House defeats appeal, files citizens' petition seeking limited investigation

The House of Representatives voted to defeat an appeal and to file miscellaneous communication no. 1,001, a citizens’ petition seeking a limited investigative review of an alleged 2022 incident involving a legislator.

Madam Speaker’s ruling to receive and file the petition was sustained in a roll‑call vote the House took after members debated whether to defer consideration for one legislative day. The Clerk reported 39 votes in favor of the chair’s ruling and 11 opposed; the chair announced, “The appeal has been defeated, so the petition will be filed.”

Why it matters: the petition, identified in the record as miscellaneous communication no. 1,001, was described on the floor as having more than 900 signers. Members debating the procedural question tied the request to House rule 46.2 and to House Resolution 8, and raised questions about the proper forum for investigation and the role of the attorney general.

Representative Belotti, arguing against immediate filing, urged a short deferral so the House could be briefed on procedure and not "simply file it and ignore it." She said the petition "deserves true consideration" and asked the chamber to allow time for members and the public to be informed. Representative Belotti asked that written comments be entered into the journal.

Representative Souza also objected to filing and said she and colleagues had submitted letters on Jan. 5 and Jan. 20 requesting 72‑hour notice under House rule 46.2. Souza described the petition filed Jan. 7 and said the petition asks the House to conduct "a limited investigation into the conduct of the legislator who accepted $35,000." Souza said the petition’s broad public interest justified legislative consideration and preservation of the record.

In support of the chair’s ruling, Representative Tarnas said the House does not have the expertise to conduct a criminal investigation and that proceeding could interfere with the attorney general’s inquiry; he urged members to allow the attorney general process to proceed. Several other members voiced support for the chair’s ruling and for receiving the petition on the record while urging the attorney general to provide updates on its investigation.

After the appeal was defeated, Representative Bellotti introduced the petition’s author in the gallery, identified in the transcript as Alexander Silver, and asked members to recognize him for the more than 900 signers the petition represents.

What’s next: the petition will be filed in the House record; members said the filing preserves the ability to take future action. The House proceeded to other business and adjourned until 12:00 noon tomorrow.

Notes: the debate on the floor largely focused on procedural questions (notice and House rule 46.2) and on whether the House should take independent investigative steps while an attorney general investigation is pending.