House adopts rules updates to clarify guest access, administrative assistants and committee processes

Lawmakers approved a rules resolution March 5 that makes a series of procedural clarifications for the House floor and committee procedures.

Representative Dunnigan presented HR 4, which updates the definition of 'immediate family' to explicitly include aunt, uncle, niece and nephew; extends floor access to constitutionally specified officers (adding the attorney general, state treasurer and state auditor to the governor and lieutenant governor); clarifies short-visit limits for guests (not to exceed one hour absent re-entry) and outlines modest access for administrative assistants (access to conference rooms and office common areas but no full security access badge for non-intern administrative assistants).

The measure clarifies that, excepting enumerated categories (certain interim-committee-approved items, reviser and other statutory exceptions), a bill shall not be placed on the final passage calendar unless it has received a favorable recommendation from a House standing committee; it also tightens language about reservation-of-rights and consent-calendar handling, adds a rule allowing representatives to yield remaining time to another representative with presiding officer approval (the time receiver may not make a motion) and updates the procedure for a call of the House.

Members asked clarifying questions about guest time limits and administrative-assistant access; the sponsor and floor staff noted most provisions reflect current practice or codify routine standards. The House voted: HR 4 received 72 yes votes, 0 no votes; the resolution will be signed by the Speaker and enrolled.