PRIOR PRINTER'S NO. 1122 PRINTER'S NO. 1240
No. 53 Session of 1979
INTRODUCED BY MR. RYAN, APRIL 24, 1979
AS RE-REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE ON RULES, AS AMENDED, HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES, APRIL 30, 1979
In the House of Representatives, April 24, 1979
1 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives hereby adopts the
2 following Rules as the Rules of the House for the Session
3 beginning January 2, 1979, superseding all other rules
4 heretofore adopted:
5 RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
6 Definitions
7 A. "Day" shall mean any Calendar day.
8 B. "Legislative Day" shall mean any day that the
9 House shall be in session.
10 C. "Hall of the House" shall be the floor space
11 within its four walls and does not include the
12 adjoining conference rooms, the lobbies or the
13 upper gallery of the House.
14 D. "Floor of the House" shall be that area within the
15 Hall of the House between the Speaker's rostrum
16 and the brass rail behind the Members' seats.
17 E. "Press Gallery" shall be within that area known
1 as the Hall of the House as designated by
2 the Speaker.
3 F. "Roll Call Vote" shall be a vote taken and
4 displayed by and on the electric roll call
5 board or in the event of a malfunction of the electric
6 roll call board, by such method as shall be determined by
7 the Speaker.
8 G. "Formal Action" shall mean any vote or motion
9 of a member of a standing committee, standing
10 sub-committee, select committee or rules
11 committee of the House of Representatives to
12 report or not report, amend, consider or table
13 a bill or resolution and the discussion and
14 debate thereof.
15 RULE 1
16 Speaker Presiding
17 The Speaker shall preside over the sessions of the House. He
18 may name a member to preside, but the substitution shall not
19 extend beyond an adjournment. He may appoint a member as Speaker
20 Pro Tempore to act in his absence for a period not exceeding ten
21 consecutive legislative days.
22 In case of failure to make an appointment, the House shall
23 elect a Speaker Pro Tempore to act during the absence of the
24 Speaker.
25 The Speaker Pro Tempore shall perform all the duties of the
26 Chair during the absence of the Speaker.
27 RULE 2
28 Taking the Chair
29 The Speaker shall take the Chair and call the members to
30 order on every legislative day at the hour to which the House
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1 adjourned at the last sitting. On the appearance of a quorum,
2 the Speaker shall proceed to the regular order of business as
3 prescribed by the rules of the House.
4 RULE 3
5 Order and Decorum
6 The Speaker shall preserve order and decorum. In case of any
7 disturbance or disorderly conduct in the galleries or lobbies,
8 he shall have the power to order the same to be cleared.
9 The Speaker shall have the right to summon State Police to
10 assist in the preservation of order and decorum.
11 The Sergeant-at-Arms under the direction of the Speaker
12 shall, while the House is in session, maintain order on the
13 floor and its adjoining rooms. He shall enforce the rule with
14 respect to the conduct of visitors.
15 RULE 4
16 Questions of Order
17 The Speaker shall decide all questions of order subject to an
18 appeal by two members. The Speaker may, in the first instance,
19 submit the question to the House. Questions involving the
20 constitutionality of any matters shall be decided by the House.
21 On questions of order there shall be no debate except on an
22 appeal from the decision of the Speaker or on reference of a
23 question by him to the House. In either case, no member shall
24 speak more than once except by leave of the House.
25 Unless germane to the appeal, a second point of order is not
26 in order while an appeal is pending; but, when the appeal is
27 disposed of, a second point of order is in order and is subject
28 to appeal.
29 RULE 5
30 Conference and Select Committee Appointments
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1 All Committees of Conference shall be appointed by the
2 Speaker and shall be composed of three members, two of whom
3 shall be selected from the majority party and one from the
4 minority party.
5 The Speaker shall appoint the members of Select Committees,
6 unless otherwise ordered by the House.
7 RULE 6
8 Signature of the Speaker
9 The Speaker shall, in the presence of the House, sign all
10 bills and joint resolutions passed by the General Assembly after
11 their titles have been publicly read immediately before signing,
12 and the fact of signing shall be entered on the Journal.
13 Resolutions, addresses, orders, writs, warrants and subpoenas
14 issued by order of the House, shall be signed by the Speaker and
15 attested by the Chief Clerk.
16 RULE 7
17 Oath to Employees
18 The Chief Clerk shall administer an oath or affirmation to
19 the employees of the House that they will severally support,
20 obey and defend the Constitution of the United States and the
21 Constitution of Pennsylvania, and that they will discharge the
22 duties of their offices with fidelity.
23 Each employee of the House, after taking the oath of office,
24 shall sign his name in the Oath Book in the presence of the
25 Chief Clerk.
26 RULE 8
27 Supervision of Hall of the House
28 and Committee Rooms
29 Subject to the direction of the Speaker, the Chief Clerk
30 shall have supervision and control over the Hall of the House,
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1 the caucus and committee rooms and all other rooms assigned to
2 the House.
3 During the sessions of the Legislature the Hall of the House
4 shall not be used for public or private business other than
5 legislative matters except by consent of the House. During
6 periods of recess of the House such use may be authorized by the
7 Speaker without the consent of the House.
8 RULE 9
9 Decorum
10 While the Speaker is putting a question or addressing the
11 House and during debate or voting, no member shall disturb
12 another by talking or walking up and down or crossing the floor
13 of the House.
14 RULE 10
15 Debate
16 When a member desires to address the House, he shall rise and
17 respectfully address himself to "Mr. Speaker." Upon being
18 recognized, he may speak, confining himself to the question
19 under consideration and avoiding personal reflections.
20 When two or more members rise at the same time and ask for
21 recognition, the Speaker shall designate the member who is
22 entitled to the floor.
23 No member, except the Majority and Minority Leaders, may
24 speak more than twice on any question, without the consent of
25 the House.
26 With the unanimous consent of the House a member may make a
27 statement not exceeding ten minutes in length concerning a
28 subject or matter not pending before the House for
29 consideration, providing the Majority and Minority Leaders have
30 agreed on a time the member is to ask for recognition.
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1 RULE 11
2 Interruption of a Member who Has the Floor
3 A member who has the floor may not be interrupted, except for
4 questions of order or by a motion for the previous question.
5 With his consent, a member may yield the floor for questions
6 related to the subject before the House.
7 RULE 12
8 Personal Privilege
9 Any member may by leave of the Speaker rise and explain a
10 matter personal to himself, but he shall not discuss a pending
11 question in his explanation. Questions of personal privilege
12 shall be limited to questions affecting the rights, reputation
13 and conducts of members of the House in their respective
14 capacity.
