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Senate Local Government committee allows proxy voting, sets rules for informational witnesses and amendments
Summary
The Senate Local Government Committee voted to permit proxy voting, clarified that informational witnesses must identify themselves and stay factual (or be reclassified), and set expectations for amendment submission and executive-action scheduling.
Senate Local Government Committee Chair Forrest Mandeville convened the panel and the committee voted to allow proxy voting following a motion by Senator Jason Ellsworth.
Senator Ellsworth moved "that we allow for a proxy voting," and the motion passed after a voice vote; the chair noted one recorded nay. The committee discussed logistics and the customary practice that vice chairs hold proxies and advised members to arrange who will hold their proxy if they expect executive action while absent.
The chair set a standard for informational witnesses, saying they should "state that they are an informational witness, who they are, what their name is, who they're representing, and any information that they have." The chair warned that witnesses who "drift off into more of an opinion" will be reclassified as proponents or opponents at the chair's discretion.
On scheduling, the chair said the panel will aim to avoid Friday meetings when possible, plan bill hearings for the coming week, and take executive action primarily on Mondays. Members were told to submit amendments in writing by the Thursday before a Monday executive-action session so staff can draft and distribute them for review.
The committee adjourned after covering introductions and procedural items. No substantive policy votes were taken beyond the proxy authorization.
