Executive committee unanimously adopts policy to allow remote participation in joint committee meetings during session

The executive committee on a unanimous voice vote adopted a revised policy to allow members to participate remotely in joint committee meetings that occur during the legislative session. A staff member presented the change and said the update clarifies confusion over whether the interim-only rule applied during session.

“The change in the policy from the current policy to what’s before you is to expand the ability for remote participation in joint committee meetings that occur during the legislative session,” a staff member said, explaining the update also keeps the committee’s preference for in-person attendance.

The policy sets qualifying circumstances (for example, a member who can show they need to be absent because they’ve had a child) under which a chair may approve remote participation. It also adds a new subsection (2.4) allowing chairs to require a standardized form to track requests so leadership can see how often and by whom remote participation is being used. Section 2.1.2 was also amended to add majority leaders to the list of officials who receive notice of a chair’s decision about remote participation. The policy replaces platform-specific language (for example, Zoom) with generic terminology to accommodate future changes in technology.

Mr. President moved to adopt the policy “pursuant to section 2, 3, 3, 0, 3, 2, H1A, Colorado revised statute as presented by staff,” and the motion was seconded. The committee conducted a roll call and the chair announced the motion passed unanimously.

The committee did not record a separate implementation timeline during the meeting; staff said the policy is the version before members as modified by the week’s discussion and that they are available to answer follow-up questions.

What comes next: the new policy will be the committee’s governing guidance for remote participation of joint committees during session, and staff said they will track use via the new form and report back if the committee requests additional information.