Relative to the Legislature.
If enacted, HR 100 would authorize the Speaker of the Assembly to permit proxy voting for Members who are at a higher risk from COVID-19. This provision seeks to maintain legislative functionality while prioritizing the health and safety of Members. The proxy voting would be limited to the duration of the COVID-19 state of emergency, thereby ensuring that it does not become a permanent alteration of Assembly voting procedures. Such a change is viewed as necessary to uphold the legislative duties of Assembly Members during public health crises.
House Resolution No. 100, introduced by Assembly Member Calderon, addresses the legislative process amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The resolution acknowledges the state of emergency declared by the Governor of California and the President of the United States due to COVID-19, which has complicated the attendance of Assembly Members at legislative sessions. This resolution aims to establish rules allowing proxy voting, enabling Members who are unable to attend in person due to health risks associated with the pandemic to participate in decision-making processes.
While many see HR 100 as a practical response to a public health crisis, there may be concerns regarding accountability and transparency in the legislative process. Critics of proxy voting may argue that it dilutes the direct responsibility of Members to attend and vote in person, which may potentially weaken the connection between representatives and their constituents. There may also be concerns regarding how proxy votes are counted and the possibility of misuse during non-emergency situations, which is why the resolution includes safeguards such as the requirement for written voting instructions and a clear termination of proxy voting upon the end of the emergency.