Senator Erich M Fabricius submitted the following report regarding Senate Bill 29, "Fast Track Correction Act", on Sunday, October 13th 2002, as sponsor to said act :

Purpose of Legislation:

Allows fast track special rules to be signed off on by non-confirmed members of the Rules Committee, in event that a number of members adequete for signature has not yet been confirmed.

Background Information:

GB 23, The Rules Committee Act was amended to require confirmation of Rules Committee members. This had the unintended side-effect of making it impossible to fast-track legislation without first confirming the Rules Committee. As the Rules Commitee is designed to be confirmed at the second and final meeting of the spring semester, the current rule effectively bans fast-track until the fall.

General Commentary:

Fast-tracks occur frequently in the spring, as the Senate hurries to enact policy that needs to be in place over the summer. This error needs to be addressed before the Senate is forced to compromise either its rules or its duties.

Points of Discussion:

The problem could also be solved by allowing "one-third of the members installed" to sign off on a matter if at least two seats are vacant. This would mean that chair or vice-chair could unilaterially consent prior to the confirmation of the committee.

It could also be structured that a member-designate is always empowered witht the non-meeting powers, instead of just in the case when there are only two members.

Time Issues:

A Rules Committee is in place, so this bill is not time sensitive to the sitting session.