15 RULE 13
16 Transgression of House Rules
17 If any member in speaking or otherwise transgresses the Rules
18 of the House, the Speaker or any member through the Speaker
19 shall call him to order, in which case he shall immediately sit
20 down unless permitted by the House to explain.
21 The House upon appeal shall decide the case without debate.
22 If the decision is in favor of the member, he may proceed. If
23 the case requires it, he shall be liable to censure or other
24 punishment as the House deems proper.
25 RULE 14
26 Members' and Employees' Expenses
27 A member who attends a duly called meeting of a standing or
28 special committee of which he is a member when the House is not
29 in session or who is summoned to the State Capitol or elsewhere
30 by the Speaker, or the Majority or Minority Leader of the House,
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1 to perform legislative services when the House is not in session
2 shall be reimbursed per day for each day of service, plus
3 mileage to and from his residence, at such rates as are provided
4 herein. These expenses shall be paid by the Chief Clerk from
5 appropriation accounts under his exclusive control and
6 jurisdiction, upon a written request approved by the Speaker of
7 the House, or the Majority or the Minority Leader of the House.
8 An employee of the House summoned by the Speaker or the
9 Majority or Minority Leader of the House to perform legislative
10 services outside of Harrisburg shall be reimbursed for actual
11 expenses and mileage to and from his residence. Such expenses
12 may be paid by the Speaker, Majority or Minority Leader, if they
13 agree to do so, or shall be paid by the Chief Clerk from
14 appropriation accounts under his exclusive control and
15 jurisdiction, upon a written request approved by the Speaker of
16 the House, or the Majority or the Minority Leader of the House.
17 Members and employees traveling outside the Commonwealth of
18 Pennsylvania who receive any reimbursement for expenses or
19 travel which reimbursement is from public funds shall file with
20 the Chief Clerk a statement containing his name and the name,
21 place, date and the purpose of the function.
22 Money appropriated specifically to and allocated under a
23 specific symbol number for allowable expenses of members of the
24 House of Representatives shall be reimbursed to each member upon
25 submission of vouchers and any required documentation by each
26 member on forms prepared by the Chief Clerk of the House. No
27 reimbursement shall be made from this account where a member
28 receives reimbursement for the same purpose from any other
29 appropriation account.
30 Such allowable expenses of members may be used for any
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1 legislative purpose or function, including but not limited to
2 the following:
3 (1) Travel expense on legislative business.
4 (a) Mileage on session or nonsession days at a rate not
5 to exceed seventeen cents a mile as may be authorized by the
6 Committee on Rules for travel by private transportation on
7 legislative business; voucher only. business; voucher only. <--
8 (b) Miscellaneous transportation (on legislative <--
9 business, (taxi, airport limousine parking, tolls), and <--
10 expenses of a similar nature; voucher only for any single
11 expense not in excess of ten dollars ($10).
12 (c) Travel on legislative business by common carrier
13 other than taxi and airport limousine; voucher and receipt
14 from common carrier.
15 (d) Car rental; voucher and receipt from rental agency
16 but reimbursement not to exceed two hundred fifty dollars
17 ($250) in any month. Any amount in excess of the said amount
18 shall be paid by the person renting the car.
19 (e) Lodging, restaurant charges and other miscellaneous
20 and incidental expenses while away from home. Vouchers only
21 for per diem allowance of forty-four dollars ($44) per day or
22 for actual expenses not in excess of forty-four dollars ($44)
23 per day.
24 (2) Administrative, clerical and professional services for
25 legislative business, except for employment of spouses or
26 dependent children.
27 (a) Administrative and clerical services; voucher and
28 receipt from person employed.
29 (b) Professional services; voucher and receipt and copy
30 of agreement or contract of employment.
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1 (3) Rent for legislative office space; purchase of office
2 supplies; postage; telephone and answering services; printing
3 services and rental only of office equipment; voucher and
4 vendor's receipt, except for postage expense. No reimbursement
5 or expenditure shall be made out of any appropriation account
6 for any mass mailing including a bulk rate mailing made at the
7 direction or on behalf of any member which is mailed or
8 delivered to a postal facility within sixty (60) days
9 immediately preceding any primary or election at which said
10 member is a candidate for public office.
11 Mass mailing shall mean a newsletter or similar mailing of
12 more than fifty (50) pieces in which the content of the matter
13 is substantially identical. Nothing in this rule shall apply to
14 any mailing which is in direct response to inquiries or requests
15 from persons to whom matter is mailed, which is addressed to
16 colleagues in the General Assembly or other government officials
17 or which consists entirely of news releases to the
18 communications media.
19 (4) Official entertainment--restaurant and beverage charges;
20 voucher only for expenses. Receipts for entertainment expenses,
21 together with a statement of the reason for the expense, shall
22 be submitted with the request for reimbursement.
23 (5) Purchase of flags, plaques, publications, photographic
24 services, books, and other similar items in connection with
25 legislative activities; voucher and vendor's receipt.
26 (6) Communications and donations in extending
27 congratulations or sympathy of illness or death; voucher only on
28 expenses not in excess of thirty-five dollars ($35).
29 No money appropriated for members' and employees' expenses
30 shall be used for contributions to political parties or their
19790H0053R1240 - 9 -
1 affiliated organizations or to charitable organizations or for
2 charitable advertisements.
3 The Chief Clerk, the Secretary and the Minority Administrator
4 solely on their own behalf, shall be entitled to reimbursement
5 for food, lodging or travel in such amounts not in excess of
6 seven thousand five hundred dollars ($7,500) per year as may be
7 authorized by the Committee on Rules; provided that such
8 expenditures are in furtherance of legislative business
9 regardless of where, in the Commonwealth, such business is
10 transacted.
11 All disbursements made, debts incurred or advancements paid
12 from any appropriation account made to the House or to a member
13 or non member officer under a General Appropriation Act or any
14 other appropriation act shall be recorded in a monthly report
15 and filed with the Chief Clerk by the person authorized to make
16 such disbursement, incur any debt or receive any advancement on
17 a form prescribed by the Chief Clerk.
18 The Chief Clerk shall prescribe the form of all such reports
19 and make such forms available to those persons required to file
20 such reports. Such report form shall include:
21 (1) As to personnel:
22 (a) The name, address, job title, brief description of
23 duties, department or member or members to whom assigned, job
24 location and minimum hours of employment per week of each
25 employee.
