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? (more…)

By Julie Pelegrin

The legislator’s bill has passed the committee of reference, passed the Committee of the Whole on second reading, and is finally calendared for third reading and final passage. There are fewer third-reading rules to learn, but knowing these rules is crucial if the bill sponsor wants to ensure that the bill safely finishes its journey through the House or the Senate. (more…)

By Julie Pelegrin

The Merriam-Webster online dictionary defines “committee of the whole” as “the whole membership of a legislative house sitting as a committee and operating under informal rules.” But just what are those rules and how informal are they? (more…)

by Julie Pelegrin

As the committees of reference swing into action for the 2014 regular legislative session, some legislators may be struggling to raise their committee rule IQ. Following is a short overview of the more important committee procedural rules to help guide you through the coming hours of committee hearings. Except as specifically noted, the procedures described below apply to House and Senate committees. (more…)

by Julie Pelegrin

One of the most challenging aspects of being a legislator is learning the legislative rules. Even if you are not a committee chair or serving in a leadership role, you need at least a general understanding of the legislative rules to be an effective legislator. The rules are at the heart of the legislative process. They are the framework that helps ensure that the legislature’s process for creating public policy is open, balanced, and efficient. A legislator’s facility with properly using the legislative rules can mean the difference between a bill signing ceremony and a vote to postpone indefinitely. (more…)

by Patti Dahlberg, Matt Dawkins, and Julie Pelegrin

We’re in the last few days of the 2013 regular legislative session and things seem to be moving faster. Actually, that’s not just your imagination. Due to some automatic suspensions in the legislative rules, things can and do move faster toward the end of session so that the General Assembly can get the work done before the clock strikes midnight on the one-hundred-twentieth legislative day –  May 8. (more…)

by Julie Pelegrin

The second house has amended your bill and returned it to the first house. Now, you have a decision to make. Do you concur with the second house amendments and readopt the bill? Do you reject the second house amendments and request formation of a conference committee? Or, do you reject the second house amendments and adhere to the version you passed in the first house? The fate of your bill may hang on your decision. (more…)

by Julie Pelegrin

There’s an old saying: “You can’t play the game if you don’t know the rules.” Although the legislative session is not a game, a legislator who doesn’t know the legislative rules has a difficult time accomplishing his or her legislative goals. (more…)

by Patti Dahlberg, Matt Dawkins, and Julie Pelegrin

We’re in the last few days of the 2012 regular legislative session and things seem to be moving faster. Actually, that’s not just your imagination. Due to some automatic suspensions in the legislative rules, things can and do move faster toward the end of session so that the General Assembly can get the work done before the clock strikes midnight on the one-hundred-twentieth legislative day —  May 9. (more…)