House Rules Committee suspends 24‑hour reconsideration rule for HB 1368 after heated debate, 6‑3

The House Rules Committee voted 6‑3 to suspend House Rule 93.2, clearing the way for a motion to reconsider engrossed House Bill 13‑68 on 02/27/2026.

Floor leader Representative Lehman told the committee the bill "has not changed since February 11" and argued the rule’s built‑in exception applies late in session, so the motion to reconsider should be eligible for immediate action. "So all I'm asking is the motion's been made to reconsider that bill and I think my motion should stand," Lehman said.

Several committee members challenged that approach. A committee member said the more transparent course would have been to move to suspend Rule 93.2 on the floor by a two‑thirds vote. Representative Pierce questioned whether the committee was effectively "retroactively waiving the rule to make something in order that was out of order when it was done," framing the disagreement as procedural rather than policy.

Representative Slager moved to suspend the rule; the motion was seconded, the clerk called the roll and the Chair announced the motion passed 6 to 3. The motion text recorded in committee would make the reconsideration eligible on 02/27/2026.

Committee debate focused narrowly on the interpretation of the "however" exception in Rule 93.2 and on precedent for reconsideration and waiver. Supporters said the timing and prior opportunity for review justified immediate action late in the session; opponents said the floor's handling should have been the proper venue for suspending the rule.

By passing the suspension, the committee cleared the procedural hurdle that had prevented consideration of a motion to reconsider HB 13‑68; the committee Chair announced the result and moved on to the next agenda item.