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Senate Fish and Game committee authorizes proxy votes, reviews amendment rules and safety procedures
Summary
At an organizational meeting the Senate Fish and Game committee approved using proxy votes by voice vote, heard staff guidance on amendment drafting and informational witness roles, received a sergeant-at-arms safety briefing, and scheduled a joint session with Fish, Wildlife & Parks and its director.
The Senate Fish and Game committee on Friday authorized the use of proxy votes and set organizational procedures as it prepared for upcoming hearings.
During an organizational session called by Chair Logie, committee staff and support personnel introduced themselves and outlined how members should handle amendments and informational witnesses. Casey Pallister, a research analyst with the Legislative Services Division, told senators that "amendments that we receive as staff have to be requested by a legislator" and asked members to give staff 24 hours' notice to draft amendments to allow time for cross-checking references and related statutes.
A senator moved, "I move that, Fish and Game Commission accepts proxies." The motion was approved by a voice vote after the chair called for the question; the chair recorded no opposition. The committee discussed the scope of proxy forms, and members agreed the form can be used to specify whether a proxy covers only amendments or all votes. The chair said that counting proxy forms for "all votes" is the simplest approach.
Senate Sergeant-at-Arms staff member Bruce Holmes briefed the committee on safety procedures, explaining his duties "for the health and safety" of senators and staff and describing evacuation routes and assistance options for people unable to use stairs. Rolf Johnson, the committee's remote meeting coordinator, described his role in facilitating Zoom testimony and promoting remote presenters.
Committee members also debated a small internal snack fund. One senator noted a one-time $50-per-committee payment, while another said the secretary's office had described an alternate approach of a single $150 payment that would cover all committees a senator serves on. The transcript records discussion but does not show a final, recorded decision on which option the committee adopted.
The committee asked members to provide preferred phone and e-mail contact information to the secretary to ensure accurate communications. Chair Logie said the group will reconvene in Room 172 for a joint session with Fish, Wildlife & Parks staff and Director Amanda Caster, and that two bills are scheduled for hearing Thursday. The committee adjourned and plans to reconvene downstairs at about 3:30 p.m.
Next steps: the committee will meet in Room 172 for the joint session with FWP and Director Amanda Caster and will hear two bills at the Thursday hearing.
