Rep. Sebelia proposes amendment to H 67 to narrow selectors for accountability review
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Summary
Representative Sebelia proposed an amendment to H 67 that would remove party leaders from the advisory committee that helps select issues for the legislative accountability project, assigning selection authority to the Speaker and the president pro tem with referral to the Joint Fiscal Committee by Aug. 1, 2026.
Representative Sebelia proposed a change to H 67 on March 26 that would remove the leaders of the major political parties in both chambers from the advisory committee that helps select issues for the legislature's accountability project. The amendment, as explained by legislative counsel, would make the Speaker of the House and the president pro tem the named consultative officials and direct the chief fiscal officer of the Joint Fiscal Office, in consultation with those leaders, to select issues and refer them to the Joint Fiscal Committee on or before Aug. 1, 2026.
The proposal was presented during the Government Operations & Military Affairs committee's opening business. Representative Sebelia said the amendment was intended to use "more inclusive language" and to ensure that selection of issues is handled by officers elected by all members, who would "presumably solicit input from all members." He told the committee he had raised the question on the floor the previous day and had heard from multiple members about ensuring broad inclusion.
Sophie Sedatny of the Office of Legislative Council read the revised drafting aloud and described the intended mechanics. "Now this would essentially read: the chief fiscal officer of the Joint Fiscal Office, in consultation with the speaker of the house and with president pro tem, will select issues for the committee's consideration and refer these to the joint fiscal committee on or before 08/01/2026," Sedatny said.
Committee members present signaled informal support in the room; the chair said those at the table found the amendment "amenable" and recorded informal thumbs-up approval. The transcript records no formal roll-call vote on the amendment during the opening remarks; one member asked whether Representative Sebelia should remain for an upcoming vote, and the chair said the committee would take a position soon.
What happens next: the amendment was presented for potential third reading and the drafted text sets a statutory referral deadline of Aug. 1, 2026, to the Joint Fiscal Committee. The transcript does not record a final vote or an official adoption of the amendment in committee; a formal vote may occur later in the committee or on the chamber floor.
