13 May 2008

Committee action, May 13: HCR 112, HB 923, HB 987

DID YOU KNOW?
HCR 112 would confine conference reports to stay solely with disagreements between chambers. Rep. Cameron Henry said it just made sense to keep changes congruent with what was intended in the bills and not let extraneous, surprise measures be attached which might be opposed by majorities in both houses but who want the original intent behind the bill to succeed.

Rep. Mert Smiley said this kind of resolution was needed. He said too much good legislation gets altered to allow undesirable aspects to be put on it and this forces hard choices. Rep. Rosalind Jones and Mike Danahy both essentially said they thought it would decrease latitude to create better bills. Henry said there were multiple opportunities to have good legislation pass through and (the co-author assisting Henry in testimony) Sen. Buddy Shaw added that as long as amendments in conference were tied to what was openly discussed in both chambers, they could be added. Jones, however, insisted that the resolution did not say that.

Smiley moved to approve but House and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Rick Gallot moved instead defer. On a party-line vote of those present with Democrats in favor, it failed 5-9. The motion to pass favorably then was approved without objection.

DID YOU KNOW?
HB 923 would enable disabled and elderly voters to vote by mail would expand the kinds of documentation to be used for confirmation, allow the designated status to be indefinite unless a ballot comes back undeliverable, and to tighten requirements relevant to mental disability. After adding a minor amendment, it was approved without objection.

DID YOU KNOW?
HB 987 would expand the kinds of documentation presented to vote with assistance at the polls, even on election day. After adding a minor amendment, it was approved without objection.

WEDNESDAY: HB 409 and HB 446 are scheduled to be heard in the Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee.

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