26 (b) The appropriation account from which such employee is
27 compensated, the amount of compensation and whether such person
28 is on salary, per diem or contract.
29 (2) As to all other expenditures:
30 (a) The nature of the goods, services or other purpose for
19790H0053R1240 - 10 -
1 which the expenditure was made.
2 (b) The appropriation account from which the expenditure was
3 made and the name or names of the person or persons requesting
4 and/or authorizing the same.
5 A copy of each such report shall also be filed with the
6 special committee on internal affairs and House administration
7 for use in the performance of its duties under Rule 47(a).
8 The reporting requirements as to personnel may be fulfilled
9 by the maintenance in the Office of the Chief Clerk of the House
10 of an alphabetized file containing the current information for
11 each employee as set forth above. In such event, however, the
12 Chief Clerk shall supply annually, on or before February 1, a
13 list of all employees appearing in said file together with the
14 required information as to each as of January 1 of such year to
15 the Special Committee on Internal Affairs and House
16 Administration. The committee shall also be supplied with copies
17 of all payroll changes as they occur.
18 All monthly reports filed on disbursements made or debts
19 incurred by any officer or member or employee from
20 appropriations made to the House under any General Appropriation
21 Act shall be public information and shall be available for
22 public inspection during regular business hours in the office of
23 the Chief Clerk. The Chief Clerk shall prescribe reasonable
24 rules and regulations for inspection of such reports but in no
25 case shall inspection be denied to any person for a period
26 exceeding forty-eight hours (excluding Saturdays and Sundays)
27 from the time a written request has been submitted to the Chief
28 Clerk. Photocopies of such reports shall be made available upon
29 request to a member at no charge or to the public for a
30 duplication fee as may be fixed by the Chief Clerk. Such reports
19790H0053R1240 - 11 -
1 shall be made available to a member or to the public on or
2 before the last day of the month next succeeding the month in
3 which the report was filed.
4 All requests for reimbursement out of any appropriation shall
5 be accompanied by a voucher, or other documents where required,
6 evidencing payment or approval. The voucher form shall be
7 approved and supplied by the Chief Clerk. Receipts or
8 documentation of every expenditure or disbursement which is in
9 excess of the maximum amount as set forth herein shall be
10 attached to the voucher. Where a request for payment is made in
11 advance of an expense actually incurred, the Chief Clerk, before
12 making such advance payment shall require a description
13 satisfactory to the Chief Clerk of the item or service to be
14 purchased or the expense to be incurred, and a receipt or other
15 documentation shall be given to the Chief Clerk after the item
16 or service has been purchased or expense incurred as evidence
17 that such advancement was in fact expended for such purpose.
18 All reports, vouchers and receipts from which reports are
19 prepared and filed shall be retained by the Chief Clerk, officer
20 or member, as the case may be, for such period of time as may be
21 necessary to enable the Legislative Audit Advisory Commission
22 created pursuant to the act of June 30, 1970 (P.L.442, No.151),
23 to conduct, through certified public accountants appointed by
24 it, annual audits to assure that such disbursements made or
25 debts incurred were in accordance with Legislative Audit
26 Advisory Commission guidelines and standards, or for a minimum
27 of three years whichever is longer. All annual audit reports
28 shall be available for public inspection. Photo copies of such
29 reports shall be available for a fee established by the Chief
30 Clerk not to exceed the cost of duplication.
19790H0053R1240 - 12 -
1 All expenditures of funds appropriated to the House or to a
2 member or nonmember officer shall be subject to the expenditure
3 guidelines established by the Rules Committee until or unless
4 such guidelines are superseded by law.
5 RULE 15
6 Time of Meeting
7 The House shall convene on the first legislative day of the
8 week at 1:00 P.M. prevailing time, and adjourn not later than
9 11:00 P.M. prevailing time, unless otherwise ordered by a roll
10 call vote of the majority of those elected to the House.
11 On other days the House shall convene at the discretion of
12 the House and adjourn not later than 11:00 P.M. prevailing time
13 unless otherwise ordered by a roll call vote of the majority of
14 those elected to the House.
15 RULE 16
16 Quorum
17 A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum, but a
18 smaller number may adjourn from day to day and compel the
19 attendance of absent members. (Constitution, Article II, Section
20 10).
21 When less than a quorum vote on any question, the Speaker
22 shall forthwith order the doors of the House closed and the
23 names of the members present shall be recorded. If it is
24 ascertained a quorum is present, either by answering to their
25 names or by their presence in the House, the Speaker shall again
26 order the yeas and nays. If any member present refuses to vote,
27 his refusal shall be deemed a contempt. Unless purged, the House
28 may order the Sergeant-at-Arms to remove the member or members
29 without the bar of the House. All privileges of membership shall
30 be refused the member or members so offending until the contempt
19790H0053R1240 - 13 -
1 is purged.
2 RULE 17
3 Order of Business
4 The daily order of business shall be:
5 1. Prayer by the Chaplain.
6 1.(A). PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. <--
7 2. Correction and approval of the Journal.
8 3. Leaves of Absence.
9 4. Master Roll Call.
10 5. Reports of Committee.
11 6. First consideration bills.
12 7. Second consideration bills.
13 8. Final passage bills recalled from the Governor.
14 9. Final passage bills (bills on final passage postponed
15 calendar may be called up under this order of business).
16 10. Third consideration bills (bills on third consideration
17 postponed calendar may be called up under this order of
18 business).
19 11. Resolutions (House and concurrent).
20 12. Messages from the Senate and communications from the
21 Governor.
22 13. Reference to appropriate committees of bills,
23 resolutions, petitions, memorials, remonstrances and
24 other papers.
25 14. Unfinished business on the Speaker's table.
26 15. Announcements.
27 16. Adjournment.
28 Any question may, by a majority vote of the House, be made a
29 special order of business. When the time arrives for its
30 consideration, the Speaker shall lay the special order of
19790H0053R1240 - 14 -
1 business before the House.
