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Committee backs rule to lengthen public notice for late budget amendments
Summary
The Select Committee forwarded a proposed joint-rule amendment that would require second- and third‑reading amendments to mirror budget bills to be submitted and approved by 10 a.m. the next legislative working day and published by LSO before the next reading; members raised staffing and timing concerns about realistic notice windows.
The Select Committee on Legislative Facilities, Technology and Process voted Oct. 24 to send a proposed amendment to joint rule 14‑1m to management council that would lengthen notice requirements for second‑ and third‑reading amendments to mirror budget bills.
Director Obrecht told the committee the proposal requires two deadlines: a concept for an amendment must be submitted to the attorney's office by the conclusion of the immediately prior reading, and the sponsor must approve final text so it can be numbered and distributed by 10:00 a.m. on the next legislative working day. The legislative service office (LSO) would be required to distribute approved amendments to members and the public “as soon as practicable,” and a reading would begin no later than 24 hours after the approval deadline.
"What we've got there... are two deadlines," Director Obrecht said, summing up the timeline and cautioning that, in practice, the public notice might be “something less than 24 hours, probably in the ballpark of 20 to 22 hours” depending on amendment volume.
Committee members questioned whether the rule would apply during a special session and whether references to "Committee of the Whole" and readings were phrased correctly. Obrecht said the rule would apply to special sessions unless special session rules were adopted and acknowledged the heavy staff workload during the budget cycle.
Senator Larson said the schedule may create a difficult time crunch for drafters and sponsors to finalize language during protracted late-night sessions. "If committee of the whole goes till 9:00 at night... we would only have then 13 hours to get all of those amendments done," Director Obrecht responded, noting staff would likely work late and return early to meet deadlines.
Senator Kaye moved and the committee voted to forward the proposal to management council for consideration; a roll‑call recorded aye votes from Representative Banks, Representative Yin, Senator Larson, Senator Ralphis, Co‑chairman Case and Chairman Zwonitzer. Obrecht said he would refine the language for presentation to management council in November.
The committee record shows the motion was a recommendation, not an adopted joint rule; both houses and management council must still approve any change to a joint rule.
