Rules committee adopts May 6 calendar despite objection to security bill scope and cost

The Committee on Rules and Legislative Administration met May 4, confirmed a quorum and approved the minutes from April 30 before adopting a calendar for Wednesday, May 6 that lists multiple House and Senate files for consideration. The chair moved adoption under rules 1.21 and 3.33 and said the committee would require pre-filing for amendments to the listed bills.

Representative Schulz objected to including senate file 34 32 (identified in the discussion as house file 32 30), saying the bill "goes far beyond" necessary security measures for the capital complex and expressing "grave concern for the amount of money" proposed and where those funds would be directed. Schulz said he would vote against the calendar on that basis.

Representative Medisco responded that while the bill may not be a finished product, recent security incidents (including those on June 14 last summer, cited by Medisco) show changes are needed and urged members to support moving the bill forward so it can be refined through negotiation. The chair said the committee would substitute house language for senate file 34 32, providing an opportunity for further discussion with the Senate.

The committee then took a voice vote. Members responded in the affirmative and one member voiced opposition; the chair announced the calendar was approved. The chair adjourned the meeting.

The committee’s action designates the listed files for calendaring on May 6 and sets a pre-filing amendment requirement; no final floor actions on the listed bills were taken at this meeting. Details about the proposed security bill’s budget or specific provisions were raised as concerns but not specified during the discussion.