2 RULE 18
3 Introduction and Printing of Bills
4 Bills shall be introduced in quadruplicate, signed and dated
5 by each member who is a sponsor of the bill, and filed with the
6 Chief Clerk. A sponsor may not be added or withdrawn after a <--
7 bill has been printed. UPON WRITTEN NOTICE TO THE SPEAKER, <--
8 MAJORITY LEADER, MINORITY LEADER AND THE PRIME SPONSOR. IN THE
9 CASE OF WITHDRAWALS, THE NAMES SHALL BE WITHDRAWN IF AND WHEN
10 THE BILL IS REPRINTED. ADDITIONAL SPONSORS MAY BE ADDED ONLY BY
11 THE PRIME SPONSOR BY PROVIDING WRITTEN NOTICE TO THE SPEAKER,
12 MAJORITY LEADER AND MINORITY LEADER. SUCH NOTICE SHALL INCLUDE
13 THE SIGNATURES OF THOSE MEMBERS DESIRING TO BE ADDITIONAL
14 SPONSORS.
15 Bills introduced when received at the Chief Clerk's desk
16 shall be numbered consecutively and delivered to the Speaker,
17 who shall refer each bill to an appropriate committee. The
18 Speaker shall report to the House the committees to which bills
19 have been referred, either on the day introduced or received or
20 on the next two legislative days the House is in session.
21 If the Speaker neglects or refuses to refer to committee any
22 bill or bills (whether House or Senate) as above after
23 introduction or presentation by the Senate for concurrence, any
24 member may move for the reference of the bill to an appropriate
25 committee. If the motion is carried, said bill or bills shall be
26 immediately surrendered by the Speaker to the committee
27 designated in said motion.
28 The first copy of each bill introduced shall be for the
29 committee, the second copy shall be for the printer, the third
30 copy shall be for the news media and the fourth copy shall be
19790H0053R1240 - 15 -
1 for the Legislative Reference Bureau.
2 Every bill, after introduction and reference to committee,
3 shall be printed.
4 Bills may not be withdrawn after reference to committee.
5 RULE 19
6 Bills Referred to Committees
7 No bill shall be considered unless referred to a committee,
8 printed for the use of the members and returned therefrom.
9 (Constitution, Article III, Section 2).
10 RULE 19 (a)
11 Fiscal Notes
12 (1) No bill, except a General Appropriation bill or any
13 amendments thereto, which may require an expenditure of
14 Commonwealth funds or funds of any political subdivision or
15 which may entail a loss of revenues overall, or to any
16 separately established fund shall be given second consideration
17 reading on the calendar until it has first been referred to the
18 Appropriations Committee for a fiscal note, provided however
19 that the Rules Committee may by an affirmative vote of three-
20 quarters of the entire membership to which such committee is
21 entitled:
22 (a) Waive the recommittal to the Appropriations Committee
23 and provide that the fiscal note be attached to the bill while
24 on the active calendar. The providing of such note shall be a
25 priority item for the Appropriations Committee; or
26 (b) Waive the necessity of a fiscal note on any bill which
27 it deems to have a deminimus fiscal impact or which merely
28 authorizes, rather than mandates, an increase in expenditures or
29 an action that would result in a loss of revenue.
30 (2) Nothing herein shall preclude any member from moving, at
19790H0053R1240 - 16 -
1 the proper time, the recommittal of any bill to the
2 Appropriations Committee for a fiscal note.
3 (3) The Appropriations Committee shall be limited in its
4 consideration of any such bill to the fiscal aspects of the bill
5 and shall not consider the substantive merits of the bill nor
6 refuse to report any such bill from committee for reasons other
7 than fiscal aspects. The fiscal note shall accompany the bill
8 and provide the following information in connection with the
9 Commonwealth and its political subdivisions:
10 (a) The designation of the fund out of which the
11 appropriation providing for expenditures under the bill shall be
12 made;
13 (b) The probable cost of the bill for the fiscal year of its
14 enactment;
15 (c) A projected cost estimate of the program for each of the
16 five succeeding fiscal years;
17 (d) The fiscal history of the program for which expenditures
18 are to be made;
19 (e) The probable loss of revenue from the bill for the
20 fiscal year of its enactment;
21 (f) A projected loss of revenue estimate from the bill for
22 each of the five succeeding fiscal years; and
23 (g) The line item, if any, of the General Appropriation Bill
24 out of which expenditures or losses of Commonwealth funds shall
25 occur as a result of the bill;
26 (h) The recommendation, if any, of the Appropriations
27 Committee and the reasons therefor relative to the passage or
28 defeat of the bill;
29 (i) A reference to the source of the data from which the
30 foregoing fiscal information was obtained, and an explanation of
19790H0053R1240 - 17 -
1 the basis upon which it is computed.
2 (4) No bill which may result in an increase in the
3 expenditure of Commonwealth funds shall be given second
4 consideration reading on the calendar until the Appropriations
5 Committee has certified that provision has been made to
6 appropriate funds equal to such increased expenditure. Whenever
7 the Appropriations Committee cannot so certify, the bill shall
8 be returned to the committee from which it was last reported for
9 further consideration and/or amendment.
10 (5) No amendment to a bill, concurrences in Senate
11 amendments, or adoption of a conference report which may result
12 in an increase in the expenditure of Commonwealth funds or those
13 of a political subdivision or which may entail a loss of
14 revenues in addition to that originally provided for in the bill
15 prior to the proposed changes nor any bill requiring a fiscal
16 note for which re-referral to the Appropriations Committee has
17 been waived by the Rules Committee shall be voted upon until the
18 day following the distribution of a fiscal note to the members
19 with respect to such changes or to such bill showing the fiscal
20 effect of the changes with respect to the bill, and containing
21 the information set forth by subsection (3) of this rule.
22 (6) In obtaining the information required by these rules,
23 the Appropriations Committee may utilize the services of the
24 Budget Bureau and any other State agency as may be necessary.
25 (7) Any bill proposing any change relative to the retirement
26 system of the Commonwealth or any political subdivision thereof,
27 funded in whole or in part out of the public funds of the
28 Commonwealth or any political subdivision, shall have attached
29 to it an actuarial note. Except for the provisions pertaining to
30 the content of fiscal notes as set forth in paragraphs (a)
19790H0053R1240 - 18 -
1 through (i) of subsection (3), all the provisions pertaining to
2 and procedures required of bills containing fiscal notes, shall,
3 where applicable, also be required for bills containing
4 actuarial note. The actuarial note shall contain a brief
5 explanatory statement or note which shall include a reliable
6 estimate of the financial and actuarial effect of the proposed
7 change in any such retirement system.
8 RULE 20
9 Bills Confined to One Subject
10 No bill shall be passed containing more than one subject,
11 which shall be clearly expressed in its title, except a general
12 appropriation bill or a bill codifying or compiling the law or a
13 part thereof. (Constitution, Article III, Section 3).
