STATE OF MINNESOTA 43rd MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EIGHTY-FIFTH SESSION
August 15, 2008
GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS, REFORM, TECHNOLOGY
& ELECTIONS COMMITTEE
MINUTES
Representative Gene Pelowski, Chair of the Government Operations, Reform, Technology and Elections Committee, called the meeting to order at 9:00 A.M. on Friday, August 15, 2008, in Room 200 of the State Office Building.
The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.
Members present:
Pelowski, Chair
Morgan, Vice Chair
Emmer
Hilty
Howes
Kahn
Kalin
Olson
Peterson, N.
Poppe
Simon
Wollschlager
Members excused: Anderson, S., Brod, Nelson and Winkler
A quorum was present.
Other House members in attendance:
Greiling
Masin
Loeffler
Hortman
Garafolo
Representative Morgan moved that the minutes of July 10 and July 28, 2008, be adopted. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Scheduled for discussion on today's agenda included final consideration of committee recommendations on legislative process reform.
Testifying from the Minnesota Government Relations Council:
Eric Hyland, Director
Mr. Hyland outlined broad suggestions for improvements in regard to committee structure and procedures.
Mark Shepard, House Research, gave an overview of the committee’s draft report, committee structure and procedures, floor procedures, conference committees/end of session, and other issues (public access and participation, schedules, organization and other issues).
Suggestions were made by members of the committee as well as members of the House. Discussion was held as to whether or not members would vote (consensus or voting) on recommended changes to be made or send on a package as a whole for consideration by the 2009 Legislature.
Page Two
August 15, 2008
Chairman Pelowski stated that it was the will of the committee to move forward and to take votes where necessary.
Representative Emmer moved to remove Recommendations C1, C2 and C3, with a further recommendation that the committee to go to a unicameral legislature, not parliamentary.
Rep. Howes requested a roll call on the Emmer motion.
Voting aye: Emmer
Voting nay: Pelowski, Hilty, Howes, Kahn, Kalin, Morgan, Olson, Peterson, N., Poppe, Simon, and Wollschlager.
There was 1 aye and 11 nays. THE MOTION FAILED.
Rep. Olson moved to remove Recommendations C2 and C3.
A division was requested on the motion. There were 5 ayes and 7 nays. THE MOTION FAILED.
Rep. Peterson moved to adopt the committee’s report as drafted in its present form as a recommendation to the body.
Rep. Kahn moved to amend the Peterson motion with a notation that if there are objections, a minority report could be filed.
THE MOTION FAILED.
Rep. Peterson renewed his motion to adopt the committee’s report with new language as drafted by Pat McCormack, as follows:
At its final hearing on August 15, 2008, the committee recommended that the
2009 legislature consider certain changes in the legislative process. Those
changes are listed in this report. The changes in this report come from ideas
suggested from a variety of sources: House members, lobbyists, and members
of the public. Where practical, this report includes sample language changes in House rules that could be considered to implement the changes. The ideas in this report were discussed, but not formally adopted by the House Committee on Governmental Operations, Reform, Technology and Elections.
A division was requested on the motion. There were 7 ayes and 5 nays. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:38 AM.
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REP. GENE PELOWSKI, CHAIRMAN
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Kathy L. Anderson, Committee Legislative Assistant