By Lara Margelofsky
When legislators want to make the General Assembly’s feelings known, but don’t need the language passed into statute, they can request a resolution, memorial, or tribute. But deciding which form is appropriate under the legislative rules can be tricky. The first questions that a legislator must ask are: In which chamber is the measure starting? And what is it attempting to do?
If the request is starting in the House:
Under House Rule 26A, the request should be a Tribute if it pertains to any of the following:
• Offering congratulations for significant public achievement;
• Recognizing meritorious individual achievement;
• Expressing appreciation for service to the state or the General Assembly;
• Recognizing an individual’s service in the military (except in the case of recognition for
death while serving);
• Extending greetings to prominent visitors to the state;
• Recognizing or commemorating any individual, organization, or group for a significant event or accomplishment;
• Congratulating the members of an academic or athletic organization for achieving a specific historical, scientific, educational, or athletic goal, such as winning a league, state, or national title, competition, or championship; or
• Designating a specified day for observing any of the achievements, events, service, or accomplishments set forth above.
The request should be a Memorial Tribute or a Joint Memorial Tribute if it expresses sentiment on the death of a person who has not served as a member of the General Assembly.
Under House Rule 26, the request should be a House Memorial if it memorializes the death of a former member of the House.
The request should be a Joint Memorial if it memorializes the death of a former member who served in both chambers of the General Assembly or a former or current member of the Colorado Supreme Court.
If none of the above apply, then:
Under House Rule 26, the request can be a House Joint Resolution if it pertains to either:
• Transacting the business of both the House and the Senate; or
• Establishing committees comprised of members of both houses.
The request can be a House Joint Resolution or a House Resolution if it pertains to either:
• Recognizing an individual member of the armed forces of this country who has died while serving in the armed forces or an individual member of a police, sheriff, or fire department who has died while performing duties for the department; or
• Expressing the will of the House or both houses on a matter not mentioned in Rule 26A (tributes).
If the request is starting in the Senate:
Under Senate Rule 30A, the request should be a Tribute if it pertains to any of the following:
• Offering congratulations for significant public achievements;
• Recognizing meritorious individual achievement;
• Expressing appreciation for service to the state or the General Assembly;
• Recognizing an individual’s service in the military; or
• Extending greetings to prominent visitors to the state.
The request should be a Memorial Tribute or a Joint Memorial Tribute if it expresses sentiment on the death of a person who has not served as a member of the General Assembly.
Under Senate Rule 30, the request is a Senate Memorial if it pertains to either:
• Memorializing the death of a former member of the Senate; or
• Memorializing the U.S. Congress of the Senate’s intent that Congress take action on a matter.
The request is a Senate Joint Memorial if it pertains to any of the following:
• Memorializing the death of a former member who served in both chambers of the General Assembly;
• Memorializing the death of a former or current member of the Colorado Supreme Court; or
• Memorializing the U.S. Congress of the intent of the House and the Senate that Congress take action on a matter.
If none of the above apply, then:
Under Senate Rule 30, the request can be a Senate Joint Resolution if it pertains to:
• Transacting the business of both the House and the Senate;
• Establishing investigating committees comprised of members of both houses; or
• Expressing the will of both houses on a matter not mentioned in Rule 30A (tributes);
The request can be a Senate Resolution if it pertains to matters similar to the above three items, but does not require concurrence of the House and relates solely to the Senate.
All requests for tributes must be made through the Secretary of the Senate or the Chief Clerk of the House. All requests for resolutions and memorials must be made with the Office of Legislative Legal Services. This year, the deadline for requesting resolutions and memorials is Monday, April 14, 2014.