Joint Rules; amend 9A to require all bills with 50 or more cosponsors to be adopted automatically by the committee of House of Origin.
Impact
The adoption of HC6 would fundamentally alter the legislative process within the House, shifting some power from committee members to the collective support of the legislature. This could mean rapid progression for bills with significant backing, potentially leading to quicker resolutions of legislative issues. It may encourage legislators to rally more support for their proposals, thereby increasing collaborative efforts and political engagement.
Summary
House Concurrent Resolution 6 (HC6) proposes an amendment to House Joint Rule 9A, instituting a new protocol whereby any bill that garners the support of fifty or more cosponsors within the House will be automatically passed by the committee of the House from which it originates. This change is aimed at streamlining the legislative process, ensuring that popular bills are not stalled or faced with potential committee opposition simply due to political maneuvering.
Contention
Nevertheless, HC6 raises concerns about the implications of such an automatic passage policy. Critics argue that it may undermine the thorough vetting process traditionally conducted by committees, which is crucial for assessing the merits and potential impacts of legislation. There are fears that rushing popular measures through without sufficient discussion and deliberation could lead to poorly crafted laws that may lack comprehensive consideration of all stakeholder interests.
Amend House Rules 94 and 94b to allow unlimited joint sponsors of bills as well as unrestricted adding and deleting of joint sponsors of bills and resolutions