14 RULE 21
15 Consideration of Bills
16 Every bill and every joint resolution shall be considered on
17 three different days. All amendments made thereto shall be
18 printed for the use of the members before the final vote is
19 taken thereon, and before the final vote is taken, upon written
20 request addressed to the presiding officer by at least twenty-
21 five per cent of the members elected to the House, any bill
22 shall be read at length. No bill shall become law and no joint
23 resolution adopted unless, on its final passage, the vote is
24 taken by yeas and nays, the names of the persons voting for and
25 against it are entered on the Journal, and a majority of the
26 members elected to the House is recorded thereon as voting in
27 its favor. (Constitution, Article III, Section 4).
28 RULE 22
29 First Consideration Bills
30 Bills reported from committees shall be considered for the
19790H0053R1240 - 19 -
1 first time when reported and shall then be automatically removed
2 from the calendar and laid on the table, except House bills
3 reported from committees after the first Monday in June until
4 the first Monday in September which shall then be automatically
5 recommitted to the Committee on Rules.
6 After the first Monday in September, any bill which was
7 automatically recommitted to the Committee on Rules pursuant to
8 this Rule 22 shall automatically be re-reported to the floor of
9 the House and laid on the table.
10 The Rules Committee shall not in any instance have the power
11 to amend a bill that has already gone through another committee.
12 Any bill which was automatically laid on the table pursuant
13 to this Rule 22 and has remained on the table for fifteen
14 legislative days shall automatically be removed from the table
15 and returned to the calendar for second consideration the next
16 legislative day.
17 Any bill which was automatically laid on the table pursuant
18 to this Rule 22 may be removed from the table by motion of the
19 Majority Leader, or his designee, acting on a report of the
20 Committee on Rules. Such report shall be in writing and a copy
21 thereof distributed to each member. Any bill so removed from the
22 table shall be placed on the second consideration calendar on
23 the legislative day following such removal. Nothing herein shall
24 affect the right of any member to make a motion to remove a bill
25 from the table.
26 Amendments shall not be proposed, nor is any other motion in
27 order on first consideration.
28 Bills shall not be considered beyond first consideration
29 until the latest print thereof is on the desks of the members.
30 ANY NONCONTROVERSIAL BILL, WHICH IS DEFINED AS ANY BILL, <--
19790H0053R1240 - 20 -
1 OTHER THAN AN APPROPRIATIONS BILL, APPROVED BY A COMMITTEE WITH
2 NO NEGATIVE VOTES OR ABSTENTIONS, SHALL BE PLACED ON AN
3 UNCONTESTED CALENDAR. BILLS ON THE UNCONTESTED CALENDAR SHALL BE
4 VOTED UPON BY A SINGLE ROLL-CALL VOTE. EACH BILL LISTED ON THE
5 UNCONTESTED CALENDAR WILL BE PRINTED SEPARATELY IN THE JOURNAL
6 WITH THE VOTE RECORDED ON THE APPROVAL OF THE UNCONTESTED
7 CALENDAR AS THE VOTE ON FINAL PASSAGE OF EACH BILL CONTAINED
8 THEREIN.
9 IF ANY MEMBER SHOULD OBJECT TO THE PLACEMENT OF A BILL ON THE
10 UNCONTESTED CALENDAR, THE BILL SHALL BE AUTOMATICALLY REMOVED
11 FROM THE UNCONTESTED CALENDAR AND PLACED ON THE REGULAR CALENDAR
12 THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE DAY.
13 RULE 23
14 Second Consideration Bills
15 Bills on second consideration shall be considered in their
16 calendar order and be subject to amendment.
17 No House bill on second consideration shall be considered
18 until called up by a member.
19 RULE 24
20 Third Consideration and Final Passage Bills
21 Bills on third consideration and final passage shall be
22 considered in their calendar order.
23 A bill on third consideration may be amended.
24 After a bill is agreed to on third consideration, the Speaker
25 shall state the question as follows:
26 "This bill has been considered on three
27 different days and agreed to and is now on final
28 passage."
29 "The question is, shall the bill pass finally?"
30 "Agreeable to the provision of the Constitution, the yeas
19790H0053R1240 - 21 -
1 the yeas and nays will now be taken."
2 WHEN MORE THAN ONE BILL SHALL BE CONSIDERED AT THE SAME TIME, <--
3 THE SPEAKER SHALL STATE THE QUESTION AS FOLLOWS:
4 "THESE BILLS HAVE BEEN CONSIDERED ON THREE DIFFERENT
5 DAYS AND AGREED TO AND ARE NOW ON FINAL PASSAGE."
6 "THE QUESTION IS, SHALL THE BILLS ON THE UNCONTESTED
7 CALENDAR PASS FINALLY?"
8 "AGREEABLE TO THE PROVISION OF THE CONSTITUTION, THE
9 YEAS AND NAYS WILL NOW BE TAKEN."
10 RULE 25
11 Defeated Bills
12 When a bill or resolution has been defeated by the House, it
13 shall not be reintroduced, or, except as provided in Rule 26, be
14 reconsidered, nor shall it be in order to consider a similar
15 one, or to act on a Senate bill or resolution of like import,
16 during the same session.
17 RULE 26
18 Reconsideration
19 A motion to reconsider the vote by which a bill, resolution
20 or other matter was passed or defeated shall be made in writing
21 by two members. The motion shall be in order only under the
22 order of business in which the vote proposed to be reconsidered
23 occurred and shall be decided on a roll call vote by a majority
24 vote. No motion to reconsider shall be in order when the bill,
25 resolution or other matter is no longer in the possession of or
26 is not properly before the House.
27 A motion to reconsider any such vote must be made on the same
28 day on which the initial vote was taken or within the succeeding
29 five days in which the House is in session, provided such bill,
30 resolution or other matter is still in the possession of or is
19790H0053R1240 - 22 -
1 properly before the House.
2 When a motion to reconsider any such vote is made within the
3 aforesaid time limits and is decided by the affirmative vote
4 prescribed herein, the question immediately recurs on the bill,
5 resolution or other matter reconsidered.
6 Where a bill, resolution or other matter has been initially
7 defeated and a motion to reconsider is not timely made, then
8 such bill, resolution or other matter shall carry the status of
9 "defeated finally" and not properly before the House. Therefore,
10 it shall not be in order to entertain a motion to reconsider any
11 such vote.
12 Where a timely made motion to reconsider is lost, it shall
13 not be in order to again entertain a motion to reconsider any
14 such vote, even though such second motion to reconsider is
15 timely made.
16 Where a bill, resolution, or other matter has been initially
17 defeated, and a timely made motion to reconsider the vote is
18 lost, or if no motion to reconsider the vote was timely made,
19 then it shall not be in order for the House thereafter to
20 receive or consider a new bill, resolution or other matter
21 embracing therein a subject or purpose basically identical to or
22 of similar import to the subject matter or purpose of the bill,
23 resolution or matter initially defeated.
