Senate committee gives favorable report to bill changing Archives board appointments

A Senate committee voted to give House Bill 169 a favorable report after a brief session that included a summary of the bill and an agreement to defer an amendment to the full Senate floor.

The chair told members the bill "spreads the appointments out to the Board of Archives and History to elected officials and not a self-appointing board as it currently is." The bill was described as substantially similar to prior legislation but with changes the House made that removed a retroactive or "look-back" period.

Senator Coleman Madison moved for a favorable report; a second was indicated and the clerk called the roll. Several senators recorded "aye" votes, and the chair announced that the bill "receives a favorable report." A senator who said they had an amendment agreed to hold that amendment for floor consideration so the committee could approve the recommendation and move the bill along to the full chamber.

The committee did not debate the substance of the amendment in committee, and no detailed vote tallies by member were recorded in the transcript. The chair said the amendment would be discussed on the Senate floor.

The committee adjourned after the vote.