House sends bond conference report back after point of order over extra revenue bond

A conference committee report on the state bonding package was returned to the committee after a point-of-order challenge on the House floor.

The clerk read a Senate communication recommending first substitute Senate Bill 2 (general obligation bond and capital-facilities authorizations). Representative Pace moved to adopt the conference committee report and described several project authorizations, including funding for the Division of Archives building and the purchase of Vineyard Elementary School.

Representative Clark asked whether a revenue bond that appeared in the committee report had been part of the original bill in either chamber and said he was ‘‘curious’’ whether adding that component was germane to the rules. ‘‘I wonder if that is germane to the rules or where we stepped out of bounds,’’ Clark said, putting the floor on notice that the added revenue component had not been in the original bill text.

After counsel and floor discussion, the Speaker ruled the committee report out of order and asked Representative Pace to withdraw his motion. Representative Pace complied: ‘‘I withdraw that motion, Mr. Speaker.’’ The Speaker directed the committee back to consider the item.

No adoption occurred on the floor; the conference committee was sent back to resolve the germane question and to correct the report before any future attempt to adopt it.

The exchange underscores procedural limits on conference committees and the importance members place on keeping reported items within the scope of matters at issue between the two houses.