Legislative Administration Committee Concurred on Bill to End Printed State Code Index

Representative Fitzpatrick introduced House Bill 115, saying the bill, requested by legislative counsel, would eliminate the requirement to print the paper index to the state code and allow the index to be maintained electronically. "We print them in a contract that's somewhere in the order of $40,000 a year," the sponsor said, adding that few printed indexes are sold.

Todd Evertz, co‑commissioner and chief legal counsel, stood as an informational witness and told the committee that printed indexes have become largely obsolete. "These indexes were required to be printed and they're very expensive," Evertz said. "I have not cracked that index in 15 years because we have searchable functions to go through the code." He and the sponsor characterized the change as a cost‑saving efficiency for the legislative branch.

Senator Dunwell asked how users would locate chapters and titles without a printed index. Representative Fitzpatrick and Evertz said the index would remain available electronically and that most users now search the code online.

During executive action, Senator Zolnicoff moved to concur in HB115. The committee took a recorded roll‑call vote: Vice Chair Emerich (aye by proxy), Senator Haman (no by proxy), Senator Dunwell (no), Senator Fuller (aye), Senator Zolnicoff (aye), and Chair Ricky (yes). The tally was four yes and two no; the motion to concur passed and the committee ordered the bill to the Senate floor.

Senator Fuller agreed to carry HB115 to the floor. The committee closed the item after brief procedural discussion on transmittal to the clerk's office.