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Rhode Island House Bill H5007

Rhode Island 2025 Regular Session

Rhode Island House Bill H5007 Compare Versions

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99 S T A T E O F R H O D E I S L A N D
1010 IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
1111 JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025
1212 ____________
1313
14-H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N
14+A N A C T
1515 ADOPTING THE RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE YEARS 2025
1616 AND 2026
1717 Introduced By: Representatives Fogarty, Diaz, Corvese, Hull, Marszalkowski, Kazarian,
1818 O'Brien, Kennedy, Chippendale, and Azzinaro
1919 Date Introduced: January 10, 2025
2020 Referred To: House Rules
2121
2222
23+It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
2324 RESOLVED, That pursuant to Article VI, Section 7 of the Constitution of the State of 1
2425 Rhode Island, the following rules be adopted for the House of Representatives for the years 2025 2
2526 and 2026: 3
2627 Rules Pertaining to the Speaker 4
2728 (1) The Speaker is authorized to: take the chair each legislative day, call the members to 5
2829 order, and, if a quorum be present, proceed to business; refer bills and resolutions upon 6
2930 introduction; preserve order and decorum; call some other member to the chair in order to speak 7
30-from the floor as other members are entitled on general matters; decide all questions without 8
31-debate subject to appeal to the House; and have on every appeal the right to assign reasons for 9
32-any decision, and to put the question forward without further debate. 10
31+from the floor as other members are entitled on general matters; decide all questions without debate 8
32+subject to appeal to the House; and have on every appeal the right to assign reasons for any decision, 9
33+and to put the question forward without further debate. 10
3334 (2) The Speaker shall propound all questions in the order in which they are moved. On a 11
34-voice vote, if the Speaker doubts the result, or a division be called for, the Clerk of the House 12
35-shall call the roll. The Speaker shall declare the outcome of all votes. 13
35+voice vote, if the Speaker doubts the result, or a division be called for, the Clerk of the House shall 12
36+call the roll. The Speaker shall declare the outcome of all votes. 13
3637 (3) The Speaker may, but shall not be obliged to, vote on any question. 14
37-(4) All writs, warrants and subpoenas issued by order of the House shall be under the 15
38-hand and seal of the Speaker, attested by either clerk. 16
39-(5) It shall be the duty of the sheriff in attendance upon the General Assembly, or either 17
40-of his/her deputies, to execute the command of the House, from time to time, together with all 18
41-such process, issued by authority thereof, as shall be directed to him/her by the Speaker. 19
38+(4) All writs, warrants and subpoenas issued by order of the House shall be under the hand 15
39+and seal of the Speaker, attested by either clerk. 16
40+(5) It shall be the duty of the sheriff in attendance upon the General Assembly, or either of 17
41+his/her deputies, to execute the command of the House, from time to time, together with all such 18
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45-(6)(a) The Speaker may appoint a Speaker pro tempore and a Deputy Speaker. In the 1
46-event the Speaker is unable or chooses not to preside over the House session, the Speaker may 2
47-designate either the Speaker pro tempore or the Deputy Speaker to call the House to order and 3
48-preside over the House session. In the event the Speaker is incapacitated or otherwise unavailable 4
49-to make a designation, the majority leader shall make the designation pursuant to this rule. In case 5
50-of the absence of the Speaker, Speaker pro tempore and Deputy Speaker, the senior member 6
51-present from Newport, or in the absence of such member, a member chosen by notification to the 7
52-House clerk by the Speaker shall call the House to order and preside. 8
53-(b) In the case of a permanent vacancy of the office of the Speaker, the majority leader 9
54-shall make the designation pursuant to this rule until a Speaker is elected by ballot. 10
55-Rules Pertaining to the Order of Business 11
56-(7)(a) The Speaker, or the Speaker’s designee, shall prepare the floor calendar for each 12
57-legislative day. The calendar shall be printed or made available electronically to the members 13
58-daily. During the legislative session, the House shall convene at 4 p.m. provided that the Speaker, 14
59-with adequate notice to the members, may convene the House at another time. 15
60-(b) At the commencement of each day's session the roll shall be called or taken by use of 16
61-the electronic voting system. If a quorum is determined to be present the Speaker shall seek 17
62-approval of the previous day’s journal and thereafter proceed to business. The order of business, 18
63-unless the Speaker determines otherwise, shall be as follows: 19
64-(i) Reports of standing and select committees. 20
65-(ii) Introduction and reference of new business. 21
66-(iii) Communications, including communications from the Senate. 22
67-(iv) Unfinished business in which the House was engaged at the time of last adjournment. 23
68-(v) Consent calendar. 24
69-(vi) Calendar. 25
70-(vii) Introduction of guests and announcements. 26
71-(viii) Matters of personal privilege. 27
72-(ix) Recess or adjournment. 28
73-(c) A representative desiring to introduce a bill or resolution shall file the same with the 29
74-Clerk of the House. At the request of any representative, an announcement presented to the 30
75-Speaker may be placed directly in the House Journal noting his or her absence from session. The 31
76-Speaker, in his or her discretion, may authorize the use of electronic signatures to facilitate the 32
77-legislative process. If the Speaker authorizes the utilization of electronic signatures by members, 33
78-the following shall apply: 34
45+process, issued by authority thereof, as shall be directed to him/her by the Speaker. 1
46+(6)(a) The Speaker may appoint a Speaker pro tempore and a Deputy Speaker. In the event 2
47+the Speaker is unable or chooses not to preside over the House session, the Speaker may designate 3
48+either the Speaker pro tempore or the Deputy Speaker to call the House to order and preside over 4
49+the House session. In the event the Speaker is incapacitated or otherwise unavailable to make a 5
50+designation, the majority leader shall make the designation pursuant to this rule. In case of the 6
51+absence of the Speaker, Speaker pro tempore and Deputy Speaker, the senior member present from 7
52+Newport, or in the absence of such member, a member chosen by notification to the House clerk 8
53+by the Speaker shall call the House to order and preside. 9
54+(b) In the case of a permanent vacancy of the office of the Speaker, the majority leader 10
55+shall make the designation pursuant to this rule until a Speaker is elected by ballot. 11
56+Rules Pertaining to the Order of Business 12
57+(7)(a) The Speaker, or the Speaker’s designee, shall prepare the floor calendar for each 13
58+legislative day. The calendar shall be printed or made available electronically to the members daily. 14
59+During the legislative session, the House shall convene at 4 p.m. provided that the Speaker, with 15
60+adequate notice to the members, may convene the House at another time. 16
61+(b) At the commencement of each day's session the roll shall be called or taken by use of 17
62+the electronic voting system. If a quorum is determined to be present the Speaker shall seek 18
63+approval of the previous day’s journal and thereafter proceed to business. The order of business, 19
64+unless the Speaker determines otherwise, shall be as follows: 20
65+(i) Reports of standing and select committees. 21
66+(ii) Introduction and reference of new business. 22
67+(iii) Communications, including communications from the Senate. 23
68+(iv) Unfinished business in which the House was engaged at the time of last adjournment. 24
69+(v) Consent calendar. 25
70+(vi) Calendar. 26
71+(vii) Introduction of guests and announcements. 27
72+(viii) Matters of personal privilege. 28
73+(ix) Recess or adjournment. 29
74+(c) A representative desiring to introduce a bill or resolution shall file the same with the 30
75+Clerk of the House. At the request of any representative, an announcement presented to the Speaker 31
76+may be placed directly in the House Journal noting his or her absence from session. The Speaker, 32
77+in his or her discretion, may authorize the use of electronic signatures to facilitate the legislative 33
78+process. If the Speaker authorizes the utilization of electronic signatures by members, the following 34
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82-(i) Members shall be provided the option to utilize electronic signatures only by means of 1
83-a secure electronic signature procedure provided by the Speaker to the members; 2
84-(ii) An electronic signature executed pursuant to this rule shall be deemed and interpreted 3
85-as the member’s legal and binding signature; 4
86-(iii) Only a member of the House may execute an electronic signature pursuant to this 5
87-rule. A member shall be strictly prohibited to request or permit another person to execute an 6
88-electronic signature on his or her behalf. 7
89-(d)(i) All bills and resolutions shall be filed no later than February 16, 2023 27, 2025 (for 8
90-the 2023 2025 session) and February 15, 2024 12, 2026 (for the 2024 2026 session). The 9
91-provisions of this section shall not apply to city or town bills, to bills for the reinstatement of 10
92-corporate charters, to bills relating to the solemnization of marriages, to ceremonial resolutions of 11
93-congratulations or condolences, to appropriations and budget bills, or to bills to create or extend 12
94-creating or extending the reporting dates of study commissions or to bills introduced on behalf of 13
95-a study commission by the commission's chairperson or other member with the approval of the 14
96-Speaker. Further, a 15
82+shall apply: 1
83+(i) Members shall be provided the option to utilize electronic signatures only by means of 2
84+a secure electronic signature procedure provided by the Speaker to the members; 3
85+(ii) An electronic signature executed pursuant to this rule shall be deemed and interpreted 4
86+as the member’s legal and binding signature; 5
87+(iii) Only a member of the House may execute an electronic signature pursuant to this rule. 6
88+A member shall be strictly prohibited to request or permit another person to execute an electronic 7
89+signature on his or her behalf. 8
90+(d)(i) All bills and resolutions shall be filed no later than February 16, 2023 27, 2025 (for 9
91+the 2023 2025 session) and February 15, 2024 12, 2026 (for the 2024 2026 session). The provisions 10
92+of this section shall not apply to city or town bills, to bills for the reinstatement of corporate charters, 11
93+to bills relating to the solemnization of marriages, to ceremonial resolutions of congratulations or 12
94+condolences, to appropriations and budget bills, or to bills to create or extend creating or extending 13
95+the reporting dates of study commissions or to bills introduced on behalf of a study commission by 14
96+the commission's chairperson or other member with the approval of the Speaker. Further, a 15
9797 (ii) A member may introduce a public bill or resolution after this date in February if one 16
98-day previous to such introduction, the member shall have notified the House of his or her 17
99-intention to introduce such bill or resolution by reading the title and giving a brief explanation of 18
100-its purpose. A member may avail himself or herself of the opportunity afforded by this rule three 19
101-(3) times only in each calendar year, but in no event after the fortieth (40
98+day previous to such introduction, the member shall have notified the House of his or her intention 17
99+to introduce such bill or resolution by reading the title and giving a brief explanation of its purpose. 18
100+A member may avail himself or herself of the opportunity afforded by this rule three (3) times only 19
101+in each calendar year, but in no event after the fortieth (40
102102 th
103-) legislative day unless 20
104-the matter is submitted with the approval of the Speaker. House Committees may, but shall not be 21
105-obligated to, hear and consider public bills or resolutions approved for introduction pursuant to 22
106-this rule. 23
107-(e) Any bill or resolution introduced on or before April 11, 2023 22, 2025 (for the 2023 24
108-2025 session) and on or before April 10, 2024 21, 2026 (for the 2024 2026 session): 25
109-(i) if filed after the convening of the session, shall be in order for the first reading and 26
110-where appropriate, assignment to committee, as early as the next legislative day and shall be 27
111-considered a part of the days business, provided that the Speaker may direct that any given 28
112-measure may be treated in accord with subparagraph (ii) below, and 29
113-(ii) if filed prior to the convening of the session in the instance where the desk has been 30
114-left open to receive matters, shall be in order for the first reading and, where appropriate, 31
115-assignment to committee, as early as that day. 32
116-(iii) All bills or resolutions introduced after April 11, 2023 22, 2025 (for the 2023 2025 33
117-session) and after April 10, 2024 21, 2026 (for the 2024 2026 session) shall be in order for the 34
103+) legislative day unless the matter is 20
104+submitted with the approval of the Speaker. House Committees may, but shall not be obligated to, 21
105+hear and consider public bills or resolutions approved for introduction pursuant to this rule. 22
106+(e) Any bill or resolution introduced on or before April 11, 2023 22, 2025 (for the 2023 23
107+2025 session) and on or before April 10, 2024 21, 2026 (for the 2024 2026 session): 24
108+(i) if filed after the convening of the session, shall be in order for the first reading and where 25
109+appropriate, assignment to committee, as early as the next legislative day and shall be considered a 26
110+part of the days business, provided that the Speaker may direct that any given measure may be 27
111+treated in accord with subparagraph (ii) below, and 28
112+(ii) if filed prior to the convening of the session in the instance where the desk has been left 29
113+open to receive matters, shall be in order for the first reading and, where appropriate, assignment 30
114+to committee, as early as that day. 31
115+(iii) All bills or resolutions introduced after April 11, 2023 22, 2025 (for the 2023 2025 32
116+session) and after April 10, 2024 21, 2026 (for the 2024 2026 session) shall be in order for the first 33
117+reading and, may be assigned to committee, as early as the day of introduction. 34
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121-first reading and, may be assigned to committee, as early as the day of introduction. 1
122-(iv) In the discretion of the Speaker, any bill filed after the convening of the session on 2
123-the last legislative day of any week shall also be in order for the first reading as early as the next 3
124-day and assigned to committee as if the desk were left open. 4
125-(f) The Clerk of the House shall cause the title and numbers of all bills and resolutions 5
126-introduced, along with the names of up to ten (10) co-sponsors, to be published in the House 6
127-Journal for the day on which said bill or resolution is deemed, as herein provided, to have been 7
128-introduced. 8
129-(g) Whenever a member has requested that the text of a resolution be read into the House 9
130-Journal, the Speaker may, at his or her discretion, comply with the request and have the resolution 10
131-read either during a recess, while the House is at ease or following adjournment. The decorum of 11
132-the House shall be maintained throughout the requested reading of the resolution. 12
133-(h) Members shall restrict announcements on the House floor to statements which relate 13
134-to legislative business or pertain to ceremonial events or occasions. 14
135-(8) Bills and resolutions which are of a routine, ceremonial, or non-controversial nature, 15
136-may be granted "Immediate Consideration" and brought before the body for its approval without 16
137-appearing on the printed floor calendar, with the approval of the Majority Leader, Minority 17
138-Leader, and Speaker. The representative seeking such approval shall request the permission of the 18
139-Majority and Minority Leaders and then during the floor session indicate, by activating their 19
140-recognition light, that he or she has such a matter to present before the body. The resolution or 20
141-bill will then be presented to the House clerk who shall proceed to present the matter to the 21
142-Speaker who will bring it before the body for a voice vote. At the request of the prime sponsor 22
143-and in the discretion of the Speaker, the clerk may be instructed to read the resolution to the body. 23
144-(9) In addition to the provisions allowing for "Immediate Consideration" of routine, 24
145-ceremonial or non-controversial bills or resolutions, there shall also be a consent calendar on 25
146-which may be entered such bills and resolutions as the Speaker, Majority Leader, and Minority 26
147-Leader, or their designees, shall agree upon. Matters of substance shall be placed on the regular 27
148-calendar and be fully debated and considered by the membership according to these rules. No bill 28
149-or resolution shall be included on the consent calendar on the date the consent calendar is 29
150-moved unless copies of the consent calendar in the form as it is intended to move and the same 30
151-have been made available to the membership no later than two (2) legislative days prior to the day 31
152-on which the consent calendar shall be proposed to be moved. At the request of a member any bill 32
153-or resolution may be removed from those included in the motion if the Speaker so orders. All bills 33
154-and resolutions designated for action on the consent calendar shall be passed on motion without 34
121+(iv) In the discretion of the Speaker, any bill filed after the convening of the session on the 1
122+last legislative day of any week shall also be in order for the first reading as early as the next day 2
123+and assigned to committee as if the desk were left open. 3
124+(f) The Clerk of the House shall cause the title and numbers of all bills and resolutions 4
125+introduced, along with the names of up to ten (10) co-sponsors, to be published in the House Journal 5
126+for the day on which said bill or resolution is deemed, as herein provided, to have been introduced. 6
127+(g) Whenever a member has requested that the text of a resolution be read into the House 7
128+Journal, the Speaker may, at his or her discretion, comply with the request and have the resolution 8
129+read either during a recess, while the House is at ease or following adjournment. The decorum of 9
130+the House shall be maintained throughout the requested reading of the resolution. 10
131+(h) Members shall restrict announcements on the House floor to statements which relate to 11
132+legislative business or pertain to ceremonial events or occasions. 12
133+(8) Bills and resolutions which are of a routine, ceremonial, or non-controversial nature, 13
134+may be granted "Immediate Consideration" and brought before the body for its approval without 14
135+appearing on the printed floor calendar, with the approval of the Majority Leader, Minority Leader, 15
136+and Speaker. The representative seeking such approval shall request the permission of the Majority 16
137+and Minority Leaders and then during the floor session indicate, by activating their recognition 17
138+light, that he or she has such a matter to present before the body. The resolution or bill will then be 18
139+presented to the House clerk who shall proceed to present the matter to the Speaker who will bring 19
140+it before the body for a voice vote. At the request of the prime sponsor and in the discretion of the 20
141+Speaker, the clerk may be instructed to read the resolution to the body. 21
142+(9) In addition to the provisions allowing for "Immediate Consideration" of routine, 22
