Senator Gary Palin submitted the following report regarding Government Bill 23, "AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A PERMANENT COMMITTEE ON RULES", on Monday, September 16th 2002, as sponsor to said act , and on behalf of all primary sponsors:

Purpose of Legislation:

This bill creates a Permanent Committee on Rules that is responsible for proposing means to optimize the consideration of individual items of legislation. Additionally, the Committee shall maintain the standing rules, and coordinate procedural education.

In Seriatim Description:

Section 1. This solidifies the tradition of the past several years of holding multiple Senate meetings during the Spring Semester of election. This allows the Rules Committee to be selected on a particular definite time table.

Section 2. As amended in the Committee on Government Operations, this allows the Rules Committee to call a meeting with 72 hours of notice to the Senate, provided that the consideration of such matter is announced to the Senate 24 hours ahead of time. This is to deal with situations when the President is unable to call a meeting, or feels that discussion is warranted prior to call a meeting.

Section 3. This places a point on the agenda where special rules are considered, as the first order of deliberative business immediately following comments and announcements.

Section 4. This places a point on the agenda, known as the expedited agenda (as amended in the Committee on Government Operations., immediately prior to first reading of legislation.

Section 5. Removes motions to fast track, as it is incorporated into the consideration of special rules.

Section 6. Clarifies a typographic error in the Statutes and causes failed minutes being referred to the Rules Committee.

Section 7. The Expedited Agenda is a device that allows, with recommendation of the Rules Committee, matters to be considered for quick adoption without debate and report. Objection of five senators (as amended by the Committee on Government Operations) puts the matter under ordinary consideration during Second Reading.

Section 8. Changes the very seldom used procedure of informal nonbinding discussion of a matter, so as to involve the Rules Committee instead of the President, and to allow more than 3 such matters to be discussed when appropriate.

Section 9. This allows non-Senators to be recognized for debate only with the concurrence of two-thirds of the Senate. (As amended by the Committee on Government Operations).

Section 10. There are no roll call votes on special rules, to be consistent with the goals of celerity and timeliness.

Section 11. These functions are now included under the Rules Committee.

Section 12. Major provisions of the Committee on Rules are:
a) The committee is comprised of 7 members( 5 at-large, the President Pro Tempore and the Vice chairman of the Committee on Government Operations)
b) Two at large members are appointed by the Pro Tempore and two are appointed by the Senate President, subject to the confirmation of the Senate. (As amended by the Committee on Government Operations)
c) There are several restrictions designed so that no given interest group controls the committee including another committee, the Senate Leadership, or a delegation. (As amended by the Committee on Government Operations).
d) The Committee on Rules meets two days prior to a Senate Meeting.

Section 13. This section provides committee duties. Specifically:

a) Drafts special rules for the consideration of legislation.
b) Recommends expedited consideration for items of legislation.
c) Considers such ordinary business as referred to it by the Senate President and under the committees ordinary duties, in the same manner as a standing committee.

Section 14. Special Rules are calendared for the next Senate meeting following their report, are undebatable, unamendable (except by general consent) and are approved by a simple majority of the Senate.

Section 15. This provides for a different classification of bill that deals with Senate Rules, for the purpose of clarity.

Section 16. This classifies all special rules as Senate Resolutions, while clarifying their use for reserved powers.

Section 17. As amended by the Committee on Government Operations, signatories are restricted to only policy making legislation.

Section 18. Special rules are introduced directly by the Rules Committee, bearing no sponsor, and include a clear explanatory paragraph (in plain English).

Section 19. Fast track procedure is contained within the Rules Committee special rules procedure.

Section 20. Fast track procedure is contained within the Rules Committee special rules procedure.

Section 21. Clarifies fast track language so that it is in line with the new terminology.

Section 22. This allows exemptions of the two reading rule under special rule, including fast track.

Section 23. Location of fast track legislation is contained within special rule.
Section 24. Strikes Closed Rule, as it is contained within the special rules procedure.

Section 25. Adds chair of Committee on Rules to duties of Pro Tempore.

Section 26. As amended by the Committee on Government Operations, the Parliamentarian will assist the Committee on Rules in procedural education.

Section 27. This clarifies the suspension of the rules clause to fit with the special rules system.

Section 28. This is a sunrise clause, which removes second election of Pro Tempore starting next year, as to provide stability to the Rules Committee leadership and membership. This does not effect the present session to prevent conflict of interest.

Section 29. An enactment clause which provides for standard enactment of a bill dealing solely with reserved powers of the Senate.