Committee staff review bill‑drafting, amendment rules and upcoming hearings; three bills scheduled for Thursday

Maxwell Parson, a research analyst with the Legislative Services Division assigned to the committee, reviewed staff roles, handouts and procedural checklists during the organizational meeting. Parson described his drafting functions, amendment handling and that research amendments should be submitted with 24 hours' notice before executive action when possible.

"When it comes to drafting amendments, I do ask for 24 hours prior to executive action," Parson said, explaining the difference between full bill drafts and streamlined research amendments.

Parson also distributed materials: a staff functions letter, a decision points checklist drawing from House Rule Section 30, a motions cheat sheet, an effective committee member brochure and the 2025 session calendar. He explained the quorum handout and offered to review any material with members after the meeting.

Chair Representative Jedidiah Hinkle described how the committee will manage hearings and executive action, saying he expects to focus executive action on Thursdays and to hear more bills on Tuesdays. He asked members to prepare amendments ahead of hearings and said he planned to move several noncontroversial bills to executive action promptly. "The bills that we have scheduled for Thursday are House Bill 57, House Bill 95, and House Bill 98," Hinkle said.

Staff pointed members to Committee Explorer on the legislature's website for a complete list of bills assigned to the committee. Parson said he is available to help draft bills, answer queries and prepare amendments throughout the session.