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House adopts rule allowing sponsors to mark numbered bills as 'abandoned'
Summary
HR3 (amended) passed unanimously to let sponsors notify the chief clerk to mark a numbered bill as abandoned, clarifying how bills already in the Senate are handled. Supporters said it increases transparency and reduces administrative workload.
Representative Thurston presented House Rules Resolution 3 and a floor amendment to create a simple process for sponsors to notify the chief clerk when they wish to abandon a numbered bill. The amendment clarifies that sponsors cannot abandon a bill while it remains in the Senate but can mark it abandoned if it returns to the House. "If you have a bill that you just don't wanna get any more emails or texts, you want to signal to our colleagues and to the public that this bill's not moving forward," Thurston said.
Supporters argued the change reduces workload, prevents lingering uncertainty about a bill's status for members and the public, and avoids unnecessary floor time. Representative Tuscher said the approach prevents misinformation and provides a clear public signal that a bill is no longer active. The House adopted the amendment and then passed HR3 on final reading by voice vote, 72–0.
The rule change directs the chief clerk to mark abandoned bills and for the Speaker to announce them, creating a public record that a numbered bill is not moving forward during the session.