143+ceremonial or non-controversial bills or resolutions, there shall also be a consent calendar on which 23
144+may be entered such bills and resolutions as the Speaker, Majority Leader, and Minority Leader, 24
145+or their designees, shall agree upon. Matters of substance shall be placed on the regular calendar 25
146+and be fully debated and considered by the membership according to these rules. No bill or 26
147+resolution shall be included on the consent calendar on the date the consent calendar is 27
148+moved unless copies of the consent calendar in the form as it is intended to move and the same 28
149+have been made available to the membership no later than two (2) legislative days prior to the day 29
150+on which the consent calendar shall be proposed to be moved. At the request of a member any bill 30
151+or resolution may be removed from those included in the motion if the Speaker so orders. All bills 31
152+and resolutions designated for action on the consent calendar shall be passed on motion without 32
153+discussion unless, at any time prior to the motion for passage, a member requests removal of a bill 33
154+or resolution from the consent calendar in which case such bill or resolution may be so removed 34
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158-discussion unless, at any time prior to the motion for passage, a member requests removal of a 1
159-bill or resolution from the consent calendar in which case such bill or resolution may be so 2
160-removed and placed on then regular calendar. Any bill or resolution appropriate for placement on 3
161-the consent calendar under these rules but so removed shall be placed on the regular calendar for 4
162-the same day and shall be considered as having appeared on the regular calendar for a period of 5
163-time equivalent to that during which it appeared on the consent calendar. 6
164-(10) (a) A member may claim the floor on a question of personal privilege for no more 7
165-than five (5) minutes to reply to criticism, or to discuss anything clearly derogatory, or 8
166-which reflects upon his or her character, or upon the House in general, that appears in the press , 9
167-but not to discuss favorable references to himself or herself. 10
168-(b) No member is permitted to attack another member of the House personally, nor to 11
169-make false statements about, or question the integrity of, another member. 12
170-Rules Pertaining to Committees 13
171-(11)(a) The following standing committees shall be appointed each year in the month of 14
172-January or as soon as convenient after the adoption of the House Rules: 15
173-A committee on conduct 16
174-A committee on corporations 17
175-A committee on education 18
176-A committee on environment and natural resources 19
177-A committee on finance 20
178-A committee on health and human services 21
179-A committee on innovation, internet and technology 22
180-A committee on judiciary 23
181-A committee on labor 24
182-A committee on municipal government and housing 25
183-A committee on rules 26
184-A committee on oversight 27
185-A committee on small business 28
186-A committee on special legislation 29
187-A committee on state government and elections 30
188-A committee on veterans’ affairs. 31
189-(b) The Speaker shall appoint all standing committees and create such other 32
190-subcommittees and committees as may be required from time to time and appoint thereto. Each 33
191-member of the House shall be entitled to membership to at least (2) standing committees, as 34
158+and placed on then regular calendar. Any bill or resolution appropriate for placement on the consent 1
159+calendar under these rules but so removed shall be placed on the regular calendar for the same day 2
160+and shall be considered as having appeared on the regular calendar for a period of time equivalent 3
161+to that during which it appeared on the consent calendar. 4
162+(10) (a) A member may claim the floor on a question of personal privilege for no more than 5
163+five (5) minutes to reply to criticism, or to discuss anything clearly derogatory, or which reflects 6
164+upon his or her character, or upon the House in general, that appears in the press , but not to discuss 7
165+favorable references to himself or herself. 8
166+(b) No member is permitted to attack another member of the House personally, nor to make 9
167+false statements about, or question the integrity of, another member. 10
168+Rules Pertaining to Committees 11
169+(11)(a) The following standing committees shall be appointed each year in the month of 12
170+January or as soon as convenient after the adoption of the House Rules: 13
171+A committee on conduct 14
172+A committee on corporations 15
173+A committee on education 16
174+A committee on environment and natural resources 17
175+A committee on finance 18
176+A committee on health and human services 19
177+A committee on innovation, internet and technology 20
178+A committee on judiciary 21
179+A committee on labor 22
180+A committee on municipal government and housing 23
181+A committee on rules 24
182+A committee on oversight 25
183+A committee on small business 26
184+A committee on special legislation 27
185+A committee on state government and elections 28
186+A committee on veterans’ affairs. 29
187+(b) The Speaker shall appoint all standing committees and create such other subcommittees 30
188+and committees as may be required from time to time and appoint thereto. Each member of the 31
189+House shall be entitled to membership to at least (2) standing committees, as appointed by the 32
190+Speaker; provided, however that a member may waive this requirement upon written notice to the 33
191+Speaker. All subcommittees and committees shall have proportionate minority membership when 34
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195-appointed by the Speaker; provided, however that a member may waive this requirement upon 1
196-written notice to the Speaker. All subcommittees and committees shall have proportionate 2
197-minority membership when feasible. The Speaker, in consultation with the Minority Leader, shall 3
198-be the appointing authority for minority membership on standing committees and subcommittees 4
199-thereof, joint committees, boards and commissions. All vacancies occurring in any committee and 5
200-subcommittee after they have once been named shall be filled in like manner by the Speaker. The 6
201-Speaker, Majority Leader and Minority Leader shall be ex officio members with voting rights of 7
202-all House committees but shall not be counted for purposes of determining a quorum. The 8
203-Speaker shall have the authority to appoint the chair, first vice chair and second vice chair of each 9
204-committee. In the event that the chair of a committee is unable to serve due to incapacity for 10
205-medical or other reasons, the Speaker may appoint an acting chair for the period of such 11
206-incapacity, which acting chair shall have all of the powers and duties of the chair. The chair shall 12
207-determine all questions of procedure before the committee in cases not provided for in these rules. 13
208-(c) A committee shall not consider any bill in the absence of a quorum, which shall 14
209-consist of a majority of the committee's membership. 15
210-(d) All committee meetings shall be open to the public, but public participation shall be 16
211-limited to testimony on the matters before the committee. The chair of any committee shall have 17
212-the authority to limit the length of a witness’s testimony in order to afford all witnesses the 18
213-opportunity to be heard, to limit repetitiveness and duplication, or to maintain order and decorum. 19
214-(1) In the discretion of the chair, any witness who is a representative of a state 20
215-department, agency, or quasi-public agency appearing in their official capacity before a 21
216-committee, subcommittee or commission of the House shall, before testifying, be required to 22
217-declare that they will testify truthfully, by oath or affirmation administered by the chair, first vice-23
218-chair or second vice-chair of the committee. 24
219-(e) It shall be the duty of the committee on finance to take into consideration all 25
220-propositions relative to the revenue, to inquire into the state of the public debt and to report from 26
221-time to time their opinion thereon and such propositions relative thereto as to them shall 27
222-seem expedient. 28
223-(f) Upon introduction of the annual state budget to the House on behalf of the Governor, 29
224-the budget shall be referred to the finance committee. Within two (2) weeks following receipt 30
225-thereof, the finance committee's fiscal advisor shall provide to each member of the House a 31
226-concise summary of budget issues. Within three (3) weeks following the receipt of the budget, 32
227-the committee shall schedule such meetings as it deems necessary to receive comment on the 33
228-budget as a whole from all House members who wish to appear before it for that purpose. 34
195+feasible. The Speaker, in consultation with the Minority Leader, shall be the appointing authority 1
196+for minority membership on standing committees and subcommittees thereof, joint committees, 2
197+boards and commissions. All vacancies occurring in any committee and subcommittee after they 3
198+have once been named shall be filled in like manner by the Speaker. The Speaker, Majority Leader 4
199+and Minority Leader shall be ex officio members with voting rights of all House committees but 5
200+shall not be counted for purposes of determining a quorum. The Speaker shall have the authority to 6
201+appoint the chair, first vice chair and second vice chair of each committee. In the event that the 7
202+chair of a committee is unable to serve due to incapacity for medical or other reasons, the Speaker 8
203+may appoint an acting chair for the period of such incapacity, which acting chair shall have all of 9
204+the powers and duties of the chair. The chair shall determine all questions of procedure before the 10
205+committee in cases not provided for in these rules. 11
206+(c) A committee shall not consider any bill in the absence of a quorum, which shall consist 12
207+of a majority of the committee's membership. 13
208+(d) All committee meetings shall be open to the public, but public participation shall be 14
209+limited to testimony on the matters before the committee. The chair of any committee shall have 15
210+the authority to limit the length of a witness’s testimony in order to afford all witnesses the 16
211+opportunity to be heard, to limit repetitiveness and duplication, or to maintain order and decorum. 17
212+(1) In the discretion of the chair, any witness who is a representative of a state department, 18
213+agency, or quasi-public agency appearing in their official capacity before a committee, 19
214+subcommittee or commission of the House shall, before testifying, be required to declare that they 20
215+will testify truthfully, by oath or affirmation administered by the chair, first vice-chair or second 21
216+vice-chair of the committee. 22
217+(e) It shall be the duty of the committee on finance to take into consideration all 23
218+propositions relative to the revenue, to inquire into the state of the public debt and to report from 24
219+time to time their opinion thereon and such propositions relative thereto as to them shall 25
220+seem expedient. 26
221+(f) Upon introduction of the annual state budget to the House on behalf of the Governor, 27
222+the budget shall be referred to the finance committee. Within two (2) weeks following receipt 28
223+thereof, the finance committee's fiscal advisor shall provide to each member of the House a concise 29
224+summary of budget issues. Within three (3) weeks following the receipt of the budget, 30
225+the committee shall schedule such meetings as it deems necessary to receive comment on the 31
226+budget as a whole from all House members who wish to appear before it for that purpose. 32
227+(g) The Speaker may appoint from time to time subcommittees of a given standing 33
228+committee, which shall consist only of members of the committee from which it was appointed. 34
229229
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231231 LC000397/SUB A - Page 7 of 28
232-(g) The Speaker may appoint from time to time subcommittees of a given standing 1
233-committee, which shall consist only of members of the committee from which it was appointed. 2
234-The chair of each standing committee shall be considered a member of each subcommittee of 3
235-such committee. Each subcommittee may hear testimony on bills and resolutions falling within 4
236-the subject matter of its charge and shall report to the committee from which it was appointed. 5
237-Subcommittees will otherwise conduct themselves in conformity with these rules. The Speaker 6
238-shall appoint the chair of each subcommittee. 7
239-(12)(a) Committees shall take into consideration all such petitions, resolves, bills, matters 8
240-or things as may be referred to them by the House with power to report by bill or otherwise; 9
241-provided, however, that committees shall, whenever possible, consider all bills of substantially 10
242-the same or of a similar nature at the same time in a manner that is otherwise in conformity with 11
243-these rules. 12
232+The chair of each standing committee shall be considered a member of each subcommittee of such 1
233+committee. Each subcommittee may hear testimony on bills and resolutions falling within the 2
234+subject matter of its charge and shall report to the committee from which it was appointed. 3
235+Subcommittees will otherwise conduct themselves in conformity with these rules. The Speaker 4
236+shall appoint the chair of each subcommittee. 5
237+(12)(a) Committees shall take into consideration all such petitions, resolves, bills, matters 6
238+or things as may be referred to them by the House with power to report by bill or otherwise; 7
239+provided, however, that committees shall, whenever possible, consider all bills of substantially the 8
240+same or of a similar nature at the same time in a manner that is otherwise in conformity with these 9
241+rules. 10
244242 (1) Any bill filed before or after the 40
245243 th
246- legislative day, but subsequent to the hearing of 13
247-a group of bills on the same subject matter pursuant to Rule 12(a), may or may not be assigned 14
248-for hearing if it appears from the subject matter that the issues presented would be substantially 15
249-similar to those matters already heard, even if a bill hearing request is filed pursuant to Rule 16
250-12(e). If heard, the chair of the committee may limit the testimony to those issues not addressed 17
251-in the previous bill hearing. 18
252-(b) A committee shall not consider any public bill or resolution not previously distributed 19
253-in print or electronically to its members except by a vote of the majority of the members of the 20
254-committee. 21
255-(c) The Chair of every committee shall post, in print and electronically, at least forty-22
256-eight (48) hours prior to any committee meeting, a list by number and title of the bills 23
257-and resolutions to be heard at that meeting. Such postings shall be made electronically and on the 24
258-Legislative Data Bulletin Board. The electronic posting shall be considered the official date of the 25
259-posting. In the event that the electronic posting system is inoperable then the official posting shall 26
260-be posted on the Legislative Data Bulletin Board. The Chair shall limit such listings to the 27
261-number of bills or resolutions he or she reasonably expects can be taken up by the committee at 28
262-that meeting. Any bill or resolution so posted which the committee is not able to take up at the 29
263-stated meeting must be re-posted as stated above. Such postings shall be made electronically, and 30
264-on the Legislative Data bulletin board. Copies of all posted bills or resolutions shall be provided 31
265-in print or electronically to all committee members and principal sponsors. A committee shall not 32
266-hear any said bill or resolution without such notice except by the consent of a majority of its 33
267-members and with at least one (1) day's notification to the principal House sponsor. The sponsor 34
244+ legislative day, but subsequent to the hearing of a 11
245+group of bills on the same subject matter pursuant to Rule 12(a), may or may not be assigned for 12
246+hearing if it appears from the subject matter that the issues presented would be substantially similar 13
247+to those matters already heard, even if a bill hearing request is filed pursuant to Rule 12(e). If heard, 14
248+the chair of the committee may limit the testimony to those issues not addressed in the previous bill 15
249+hearing. 16
250+(b) A committee shall not consider any public bill or resolution not previously distributed 17
251+in print or electronically to its members except by a vote of the majority of the members of the 18
252+committee. 19
253+(c) The Chair of every committee shall post, in print and electronically, at least forty-eight 20
254+(48) hours prior to any committee meeting, a list by number and title of the bills and resolutions to 21
255+be heard at that meeting. Such postings shall be made electronically and on the Legislative Data 22
256+Bulletin Board. The electronic posting shall be considered the official date of the posting. In the 23
257+event that the electronic posting system is inoperable then the official posting shall be posted on 24
258+the Legislative Data Bulletin Board. The Chair shall limit such listings to the number of bills or 25
259+resolutions he or she reasonably expects can be taken up by the committee at that meeting. Any bill 26
260+or resolution so posted which the committee is not able to take up at the stated meeting must be re-27
261+posted as stated above. Such postings shall be made electronically, and on the Legislative Data 28
262+bulletin board. Copies of all posted bills or resolutions shall be provided in print or electronically 29
263+to all committee members and principal sponsors. A committee shall not hear any said bill or 30
264+resolution without such notice except by the consent of a majority of its members and with at least 31
265+one (1) day's notification to the principal House sponsor. The sponsor may, however, waive such 32
266+one-day notification. The time requirements of this section shall not apply to House bills returned 33
267+from the Senate with amendment, or, after the 50
268+th
269+ legislative day, to any bill originating in the 34
268270
269271
270272 LC000397/SUB A - Page 8 of 28
271-may, however, waive such one-day notification. The time requirements of this section shall not 1
272-apply to House bills returned from the Senate with amendment, or, after the 50
273-th
274- legislative day, 2
275-to any bill originating in the Senate. 3
276-(d) Every standing committee shall meet at least once weekly if any requests for hearings 4
277-on or consideration of bills or resolutions are pending before it. The right to be heard on any such 5
278-bill or resolution may be granted, upon written or electronic request, to the principal sponsor as 6
279-provided in these rules. No committee shall hear more than thirty (30) bills (exclusive of city and 7
280-town bills, corporate charter reinstatement bills, those to be placed on the consent calendar, and 8
281-duplicate senate bills that have previously passed) at any one (1) meeting. 9
282-(e) Upon receipt of a written request from the principal House sponsor of a bill or 10
283-resolution, a copy of which is to be given to the recording clerk of the committee, the committee 11
284-shall grant to said principal House sponsor a hearing on any said bill or resolution within thirty 12
285-(30) calendar days of the request, subject to Rule 12(a), and provided further, that said committee 13
286-shall grant to the principal House sponsor consideration of his or her bill or resolution prior to the 14
287-deadline for committee action on such bill or resolution, also subject to Rule 12(a). The principal 15
288-sponsor, with the concurrence of the Chair, may cancel a scheduled hearing with twenty-four (24) 16
289-hours’ notice to the Chair, which notice shall be posted electronically. The Chair may cancel a 17
290-bill hearing at any time, with the approval of the Speaker if in the Chair's discretion the bill is not 18
