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Lawmakers review bill to replace partisan committee language with minority representation
Summary
Representative Nina Costello introduced HB 187 to change statutory membership language for the Legislative Council and the Legislative Budget and Audit Committee, replacing references to "major political parties" with a statutory "minority" designation to better include independents and coalition members.
Representative Nina Costello presented House Bill 187 at the April 30 House State Affairs Committee meeting. The bill would amend statute language that currently specifies committee membership by the two major political parties and instead require representation from the statutory "minority" (an entity defined in statute as constituting at least 25% of the chamber). Costello said the change would better reflect coalitions and undeclared members and preserve a minority viewpoint when caucus alignments vary.
Committee members asked about the original legislative intent and historical practice. Zach Young, staff to Representative Costello, said older statutes named members from major parties because independent and undeclared candidacies were less common historically, but that some committees already identify a minority member rather than a party. Members requested drafting notes or historical research on the original statutory language.
Chair Kerrick set HB 187 aside for a future hearing and established an amendment deadline of Monday, May 4 at 5 p.m. No formal vote was held.
