Senator Erich M. Fabricius submitted the following report regarding Government Bill 47, "An Act to provide for notice on consideration of amendments and related matters", on Monday, October 22, 2001, on behalf of the Government Operations Committee, and pursuant to its October 17, 2001 recommendations, by general consent:

As provided by Senate Rule 12(b), the committee requests that the Senate President place Government Bill 47 on the calendar for second reading.

Attendance:

There were six (6) Senators (Brown, Denton, Engler, Fabricius, Mangum, White) present;

There were zero (0) Senators absent;

A quorum was present.

Purpose of the Legislation:

The Senate Efficiency Act, GB 47, modifies the rules on the motion to amend to require that advance notice is given on all amendments, unless two-thirds of the Senate allows floor introduction. The bill also creates and modifies notice requirements relevant to preparing amendments: fast-track, committee reports, and discharge. The bill also clarifies the rule that committees give notice of business to include specifc notice of legislation.

Background Information:

Senate has often used requirements for advance notice on complex or important legislation, and has such a notice statute on organizational appropriations. Notice of amendment encourage members to review bills ahead of time, lends to better written amendments, provides members time to digest the amendments of others and react rationally, and permits the printing of amendment prior to the meeting.

Debate:

The committee believed the bill to be of sound concept. It was felt that even with notice requirements, adequete methods to create floor compromise existed, including the two-thirds consent introduction and the committee of the whole.

Recommendations:

The Standing Committee recommends the Senate promptly consider the Senate Efficiency Act.

Committee Amendments:

The were no amendments.