291-ready to be heard in the committee. A hearing postponed twice at the sponsor’s request need not 19
292-be re-scheduled, and shall also be subject to Rule 12(a). For the purpose of the rule, consideration 20
293-shall mean a majority vote on one (1) of the following: 21
294-(i) a motion to report the bill or resolution to the House with a recommendation of 22
295-passage; 23
296-(ii) a motion to report the bill or resolution as amended, or in substitute form, to the 24
297-House with a recommendation of passage; or 25
298-(iii) a motion to report the bill or resolution to the House without recommendation; or 26
299-(iv) a motion to report the bill or resolution to the House with a recommendation of no 27
300-passage; or 28
301-(v) a motion to report the bill or resolution to the House with a recommendation that it be 29
302-held for further study. 30
303-In the event of a tie vote on any of the motions specified in (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) or (v) 31
304-hereof, the bill or resolution shall be lost. 32
305-The originals of bills or resolutions which have failed in committee shall be transmitted 33
306-by the committee clerks to the Secretary of State for the State Archives, with an appropriate 34
273+Senate. 1
274+(d) Every standing committee shall meet at least once weekly if any requests for hearings 2
275+on or consideration of bills or resolutions are pending before it. The right to be heard on any such 3
276+bill or resolution may be granted, upon written or electronic request, to the principal sponsor as 4
277+provided in these rules. No committee shall hear more than thirty (30) bills (exclusive of city and 5
278+town bills, corporate charter reinstatement bills, those to be placed on the consent calendar, and 6
279+duplicate senate bills that have previously passed) at any one (1) meeting. 7
280+(e) Upon receipt of a written request from the principal House sponsor of a bill or 8
281+resolution, a copy of which is to be given to the recording clerk of the committee, the committee 9
282+shall grant to said principal House sponsor a hearing on any said bill or resolution within thirty (30) 10
283+calendar days of the request, subject to Rule 12(a), and provided further, that said committee shall 11
284+grant to the principal House sponsor consideration of his or her bill or resolution prior to the 12
285+deadline for committee action on such bill or resolution, also subject to Rule 12(a). The principal 13
286+sponsor, with the concurrence of the Chair, may cancel a scheduled hearing with twenty-four (24) 14
287+hours’ notice to the Chair, which notice shall be posted electronically. The Chair may cancel a bill 15
288+hearing at any time, with the approval of the Speaker if in the Chair's discretion the bill is not ready 16
289+to be heard in the committee. A hearing postponed twice at the sponsor’s request need not be re-17
290+scheduled, and shall also be subject to Rule 12(a). For the purpose of the rule, consideration shall 18
291+mean a majority vote on one (1) of the following: 19
292+(i) a motion to report the bill or resolution to the House with a recommendation of passage; 20
293+(ii) a motion to report the bill or resolution as amended, or in substitute form, to the House 21
294+with a recommendation of passage; or 22
295+(iii) a motion to report the bill or resolution to the House without recommendation; or 23
296+(iv) a motion to report the bill or resolution to the House with a recommendation of no 24
297+passage; or 25
298+(v) a motion to report the bill or resolution to the House with a recommendation that it be 26
299+held for further study. 27
300+In the event of a tie vote on any of the motions specified in (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) or (v) 28
301+hereof, the bill or resolution shall be lost. 29
302+The originals of bills or resolutions which have failed in committee shall be transmitted by 30
303+the committee clerks to the Secretary of State for the State Archives, with an appropriate notation 31
304+thereon at the time specified in R.I.G.L. 32
305+(f) Committee Chairs shall bring reports of committee actions to the floor no later than two 33
306+(2) weeks following the committee votes thereon, provided that this shall not apply to the 34
307307
308308
309309 LC000397/SUB A - Page 9 of 28
310-notation thereon at the time specified in R.I.G.L. 1
311-(f) Committee Chairs shall bring reports of committee actions to the floor no later than 2
312-two (2) weeks following the committee votes thereon, provided that this shall not apply to the 3
313-Committee on Finance, nor shall it apply to bills being held for further study under subdivision 4
314-(e)(v). A committee member may move reconsideration of any vote taken under Rule 12(e)(i)-(iv) 5
315-so long as the bill or resolution which was the subject of the vote remains in the possession of the 6
316-committee and that the motion is made by a member voting in the majority. A motion to 7
317-reconsider in committee shall not be debated. 8
318-Bills or resolutions concerning appropriations, revenue or expenditures shall not be 9
319-subject to the above time limits. 10
320-(g) In the event a committee fails to afford consideration to any bill or resolution within 11
321-the prescribed time where such consideration has been properly requested, and where no other 12
322-exceptions or considerations apply by the rules herein, the principal sponsor may report such 13
323-failure in writing to the Speaker of the House and the Speaker thereupon may order the immediate 14
324-discharge of the bill or resolution from a committee to the House floor. 15
325-(h) All bills or resolutions reported from committee shall be placed on the calendar or, 16
326-pursuant to the restrictions of these rules, on the consent calendar for the required period of time 17
327-according to these rules before House consideration. Bills and resolutions reported from 18
328-committees and received by the Clerk of the House prior to the convening of the session on a 19
329-given legislative day shall be deemed to have been received, and therefore in order to be placed 20
330-upon the appropriate calendar, as of that day. Bills and resolutions so received after the convening 21
331-of the session on a given legislative day shall be deemed to have been received, and therefore in 22
332-order to be placed upon the appropriate calendar, on the next legislative day and shall be 23
333-considered a part of that day’s business. 24
334-House Rule 12(e) regarding the necessity to hold a hearing at the sponsor’s request 25
335-through 12(h) pertaining to the timing of placing a bill onto the floor calendar shall not apply to 26
336-any bill or resolution which shall have originated in the Senate. 27
337-(i) No public bill or resolution which originated in the House shall be considered by a 28
338-House committee unless the committee has held a hearing on that bill or resolution by April 11, 29
339-2023 22, 2025 (for the 2023 2025 session) and on or before April 10, 2024 21, 2026 (for the 2024 30
340-2026 session), and thereafter the committees of the House shall not consider public bills or 31
341-resolutions except those which have been acted upon by the Senate and transmitted by the Senate 32
342-to the House of Representatives, provided however, that the committee on finance may hear and 33
343-consider such House bills, acts or resolutions as it deems to have a fiscal impact after April 11, 34
310+Committee on Finance, nor shall it apply to bills being held for further study under subdivision 1
311+(e)(v). A committee member may move reconsideration of any vote taken under Rule 12(e)(i)-(iv) 2
312+so long as the bill or resolution which was the subject of the vote remains in the possession of the 3
313+committee and that the motion is made by a member voting in the majority. A motion to reconsider 4
314+in committee shall not be debated. 5
315+Bills or resolutions concerning appropriations, revenue or expenditures shall not be subject 6
316+to the above time limits. 7
317+(g) In the event a committee fails to afford consideration to any bill or resolution within 8
318+the prescribed time where such consideration has been properly requested, and where no other 9
319+exceptions or considerations apply by the rules herein, the principal sponsor may report such failure 10
320+in writing to the Speaker of the House and the Speaker thereupon may order the immediate 11
321+discharge of the bill or resolution from a committee to the House floor. 12
322+(h) All bills or resolutions reported from committee shall be placed on the calendar or, 13
323+pursuant to the restrictions of these rules, on the consent calendar for the required period of time 14
324+according to these rules before House consideration. Bills and resolutions reported from 15
325+committees and received by the Clerk of the House prior to the convening of the session on a given 16
326+legislative day shall be deemed to have been received, and therefore in order to be placed upon the 17
327+appropriate calendar, as of that day. Bills and resolutions so received after the convening of the 18
328+session on a given legislative day shall be deemed to have been received, and therefore in order to 19
329+be placed upon the appropriate calendar, on the next legislative day and shall be considered a part 20
330+of that day’s business. 21
331+House Rule 12(e) regarding the necessity to hold a hearing at the sponsor’s request through 22
332+12(h) pertaining to the timing of placing a bill onto the floor calendar shall not apply to any bill or 23
333+resolution which shall have originated in the Senate. 24
334+(i) No public bill or resolution which originated in the House shall be considered by a 25
335+House committee unless the committee has held a hearing on that bill or resolution by April 11, 26
336+2023 22, 2025 (for the 2023 2025 session) and on or before April 10, 2024 21, 2026 (for the 2024 27
337+2026 session), and thereafter the committees of the House shall not consider public bills or 28
338+resolutions except those which have been acted upon by the Senate and transmitted by the Senate 29
339+to the House of Representatives, provided however, that the committee on finance may hear and 30
340+consider such House bills, acts or resolutions as it deems to have a fiscal impact after April 11, 31
341+2023 22, 2025 (for the 2023 2025 session) and after April 10, 2024 21, 2026 (for the 2024 2026 32
342+session), except as provided in section (j) hereof, and provided further, that each other 33
343+House committee may complete consideration of not more than three (3) House bills or resolutions 34
344344
345345
346346 LC000397/SUB A - Page 10 of 28
347-2023 22, 2025 (for the 2023 2025 session) and after April 10, 2024 21, 2026 (for the 2024 2026 1
348-session), except as provided in section (j) hereof, and provided further, that each other 2
349-House committee may complete consideration of not more than three (3) House bills or 3
350-resolutions after such date, on which such committee had not been able to complete action, upon 4
351-approval by the Speaker of a written request from the Chair. All such requests must be filed with 5
352-the Clerk of the House no later than April 11, 2023 22, 2025 (for the 2023 2025 session) and on 6
353-or before April 10, 2024 21, 2026 (for the 2024 2026 session). The provisions of this paragraph 7
354-shall not apply to House bills of which Senate duplicates have passed the House. 8
355-(j) No House bill which relates to an individual's pension or retirement shall be accepted 9
356-as a committee report from the committee on finance unless it shall have been considered by the 10
357-committee on or before April 11, 2023 22, 2025 (for the 2023 2025 session) and on or before 11
358-April 10, 2024 21, 2026 (for the 2024 2026 session), and shall have been heard in the committee 12
359-no later than one (1) week prior to that date. 13
360-(k) Transfers –The Speaker or the Speaker’s designee may direct the transfer of a bill or 14
361-resolution from one committee to another at any time. The committee receiving the transferred 15
362-bill or resolution must comply with the posting and time requirements of this section. 16
363-(l) Members of a committee shall, if present, cast a vote on legislation before the 17
364-committee, unless prior to the discussion of the bill and vote, the member has recused in 18
365-accordance with the provisions of the Code of Ethics, RIGL §36-14-6. The member shall sign a 19
366-recusal form, and the Clerk of the Committee shall note the member's recusal on the bill vote 20
367-sheet. 21
368-(m) Any proposed committee amendment to a bill, in a substitute amended bill format, 22
369-shall be posted in print and electronically by the chair of the committee hearing the bill at least 23
370-twenty-four (24) hours prior to its committee consideration. Such postings shall be made on the 24
371-legislative data bulletin board and electronically. The electronic posting shall be considered the 25
372-official date of the posting. In the event that the electronic posting system is inoperable, then the 26
373-official posting shall be posted on the legislative data bulletin board. The chair of the committee 27
374-may waive this twenty-four (24) hours posting requirement, if he or she deems the proposed 28
375-amendment either technical, grammatical, or not substantive or substantial in nature. This section 29
376-shall not apply to the budget bill. 30
377-(13)(a) Committees shall keep a permanent record of their written submissions and of 31
378-their voting tally sheets, and the same shall be public records and available to any member and to 32
379-any person within two (2) legislative days upon written request. 33
380-(b) Each committee shall file with the Clerk of the House and with legislative data 34
347+after such date, on which such committee had not been able to complete action, upon approval by 1
348+the Speaker of a written request from the Chair. All such requests must be filed with the Clerk of 2
349+the House no later than April 11, 2023 22, 2025 (for the 2023 2025 session) and on or before April 3
350+10, 2024 21, 2026 (for the 2024 2026 session). The provisions of this paragraph shall not apply to 4
351+House bills of which Senate duplicates have passed the House. 5
352+(j) No House bill which relates to an individual's pension or retirement shall be accepted 6
353+as a committee report from the committee on finance unless it shall have been considered by the 7
354+committee on or before April 11, 2023 22, 2025 (for the 2023 2025 session) and on or before April 8
355+10, 2024 21, 2026 (for the 2024 2026 session), and shall have been heard in the committee no later 9
356+than one (1) week prior to that date. 10
357+(k) Transfers –The Speaker or the Speaker’s designee may direct the transfer of a bill or 11
358+resolution from one committee to another at any time. The committee receiving the transferred bill 12
359+or resolution must comply with the posting and time requirements of this section. 13
360+(l) Members of a committee shall, if present, cast a vote on legislation before the 14
361+committee, unless prior to the discussion of the bill and vote, the member has recused in accordance 15
362+with the provisions of the Code of Ethics, RIGL §36-14-6. The member shall sign a recusal form, 16
363+and the Clerk of the Committee shall note the member's recusal on the bill vote sheet. 17
364+(m) Any proposed committee amendment to a bill, in a substitute amended bill format, 18
365+shall be posted in print and electronically by the chair of the committee hearing the bill at least 19
366+twenty-four (24) hours prior to its committee consideration. Such postings shall be made on the 20
367+legislative data bulletin board and electronically. The electronic posting shall be considered the 21
368+official date of the posting. In the event that the electronic posting system is inoperable, then the 22
369+official posting shall be posted on the legislative data bulletin board. The chair of the committee 23
370+may waive this twenty-four (24) hours posting requirement, if he or she deems the proposed 24
371+amendment either technical, grammatical, or not substantive or substantial in nature. This section 25
372+shall not apply to the budget bill. 26
373+(13)(a) Committees shall keep a permanent record of their written submissions and of their 27
374+voting tally sheets, and the same shall be public records and available to any member and to any 28
375+person within two (2) legislative days upon written request. 29
376+(b) Each committee shall file with the Clerk of the House and with legislative data services 30
377+a list of all measures on which formal action was taken and a copy of the recorded vote tally on 31
378+each such measure. 32
379+(c) The Speaker shall formulate a plan for the publication of committee votes and work to 33
380+implement the plan so committee votes appear online in a prominent and conspicuous location on 34
381381
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383383 LC000397/SUB A - Page 11 of 28
384-services a list of all measures on which formal action was taken and a copy of the recorded vote 1
385-tally on each such measure. 2
386-(c) The Speaker shall formulate a plan for the publication of committee votes and work to 3
387-implement the plan so committee votes appear online in a prominent and conspicuous location on 4
388-the General Assembly website prior to the floor votes of the bill occurring. 5
389-(d) The Speaker, wherever feasible with the confines of existing room availability and 6
390-personnel levels, shall direct Capitol Television to broadcast committee hearings live on Capitol 7
391-Television or, in the instance where committees are meeting on the same day and time, record the 8
392-hearings for broadcast on a delayed basis. Committee hearings dealing with the expenditure of 9
393-public funds shall be given priority for live broadcast. Chairs of the various committees are 10
394-authorized to make a request of the Speaker, or the Speaker’s designee, to broadcast their 11
395-respective committee hearings on Capitol Television if they believe an agenda item is of 12
396-particular importance or interest. 13
397-(e) All committee hearings shall be audio recorded or video recorded with audio. 14
398-Rules Pertaining to Bills and Petitions 15
399-(14)(a) No bill or resolution shall be considered or acted upon by the House if objection 16
400-is made unless the same has been considered by, reported, or recalled from a committee thereof, 17
401-from a joint committee, or by two-thirds (2/3) of members present. This rule shall not apply to a 18
402-House Bill of which the Senate duplicate has passed the House, and provided further that the 19
403-Speaker may at any time order a duplicate bill received from the Senate, or any Senate bill after 20
404-the budget bill shall have passed the House, onto the calendar. 21
405-(b) When a bill or resolution is postponed indefinitely, the same shall not be acted upon 22
406-again during the session. 23
407-(c) No bill or resolution shall be passed or concurred in without two (2) readings. The 24
408-first reading shall take place by acceptance of the bill or resolution and publication in the House 25
409-Journal and the second after it has been placed upon the calendar. No bill or resolution upon the 26
410-calendar shall be taken up for consideration unless copies thereof, in the form in which it was 27
411-reported from committee, shall have been made available in print or electronically to the 28
412-members no later than the rise of the House on the legislative day before the day on which it shall 29
413-be in order for consideration. No matter of business on the calendar shall be considered upon its 30
414-merits prior to the legislative day after it shall have been placed on the calendar except by vote of 31
415-the majority of the members present and voting. The provisions of this paragraph shall not apply 32
416-to Senate bills received by the House which are duplicates of House bills. Those bills passing out 33
417-of committee on the last legislative day of the week shall be in order for placement on the 34
384+the General Assembly website prior to the floor votes of the bill occurring. 1
385+(d) The Speaker, wherever feasible with the confines of existing room availability and 2
386+personnel levels, shall direct Capitol Television to broadcast committee hearings live on Capitol 3
