Senate Commerce and Labor Committee sets weekly schedule, staff and amendment filing guidance

Chairman Bailey opened the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee’s organizational meeting, confirmed a quorum and outlined the committee’s schedule, staff assignments and rules for filing bills and amendments.

"The Senate Commerce and Labor Committee will meet each Tuesday from 1 to 3 in Senate Hearing Room 1," Chairman Bailey said, laying out the panel’s regular meeting time and location.

The chair told members that bills must be "put on notice by 12PM on Tuesday, 1 week prior to the date you wish to have the bill heard," establishing the advance notice required to schedule hearings. He asked members to file substantive amendments before 4 p.m. to allow time for review and repeated that non-substantive, technical amendments "will be due by 4 p.m. on Mondays." He also encouraged members to submit substantive amendment requests to legal services by 4 p.m. on Wednesdays to help committee attorneys review proposed changes.

The chair announced committee staff assignments. From the Office of Budget Analysis: John Culverhouse, Lauren Obeidallah and Drew Lewis. Library and archives were represented by Ralph Sal. Mark Davenport was named Sergeant at Arms. Clerks for the committee are Gabe Amick and Peyton Corlew. The committee attorney is Matt King; Brandy Lassiter is the research analyst, and Stephanie Au is the committee secretary.

Chairman Bailey reminded members of Senate Rule 83.8, saying the committee "reserves the right to have [a bill] sent back to the committee for further consideration" if it changes after leaving the committee. With no additional business, the chair called for a motion to adjourn and closed the meeting, scheduling the committee to meet again the following week.

Adjournment was recorded at the end of the session.