Legislative Administration committee unanimously recommends no recommendation on House Bill 157 as joint harassment policy nears completion

The Legislative Administration committee voted unanimously to recommend ‘not recommended for future legislation’ on House Bill 157, the panel's final vote on the bill before it clears the committee's docket.

Representative Sheehan moved the motion, which Representative Wahl seconded. Sheehan told the committee that “during testimony, our chief operating officer said that the house and senate would be working on a joint harassment policy and procedures,” and said that work is in its final stages and could make separate legislation unnecessary. The committee chair confirmed the Joint Committee on Legislative Facilities met that morning and that staff including Terry Paff and House attorney Jim Cianci are finalizing a joint House–Senate policy that, if adopted, would then be referred to the ethics committee for additional review.

Committee members emphasized that the vote was procedural. The chair said the committee was deciding only whether to put the bill forward for future legislation and “we are strictly saying, either we're putting this forward … or not recommend,” noting the outcome would not preclude anyone from filing legislation later. The clerk called the roll; members recorded as voting yes included the vice chair, the clerk, Representative Pearson, Representative Tierney, Representative Sellers, Representative Wahl, Representative Nutting Wong, Representative Turcotte, Representative Peyer, and the chair. The chair characterized the result as unanimous.

The committee closed the executive session on House Bill 157 and stated that, although the committee recommended no recommendation now, related work on a joint harassment policy is ongoing and future legislation could return to the committee if needed.