387+Television or, in the instance where committees are meeting on the same day and time, record the 4
388+hearings for broadcast on a delayed basis. Committee hearings dealing with the expenditure of 5
389+public funds shall be given priority for live broadcast. Chairs of the various committees are 6
390+authorized to make a request of the Speaker, or the Speaker’s designee, to broadcast their respective 7
391+committee hearings on Capitol Television if they believe an agenda item is of particular importance 8
392+or interest. 9
393+(e) All committee hearings shall be audio recorded or video recorded with audio. 10
394+Rules Pertaining to Bills and Petitions 11
395+(14)(a) No bill or resolution shall be considered or acted upon by the House if objection is 12
396+made unless the same has been considered by, reported, or recalled from a committee thereof, from 13
397+a joint committee, or by two-thirds (2/3) of members present. This rule shall not apply to a House 14
398+Bill of which the Senate duplicate has passed the House, and provided further that the Speaker may 15
399+at any time order a duplicate bill received from the Senate, or any Senate bill after the budget bill 16
400+shall have passed the House, onto the calendar. 17
401+(b) When a bill or resolution is postponed indefinitely, the same shall not be acted upon 18
402+again during the session. 19
403+(c) No bill or resolution shall be passed or concurred in without two (2) readings. The first 20
404+reading shall take place by acceptance of the bill or resolution and publication in the House Journal 21
405+and the second after it has been placed upon the calendar. No bill or resolution upon the calendar 22
406+shall be taken up for consideration unless copies thereof, in the form in which it was reported from 23
407+committee, shall have been made available in print or electronically to the members no later than 24
408+the rise of the House on the legislative day before the day on which it shall be in order for 25
409+consideration. No matter of business on the calendar shall be considered upon its merits prior to 26
410+the legislative day after it shall have been placed on the calendar except by vote of the majority of 27
411+the members present and voting. The provisions of this paragraph shall not apply to Senate bills 28
412+received by the House which are duplicates of House bills. Those bills passing out of committee 29
413+on the last legislative day of the week shall be in order for placement on the calendar or consent 30
414+calendar as early as the first legislative day of the next week. 31
415+(d) No more than fifty (50) public bills shall be considered upon their merits during any 32
416+one (1) legislative day and no bill shall be brought before the body after 10:30 p.m., provided, 33
417+however, that House bills returned from the Senate, Senate bills which are duplicates of and 34
418418
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420420 LC000397/SUB A - Page 12 of 28
421-calendar or consent calendar as early as the first legislative day of the next week. 1
422-(d) No more than fifty (50) public bills shall be considered upon their merits during any 2
423-one (1) legislative day and no bill shall be brought before the body after 10:30 p.m., provided, 3
424-however, that House bills returned from the Senate, Senate bills which are duplicates of and 4
425-identical to House bills, corporate charter revocation bills, and solemnization of marriage bills 5
426-and bills removed from the consent calendar may be considered notwithstanding this limit. 6
427-Provided further, that Senate bills which are duplicates of and identical to House bills, and House 7
428-bills returned from the Senate, may without objection be bundled and passed by one vote 8
429-provided that they are provided to members electronically prior to consideration. In the case of 9
430-bundled bills that contain identical and duplicate Senate bills, at the request of the Majority and 10
431-Minority Leaders the House journal will reflect that the vote of the members on the bill is 11
432-consistent with his or her vote on the duplicate House bill previously passed. Prior to the vote on 12
433-a duplicate bill, it should be stated for the record and be made known to the body that the bill is 13
434-identical. 14
435-(e) The budget bill shall be prepared by Legislative Council. The budget bill shall not be 15
436-considered by the House unless copies thereof as approved by the finance committee have been 16
437-available to the members for seven (7) calendar days. For the purposes of calculating the seven 17
438-(7) day requirement, the day of passage by the Finance Committee shall not be counted but the 18
439-scheduled day for floor action shall be included in the calculation. No amendment which is 19
440-intended to make a substantive change in the budget bill may be offered other than by the Chair 20
441-of the finance committee, except with the agreement of two-thirds (2/3) of the members present, 21
442-unless the text thereof shall have been submitted to the Legislative Council and made available to 22
443-the members not less than two (2) calendar days prior to the day on which the budget bill shall 23
444-be in order for consideration. 24
445-(f) An amendment which was germane when prepared, and which was offered in a timely 25
446-fashion, but is no longer germane because of an intervening amendment, may, with the agreement 26
447-of the Majority Leader and Minority Leader, be revised orally or in writing by the sponsor 27
448-without renewed compliance with the requirements hereof. 28
449-(g) After the 50th legislative day, bills or resolutions received back from the Senate with 29
450-amendments requiring House concurrence shall, with the agreement of the House sponsor and the 30
451-Majority Leader, be placed on the calendar in order for the day upon which they are received or 31
452-any day thereafter. 32
453-(15)(a) There shall be attached to every public bill or resolution when first introduced an 33
454-explanation of such bill or resolution indicating the proposed changes, and/or the statute or 34
421+identical to House bills, corporate charter revocation bills, and solemnization of marriage bills and 1
422+bills removed from the consent calendar may be considered notwithstanding this limit. Provided 2
423+further, that Senate bills which are duplicates of and identical to House bills, and House bills 3
424+returned from the Senate, may without objection be bundled and passed by one vote provided that 4
425+they are provided to members electronically prior to consideration. In the case of bundled bills that 5
426+contain identical and duplicate Senate bills, at the request of the Majority and Minority Leaders the 6
427+House journal will reflect that the vote of the members on the bill is consistent with his or her vote 7
428+on the duplicate House bill previously passed. Prior to the vote on a duplicate bill, it should be 8
429+stated for the record and be made known to the body that the bill is identical. 9
430+(e) The budget bill shall be prepared by Legislative Council. The budget bill shall not be 10
431+considered by the House unless copies thereof as approved by the finance committee have been 11
432+available to the members for seven (7) calendar days. For the purposes of calculating the seven (7) 12
433+day requirement, the day of passage by the Finance Committee shall not be counted but the 13
434+scheduled day for floor action shall be included in the calculation. No amendment which is intended 14
435+to make a substantive change in the budget bill may be offered other than by the Chair of the finance 15
436+committee, except with the agreement of two-thirds (2/3) of the members present, unless the text 16
437+thereof shall have been submitted to the Legislative Council and made available to the members not 17
438+less than two (2) calendar days prior to the day on which the budget bill shall be in order for 18
439+consideration. 19
440+(f) An amendment which was germane when prepared, and which was offered in a timely 20
441+fashion, but is no longer germane because of an intervening amendment, may, with the agreement 21
442+of the Majority Leader and Minority Leader, be revised orally or in writing by the sponsor without 22
443+renewed compliance with the requirements hereof. 23
444+(g) After the 50th legislative day, bills or resolutions received back from the Senate with 24
445+amendments requiring House concurrence shall, with the agreement of the House sponsor and the 25
446+Majority Leader, be placed on the calendar in order for the day upon which they are received or 26
447+any day thereafter. 27
448+(15)(a) There shall be attached to every public bill or resolution when first introduced an 28
449+explanation of such bill or resolution indicating the proposed changes, and/or the statute or existing 29
450+law which such bill or resolution purports to amend. 30
451+(b) When any bill or resolution is offered which is intended to amend any part or parts of 31
452+an existing statute, or the Constitution of the State of Rhode Island, or the House Rules, any part or 32
453+parts intended to be stricken shall be contained in the bill or resolution and shall be crossed out. All 33
454+new matter contained in the bill or resolution shall be underlined, so that the new matter may be 34
455455
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457457 LC000397/SUB A - Page 13 of 28
458-existing law which such bill or resolution purports to amend. 1
459-(b) When any bill or resolution is offered which is intended to amend any part or parts of 2
460-an existing statute, or the Constitution of the State of Rhode Island, or the House Rules, any part 3
461-or parts intended to be stricken shall be contained in the bill or resolution and shall be crossed 4
462-out. All new matter contained in the bill or resolution shall be underlined, so that the new matter 5
463-may be easily discerned. Existing language not intended to be amended shall be 6
464-reproduced without change. In the discretion of Legislative Council in drafting a bill pursuant to 7
465-section (d) of this rule, or upon the request for a Sub A from the Chair of the committee where the 8
466-bill is assigned, additional sections of law that are not being amended may be included in the 9
467-explanation to the bill to add context to the changes made in the statutes the bill amends. 10
468-(c) "Public bill" shall include all bills or resolutions which in any way have general 11
469-application throughout the state or which are of a nature for which the constitution requires 12
470-special treatment, and bills which relate to an individual's pension or retirement benefits. Bills or 13
471-resolutions of a private or local nature shall not be considered "Public bills" and shall include: 14
472-those which pertain to a particular city or town or local entity; those making claims against the 15
473-state; those which pertain to private corporation charters and amendments thereto and restoration 16
474-thereof, and to amendments to authorize holdings by non-profit organizations of a charitable, 17
475-civic, library or like nature; resolutions memorializing congress, or of congratulations or 18
476-expressing sympathy or condolences; resolutions requesting the several departments of state 19
477-government to grant some privilege, consideration or relief; and others of like private and local 20
478-nature. 21
479-(d) All bills and resolutions, private as well as public, and all proposed amendments 22
480-thereto, shall be prepared by the Legislative Council, and the Clerk of the House may decline to 23
481-accept for introduction any bill, resolution or transmittal not in conformity herewith. Once 24
482-introduced and referred, all bills and resolutions shall be printed and made available 25
483-electronically, except resolutions of congratulation and condolence. The Legislative Council may 26
484-decline to accept for drafting any proposal for an amendment submitted to it later than 12:00 p.m. 27
485-on the day on which the bill or resolution to be amended is to be heard, provided that the Speaker 28
486-or his or her designee may waive this restriction. 29
487-(e) All bills and resolutions which have been introduced at the request of one of the 30
488-general officers or any department or agency or from the judicial branch shall bear a stamp or 31
489-designation indicating such request. 32
490-(i) Upon presentation of testimony before a committee, the prime sponsor of a bill or 33
491-resolution shall provide to the committee the name of any individual, group or organization 34
458+easily discerned. Existing language not intended to be amended shall be reproduced without 1
459+change. In the discretion of Legislative Council in drafting a bill pursuant to section (d) of this rule, 2
460+or upon the request for a Sub A from the Chair of the committee where the bill is assigned, 3
461+additional sections of law that are not being amended may be included in the explanation to the bill 4
462+to add context to the changes made in the statutes the bill amends. 5
463+(c) "Public bill" shall include all bills or resolutions which in any way have general 6
464+application throughout the state or which are of a nature for which the constitution requires special 7
465+treatment, and bills which relate to an individual's pension or retirement benefits. Bills or 8
466+resolutions of a private or local nature shall not be considered "Public bills" and shall include: those 9
467+which pertain to a particular city or town or local entity; those making claims against the state; 10
468+those which pertain to private corporation charters and amendments thereto and restoration thereof, 11
469+and to amendments to authorize holdings by non-profit organizations of a charitable, civic, library 12
470+or like nature; resolutions memorializing congress, or of congratulations or expressing sympathy 13
471+or condolences; resolutions requesting the several departments of state government to grant some 14
472+privilege, consideration or relief; and others of like private and local nature. 15
473+(d) All bills and resolutions, private as well as public, and all proposed amendments thereto, 16
474+shall be prepared by the Legislative Council, and the Clerk of the House may decline to accept for 17
475+introduction any bill, resolution or transmittal not in conformity herewith. Once introduced and 18
476+referred, all bills and resolutions shall be printed and made available electronically, except 19
477+resolutions of congratulation and condolence. The Legislative Council may decline to accept for 20
478+drafting any proposal for an amendment submitted to it later than 12:00 p.m. on the day on which 21
479+the bill or resolution to be amended is to be heard, provided that the Speaker or his or her designee 22
480+may waive this restriction. 23
481+(e) All bills and resolutions which have been introduced at the request of one of the general 24
482+officers or any department or agency or from the judicial branch shall bear a stamp or designation 25
483+indicating such request. 26
484+(i) Upon presentation of testimony before a committee, the prime sponsor of a bill or 27
485+resolution shall provide to the committee the name of any individual, group or organization 28
486+responsible for the substantive basis or text of the bill. 29
487+(f) A prime sponsor may withdraw a bill or resolution previously introduced at any time, 30
488+upon written request to the Clerk of the House on a form which the Clerk of the House shall provide. 31
489+(g)(i) In the event a bill is amended or substituted by a committee for floor action, the 32
490+sponsor or sponsors of that bill may elect, in writing, to have their names disassociated from said 33
491+bill and the committee report shall reflect this election and it shall be reflected in the House journal. 34
492492
493493
494494 LC000397/SUB A - Page 14 of 28
495-responsible for the substantive basis or text of the bill. 1
496-(f) A prime sponsor may withdraw a bill or resolution previously introduced at any time, 2
497-upon written request to the Clerk of the House on a form which the Clerk of the House shall 3
498-provide. 4
499-(g)(i) In the event a bill is amended or substituted by a committee for floor action, the 5
500-sponsor or sponsors of that bill may elect, in writing, to have their names disassociated from said 6
501-bill and the committee report shall reflect this election and it shall be reflected in the House 7
502-journal. 8
503-(ii) A co-sponsor of a bill or resolution may remove his or her name from a bill or 9
504-resolution at any time prior to its passage upon written notice to the clerk. If the co-sponsor is 10
505-listed electronically as one of the sponsors, such change in sponsorship shall be amended online 11
506-as well as reflected in the House journal. 12
507-(iii) A member may request of the Speaker to be listed as a co-sponsor on any bill or 13
508-resolution assigned to any committee, provided that the member makes the request of the Speaker 14
509-and actually signs the bill prior to the first hearing on the bill in committee. 15
510-(h)(i) A bill or resolution may be pre-filed by any member or member-elect with the 16
511-Clerk of the House at any time from November 15 to the day prior to the commencement of the 17
512-regular annual session. The clerk shall order it printed by Legislative Council, and make it 18
513-available for the first reading on the second day of the succeeding session. 19
514-(ii) Only the bills or resolutions filed by members elected and qualified shall receive the 20
515-first reading. 21
516-(iii) In the event that any member or member-elect shall die after filing and before the 22
517-first reading, the death of the member or member-elect shall constitute automatic withdrawal of 23
518-said bill or resolution; provided, however, that where a bill or resolution shall have had more than 24
519-one sponsor, said bill or resolution and number shall not be withdrawn and the member whose 25
520-name appears second on the bill or resolution shall become the prime sponsor. 26
521-(16) No measure without a body or substantive content shall be accepted at any time, nor 27
522-shall a substitute bill be accepted which is not consistent with the title and substance of the 28
523-original bill. No motion or proposition of a subject different from that under consideration shall 29
524-be admitted under color of amendment. 30
525-(17)(a) No amendment to a pending bill or resolution may be considered by the House, 31
526-except by unanimous consent, unless the text of the amendment shall be on the desks of the 32
527-members in typed form or accessible electronically. 33
528-(b) When an amendment proposed to any pending measure is laid on the table, it shall not 34
495+(ii) A co-sponsor of a bill or resolution may remove his or her name from a bill or resolution 1
496+at any time prior to its passage upon written notice to the clerk. If the co-sponsor is listed 2
497+electronically as one of the sponsors, such change in sponsorship shall be amended online as well 3
498+as reflected in the House journal. 4
499+(iii) A member may request of the Speaker to be listed as a co-sponsor on any bill or 5
500+resolution assigned to any committee, provided that the member makes the request of the Speaker 6
501+and actually signs the bill prior to the first hearing on the bill in committee. 7
502+(h)(i) A bill or resolution may be pre-filed by any member or member-elect with the Clerk 8
503+of the House at any time from November 15 to the day prior to the commencement of the regular 9
504+annual session. The clerk shall order it printed by Legislative Council, and make it available for the 10
505+first reading on the second day of the succeeding session. 11
506+(ii) Only the bills or resolutions filed by members elected and qualified shall receive the 12
507+first reading. 13
508+(iii) In the event that any member or member-elect shall die after filing and before the first 14
509+reading, the death of the member or member-elect shall constitute automatic withdrawal of said bill 15
510+or resolution; provided, however, that where a bill or resolution shall have had more than one 16
511+sponsor, said bill or resolution and number shall not be withdrawn and the member whose name 17
512+appears second on the bill or resolution shall become the prime sponsor. 18
513+(16) No measure without a body or substantive content shall be accepted at any time, nor 19
