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Members spar over partisan signers and germaneness as rules committee moves reports
Summary
During debate, members pressed for stronger responses to Senate germane rulings and for explicit conference version numbers on motions; some members criticized the lack of Democratic signers on reports and three committee votes split 6‑3.
Debate in the Rules and Legislative Procedures Committee touched on more than procedure: several members raised concerns about chamber parity, partisan signers and the need for clearer procedural language.
Representative Matt Pierce pressed the committee on how it responded when the Senate ruled House provisions non‑germane, saying, "it seems to me like the house is just rolling over and caving in, and we might wanna have a little more of a backbone." Chair Ben Smolz countered that he valued adherence to the letter of the law and said he appreciated members who call germaneness violations when appropriate.
Representative Pierce and others also urged that motions include specific conference committee version numbers (for example, "1038‑1" or "4‑1") because multiple drafts and filing changes can create confusion. Chair Smolz acknowledged the point, saying he agreed it would improve accuracy when the drafted number differs from the filed number.
On the question of bipartisan signers, Chair Smolz said Representative Johnson served as the Democratic signer on one report and that staff had met with Johnson to attempt compromise. Representative Johnson asked what steps were taken to secure Democratic signatures; Smolz said there had been several meetings but philosophical differences remained.
The record shows two committee motions that drew recorded minority opposition. On Engrossed Senate Bill 199 the motion passed 6‑3, with Representatives Manning, Voorack and Pierce recorded as voting no. On Senate Bill 176 the motion passed 6‑3, with Representatives Johnson, Dvorak and Pierce recorded as voting no. Committee members flagged the need to note the conference committee version on motions to avoid confusion in future votes.
The committee recessed after completing its business and said it would reconvene when the House calendar warranted consideration.
