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Clerks weigh templates and long bill lists in Messages module demo
Summary
Developers demoed a Messages module that builds template-driven outputs (e.g., override-veto notices). Clerks warned a full-session bill list could become unwieldy and asked for filtering and clearing behavior to avoid sending incorrect 'past' bills.
Developers demonstrated a Messages dashboard where clerks pick a message type and add measures and bills; outputs are template-driven and include bill numbers and signature areas. Presenter (S4) explained the UI and how templates populate: "These are all template driven as well," said Presenter (S4). Staff (S10) raised practical concerns about whether the system should auto-populate every bill in session for message selection or let clerks manually key bills as they do now.
Clerks emphasized two usability points. First, a long unfiltered list of bills could create selection errors; staff suggested searchable filters or typing to locate bills quickly. Second, once a clerk uses a bill in a message (for example, past/passed bills), that bill should clear out of the "pending" list or be otherwise marked so clerks do not mistakenly reuse it later. Developers acknowledged a search/filter and clearing behavior would be necessary and flagged the current search as a bug in the demo.
There were also requests for example templates for rare message types (override-veto to the Secretary of State, conferee resignation) so staff can print or use them when needed. The group agreed to provide at least one example template for each rare message type and to retest the message UI during permissions testing.