514+shall a substitute bill be accepted which is not consistent with the title and substance of the original 20
515+bill. No motion or proposition of a subject different from that under consideration shall be admitted 21
516+under color of amendment. 22
517+(17)(a) No amendment to a pending bill or resolution may be considered by the House, 23
518+except by unanimous consent, unless the text of the amendment shall be on the desks of the 24
519+members in typed form or accessible electronically. 25
520+(b) When an amendment proposed to any pending measure is laid on the table, it shall not 26
521+be construed to be a motion to table the measure on which the amendment has been offered. 27
522+(c) The motion to lay on the table and the motion to take from the table shall be non-28
523+debatable; provided, however, that the mover of an amendment shall be allowed two (2) minutes 29
524+to reply when a motion is made to table his or her amendment; whereupon the Speaker shall put 30
525+forward the question on the motion to table. 31
526+(18) Amendments, articles or sections of the State budget shall concern only 32
527+appropriations, expenditures, revenue or matters related thereto. 33
528+(19) Except with respect to present and former members of the General Assembly, general 34
529529
530530
531531 LC000397/SUB A - Page 15 of 28
532-be construed to be a motion to table the measure on which the amendment has been offered. 1
533-(c) The motion to lay on the table and the motion to take from the table shall be non-2
534-debatable; provided, however, that the mover of an amendment shall be allowed two (2) minutes 3
535-to reply when a motion is made to table his or her amendment; whereupon the Speaker shall put 4
536-forward the question on the motion to table. 5
537-(18) Amendments, articles or sections of the State budget shall concern only 6
538-appropriations, expenditures, revenue or matters related thereto. 7
539-(19) Except with respect to present and former members of the General Assembly, 8
540-general officers, members of the judiciary, and elected state and federal officials, all expressions 9
541-in the nature of condolences and in the nature of congratulations may be presented in omnibus 10
542-resolutions which shall not require concurrent action and which, upon passage, shall be forthwith 11
543-transmitted to the Secretary of State. 12
544-(20)(a) No petition to discharge a bill or resolution from Committee shall be appropriate 13
532+officers, members of the judiciary, and elected state and federal officials, all expressions in the 1
533+nature of condolences and in the nature of congratulations may be presented in omnibus resolutions 2
534+which shall not require concurrent action and which, upon passage, shall be forthwith transmitted 3
535+to the Secretary of State. 4
536+(20)(a) No petition to discharge a bill or resolution from Committee shall be appropriate 5
545537 for presentation until after the fiftieth (50
546538 th
547-) legislative day and until the bill or resolution shall 14
548-have been in the possession of the Committee for no less than sixteen (16) legislative days. On 15
549-any day after those requirements have been met, the prime sponsor of a bill or resolution may 16
550-present a petition in writing to discharge the committee from further consideration of a public bill 17
551-or resolution which has been referred to a committee, and by no other procedure, but only one 18
552-petition may be presented for a public bill or resolution during the course of a session. The 19
553-petition shall be placed in the custody of the recording clerk of the House who shall arrange 20
554-some convenient place for the signatures of the members to be placed thereon in the presence of 21
555-the recording clerk. A signature may be withdrawn by a member at any time before the petition 22
556-receives sufficient signatures to become effective, and such petitions shall become effective, and 23
557-shall serve to discharge a committee from further consideration of the public bill or resolution, 24
558-and shall cause said public bill or resolution to be placed upon the calendar for action, when any 25
559-thirty-eight (38) representatives shall have affixed their signatures thereto, provided, however, 26
560-that if, after the bill or resolution is calendared but before it is taken up, enough signatures are 27
561-withdrawn so that the number of effective signatures falls below thirty-eight (38), the bill or 28
562-resolution shall pass off the calendar. 29
563-(b) At the time the petition is properly submitted to the clerk of the House, a notation 30
564-shall be added to the bill status/history section for that particular legislation as it appears online. 31
565-(c) During House consideration of any discharged public bill or resolution, no motion to 32
566-recommit or lay on the table shall be entertained by the Speaker until every member desiring to 33
567-be heard has been recognized. 34
539+) legislative day and until the bill or resolution shall have 6
540+been in the possession of the Committee for no less than sixteen (16) legislative days. On any day 7
541+after those requirements have been met, the prime sponsor of a bill or resolution may present a 8
542+petition in writing to discharge the committee from further consideration of a public bill 9
543+or resolution which has been referred to a committee, and by no other procedure, but only one 10
544+petition may be presented for a public bill or resolution during the course of a session. The petition 11
545+shall be placed in the custody of the recording clerk of the House who shall arrange 12
546+some convenient place for the signatures of the members to be placed thereon in the presence of 13
547+the recording clerk. A signature may be withdrawn by a member at any time before the petition 14
548+receives sufficient signatures to become effective, and such petitions shall become effective, and 15
549+shall serve to discharge a committee from further consideration of the public bill or resolution, 16
550+and shall cause said public bill or resolution to be placed upon the calendar for action, when any 17
551+thirty-eight (38) representatives shall have affixed their signatures thereto, provided, however, that 18
552+if, after the bill or resolution is calendared but before it is taken up, enough signatures are withdrawn 19
553+so that the number of effective signatures falls below thirty-eight (38), the bill or resolution shall 20
554+pass off the calendar. 21
555+(b) At the time the petition is properly submitted to the clerk of the House, a notation shall 22
556+be added to the bill status/history section for that particular legislation as it appears online. 23
557+(c) During House consideration of any discharged public bill or resolution, no motion to 24
558+recommit or lay on the table shall be entertained by the Speaker until every member desiring to be 25
559+heard has been recognized. 26
560+(21) No vote or act which has been passed by the House shall be sent by the clerk to the 27
561+Senate or to the Governor before the expiration of the time limit for its reconsideration, except 28
562+where the Speaker has ordered the transmittal and no objection is stated by a member, or in a case 29
563+where an objection is stated the objection to transmittal is supported by a majority of those members 30
564+who voted on the matter 31
565+Rules Pertaining to Decorum and Debates 32
566+(22) When any member desires to speak in debate, or to deliver any matter to the House, 33
567+the member shall activate his or her recognition button, and when recognized from the rostrum rise 34
568568
569569
570570 LC000397/SUB A - Page 16 of 28
571-(21) No vote or act which has been passed by the House shall be sent by the clerk to the 1
572-Senate or to the Governor before the expiration of the time limit for its reconsideration, except 2
573-where the Speaker has ordered the transmittal and no objection is stated by a member, or in a case 3
574-where an objection is stated the objection to transmittal is supported by a majority of those 4
575-members who voted on the matter 5
576-Rules Pertaining to Decorum and Debates 6
577-(22) When any member desires to speak in debate, or to deliver any matter to the House, 7
578-the member shall activate his or her recognition button, and when recognized from the rostrum 8
579-rise and proceed by respectfully addressing the Speaker. Debate shall be confined to the matter 9
580-before the House. No member shall be permitted to ask, nor shall the Speaker entertain, any 10
581-question not directly related to the matter before the House. 11
582-(23) When two (2) or more members seek to be recognized as indicated by activation of 12
583-their recognition buttons, the Speaker shall select the member who is to speak first. 13
584-(24) No member, exclusive of the Majority and Minority Leaders, the principal sponsor 14
585-or floor manager, or the chair of the committee from which the bill or resolution was reported, 15
586-shall speak more than twice to the same question without the leave of the House, nor more than 16
587-once until every member choosing to speak shall have spoken, nor for longer than five (5) 17
588-minutes without the leave of the House. 18
589-(25) If any member, in speaking or otherwise, transgresses any rule of the House, the 19
590-Speaker shall, or any member may, call him or her to order, in which case the member called to 20
591-order shall immediately sit down, unless permitted by the Speaker to continue and the House 21
592-shall, if appealed to, decide on the case but without debate. If the reading of any printed or written 22
593-paper be objected to, it shall be determined by the Speaker, and the House, if appealed to. 23
594-(26) While the Speaker is putting any question, or addressing the House, or when a 24
595-member is speaking, none shall entertain private discourse in person or by phone, nor 25
596-walk between the member who is addressing the Speaker and the chair. At no time while the 26
597-House is in session on the floor or in committee shall any person use cell phones or cause 27
598-disruption by any other means. 28
599-(27) When a motion is made and seconded, it shall be stated by the Speaker, or, being in 29
600-writing, shall be handed to the Speaker and read by the Clerk of the House before debate. Any 30
601-motion shall be reduced to writing before debate whenever the Speaker shall so direct. 31
602-(28) Any bill or resolution of more than one section shall be passed upon by section, 32
603-at the request of any member. With the leave of the Speaker, a section that is susceptible of 33
604-division shall be divided and put separately upon the propositions of which it is compounded, but 34
571+and proceed by respectfully addressing the Speaker. Debate shall be confined to the matter before 1
572+the House. No member shall be permitted to ask, nor shall the Speaker entertain, any question not 2
573+directly related to the matter before the House. 3
574+(23) When two (2) or more members seek to be recognized as indicated by activation of 4
575+their recognition buttons, the Speaker shall select the member who is to speak first. 5
576+(24) No member, exclusive of the Majority and Minority Leaders, the principal sponsor or 6
577+floor manager, or the chair of the committee from which the bill or resolution was reported, shall 7
578+speak more than twice to the same question without the leave of the House, nor more than once 8
579+until every member choosing to speak shall have spoken, nor for longer than five (5) minutes 9
580+without the leave of the House. 10
581+(25) If any member, in speaking or otherwise, transgresses any rule of the House, the 11
582+Speaker shall, or any member may, call him or her to order, in which case the member called to 12
583+order shall immediately sit down, unless permitted by the Speaker to continue and the House shall, 13
584+if appealed to, decide on the case but without debate. If the reading of any printed or written paper 14
585+be objected to, it shall be determined by the Speaker, and the House, if appealed to. 15
586+(26) While the Speaker is putting any question, or addressing the House, or when a member 16
587+is speaking, none shall entertain private discourse in person or by phone, nor walk between the 17
588+member who is addressing the Speaker and the chair. At no time while the House is in session on 18
589+the floor or in committee shall any person use cell phones or cause disruption by any other means. 19
590+(27) When a motion is made and seconded, it shall be stated by the Speaker, or, being in 20
591+writing, shall be handed to the Speaker and read by the Clerk of the House before debate. Any 21
592+motion shall be reduced to writing before debate whenever the Speaker shall so direct. 22
593+(28) Any bill or resolution of more than one section shall be passed upon by section, at the 23
594+request of any member. With the leave of the Speaker, a section that is susceptible of division shall 24
595+be divided and put separately upon the propositions of which it is compounded, but a motion 25
596+to strike out and substitute shall not be divided. 26
597+(29) After a motion is stated by the Speaker, or read by the clerk, it shall be deemed to be 27
598+in possession of the House, but any motion may be withdrawn by the mover at any time before a 28
599+decision or amendment. 29
600+(30) When a question is under debate no motion shall be received except: to adjourn, for 30
601+the previous question, to take a recess, to lay on the table, to fix a time for closing debate, to 31
602+postpone indefinitely, to postpone to a day certain, to recommit, or to amend. The motions for any 32
603+of the above actions shall have precedence in the order in which they are here arranged. 33
604+(31) When a time for a meeting of the House shall have been previously fixed upon, a 34
605605
606606
607607 LC000397/SUB A - Page 17 of 28
608-a motion to strike out and substitute shall not be divided. 1
609-(29) After a motion is stated by the Speaker, or read by the clerk, it shall be deemed to be 2
610-in possession of the House, but any motion may be withdrawn by the mover at any time before a 3
611-decision or amendment. 4
612-(30) When a question is under debate no motion shall be received except: to adjourn, for 5
613-the previous question, to take a recess, to lay on the table, to fix a time for closing debate, to 6
614-postpone indefinitely, to postpone to a day certain, to recommit, or to amend. The motions for any 7
615-of the above actions shall have precedence in the order in which they are here arranged. 8
616-(31) When a time for a meeting of the House shall have been previously fixed upon, a 9
617-motion to adjourn shall be always in order. Motions to take from the table, to reconsider, for the 10
618-previous question, to take a recess, to adjourn, and for the vote, shall be decided without debate. 11
619-Motions to lay on the table shall also be non-debatable except that the mover of an amendment 12
620-shall be allowed two (2) minutes to reply when a motion is made to table his or her amendment as 13
621-referenced in Rule 17(c). 14
622-(32) No member shall vote on any question of private property in the event of which he 15
623-or she is immediately and particularly interested. 16
624-(33)(a) No member shall speak or vote, unless within the bar of the House and at his or 17
625-her seat, except as hereinafter provided. No member may vote for another member, nor activate 18
626-another member's voting machine except by the express direction of that member who is present 19
627-in the House chamber. No one may occupy the vacant seat of a member. Every member who shall 20
628-be in his or her seat in the House Chamber when the question is put, shall give his or her vote, 21
629-unless prior thereto the Speaker shall have excused him or her in accordance with the provisions 22
630-of the Code of Ethics statute (RIGL § 36-14-6). Members seeking to recuse themselves on 23
631-legislation before the full House must file a written request for recusal, if they are present when 24
632-the House takes action on the bill, and the journal shall reflect such recusal with the letter "R." 25
633-(b) When a violation of Rule 33(a) in regard to voting is alleged in writing by a member, 26
634-the Speaker may refer said written allegation to the committee on conduct to investigate, hold 27
635-hearings, ascertain the facts and report its findings and recommendation to the House, which may 28
636-then take appropriate action including but not limited to expulsion as authorized by Article 6, 29
637-Section 7 of the Constitution of the State. 30
638-(c) The electronic voting machine of any member not present when the quorum is called 31
639-shall remain locked until the member has notified the recording clerk of his or her presence. Upon 32
640-late arrival but prior to adjournment, a member may report his or her presence to the recording 33
641-clerk which shall be recorded in the journal. 34
608+motion to adjourn shall be always in order. Motions to take from the table, to reconsider, for the 1
609+previous question, to take a recess, to adjourn, and for the vote, shall be decided without debate. 2
610+Motions to lay on the table shall also be non-debatable except that the mover of an amendment 3
611+shall be allowed two (2) minutes to reply when a motion is made to table his or her amendment as 4
612+referenced in Rule 17(c). 5
613+(32) No member shall vote on any question of private property in the event of which he or 6
614+she is immediately and particularly interested. 7
615+(33)(a) No member shall speak or vote, unless within the bar of the House and at his or her 8
616+seat, except as hereinafter provided. No member may vote for another member, nor activate another 9
617+member's voting machine except by the express direction of that member who is present in the 10
618+House chamber. No one may occupy the vacant seat of a member. Every member who shall be in 11
619+his or her seat in the House Chamber when the question is put, shall give his or her vote, unless 12
620+prior thereto the Speaker shall have excused him or her in accordance with the provisions of the 13
621+Code of Ethics statute (RIGL § 36-14-6). Members seeking to recuse themselves on legislation 14
622+before the full House must file a written request for recusal, if they are present when the House 15
623+takes action on the bill, and the journal shall reflect such recusal with the letter "R." 16
624+(b) When a violation of Rule 33(a) in regard to voting is alleged in writing by a member, 17
625+the Speaker may refer said written allegation to the committee on conduct to investigate, hold 18
626+hearings, ascertain the facts and report its findings and recommendation to the House, which may 19
627+then take appropriate action including but not limited to expulsion as authorized by Article 6, 20
628+Section 7 of the Constitution of the State. 21
629+(c) The electronic voting machine of any member not present when the quorum is called 22
630+shall remain locked until the member has notified the recording clerk of his or her presence. Upon 23
631+late arrival but prior to adjournment, a member may report his or her presence to the recording clerk 24
632+which shall be recorded in the journal. 25
633+(d) Any member who leaves the floor before adjournment for the remainder of that day's 26
634+session shall report to the recording clerk prior to his or her departure. The recording clerk will then 27
635+lock the electronic voting machine of that member. 28
636+(e) The Speaker may authorize a member to vote at session by limited-directed proxy if the 29
637+member is unable to be physically present in the chamber due to a health or medical condition. 30
638+After five (5) three (3) or more consecutive absences or if a member anticipates three (3) or more 31
639+consecutive absences due to a health or medical condition, a member may provide a written request 32
640+to the Speaker for authorization to vote by proxy pursuant to this rule. The Speaker may require 33
641+that the member provide documentation from a physician verifying that the member is unable to be 34
642642
643643
644644 LC000397/SUB A - Page 18 of 28
645-(d) Any member who leaves the floor before adjournment for the remainder of that day's 1
646-session shall report to the recording clerk prior to his or her departure. The recording clerk will 2
