House committee moves bill letting executive committee set remote participation rules for joint session committees

Speaker McCluskey told the House State Civic, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee that House Bill 10 68 seeks to close a gap in current law by giving the executive committee the authority to establish a clear policy for remote participation in joint committee meetings during the legislative session. “This bill gives the executive committee the authority to set a clear policy for all members on remote participation,” McCluskey said during opening remarks.

McCluskey said the change is intended to remove confusion that arises when House and Senate rules differ for remote participation and joint committees meet during session. The bill includes a safety clause so the policy can take effect immediately, she said. Majority Leader Duran expressed support and asked members for a yes vote.

Christy Chase of the Office of Legislative Legal Services clarified that the bill is targeted at committees explicitly constituted as joint House–Senate committees (for example, the Joint Budget Committee or a joint Committee on Legal Services) rather than single-body hearings that merely include members of the other chamber. Chase said the chambers’ separate rules currently govern hearings that are not joint committees.

No public testimony opposed the measure; two witnesses were signed but the testimony phase closed with sponsors available for questions. After brief committee discussion the sponsor, Majority Leader Duran, moved to advance HB1068 to the Committee of the Whole with a favorable recommendation. Vice Chair Clifford seconded the motion. The committee approved the motion by roll call, 11 to 0.

The bill will next be considered by the Committee of the Whole.