24 The vote on a bill or resolution recalled from the Governor
25 may be reconsidered at any time after the bill or resolution has
26 been returned to the House.
27 RULE 27
28 Amendments
29 No bill shall be amended so as to change its original
30 purpose. (Constitution, Article III, Section 1).
19790H0053R1240 - 23 -
1 No motion or proposition on a subject different from that
2 under consideration shall be admitted under color of amendment.
3 Any member may move to amend a bill or resolution, provided
4 the proposed amendment is germane to the subject. Questions
5 involving whether an amendment is germane to the subject shall
6 be decided by the House.
7 No amendment to an amendment shall be admitted nor
8 considered.
9 The sponsor of the amendment shall explain the amendment
10 prior to consideration by the House.
11 Before consideration, eight typewritten copies of a proposed
12 amendment signed by its sponsor shall be presented to the
13 Speaker, one copy of which shall be delivered to the news media
14 and a printed copy in typewritten form prepared by the
15 Legislative Reference Bureau shall be placed on the desk of each
16 member.
17 Amendments adopted or defeated may not be considered again
18 without first reconsidering the vote.
19 RULE 28
20 Bills Amending Existing Law
21 Bills amending existing law shall indicate present language
22 to be omitted by placing it within brackets and new language to
23 be inserted by underscoring. (Constitution, Article III, Section
24 6).
25 RULE 29
26 Form for Printing Amendments
27 In printing amendments to bills and resolutions, all new
28 matter added shall be in CAPITAL LETTERS, and matter to be
29 eliminated shall be indicated by strike-out type.
30 In reprinting House bills previously amended by the House and
19790H0053R1240 - 24 -
1 in reprinting Senate bills previously amended by the Senate, but
2 not in Senate bills previously amended by the House, all matters
3 appearing in strike-out type shall be dropped from the new print
4 and all matter appearing in CAPITAL LETTERS shall be reset in
5 lower case Roman type.
6 RULE 30
7 House Bills Amended by the Senate
8 When a House bill or joint resolution has been amended by the
9 Senate and returned to the House for concurrence, it shall not
10 be considered until placed on the calendar and copies thereof
11 are on the desks of the members.
12 When acting on bills or joint resolutions amended by the
13 Senate, the amendments shall be read and the question put on the
14 concurrence in the amendments.
15 The House shall not consider any proposed amendment to any
16 amendment made by the Senate to a House bill or joint
17 resolution.
18 A majority vote of the members elected to the House taken by
19 yeas and nays shall be required to concur in amendments made by
20 the Senate, except for appropriations to charitable and
21 educational institutions not under the absolute control of the
22 Commonwealth, where a vote of two-thirds of all the members
23 elected to the House shall be required to concur. (Constitution,
24 Article III, Sections 5 and 30).
25 RULE 31
26 Bills Vetoed by the Governor
27 When the Governor has returned a bill to the House with his
28 objections, the veto message shall be read and the House shall
29 proceed to reconsider it. (Constitution, Article IV, Section
30 15).
19790H0053R1240 - 25 -
1 RULE 32
2 Hospital and Home Appropriations or
3 Acquiring Lands of the Commonwealth
4 No bills appropriating moneys to State-aided hospitals or
5 State-aided homes shall be introduced in the House, except such
6 as appropriate in single bills the total sum to be appropriated
7 to all of the institutions within the same class or group.
8 Requests for appropriations for particular State-aided hospitals
9 or State-aided homes shall be filed with the Chairman of the
10 Committee on Appropriations on forms to be furnished by the said
11 Committee on Appropriations, and shall be signed by the member
12 requesting the appropriation.
13 No bill granting or conveying Commonwealth lands or taking
14 title thereto shall be reported by any Committee to the House
15 unless there has been filed with the Chief Clerk and the
16 Chairman of the reporting committee a memorandum from the
17 Department of General Services indicating the use to which the
18 property is presently employed, the full consideration for the
19 transfer, if any, a departmental appraisal of the property,
20 including its valuation and a list of recorded liens and
21 encumbrances, if any, the use to which the property will be
22 employed upon its transfer, the date by which the land is needed
23 for its new use, and the legislative district or districts in
24 which the land is located. The memorandum shall contain a
25 statement by a responsible person in the Department of General
26 Services indicating whether or not the administration favors the
27 transfer which is the subject of the bill under consideration.
28 RULE 33
29 Special Legislation
30 No local or special bill shall be passed by the House unless
19790H0053R1240 - 26 -
1 notice of the intention to apply therefor has been published in
2 the locality where the matter or the thing to be affected may be
3 situated, which notice shall be at least thirty days prior to
4 the introduction into the General Assembly of such bill and in
5 the manner provided by law; the evidence of such notice having
6 been published shall be exhibited in the General Assembly before
7 the act shall be passed. (Constitution, Article III, Section 7).
8 No local or special bill shall be considered in violation of
9 Article III, Section 32, of the Constitution.
10 RULE 34
11 Non-Preferred Appropriations
12 No bill shall be passed appropriating money to any charitable
13 or educational institution not under absolute control of the
14 Commonwealth, except by a vote of two-thirds of all members
15 elected. (Constitution, Article III, Section 17).
16 RULE 35
17 House and Concurrent Resolutions
18 Members introducing resolutions other than concurrent
19 resolutions shall file five copies thereof; seven copies of
20 concurrent resolutions shall be filed. All resolutions shall be
21 signed by their sponsors, dated and filed with the Chief Clerk.
22 After being numbered, one copy of all resolutions shall be given
23 to the news media and all other copies delivered to the Speaker.
24 A sponsor may not be added or withdrawn after a resolution has
25 been printed. Resolutions may not be withdrawn after reference
26 to a committee.
27 Unless privileged under Rule 36 for immediate consideration,
28 the Speaker shall refer House resolutions (except Discharge
29 Resolutions) and Senate resolutions presented to the House for
30 concurrence to appropriate committees.
19790H0053R1240 - 27 -
1 The Speaker shall report to the House the committees to which
2 resolutions have been referred, either on the day introduced or
3 received or the next two legislative days the House is in
4 session.
5 A resolution introduced in the House and referred to
6 committee shall be printed and placed in the House files.