647-then lock the electronic voting machine of that member. 3
648-(e) The Speaker may authorize a member to vote at session by limited-directed proxy if 4
649-the member is unable to be physically present in the chamber due to a health or medical 5
650-condition. After five (5) three (3) or more consecutive absences or if a member anticipates three 6
651-(3) or more consecutive absences due to a health or medical condition, a member may provide a 7
652-written request to the Speaker for authorization to vote by proxy pursuant to this rule. The 8
653-Speaker may require that the member provide documentation from a physician verifying that the 9
654-member is unable to be physically present at session, and the Speaker may limit the duration of 10
655-authorization under this rule. Authorization to vote by proxy pursuant to this rule shall be 11
656-reported in the House Journal and shall be conducted in accordance with the procedure provided 12
657-in rule 47 (b). 13
658-(34)(a) The electronic voting system may be used to record attendance and quorums, and 14
659-at the direction of the Speaker, to record those members seconding any motion, request, or item. 15
660-It shall be used to record all votes on public bills and votes on rule changes and suspensions. It 16
661-shall be used for other votes by request of a member at the discretion of the Speaker. The results 17
662-of all votes recorded electronically shall be reported in both the House journal and, as it pertains 18
663-to votes on bills, reflected in a prominent and conspicuous place on the General Assembly 19
664-website. The procedure for the recording of such votes online shall be determined by the Speaker 20
665-and reported to the body. 21
666-(b) In the event the machine is not to be used or is not operating properly, all votes and 22
667-other determinations may be taken as otherwise required by House rules, either by voice vote, 23
668-division vote or by calling the roll alphabetically and recording the ayes and nays. If a 24
669-member's voting device is out of order, he or she shall rise and announce it to the presiding 25
670-officer and call his or her vote orally prior to the declaration of the result of the vote. Every 26
671-member may vote providing he or she is in the chamber of the House at the time the vote is in 27
672-progress and before the machine is locked. 28
673-(c) The electronic voting system shall be under the control of the presiding officer and 29
674-shall be operated by such personnel as the Speaker of the House so designates. At a reasonable 30
675-time, prior to any vote being taken, the presiding officer shall announce that a vote is about to 31
676-be taken. When any member other than the Speaker of the House is presiding, he or she shall 32
677-direct the voting clerk to record his or her vote as if cast at his or her voting station. Until the 33
678-completion of the voting, no member shall be recognized, and no other business shall be 34
645+physically present at session, and the Speaker may limit the duration of authorization under this 1
646+rule. Authorization to vote by proxy pursuant to this rule shall be reported in the House Journal and 2
647+shall be conducted in accordance with the procedure provided in rule 47 (b). 3
648+(34)(a) The electronic voting system may be used to record attendance and quorums, and 4
649+at the direction of the Speaker, to record those members seconding any motion, request, or item. It 5
650+shall be used to record all votes on public bills and votes on rule changes and suspensions. It shall 6
651+be used for other votes by request of a member at the discretion of the Speaker. The results of all 7
652+votes recorded electronically shall be reported in both the House journal and, as it pertains to votes 8
653+on bills, reflected in a prominent and conspicuous place on the General Assembly website. The 9
654+procedure for the recording of such votes online shall be determined by the Speaker and reported 10
655+to the body. 11
656+(b) In the event the machine is not to be used or is not operating properly, all votes and 12
657+other determinations may be taken as otherwise required by House rules, either by voice vote, 13
658+division vote or by calling the roll alphabetically and recording the ayes and nays. If a 14
659+member's voting device is out of order, he or she shall rise and announce it to the presiding officer 15
660+and call his or her vote orally prior to the declaration of the result of the vote. Every member may 16
661+vote providing he or she is in the chamber of the House at the time the vote is in progress and before 17
662+the machine is locked. 18
663+(c) The electronic voting system shall be under the control of the presiding officer and shall 19
664+be operated by such personnel as the Speaker of the House so designates. At a reasonable time, 20
665+prior to any vote being taken, the presiding officer shall announce that a vote is about to be taken. 21
666+When any member other than the Speaker of the House is presiding, he or she shall direct the voting 22
667+clerk to record his or her vote as if cast at his or her voting station. Until the completion of the 23
668+voting, no member shall be recognized, and no other business shall be transacted. 24
669+(d) When sufficient time has elapsed for each member to vote, the presiding officer shall 25
670+order the machine locked and activate the recording process. When the vote is completely recorded, 26
671+the clerk shall advise the presiding officer of the result; and the presiding officer shall announce 27
672+the result to the House and the result shall be recorded in the journal. No vote may be changed after 28
673+the system has been locked and the vote recorded, unless a member requests a change, without 29
674+objection from any other member, during the same session that the vote was recorded. 30
675+ (e) When a division is called for, those in the affirmative or the negative, as the case may 31
676+be, shall cast their votes accordingly and the voting clerk shall activate the recording equipment so 32
677+as to reflect only the numerical count. When the vote is completely recorded, the clerk shall advise 33
678+the presiding officer of the result; and the presiding officer shall announce the result to the House. 34
679679
680680
681681 LC000397/SUB A - Page 19 of 28
682-transacted. 1
683-(d) When sufficient time has elapsed for each member to vote, the presiding officer shall 2
684-order the machine locked and activate the recording process. When the vote is completely 3
685-recorded, the clerk shall advise the presiding officer of the result; and the presiding officer shall 4
686-announce the result to the House and the result shall be recorded in the journal. No vote may be 5
687-changed after the system has been locked and the vote recorded, unless a member requests a 6
688-change, without objection from any other member, during the same session that the vote was 7
689-recorded. 8
690- (e) When a division is called for, those in the affirmative or the negative, as the case may 9
691-be, shall cast their votes accordingly and the voting clerk shall activate the recording equipment 10
692-so as to reflect only the numerical count. When the vote is completely recorded, the clerk 11
693-shall advise the presiding officer of the result; and the presiding officer shall announce the result 12
694-to the House. (In the event the electronic voting system is not operating properly, the division 13
695-vote shall be conducted as otherwise provided in House rules). 14
696-(f) After the question has been put, but before the system is locked, any member may call 15
697-for a statement of the question. 16
698-(g) While the presiding officer is putting the question, or the vote is being recorded, no 17
699-member shall speak or leave his or her place. After a vote has been ordered there shall be no 18
700-debate whatever. 19
701-(h) In case of a tie vote the question shall be lost. 20
702-(35) There shall be a motion for the previous question, also known as moving the 21
703-question, which shall always be in order and which shall not be debated, and which may be 22
704-moved and ordered upon any bill or section thereof, amendment, motion, resolution or question 23
705-which is debatable, any of which shall be considered as the main question for the purpose of 24
706-applying the previous question. When a motion for the previous question has been made, no other 25
707-motion shall be entertained by the Speaker until it has been put to the House and decided. All 26
708-incidental questions of order arising after a motion for the previous question has been made, and 27
709-before the vote has been taken on the main question, shall be decided whether on appeal or 28
710-otherwise without debate. When the previous question has been ordered, a motion to reconsider 29
711-such vote shall not be in order, and no motion to adjourn or take a recess while a quorum is 30
712-present shall be entertained between the taking of such vote and the taking of the vote on the main 31
713-question. Ten (10) minutes shall be allowed for further debate upon the main question during 32
714-which no member shall speak more than three (3) minutes, and a further period of ten 33
715-(10) minutes, if desired, shall be allowed for debate to the member introducing the bill or question 34
682+(In the event the electronic voting system is not operating properly, the division vote shall be 1
683+conducted as otherwise provided in House rules). 2
684+(f) After the question has been put, but before the system is locked, any member may call 3
685+for a statement of the question. 4
686+(g) While the presiding officer is putting the question, or the vote is being recorded, no 5
687+member shall speak or leave his or her place. After a vote has been ordered there shall be no debate 6
688+whatever. 7
689+(h) In case of a tie vote the question shall be lost. 8
690+(35) There shall be a motion for the previous question, also known as moving the question, 9
691+which shall always be in order and which shall not be debated, and which may be moved 10
692+and ordered upon any bill or section thereof, amendment, motion, resolution or question which is 11
693+debatable, any of which shall be considered as the main question for the purpose of applying the 12
694+previous question. When a motion for the previous question has been made, no other motion shall 13
695+be entertained by the Speaker until it has been put to the House and decided. All incidental 14
696+questions of order arising after a motion for the previous question has been made, and before the 15
697+vote has been taken on the main question, shall be decided whether on appeal or otherwise without 16
698+debate. When the previous question has been ordered, a motion to reconsider such vote shall not 17
699+be in order, and no motion to adjourn or take a recess while a quorum is present shall be entertained 18
700+between the taking of such vote and the taking of the vote on the main question. Ten (10) minutes 19
701+shall be allowed for further debate upon the main question during which no member shall speak 20
702+more than three (3) minutes, and a further period of ten (10) minutes, if desired, shall be allowed 21
703+for debate to the member introducing the bill or question to be acted upon, or to the member or 22
704+members to whom he or she may yield the floor, at the close of which time, or at the close of the 23
705+first ten (10) minutes, in case the introducer does not desire to so use his or her time, the vote on 24
706+the main question shall be taken. If incidental questions of order are raised after the previous 25
707+question has been ordered, the time occupied in deciding such question shall be deducted from the 26
708+time allowed for debate. 27
709+(36) When any vote is passed, any member voting in the majority may move to reconsider 28
710+on the same or a subsequent legislative day, if the matter has not been previously transmitted to the 29
711+proper party. A motion to reconsider shall not be debated and once a motion for reconsideration 30
712+has been decided, the motion itself shall not be reconsidered. 31
713+(37)(a) The presiding officer may refer to "Mason's Manual of Legislative Procedure," 32
714+most recent edition, published by the National Conference of State Legislatures, for guidance as to 33
715+procedure on the floor of the House in all cases in which its provisions are not inconsistent with 34
716716
717717
718718 LC000397/SUB A - Page 20 of 28
719-to be acted upon, or to the member or members to whom he or she may yield the floor, at the 1
720-close of which time, or at the close of the first ten (10) minutes, in case the introducer does not 2
721-desire to so use his or her time, the vote on the main question shall be taken. If incidental 3
722-questions of order are raised after the previous question has been ordered, the time occupied in 4
723-deciding such question shall be deducted from the time allowed for debate. 5
724-(36) When any vote is passed, any member voting in the majority may move 6
725-to reconsider on the same or a subsequent legislative day, if the matter has not been previously 7
726-transmitted to the proper party. A motion to reconsider shall not be debated and once a motion for 8
727-reconsideration has been decided, the motion itself shall not be reconsidered. 9
728-(37)(a) The presiding officer may refer to "Mason's Manual of Legislative Procedure," 10
729-most recent edition, published by the National Conference of State Legislatures, for guidance as 11
730-to procedure on the floor of the House in all cases in which its provisions are not inconsistent 12
731-with applicable law or these rules. 13
732-(b) A point of order is the parliamentary device used to require a deliberative body to 14
733-observe its own rules and to follow established parliamentary practice. A point of order is proper 15
734-during a floor debate when a member questions whether there has been a breach of order or of the 16
735-rules. The person speaking at the time a point of order is raised, shall be instructed by the 17
736-presiding officer to stop speaking until the point of order is stated and the issue is resolved. The 18
737-Speaker shall not entertain one point of order while another is pending. A point of order must be 19
738-raised at the time the particular question is pending. No member shall be permitted to present 20
739-argument under the guise of a point of order, a point of parliamentary inquiry, or a question. No 21
740-member shall resort to persistent irrelevance or persistent repetition. 22
741-Rules Pertaining to Admission to the Floor 23
742-(38)(a) No person or persons, except currently elected members of the general assembly, 24
743-legislative staff assigned by the Speaker or Minority Leader and authorized representatives of 25
744-the public press shall be admitted to the floor of the House during the session thereof, except by 26
745-the approval of the Speaker for a designated purpose. The Speaker may make special provision 27
746-for admission to the floor of the House during the session thereof for persons, who by reason of 28
747-disability, are unable to gain access to the House galleries. All persons so admitted by the Speaker 29
748-to the floor of the House during the session thereof shall be present for the sole purpose of 30
749-observing the proceedings of the House and shall remain seated, refrain from conversation, and 31
750-maintain the decorum of the House. No person so admitted shall contact, address, speak or 32
751-gesture to, or communicate in any way with any House member while present on the floor of the 33
752-House. No person on the floor of the chamber shall dress in a manner offensive to the decorum of 34
719+applicable law or these rules. 1
720+(b) A point of order is the parliamentary device used to require a deliberative body to 2
721+observe its own rules and to follow established parliamentary practice. A point of order is proper 3
722+during a floor debate when a member questions whether there has been a breach of order or of the 4
723+rules. The person speaking at the time a point of order is raised, shall be instructed by the presiding 5
724+officer to stop speaking until the point of order is stated and the issue is resolved. The Speaker shall 6
725+not entertain one point of order while another is pending. A point of order must be raised at the 7
726+time the particular question is pending. No member shall be permitted to present argument under 8
727+the guise of a point of order, a point of parliamentary inquiry, or a question. No member shall resort 9
728+to persistent irrelevance or persistent repetition. 10
729+Rules Pertaining to Admission to the Floor 11
730+(38)(a) No person or persons, except currently elected members of the general assembly, 12
731+legislative staff assigned by the Speaker or Minority Leader and authorized representatives of 13
732+the public press shall be admitted to the floor of the House during the session thereof, except by 14
733+the approval of the Speaker for a designated purpose. The Speaker may make special provision for 15
734+admission to the floor of the House during the session thereof for persons, who by reason of 16
735+disability, are unable to gain access to the House galleries. All persons so admitted by the Speaker 17
736+to the floor of the House during the session thereof shall be present for the sole purpose of observing 18
737+the proceedings of the House and shall remain seated, refrain from conversation, and maintain the 19
738+decorum of the House. No person so admitted shall contact, address, speak or gesture to, or 20
739+communicate in any way with any House member while present on the floor of the House. No 21
740+person on the floor of the chamber shall dress in a manner offensive to the decorum of the House. 22
741+Any House member who observes conduct in violation of the House Rules shall immediately notify 23
742+the Speaker thereof and the Speaker shall forthwith take appropriate corrective action and may 24
743+order the removal of the offending person. 25
744+(b) During House sessions, admission to the House lounge is limited to currently serving 26
745+members, and staff of the General Assembly authorized by the Speaker 27
746+(c) Complimentary items, souvenirs and gifts of food shall not be placed upon members' 28
747+desks nor delivered to the floor of the House or to members' mailboxes. 29
748+(39) Authorized representatives of the public press may be admitted by the Speaker to the 30
749+floor of the House and assigned seats under such regulations as he or she may from time to time 31
750+prescribe. Such press representatives as shall be admitted shall have no privilege upon the floor 32
751+other than to pass to and from the seats assigned to them. 33
752+Miscellaneous Rules 34
753753
754754
755755 LC000397/SUB A - Page 21 of 28
756-the House. Any House member who observes conduct in violation of the House Rules 1
757-shall immediately notify the Speaker thereof and the Speaker shall forthwith take appropriate 2
758-corrective action and may order the removal of the offending person. 3
759-(b) During House sessions, admission to the House lounge is limited to currently serving 4
760-members, and staff of the General Assembly authorized by the Speaker 5
761-(c) Complimentary items, souvenirs and gifts of food shall not be placed upon members' 6
762-desks nor delivered to the floor of the House or to members' mailboxes. 7
763-(39) Authorized representatives of the public press may be admitted by the Speaker to the 8
764-floor of the House and assigned seats under such regulations as he or she may from time to time 9
765-prescribe. Such press representatives as shall be admitted shall have no privilege upon the floor 10
766-other than to pass to and from the seats assigned to them. 11
767-Miscellaneous Rules 12
768-(40) In the event of the calling of an extraordinary session of the General Assembly by 13
769-the Governor, or a reconvened session by the Speaker of the House or the President of the Senate, 14
770-said session shall be conducted pursuant to the foregoing rules; provided, however, that the 15
771-requirement for prior posting of bills by committees, the limitation on consideration of House 16
772-bills by House committees, the prohibition on reading a bill a second time on the same day it was 17
773-given first reading and the two (2) day calendar requirement and the deadline for 18
