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Senators debate rule change to let interim committees report bills 'without recommendation' and circle SJR 1 for later
Summary
Floor debate centered on SJR 1, a joint-rules change that would allow interim committees to report bills 'out without any recommendation.' Supporters said it aids process; opponents warned it removes a needed negative notation and could weaken committee oversight. The matter was circled for further consideration.
A protracted floor debate on Jan. 18 focused on SJR 1, a joint-rules resolution that would give interim committees the option to report bills "out without any recommendation." Sponsors and staff framed the change as a technical correction to permit an interim committee to forward a bill for discussion without taking a formal favorable or unfavorable posture.
Senators expressed sharply different views. Supporters said allowing "no recommendation" can move items forward for broader floor discussion and accommodate complex bills that need further refinement. Opponents argued the change would remove an explicit record of opposition when an interim committee had voted against a measure, potentially obscuring committee accountability and making it harder to stop bills the committee believes are flawed. Senator Hillier proposed an amendment to delete language that would remove the option to note a committee "does not recommend" a bill; other senators raised concerns about multiple committees considering a single bill and how conflicting committee notes would be recorded.
Legal counsel and the Office of Legislative Research clarified that the director of that office currently has a ministerial duty to note a committee's action and that the note reflects whether the bill is a product of the interim committee or has been recommended by it. Debate expanded to practical consequences: whether two committees could both report on a bill with conflicting positions, how modifications to bill text affect committee notes, and whether the new language applied only to bills generated by an interim committee or also to "other bills." After extended discussion, the Senate agreed to circle SJR 1 and resume consideration at a later meeting.
Next steps: SJR 1 was circled to be taken up again; senators said they would return with clarifying language and that the rules committee and staff would review the drafting to ensure committee options and committee-recording practices are preserved.
