Committee outlines special-session rules, joint committees and timeline; aligns appropriations threshold

Legislative Council presented proposed special-session rule sets that largely mirror prior special-session practice and aim to expedite a condensed legislative calendar. The committee approved staff recommendations and a set of procedural motions, including aligning an appropriations referral threshold and clarifying membership appointments.

Emily explained the draft special-session rules would allow expedited procedures used in past special sessions: second reading on the day a bill is reported without a two-thirds vote, and permitting second reading and final passage the day after first reading in certain cases. The rules would eliminate most procedural committees for special session and create two standing joint committees: a Joint Appropriations Committee (39 members; 23 from the House, 16 from the Senate) and a Joint Policy Committee (28 members; 14 from each chamber). Joint committee reports require a majority of each chamber's members on that joint committee to pass amendments or issue a report.

The draft also allowed limited remote participation in joint committees (member remote participation approved by the Speaker or Majority Leader) and for remote public testimony. Emily flagged a mismatch in draft referral thresholds: the House draft used $100,000 while the Senate draft used $50,000 for referral to Appropriations; Senator Hogue moved to align the threshold at $100,000 for both chambers and to permit the House majority leader to appoint a replacement for Representative O’Brien; the motion passed on recorded vote.

Members discussed logistics for an expected three-day special session tied to the governor’s address (likely at 10 a.m.), with committee work scheduled around that address and an expedited calendar to allow bills to proceed through both chambers within the compressed timeframe. The committee emphasized that joint committees would aim to hear testimony jointly to reduce duplication ahead of floor action.

Legislative Council will prepare the special-session rules packet with the committee’s edits and the specified effective-date language so changes can activate at the end of the special session if the Assembly chooses.