Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Legislative Rules topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee advances HB 187 to clarify 'minority' membership on two legislative councils
Summary
HB 187 would change statutory language to require 'a member of the minority' on the legislative council and the legislative budget and audit committees; sponsor staff cited research showing historical interchangeability of 'minority' and 'member of each major political party.' The committee reported the bill with recommendations.
House Bill 187, which would update statutory language governing membership on the legislative council and the legislative budget and audit committees, was reported from committee on May 5 after staff summarized research and members debated definitions.
Zach Young, staff to Rep. Costello, said Ledge Research found limited historical documentation of original legislative intent but identified a memo where the terms 'minority' and 'one of each major political party' were used interchangeably. Young said data tables show the committees historically included minority representation except in a small set of years when a stricter, party-based interpretation was used.
Members discussed whether this bill would create a statutory definition of 'minority' that extends beyond the committees affected. Chair Kerrick said the change appears limited to the committee memberships and urged caution about creating a broader statutory definition. Representative Vance and others said ensuring minority representation on these oversight bodies restores what they view as the original intent. Vice Chair Story moved HB 187 from committee with recommendations and attached fiscal notes; the motion carried without recorded objection.
