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House State Administration committee approves interim study on public participation
Summary
The House State Administration committee voted 19-0 to send House Joint Resolution 38, an interim study aimed at bolstering public participation and improving constituent access to the legislative process, to the full House.
Chair Darling opened executive action on House Joint Resolution 38, and a committee member moved that the resolution "do pass." Staff summarized HJ 38 as Representative Carlin’s interim study on bolstering public participation in the session and legislature and noted no amendments, conflicts or fiscal note.
Representative Soultius said he supported the study, adding, "I think that this is something that I think is really needed. I've heard from a lot of people, you know, how hard it is to reach out and to get their point across to us." Representative Byrne urged the panel to consider a more narrowly defined focus, saying the portal will surface "the good, bad, and ugly" and suggesting a specific area might be helpful. Representative Cochran, a newer member, questioned whether a formal study was necessary and said legislative services and portal staff were already working to address problems: "Why do we have to have this study to tell them what they already know... they're working the bugs out of it."
Committee members who spoke in favor described interim committees as a vehicle to prioritize topics, engage the public and enable more thorough review between sessions. The chair explained that passed study resolutions are placed on a prioritization list; interim committees later plan budgets and staff time for any studies assigned to them.
The committee took a roll call vote and recorded 19 in favor and 0 against. Chair Darling announced, "HJ 38 passes," and said the resolution will go to the floor.
Next steps: HJ 38 will be scheduled for floor consideration; if assigned to an interim committee, that committee will scope the study, set priorities and determine any budget or staff allocations required.
