AR17: Resolution Text

LRB-0197/1

RAC:kjf:ph

2013 - 2014 LEGISLATURE

2013 Assembly RESOLUTION 17

October 10, 2013 - Introduced by Representatives Richards, Barca, Barnes, Berceau, Bernard Schaber, Billings, Doyle, Genrich, Goyke, Hebl, Hesselbein, Johnson, Kahl, Kessler, Kolste, Mason, Ohnstad, Pope, Sargent, Shankland, C. Taylor, Vruwink, Wright, Young and Zamarripa. Referred to Committee on Assembly Organization.

AR17,1,3 To repeal assembly rule 93 (3); to amend assembly rule 11 (9); and to create assembly rule 11 (12); relating to: public notice for meetings of assembly committees.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

Under current rules, the chairperson of an assembly committee determines when committee meetings are held. This resolution amends the rules to provide that public notice of every committee meeting must be given at least 24 hours before the commencement of the meeting, unless the chairperson and ranking minority member of the committee determine that for good cause such notice is impossible or impractical. In no case, however, under the amended rules, may notice be provided less than two hours in advance of a meeting. The public notice must be in such form as is reasonably likely to apprise members of the public and the news media of the meeting and must indicate the day, hour, and place of the meeting and the number, author, and relating clause of each proposal to be considered. The resolution requires that every committee meeting must be publicly held in a place reasonably accessible to members of the public and must be open to all citizens at all times. Finally, the resolution applies this new committee notice provision to committee meetings held during special, extended, or extraordinary sessions of the legislature.

AR17,1,4 Resolved by the assembly, That:

AR17,1 Section 1. Assembly rule 11 (12) is created to read:

AR17,2,10 Assembly Rule 11 (12) Public notice of every meeting of a committee shall be given at least 24 hours before the commencement of the meeting, unless the chairperson and ranking minority member of the committee determine that for good cause such notice is impossible or impractical. In no case may notice be provided less than 2 hours in advance of a meeting. The public notice shall be in such form as is reasonably likely to apprise members of the public and the news media of the meeting. The notice shall indicate the day, hour, and place of the meeting and the number, author, and relating clause of each proposal to be considered. Every committee meeting shall be publicly held in a place reasonably accessible to members of the public and shall be open to all citizens at all times.

AR17,2 Section 2. Assembly rule 11 (9) is amended to read:

AR17,2,15 Assembly Rule 11 (9) The Subject to sub. (12), the chairperson shall determine when proposals or other business are scheduled for public hearing or, subject to rule 17d, executive action, and, subject to rule 17m, when committee actions are reported to the assembly.

AR17,3 Section 3. Assembly rule 93 (3) is repealed.

AR17,2,17 (End)