal rules. Opponents said raising the threshold for polling would limit minority ability to request review. After considering a substitute motion to table, the committee voted 5–1 on the roll call to table the amendment and then tabled HB 348.
Summary of recorded actions: - HB 539: Concurred in (voice vote; proxy recorded for Senator Zolokov). - HB 546: Concurred in (committee discussion on codification language; voice vote/recorded tallies indicated majority approval). - HB 348: Amendment debated; substitute motion passed on a 5–1 roll call and the bill was tabled.
The chair closed the committee following these actions and noted Senator Pat Flowers will carry SJR 28 forward to floor consideration.
