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Senate transportation committee adopts operating rules, outlines new agenda and consent process
Summary
The Senate Transportation, Technology & Legislative Affairs committee approved its operating rules and staff described a revised agenda system that separates referred bills from a sponsor-designated consent agenda; the rules were adopted by voice vote and the committee set regular meeting logistics.
The chair of the Senate Transportation, Technology & Legislative Affairs committee called the meeting to order, confirmed a quorum and opened discussion on the committee's rules, which members then approved by voice vote.
Committee staff member Estelle Smith told senators the committee would use a revised agenda format this session. "The agenda will look different this session," Smith said, describing two tracks: a regular agenda for bills the chair schedules for consideration that day and a separate list of "referred bills" that remain with the committee until the sponsor asks to move them. "Only those bills that are on the regular agenda can be considered in that day's meeting," she said.
Smith explained how a consent agenda would operate: sponsors may tell the chair that a bill is noncontroversial and should be placed on the consent list; if the committee completes its regular agenda early, the chair may call consent items for consideration. She added that a single member's objection or a member of the public who signs in to oppose a bill will remove it from consent and return it to the referred list.
During the meeting the chair invited committee members and staff to introduce themselves and noted meeting logistics: regular meetings will be held at 9:30 a.m. in the Old Supreme Courtroom and a holding room is available in Room 272 for overflow. The chair also reminded members that five committee members are required to meet quorum rules.
A motion to accept the committee rules was made and seconded; the chair called for the voice vote, invited members to "say aye," and then declared the rules adopted. The record does not show a roll-call tally or the name of the member who moved the motion; Senator Eads is recorded as the seconder.
The chair said the committee would aim to coordinate with bill sponsors to manage which measures appear on the regular agenda and noted the next meeting is scheduled for January at 9:30 a.m. The chair then adjourned the session.
Votes at a glance: A motion to adopt the committee's operating rules was made, seconded by Senator Eads and approved by voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded in the transcript.
