Legislative Management forwards special-session rule changes and workplace-harassment policy revisions

Legislative Management voted to adopt the Legislative Procedure and Arrangements Committee report, forwarding a package of special-session rule changes intended to expedite floor procedures and recommending revisions to the Legislative Assembly's workplace-harassment policy.

The committee approved a set of special-session rule amendments that, among other changes, would allow a second reading on the same day a bill is reported from committee (without requiring a two-thirds vote), permit a bill's second reading and final passage one day after its first reading, and allow immediate transmission of a bill to the second chamber after the second reading unless the majority or minority leader files an intent to reconsider. The amendments also restructure standing committees for special sessions: most regular-session standing committees would be suspended and replaced by two joint standing committees (a 39-member Joint Appropriations Committee and a 28-member Joint Policy Committee) that must issue joint reports and meet quorum and cross-chamber-majority thresholds to pass amendments.

The proposed rules include specific limits on bill introduction during a special session (bills may be introduced with legislative management approval or by a two-thirds vote of members present) and preserve discretion for remote participation: remote testimony in joint committees is allowed and committee chairs may permit remote participation in committee; floor participation and voting by a remote member is left to the discretion of the Speaker (House) or Majority Leader (Senate).

Separately, Legislative Council presented recommended revisions to the Legislative Assembly's workplace-harassment policy. The changes as presented clarify the distinction between rude or offensive behavior and actionable harassment (which must be severe or pervasive), extend the intake checklist deadline from 24 to 48 hours and extend the deadline for appointing a review panel from 72 hours to seven days (or an alternative date agreed to by the complainant and contact person). The revisions permit leadership seven days to decide whether to appoint a review panel or to refer the matter for informal resolution; matters resolved or withdrawn prior to an investigation would not be subject to disclosure under section 440418.6 as explained by counsel.

Senators and representatives asked procedural questions about remote participation and the scope of the delayed-effect provisions; counsel said the delayed-effect changes (in sections 7, 10 and 13 of the packages) would not take effect until after the special session so they do not disrupt next regular-session deadlines. After discussion Senator Bausch moved to adopt the committee report and Representative Bosch seconded; the motion carried by voice vote.

The committee directed that the rule packages and the harassment-policy revisions be forwarded to the chambers' rules committees and to the members for action during the upcoming special session.