774-new introductions shall not be applicable during such extraordinary sessions, and provided further 19
775-that any bill or resolution for consideration of which the session is called shall have been 20
776-provided electronically to the members at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to the opening of 21
777-the session. 22
778-(41) The procedure to be followed in consideration by the House of a motion to override 23
779-the Governor’s veto of a bill or resolution (whether at an extraordinary or reconvened session as 24
780-contemplated in Rule 40 or at a regular session of the House) shall be as follows: The Governor’s 25
781-objections to the bill or resolution shall be entered into upon the House Journal as required by the 26
782-Rhode Island Constitution, Article 9, Section 14. The Governor’s objections shall be made 27
783-available to the members in written form or electronically, and upon the request of any member 28
784-shall be read aloud by the Clerk of the House. Each of the following: the prime sponsor of the bill 29
785-(in the case of a House bill), the Minority Leader and the Majority Leader may, if he or she 30
786-wishes, and in the order specified, speak for no more than five (5) minutes. Thereupon the House 31
787-shall immediately proceed to a vote as prescribed in the Rhode Island Constitution, Article 9, 32
788-Section 14, and such vote once taken shall not be the subject of a motion to reconsider. If the bill 33
789-or resolution shall have passed notwithstanding the veto of the Governor, the same shall be 34
756+(40) In the event of the calling of an extraordinary session of the General Assembly by the 1
757+Governor, or a reconvened session by the Speaker of the House or the President of the Senate, said 2
758+session shall be conducted pursuant to the foregoing rules; provided, however, that the 3
759+requirement for prior posting of bills by committees, the limitation on consideration of House bills 4
760+by House committees, the prohibition on reading a bill a second time on the same day it was given 5
761+first reading and the two (2) day calendar requirement and the deadline for new introductions shall 6
762+not be applicable during such extraordinary sessions, and provided further that any bill or 7
763+resolution for consideration of which the session is called shall have been provided electronically 8
764+to the members at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to the opening of the session. 9
765+(41) The procedure to be followed in consideration by the House of a motion to override 10
766+the Governor’s veto of a bill or resolution (whether at an extraordinary or reconvened session as 11
767+contemplated in Rule 40 or at a regular session of the House) shall be as follows: The Governor’s 12
768+objections to the bill or resolution shall be entered into upon the House Journal as required by the 13
769+Rhode Island Constitution, Article 9, Section 14. The Governor’s objections shall be made 14
770+available to the members in written form or electronically, and upon the request of any member 15
771+shall be read aloud by the Clerk of the House. Each of the following: the prime sponsor of the bill 16
772+(in the case of a House bill), the Minority Leader and the Majority Leader may, if he or she wishes, 17
773+and in the order specified, speak for no more than five (5) minutes. Thereupon the House shall 18
774+immediately proceed to a vote as prescribed in the Rhode Island Constitution, Article 9, Section 19
775+14, and such vote once taken shall not be the subject of a motion to reconsider. If the bill or 20
776+resolution shall have passed notwithstanding the veto of the Governor, the same shall be 21
777+immediately transmitted to the Senate or to the Secretary of State as may be appropriate. 22
778+(42)(a) Once adopted by a majority of the body present and voting, no rule shall be repealed 23
779+or amended, except by two-thirds (2/3) of the members voting. 24
780+(b) A rule may be temporarily suspended with the consent of the Majority and Minority 25
781+Leaders or by a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the members voting except that in no case shall the rules 26
782+pertaining to the recording of votes be suspended. At the time a rule or rules are temporarily 27
783+suspended, the duration of time that the rule shall be suspended shall clearly be stated to the body 28
784+and recorded in the House journal. The application of this rule as it pertains to the temporary 29
785+suspension of the rules shall not be subject to amendment or repeal. Any motion to repeal, amend 30
786+or suspend any rule shall be a debatable motion under these rules. 31
787+(c) At the beginning of a legislative session, the rules of the previous legislative session 32
788+shall remain in full force and effect until the permanent rules of the House for the current session 33
789+have been prepared, presented, debated and adopted by a majority vote of the House. Any member 34
790790
791791
792792 LC000397/SUB A - Page 22 of 28
793-immediately transmitted to the Senate or to the Secretary of State as may be appropriate. 1
794-(42)(a) Once adopted by a majority of the body present and voting, no rule shall be 2
795-repealed or amended, except by two-thirds (2/3) of the members voting. 3
796-(b) A rule may be temporarily suspended with the consent of the Majority and Minority 4
797-Leaders or by a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the members voting except that in no case shall the 5
798-rules pertaining to the recording of votes be suspended. At the time a rule or rules are temporarily 6
799-suspended, the duration of time that the rule shall be suspended shall clearly be stated to the body 7
800-and recorded in the House journal. The application of this rule as it pertains to the temporary 8
801-suspension of the rules shall not be subject to amendment or repeal. Any motion to repeal, amend 9
802-or suspend any rule shall be a debatable motion under these rules. 10
803-(c) At the beginning of a legislative session, the rules of the previous legislative session 11
804-shall remain in full force and effect until the permanent rules of the House for the current session 12
805-have been prepared, presented, debated and adopted by a majority vote of the House. Any 13
806-member at the beginning of a legislative session who was not a member at the time of the 14
807-adoption of the rules shall be provided with a copy of the rules. 15
808-(43) Within a reasonable time of the House adopting its rules, the rules will be posted on 16
809-the House website. 17
810-(44) The Speaker shall designate a staff member who shall be responsible for providing 18
811-any Representative, who shall request in writing, with a dvd copy recording of any of any 19
812-proceeding of the General Assembly that has been broadcast on Capitol Television within two (2) 20
813-business days of receiving the request. 21
814-Establishment of Caucuses 22
815-(45)(a) Members of the House may establish affiliate groups to be known as "Caucuses." 23
816-(b) Membership in any said Caucus is limited to duly elected members of the House. No 24
817-party, person, nor organization who is not a duly elected member of the House shall be involved 25
818-in nor be allowed to join nor participate in any manner in the business of the Caucus except staff 26
819-members authorized by the highest ranking member present at the majority party caucus and by 27
820-the highest ranking member present at the minority party caucus. 28
821-(c) Membership in any said Caucus is open to those who are primarily in said affiliate 29
822-group, but should not necessarily be closed to other House members. 30
823-(d) Notwithstanding 45(c): 31
824-(1) Any Caucus organized around a political party affiliation is limited solely to those 32
825-House members who belong to said party, provided that any member elected to the House as an 33
826-Independent may caucus with any party, but not more than one party, and not before submitting 34
793+at the beginning of a legislative session who was not a member at the time of the adoption of the 1
794+rules shall be provided with a copy of the rules. 2
795+(43) Within a reasonable time of the House adopting its rules, the rules will be posted on 3
796+the House website. 4
797+(44) The Speaker shall designate a staff member who shall be responsible for providing 5
798+any Representative, who shall request in writing, with a dvd copy recording of any of any 6
799+proceeding of the General Assembly that has been broadcast on Capitol Television within two (2) 7
800+business days of receiving the request. 8
801+Establishment of Caucuses 9
802+(45)(a) Members of the House may establish affiliate groups to be known as "Caucuses." 10
803+(b) Membership in any said Caucus is limited to duly elected members of the House. No 11
804+party, person, nor organization who is not a duly elected member of the House shall be involved in 12
805+nor be allowed to join nor participate in any manner in the business of the Caucus except staff 13
806+members authorized by the highest ranking member present at the majority party caucus and by the 14
807+highest ranking member present at the minority party caucus. 15
808+(c) Membership in any said Caucus is open to those who are primarily in said affiliate 16
809+group, but should not necessarily be closed to other House members. 17
810+(d) Notwithstanding 45(c): 18
811+(1) Any Caucus organized around a political party affiliation is limited solely to those 19
812+House members who belong to said party, provided that any member elected to the House as an 20
813+Independent may caucus with any party, but not more than one party, and not before submitting 21
814+written communication to the House announcing such intention. The party for which the 22
815+Independent member wishes to caucus with shall not be obligated to accept the Independent into 23
816+the caucus, and if permission is so denied, shall communicate that decision to the House clerk 24
817+within seven (7) days of the Independent member's notification to the House. The Speaker shall 25
818+make such determination for the majority party caucus, and the Minority Leader shall make such 26
819+decision for the minority party caucus. The Independent then may seek admission to any other party 27
820+for purposes of joining a caucus. Upon request, the Speaker for the majority party caucus, and the 28
821+Minority Leader for the minority party caucus, may waive the written communication required by 29
822+this rule. 30
823+(2) Any Caucus organized around a county and/or municipal affiliation is limited solely to 31
824+those House members who represent said county and or municipality. 32
825+(e) The duties of each Caucus shall be to provide a common association and opportunity 33
826+for members to interact with each other and to address concerns and to act as a positive body to 34
827827
828828
829829 LC000397/SUB A - Page 23 of 28
830-written communication to the House announcing such intention. The party for which the 1
831-Independent member wishes to caucus with shall not be obligated to accept the Independent into 2
832-the caucus, and if permission is so denied, shall communicate that decision to the House clerk 3
833-within seven (7) days of the Independent member's notification to the House. The Speaker shall 4
834-make such determination for the majority party caucus, and the Minority Leader shall make such 5
835-decision for the minority party caucus. The Independent then may seek admission to any other 6
836-party for purposes of joining a caucus. Upon request, the Speaker for the majority party caucus, 7
837-and the Minority Leader for the minority party caucus, may waive the written communication 8
838-required by this rule. 9
839-(2) Any Caucus organized around a county and/or municipal affiliation is limited solely 10
840-to those House members who represent said county and or municipality. 11
841-(e) The duties of each Caucus shall be to provide a common association and opportunity 12
842-for members to interact with each other and to address concerns and to act as a positive body to 13
843-implement legislation, initiatives, suggestions and other forms of action on issues of common 14
844-interest to the membership. 15
845-(f) The governing body of any Caucus is limited to a chairperson and vice chairperson 16
846-and any member of the Caucus shall be eligible to hold any office. 17
847-(g) The duties of the officers shall be as follows: 18
848-(1) Chairperson: 19
849-(i) To preside over all meetings of the Caucus; 20
850-(ii) To provide an agenda for each meeting to those attending; and 21
851-(iii) To conduct the annual election of officers. 22
852-(2) Vice Chairperson: 23
853-(i) To assume duties of the Chairperson in his/her absence; and 24
854-(ii) To conduct all votes, notwithstanding 45(g)(1)(iii), at meetings. 25
855-(h) Office holders shall be elected by a simple majority of a quorum vote by the body for 26
856-a two (2) - year term. 27
857-(i) In the event an officer cannot fulfill his or her term, the following rules shall apply: 28
858-(1) A vacancy in the Chairperson’s office shall be filled by the Vice Chairperson. 29
859-(2) A vacancy in the Vice-Chairperson’s office shall be filled by a majority vote of a 30
860-quorum of the membership of the Caucus. 31
861-(3) The term of the replaced officers shall begin immediately and shall terminate upon the 32
862-regular election of new officers. 33
863-(j) A quorum shall consist of two-thirds (2/3) of the current membership of the Caucus. 34
830+implement legislation, initiatives, suggestions and other forms of action on issues of common 1
831+interest to the membership. 2
832+(f) The governing body of any Caucus is limited to a chairperson and vice chairperson and 3
833+any member of the Caucus shall be eligible to hold any office. 4
834+(g) The duties of the officers shall be as follows: 5
835+(1) Chairperson: 6
836+(i) To preside over all meetings of the Caucus; 7
837+(ii) To provide an agenda for each meeting to those attending; and 8
838+(iii) To conduct the annual election of officers. 9
839+(2) Vice Chairperson: 10
840+(i) To assume duties of the Chairperson in his/her absence; and 11
841+(ii) To conduct all votes, notwithstanding 45(g)(1)(iii), at meetings. 12
842+(h) Office holders shall be elected by a simple majority of a quorum vote by the body for 13
843+a two (2) - year term. 14
844+(i) In the event an officer cannot fulfill his or her term, the following rules shall apply: 15
845+(1) A vacancy in the Chairperson’s office shall be filled by the Vice Chairperson. 16
846+(2) A vacancy in the Vice-Chairperson’s office shall be filled by a majority vote of a 17
847+quorum of the membership of the Caucus. 18
848+(3) The term of the replaced officers shall begin immediately and shall terminate upon the 19
849+regular election of new officers. 20
850+(j) A quorum shall consist of two-thirds (2/3) of the current membership of the Caucus. 21
851+(k) No budget shall be appropriated for any Caucus nor shall any Caucus engage in the 22
852+raising of funds nor in-kind donations to pay for any of its activities. 23
853+(l) All caucuses shall be established by written notification to the Speaker or his/her 24
854+designee with all elections being held one month after the establishment. The two (2) - year election 25
855+term shall run from the date of said election. 26
856+(m) Rules 45(f), 45(g), 45(h), and 45(i) shall not apply to political party caucuses. 27
857+Sexual Harassment and Discrimination Prohibited 28
858+(46)(a) The House of Representatives is committed to creating and maintaining a work 29
859+environment in which all members and employees are treated with respect and are free from sexual 30
860+harassment and discrimination. 31
861+The House fully supports the protection and safeguarding of the rights and opportunities 32
862+of all people to seek, obtain and hold employment without being subjected to sexual harassment of 33
863+any kind in the workplace. The House recognizes that sexual harassment has a serious detrimental 34
864864
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866866 LC000397/SUB A - Page 24 of 28
867-(k) No budget shall be appropriated for any Caucus nor shall any Caucus engage in the 1
868-raising of funds nor in-kind donations to pay for any of its activities. 2
869-(l) All caucuses shall be established by written notification to the Speaker or his/her 3
870-designee with all elections being held one month after the establishment. The two (2) - year 4
871-election term shall run from the date of said election. 5
872-(m) Rules 45(f), 45(g), 45(h), and 45(i) shall not apply to political party caucuses. 6
873-Sexual Harassment and Discrimination Prohibited 7
874-(46)(a) The House of Representatives is committed to creating and maintaining a work 8
875-environment in which all members and employees are treated with respect and are free from 9
876-sexual harassment and discrimination. 10
877-The House fully supports the protection and safeguarding of the rights and opportunities 11
878-of all people to seek, obtain and hold employment without being subjected to sexual harassment 12
879-of any kind in the workplace. The House recognizes that sexual harassment has a serious 13
880-detrimental effect on victims of sexually harassing behavior. 14
881-The House acknowledges that the question of whether a particular action or incident is of 15
882-a purely personal or social nature, without a discriminatory employment effect, could require an 16
883-extensive determination based on all facts in each case. The House further recognizes that false 17
884-accusations of sexual harassment can have serious effects on innocent individuals. 18
885-(b) Sexual harassment is a violation of the state Civil Rights Act of 1990 (chapter 112 of 19
886-title 42), the state Fair Employment Practices Act (chapter 5 of title 28), and Title VII of the Civil 20
887-Rights Act of 1964. It is against the policy of the House for any member or employee of the 21
888-House of Representatives to sexually harass another person involved in the business of the House. 22
889-Members of the House and its employees are expected to comply with applicable law and take 23
890-appropriate measures to ensure that prohibited conduct does not occur. 24
891-(c) Any member of the House who believes that he or she has been the subject of sexual 25
892-harassment while engaging in the business of the House should report the alleged act as soon as 26
893-possible to the Office of Compliance. 27
894-(d) The Office of Compliance shall publish an official sexual harassment policy which 28
895-shall include the responsibilities of the Office of Compliance, the rights and responsibilities of 29
896-members of the House of Representatives and its employees, the procedure for the adjudication of 30
897-complaints made pursuant to the policy, and any other provisions it shall deem appropriate. 31
898-(e) All reported complaints of sexual harassment shall be investigated by the Office of 32
899-Compliance in a timely and confidential manner. No person investigating on behalf of the Office 33
900-of Compliance shall discuss the subject outside the investigation. The purpose of this provision is 34
867+effect on victims of sexually harassing behavior. 1
868+The House acknowledges that the question of whether a particular action or incident is of 2
869+a purely personal or social nature, without a discriminatory employment effect, could require an 3
870+extensive determination based on all facts in each case. The House further recognizes that false 4
871+accusations of sexual harassment can have serious effects on innocent individuals. 5
872+(b) Sexual harassment is a violation of the state Civil Rights Act of 1990 (chapter 112 of 6
873+title 42), the state Fair Employment Practices Act (chapter 5 of title 28), and Title VII of the Civil 7
874+Rights Act of 1964. It is against the policy of the House for any member or employee of the House 8
875+of Representatives to sexually harass another person involved in the business of the House. 9
876+Members of the House and its employees are expected to comply with applicable law and take 10
877+appropriate measures to ensure that prohibited conduct does not occur. 11
878+(c) Any member of the House who believes that he or she has been the subject of sexual 12
879+harassment while engaging in the business of the House should report the alleged act as soon as 13