7 When a resolution (House or Senate) is reported from
8 committee, it shall be placed on the calendar and may be called
9 up by a member for consideration by the House under the order of
10 business of resolutions. A HOUSE RESOLUTION OTHER THAN A <--
11 CONCURRENT OR JOINT RESOLUTION SHALL BE ADOPTED BY A MAJORITY OF
12 THE MEMBERS VOTING.
13 RULE 36
14 Privileged Resolutions
15 Resolutions privileged for the immediate consideration of the
16 House are those:
17 a. Recalling from or returning bills to the Governor
18 b. Recalling from or returning bills to the Senate
19 c. Originated by the Committee on Rules
20 d. Providing for a Joint Session of the Senate and House and
21 its procedure
22 e. Placing bills negatived by committees on the calendar
23 f. Adjournment or recess
24 RULE 37
25 Legislative Citation
26 A member making a request that a Legislative Citation be
27 issued to a particular person or on a specified occasion shall
28 provide the Legislative Reference Bureau with the facts
29 necessary for the preparation of the Citation on a suitable
30 form.
19790H0053R1240 - 28 -
1 The Citation request shall be filed with the Chief Clerk and
2 automatically referred to the Speaker who may approve and sign
3 such citation on behalf of the House of Representatives.
4 One original Citation shall be issued by the Chief Clerk.
5 RULE 38
6 Sine Die and Final Introduction of Bills
7 Resolutions fixing the time for adjournment of the General
8 Assembly sine die and the last day for introduction of bills in
9 the House shall be referred to the Committee on Rules before
10 consideration by the House.
11 RULE 39
12 Petitions, Remonstrances and Memorials
13 Petitions, remonstrances, memorials and other papers
14 presented by a member shall be signed, dated and filed with the
15 Chief Clerk to be by him handed to the Speaker for reference to
16 appropriate committees.
17 The Speaker shall report to the House the committees to which
18 petitions, remonstrances, memorials and other papers have been
19 referred, not later than the next day the House is in session
20 following the day of filing.
21 RULE 40
22 Messages
23 Messages from the Senate and communications from the Governor
24 shall be received and read in the House within one legislative
25 day thereafter.
26 All House and Senate bills shall be delivered to the Senate
27 with appropriate messages no later than the close of the next
28 legislative day of the Senate which follows the fifth
29 legislative day after which the House acted on such bill.
30 All House bills returned by the Senate after final passage
19790H0053R1240 - 29 -
1 therein without amendment, and all conference committee reports
2 on House bills received from the Senate and adopted by the
3 House, shall be signed by the Speaker within one legislative day
4 after receipt or adoption, respectively, and shall be delivered
5 to the Senate before the close of the next legislative day of
6 the Senate.
7 All House bills and all conference committee reports on House
8 bills signed by the Speaker shall be delivered to the Governor
9 within twenty-four hours after return from the Senate with the
10 signature of the appropriate Senate officer.
11 RULE 41
12 Kind and Rank of Committee
13 The Committees of the House shall be of four kinds and rank
14 in the order named:
15 Committee of the Whole House
16 Standing Committees
17 Select Committees
18 Conference Committees
19 RULE 42
20 Committee of the Whole
21 The House may resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole at
22 any time on the motion of a member adopted by a majority vote of
23 the House.
24 In forming the Committee of the Whole, the Speaker shall
25 leave the chair, after appointing a Chairman to preside.
26 The rules of the House shall be observed in the Committee of
27 the Whole as far as applicable, except that a member may speak
28 more than once on the same question.
29 A motion to adjourn, to lay on the table, or for the previous
30 question cannot be put in the Committee of the Whole; but a
19790H0053R1240 - 30 -
1 motion to limit or close debate is permissible.
2 A motion that the Committee of the Whole "do now rise and
3 report back to the House," shall always be in order, and shall
4 be decided without debate.
5 Amendments made in the Committee of the Whole shall not be
6 read when the Speaker resumes the Chair, unless so ordered by
7 the House.
8 RULE 43
9 Standing Committees and Sub-Committees
10 The Committee on Committees shall consist of the Speaker and
11 fifteen members of the House, ten of whom shall be members of
12 the Majority Party and five of whom shall be members of the
13 Minority Party, whose duty shall be to recommend to the House
14 the names of members who are to serve on the Standing Committees
15 of the House.
16 The Speaker shall appoint the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of
17 each Standing Committee when such Standing Committee has no
18 Standing Sub-committees as prescribed herein; when the Standing
19 Committee has Standing Sub-Committees, the Speaker shall appoint
20 a Sub-committee Chairman for each Standing Sub-committee. The
21 Speaker shall appoint a secretary for each Standing Committee.
22 The Minority Leader shall appoint the Minority Chairman and
23 Minority Vice-Chairman of each Standing Committee and the
24 Minority Sub-Committee Chairman for each Standing Sub-Committee.
25 The Speaker of the House, Floor Leader of the Majority Party
26 and the Floor Leader of the Minority Party shall be ex-officio
27 members of all Standing Committees, without the right to vote
28 and they shall be excluded from any limitation as to the number
29 of members on the Committees or in counting a quorum.
30 Twenty-one Standing Committees of the House, each to consist
19790H0053R1240 - 31 -
1 of twenty-three members except the Committee on Appropriations,
2 which shall consist of thirty-one members, are hereby created.
