House committee adopts modest rules clarifications on speeches, props and consent calendar

The House Rules Standing Committee on Feb. 25 favorably recommended House Resolution 7 (first substitute) as amended, a package of rule clarifications affecting debate procedures and the consent calendar.

Representative Cheryl Dunnigan (presenting) described the first substitute as codifying several existing practices: allowing a motion maker to speak to an original motion, permitting a brief prepared statement with the presiding officer's permission while continuing to prohibit long prepared speeches, and allowing props or personal-privilege items only with permission. The substitute also revised consent-calendar procedures so a bill assigned to consent could be moved to the third-reading calendar by majority vote of the House rather than at the presiding officer's discretion.

Representative Wilcox moved the first substitute and later moved an amendment to strike language that would have allowed the presiding officer alone to reassign consent-calendar bills; the sponsor accepted the amendment. The committee voted to adopt the amendment and then favorably recommended HR 7 as amended by voice votes; the chair ruled each passage unanimous.

The changes are procedural rules for House floor operations; the committee recorded no public comment on the item.