880+possible to the Office of Compliance. 14
881+(d) The Office of Compliance shall publish an official sexual harassment policy which shall 15
882+include the responsibilities of the Office of Compliance, the rights and responsibilities of members 16
883+of the House of Representatives and its employees, the procedure for the adjudication of complaints 17
884+made pursuant to the policy, and any other provisions it shall deem appropriate. 18
885+(e) All reported complaints of sexual harassment shall be investigated by the Office of 19
886+Compliance in a timely and confidential manner. No person investigating on behalf of the Office 20
887+of Compliance shall discuss the subject outside the investigation. The purpose of this provision is 21
888+to protect the confidentiality of the person who files a complaint, to encourage the reporting of any 22
889+incidents of sexual harassment and to protect the reputation of any person who may be wrongfully 23
890+accused. 24
891+(f) If an investigation reveals that a complaint is valid, prompt action designed to 25
892+immediately stop the harassment and to prevent its recurrence shall be taken. A recommendation 26
893+shall be made to the Committee on Conduct pursuant to the policy published by the Office of 27
894+Compliance. 28
895+(g) The form of any disciplinary action for a member of the House shall be in accordance 29
896+with any recommendation and findings of the Committee on Conduct and a two-thirds (2/3) vote 30
897+of the House and shall include, but not be limited to, loss of leadership and/or committee chair 31
898+position, reprimand, censure, or expulsion as permitted by the Article 6, Section 7 of the Rhode 32
899+Island Constitution, or any other action deemed necessary. 33
900+(47) Temporary Emergency Procedures of the House of Representatives 34
901901
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903903 LC000397/SUB A - Page 25 of 28
904-to protect the confidentiality of the person who files a complaint, to encourage the reporting of 1
905-any incidents of sexual harassment and to protect the reputation of any person who may be 2
906-wrongfully accused. 3
907-(f) If an investigation reveals that a complaint is valid, prompt action designed to 4
908-immediately stop the harassment and to prevent its recurrence shall be taken. A recommendation 5
909-shall be made to the Committee on Conduct pursuant to the policy published by the Office of 6
910-Compliance. 7
911-(g) The form of any disciplinary action for a member of the House shall be in accordance 8
912-with any recommendation and findings of the Committee on Conduct and a two-thirds (2/3) vote 9
913-of the House and shall include, but not be limited to, loss of leadership and/or committee chair 10
914-position, reprimand, censure, or expulsion as permitted by the Article 6, Section 7 of the Rhode 11
915-Island Constitution, or any other action deemed necessary. 12
916-(47) Temporary Emergency Procedures of the House of Representatives 13
917-The Speaker shall have the discretion to determine if there exists a public health or other 14
918-emergency that could pose a risk to the health and safety of members and staff of the House. 15
919-During the pendency of the emergency, with public notice via the General Assembly website, the 16
920-Speaker may adopt the following temporary procedures and may set legislative dates in light of 17
921-said public health or other emergency. 18
922-(a) Authorization to hold Remote Committee Meetings due to an Emergency--19
923-Requirements. 20
924-(i) When the Speaker issues a public notice pursuant to this rule, the Chair of a legislative 21
925-committee may request that the Speaker permit the committee to conduct remote meetings. 22
926-(ii) If the Speaker approves the Chair’s request, the legislative committee shall be 23
927-permitted to conduct remote meetings in order to transact public business. Members and 24
928-witnesses may participate in a remote meeting through the use of any means of communication; 25
929-provided that both of the following shall occur: 26
930-(A) The identity of a member or witness is verified in a manner satisfactory to the Chair; 27
931-and 28
932-(B) During the meeting, all participating members are able to simultaneously hear the 29
933-comments of each member who is recognized by the Chair. 30
934-(iii) For the purposes of determining quorum as required by these rules, a member 31
935-participating from another location in a remote meeting shall be considered present as if the 32
936-member were physically present at the meeting. 33
937-(iv) For the purposes of voting, a member participating from another location by remote 34
904+The Speaker shall have the discretion to determine if there exists a public health or other 1
905+emergency that could pose a risk to the health and safety of members and staff of the House. During 2
906+the pendency of the emergency, with public notice via the General Assembly website, the Speaker 3
907+may adopt the following temporary procedures and may set legislative dates in light of said public 4
908+health or other emergency. 5
909+(a) Authorization to hold Remote Committee Meetings due to an Emergency--6
910+Requirements. 7
911+(i) When the Speaker issues a public notice pursuant to this rule, the Chair of a legislative 8
912+committee may request that the Speaker permit the committee to conduct remote meetings. 9
913+(ii) If the Speaker approves the Chair’s request, the legislative committee shall be permitted 10
914+to conduct remote meetings in order to transact public business. Members and witnesses may 11
915+participate in a remote meeting through the use of any means of communication; provided that both 12
916+of the following shall occur: 13
917+(A) The identity of a member or witness is verified in a manner satisfactory to the Chair; 14
918+and 15
919+(B) During the meeting, all participating members are able to simultaneously hear the 16
920+comments of each member who is recognized by the Chair. 17
921+(iii) For the purposes of determining quorum as required by these rules, a member 18
922+participating from another location in a remote meeting shall be considered present as if the member 19
923+were physically present at the meeting. 20
924+(iv) For the purposes of voting, a member participating from another location by remote 21
925+means shall be deemed to have voted as if the member were physically present at the meeting. 22
926+(v) Votes shall be taken by roll call in any meeting conducted as a remote meeting pursuant 23
927+to this rule. 24
928+(vi) Any remote meeting must be preceded by the same or substantially equivalent public 25
929+notice as would be required if the meeting were to be held at a physical location. Notice shall 26
930+include information on how the public can monitor and/or participate in a remote meeting of a 27
931+committee. 28
932+(vii) The Chair, when presiding over a remote meeting, shall interpret and apply all rules 29
933+that presume or require the physical presence or act of members or witnesses in such a manner to 30
934+accomplish the same purposes for which the rules were adopted. 31
935+(viii) Any technological failure that prevents, or any technological limitation that limits 32
936+public access otherwise required under these rules shall not invalidate a remote meeting or any 33
937+action taken at a remote meeting. 34
938938
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940940 LC000397/SUB A - Page 26 of 28
941-means shall be deemed to have voted as if the member were physically present at the meeting. 1
942-(v) Votes shall be taken by roll call in any meeting conducted as a remote meeting 2
943-pursuant to this rule. 3
944-(vi) Any remote meeting must be preceded by the same or substantially equivalent public 4
945-notice as would be required if the meeting were to be held at a physical location. Notice shall 5
946-include information on how the public can monitor and/or participate in a remote meeting of a 6
947-committee. 7
948-(vii) The Chair, when presiding over a remote meeting, shall interpret and apply all rules 8
949-that presume or require the physical presence or act of members or witnesses in such a manner to 9
950-accomplish the same purposes for which the rules were adopted. 10
951-(viii) Any technological failure that prevents, or any technological limitation that limits 11
952-public access otherwise required under these rules shall not invalidate a remote meeting or any 12
953-action taken at a remote meeting. 13
954-(b) Authorization to Vote by Limited-Directed Proxy--Procedure 14
955-When the Speaker issues a public notice pursuant to this rule, the Speaker may allow 15
956-members to vote on certain matters before the House by limited-directed proxy (hereinafter 16
957-“proxy”) in accordance with the following procedure: 17
958-(i) Notwithstanding the provisions of this rule, a quorum of members shall be physically 18
959-present in order to conduct business, pursuant to Article VI, Section 6 of the Constitution of the 19
960-State of Rhode Island, and Rules 1 and 7(b) herein. 20
961-(ii) A member of the House who is unwilling or unable to be physically present during a 21
962-public health emergency may submit a written request to the Speaker that the member wishes to 22
963-cast a vote by proxy under the limited parameters established by this rule. 23
964-(iii) The Speaker, if he or she so approves of a member’s proxy request, shall direct the 24
965-requesting member’s respective majority leader or minority leader to vote for the absent member. 25
966-If the majority leader or the minority leader is unable to attend session, he or she shall designate 26
967-another member to execute proxy votes in accordance with this section. 27
968-(iv) A member authorized by the Speaker to vote by proxy shall prepare and submit 28
969-written voting instructions prior to each applicable floor session. The instructions shall identify 29
970-the particular daily calendar item(s) on which the member will be voting by proxy, and shall 30
971-clearly state how the member wishes to have the member’s vote recorded for each calendar 31
972-item(s). For each calendar item, a member shall indicate one of the following: a vote in favor of 32
973-the calendar item or a vote against the calendar item. A member shall also clearly indicate how 33
974-the member wishes to vote on any consent calendar, if applicable. The Speaker, in his or her 34
941+(b) Authorization to Vote by Limited-Directed Proxy--Procedure 1
942+When the Speaker issues a public notice pursuant to this rule, the Speaker may allow 2
943+members to vote on certain matters before the House by limited-directed proxy (hereinafter 3
944+“proxy”) in accordance with the following procedure: 4
945+(i) Notwithstanding the provisions of this rule, a quorum of members shall be physically 5
946+present in order to conduct business, pursuant to Article VI, Section 6 of the Constitution of the 6
947+State of Rhode Island, and Rules 1 and 7(b) herein. 7
948+(ii) A member of the House who is unwilling or unable to be physically present during a 8
949+public health emergency may submit a written request to the Speaker that the member wishes to 9
950+cast a vote by proxy under the limited parameters established by this rule. 10
951+(iii) The Speaker, if he or she so approves of a member’s proxy request, shall direct the 11
952+requesting member’s respective majority leader or minority leader to vote for the absent member. 12
953+If the majority leader or the minority leader is unable to attend session, he or she shall designate 13
954+another member to execute proxy votes in accordance with this section. 14
955+(iv) A member authorized by the Speaker to vote by proxy shall prepare and submit written 15
956+voting instructions prior to each applicable floor session. The instructions shall identify the 16
957+particular daily calendar item(s) on which the member will be voting by proxy, and shall clearly 17
958+state how the member wishes to have the member’s vote recorded for each calendar item(s). For 18
959+each calendar item, a member shall indicate one of the following: a vote in favor of the calendar 19
960+item or a vote against the calendar item. A member shall also clearly indicate how the member 20
961+wishes to vote on any consent calendar, if applicable. The Speaker, in his or her discretion, may 21
962+provide a form to facilitate the proxy process in accordance with this rule. 22
963+(v) The written voting instructions shall be both submitted to the member’s majority leader 23
964+or minority leader and filed with the Clerk of the House. 24
965+(vi) The member’s majority leader or minority leader shall follow the written voting 25
966+instructions exactly as submitted, by announcing the other member’s proxy vote or by responding 26
967+to a voice vote or roll call for the member voting by proxy. 27
968+(vii) A member authorized by the Speaker to vote by proxy may change the member’s 28
969+written voting instructions with regard to a particular calendar item at any time prior to the 29
970+convening of session. Any revised voting instructions shall be submitted in writing as required 30
971+herein. 31
972+(viii) The House Journal shall identify any members who voted by proxy on each calendar 32
973+item. 33
974+(ix) For the purposes of this rule, submission of written requests to vote by proxy and 34
975975
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977977 LC000397/SUB A - Page 27 of 28
978-discretion, may provide a form to facilitate the proxy process in accordance with this rule. 1
979-(v) The written voting instructions shall be both submitted to the member’s majority 2
980-leader or minority leader and filed with the Clerk of the House. 3
981-(vi) The member’s majority leader or minority leader shall follow the written voting 4
982-instructions exactly as submitted, by announcing the other member’s proxy vote or by responding 5
983-to a voice vote or roll call for the member voting by proxy. 6
984-(vii) A member authorized by the Speaker to vote by proxy may change the member’s 7
985-written voting instructions with regard to a particular calendar item at any time prior to the 8
986-convening of session. Any revised voting instructions shall be submitted in writing as required 9
987-herein. 10
988-(viii) The House Journal shall identify any members who voted by proxy on each 11
989-calendar item. 12
990-(ix) For the purposes of this rule, submission of written requests to vote by proxy and 13
991-written proxy instructions may include electronic delivery by email. 14
992-(c) During the pendency of any public health emergency, the Speaker may, in his or her 15
993-discretion, require that members comply with any public health safety measure recommended by 16
994-the Rhode Island Department of Health while in attendance at any session or committee of the 17
995-House. 18
996-(d) The temporary procedures as established by this rule shall be valid until rescinded by 19
997-the Speaker with public notice on the General Assembly website. 20
998-(48) Discipline of a Member 21
999-(a) Any action to expel a member shall commence with a resolution sponsored by the 22
1000-Speaker of the House; provided however, if the Speaker is the subject of the resolution to expel, 23
1001-the resolution shall be sponsored by the Speaker pro tempore. 24
1002-(b) The Speaker shall refer the resolution to the committee on conduct, or any other 25
1003-standing committee, for hearing and review. The committee shall investigate the matter and shall 26
1004-have the right to compel witnesses and produce documents by subpoena prepared by the 27
1005-committee and approved and signed by the Speaker. All testimony in the committee shall be 28
1006-under oath and preserved by stenographic record which shall be transcribed upon the order of the 29
1007-chair. 30
1008-(c) Any member who is the subject of potential expulsion under the resolution shall be 31
1009-afforded due process of law, to include notice of all hearings, the right to retain legal counsel, and 32
1010-the opportunity to present evidence and/or witnesses and cross examine any witnesses. 33
1011-(d) At the completion of the committee hearing, upon consideration and an affirmative 34
978+written proxy instructions may include electronic delivery by email. 1
979+(c) During the pendency of any public health emergency, the Speaker may, in his or her 2
980+discretion, require that members comply with any public health safety measure recommended by 3
981+the Rhode Island Department of Health while in attendance at any session or committee of the 4
982+House. 5
983+(d) The temporary procedures as established by this rule shall be valid until rescinded by 6
984+the Speaker with public notice on the General Assembly website. 7
985+(48) Discipline of a Member 8
986+(a) Any action to expel a member shall commence with a resolution sponsored by the 9
987+Speaker of the House; provided however, if the Speaker is the subject of the resolution to expel, 10
988+the resolution shall be sponsored by the Speaker pro tempore. 11
989+(b) The Speaker shall refer the resolution to the committee on conduct, or any other 12
990+standing committee, for hearing and review. The committee shall investigate the matter and shall 13
991+have the right to compel witnesses and produce documents by subpoena prepared by the committee 14
992+and approved and signed by the Speaker. All testimony in the committee shall be under oath and 15
993+preserved by stenographic record which shall be transcribed upon the order of the chair. 16
994+(c) Any member who is the subject of potential expulsion under the resolution shall be 17
995+afforded due process of law, to include notice of all hearings, the right to retain legal counsel, and 18
996+the opportunity to present evidence and/or witnesses and cross examine any witnesses. 19
997+(d) At the completion of the committee hearing, upon consideration and an affirmative vote 20
998+of the majority of the committee members present, said resolution shall be reported to the floor of 21
999+the house in accordance with these rules. 22
1000+(e) Any floor vote of the house for expulsion shall require two-thirds (2/3) of the members 23
1001+elected for approval of the resolution to expel. 24
1002+(f) In those instances where the Speaker deems that censure or reprimand of a member is 25
1003+in order, the Speaker may, in his or her discretion, impose said discipline. Upon notice of the 26
1004+imposition by the Speaker of censure or reprimand upon a member, the member may dispute said 27
1005+discipline within five (5) calendar days by notifying the Speaker in writing and requesting a hearing 28
1006+before the committee on conduct. In the event a member requests a hearing before the committee 29
1007+on conduct, the member shall be entitled to the procedures set forth herein. 30
1008+(g) In the alternative, the Speaker may, in his or her discretion, sponsor and refer a 31
1009+resolution of censure or reprimand to the committee on conduct, or any other standing committee, 32
1010+for hearing, review, and consideration by the committee consistent with the procedures set forth 33
1011+herein. 34
10121012
1013-
1014-LC000397/SUB A - Page 28 of 28
1015-vote of the majority of the committee members present, said resolution shall be reported to the 1
1016-floor of the house in accordance with these rules. 2
1017-(e) Any floor vote of the house for expulsion shall require two-thirds (2/3) of the 3
1018-members elected for approval of the resolution to expel. 4
1019-(f) In those instances where the Speaker deems that censure or reprimand of a member is 5
1020-in order, the Speaker may, in his or her discretion, impose said discipline. Upon notice of the 6
1021-imposition by the Speaker of censure or reprimand upon a member, the member may dispute said 7
1022-discipline within five (5) calendar days by notifying the Speaker in writing and requesting a 8
1023-hearing before the committee on conduct. In the event a member requests a hearing before the 9
1024-committee on conduct, the member shall be entitled to the procedures set forth herein. 10
1025-(g) In the alternative, the Speaker may, in his or her discretion, sponsor and refer a 11
1026-resolution of censure or reprimand to the committee on conduct, or any other standing committee, 12
1027-for hearing, review, and consideration by the committee consistent with the procedures set forth 13
1028-herein. 14
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