Rules and Ethics Committee adopts special order letters for Feb. 17 and Feb. 19, sets amendment deadlines

Chair Garrison called the Rules and Ethics Committee to order Tuesday and presented special order letters that set negotiated time allocations for questions and debate on all bills on special order for the Feb. 17 and Feb. 19 floor sessions. "Members on the desk is the special order letter for session on Tuesday, February 17 as required by the rules," the chair said, then led the committee in a voice vote to adopt the letter.

The committee recorded no public testimony cards for either special order. After presenting the Feb. 17 schedule, Chair Garrison presented the Thursday schedule, saying the Feb. 19 special order letter also included negotiated time allocations. "All in favor of the special order letter, say yay," the chair said; the committee voiced approval and the chair announced the letters adopted.

The committee also set amendment deadlines for both sessions. Chair Garrison reminded members that main amendments must be submitted to House Bill Drafting by 3:00 p.m. and approved for filing by 4:00 p.m. Hearing amendments must be submitted to House Bill Drafting by 6:30 p.m. and approved for filing by 7:00 p.m. "Just a reminder that the amendment deadline for both Tuesday and Thursday session for both sessions is tomorrow," the chair said.

With no further business, Representative Esposito moved to adjourn; the chair declared the meeting adjourned.

Votes at a glance: Special order letter for Tuesday, Feb. 17 — adopted (voice vote; no roll-call tally recorded). Special order letter for Thursday, Feb. 19 — adopted (voice vote; no roll-call tally recorded).