3 In addition, there is hereby created twenty-two Standing Sub-
4 Committees.
5 All Standing Committees shall consist of fourteen members of
6 the Majority Party and nine members of the Minority Party,
7 except the Committee on Appropriations which shall consist of
8 twenty members of the Majority Party and eleven members of the
9 Minority Party. The quorum for each of the Standing Committees
10 and Sub-committees shall be no less than the majority of said
11 Committees. The following are the Standing Committees and Sub-
12 committees thereof:
13 1. Agriculture and Rural Affairs
14 2. Appropriations
15 a. Sub-committee on Health and Welfare
16 b. Sub-committee on Education
17 c. Sub-committee on Capital Budget
18 3. Business and Commerce
19 a. Sub-committee on Banking and Savings and Loan
20 Associations
21 b. Sub-committee on Housing
22 c. Sub-committee on Industrial Development, Recreation
23 and Tourism
24 4. Conservation
25 5. Consumer Affairs
26 a. Sub-committee on Public Utilities
27 6. Education
28 a. Sub-committee on Basic Education
29 b. Sub-committee on Higher Education
30 7. Federal-State Relations
19790H0053R1240 - 32 -
1 8. Finance
2 9. Game and Fisheries
3 10. Health and Welfare
4 a. Sub-committee on Health
5 b. Sub-committee on Welfare
6 c. Sub-committee on Youth and Aging
7 11. Insurance
8 12. Judiciary
9 a. Sub-committee on Crime and Corrections
10 b. Sub-committee on Courts
11 13. Labor Relations
12 14. Liquor Control
13 15. Local Government
14 a. Sub-committee on Boroughs
15 b. Sub-committee on Counties
16 c. Sub-committee on Townships
17 16. Mines and Energy Management
18 17. Professional Licensure
19 18. State Government
20 A. SUB-COMMITTEE ON TELECOMMUNICATIONS <--
21 19. Transportation
22 a. Sub-committee on Highways
23 b. Sub-committee on Public Transportation
24 c. Sub-committee on Transportation Safety
25 D. SUB-COMMITTEE ON AVIATION <--
26 20. Urban Affairs
27 a. Sub-committee on Cities, Counties - First Class
28 b. Sub-committee on Cities, Counties - Second Class
29 21. Military and Veterans Affairs
30 RULE 44
19790H0053R1240 - 33 -
1 Organization of Standing Committees and Sub-Committees
2 The membership of each Standing Committee shall first meet
3 upon the call of its Chairman and perfect its organization. A
4 majority of the members to which each Standing Committee is
5 entitled shall constitute a quorum for it to proceed to
6 business. Each Standing Committee shall have the power to
7 promulgate rules not inconsistent with these rules which may be
8 necessary for the orderly conduct of its business.
9 Where a Standing Committee has Standing Sub-Committees as
10 prescribed by Rule 43, the membership on such Standing Sub-
11 Committees shall be appointed by the Committee on Committees
12 after consultation with each Chairman of a Standing Committee of
13 which the Standing Sub-Committee is a part. Each Standing Sub-
14 Committee shall consist of the Chairman of its parent Standing
15 Committee, as an ex-officio member, the Chairman of the Standing
16 Sub-Committee, and five other members from the parent Standing
17 Committee to be appointed by the Committee on Committees three
18 from among the majority party after consultation with the
19 Majority Leader, and two from among the minority party after
20 consultation with the Minority Leader. Where it is deemed
21 advisable that the membership of any Standing Sub-Committee be
22 of greater number than that prescribed herein, the Committee on
23 Committees may appoint additional members of the Standing
24 Committee from the majority or minority party to serve on such
25 Standing Sub-Committee. The number of additional members
26 selected should be such as to maintain, as far as is
27 practicable, a ratio in majority and minority party membership
28 which affords a fair and reasonable representation to the
29 minority party on the Standing Sub-committee.
30 The Chairman and the Minority Chairman of each Standing
19790H0053R1240 - 34 -
1 Committee shall be ex-officio members of each Standing Sub-
2 committee which is part of the parent Standing Committee, with
3 the right to attend Standing Sub-committee meetings and vote on
4 any matter before such Standing Sub-committee.
5 A majority of the members of each Standing Sub-committee
6 shall constitute a quorum for the proper conduct of its
7 business. Each Standing Sub-committee may promulgate such rules
8 necessary for the conduct of its business which are not
9 inconsistent with the rules of its parent Standing Committee or
10 the Rules of the House.
11 When the chairman of a Standing Committee has referred a
12 bill, resolution or other matter to a Standing Sub-committee,
13 the power and control over such bill, resolution or other matter
14 shall then reside in such Sub-committee for a reasonable period
15 of time thereafter in order that such Sub-committee may consider
16 the bill, resolution or other matter and return the same to its
17 Standing Committee with its recommendations as to the action
18 which ought to be taken on such bill, resolution or other
19 matter.
20 Each Standing Sub-committee, within a reasonable time after
21 it has received a bill, resolution or other matter, shall meet
22 as a committee for the purpose of considering the same and
23 returning the bill, resolution or other matter back to its
24 parent Standing Committee with a Sub-committee report as to what
25 action it recommends. The report of the Sub-committee on a bill,
26 resolution or other matter being returned to the Standing
27 Committee shall contain one of the following recommendations:
28 a. That the bill, resolution or other matter in its
29 present form be reported to the House,
30 b. that the bill, resolution, or other matter not be
19790H0053R1240 - 35 -
1 reported to the House,
2 c. that the bill, resolution or other matter be reported
3 to the House, with recommendations for amendments,
4 d. that the bill, resolution or other matter is returned
5 without recommendations.
6 When a Standing Committee receives reports from its Sub-
7 committees, it shall consider the same and by majority vote of
8 the members of the Standing Committee either approve or
9 disapprove such report. If disapproved, the Standing Committee
10 may then determine by a majority vote of its members what
11 further action, if any, should be taken on such bill, resolution
12 or other matter.
13 Where no action has been taken by a Standing Sub-committee on
14 a bill, resolution or other matter referred to it, and the
15 chairman of the Standing Committee considers that such Sub-
16 committee has had reasonable time to consider the bill,
17 resolution or other matter and return the same to its parent
18 Standing Committee. The Sub-committee Chairman shall then
19 forthwith surrender and forward the same, together with all
20 documents or papers pertaining thereto, to the Standing
21 Committee.
22 In the event that a Chairman of a Standing Committee is
23 absent, the following rules shall apply:
24 1. If such Standing Committee has no Sub-committee
25 prescribed by Rule 44, the Vice-Chairman of the Standing
26 Committee shall act as Chairman of the Committee meetings;
27 2. If such Standing Committee has only one Sub-Committee,
28 the Sub-committee Chairman shall act as Chairman of the Standing
29 Committee; and
30 3. If the Standing Committee has more than one Sub-
19790H0053R1240 - 36 -
1 committee, the Sub-committee Chairman with the longest
2 consecutive legislative service shall act as Chairman of the
3 Standing Committee, except where the Sub-committee Chairmen have
4 equal legislative service, in which case the Speaker of the
5 House shall designate one of the Sub-committee Chairmen to act
6 as Chairman of the Standing Committee.
7 In case of absence of a Sub-committee Chairman, the Chairman
8 of the appropriate standing Committee shall designate one member
9 from either the Standing Committee or Sub-committee to act as
10 Chairman of the Sub-committee.
11 RULE 45
12 Powers and Duties of Standing Committees
13 and Sub-Committees
14 The Chairman of each Standing Committee and Sub-committee
15 shall fix regular weekly, biweekly or monthly meeting days for
16 the transaction of business before the Committee or Sub-
17 committee. The Chairman of the Committee or Sub-committee shall
18 notify all members, at least twenty-four hours in advance of the
19 date, time and place of regular meetings, and, insofar as
20 possible, the subjects on the agenda. In addition to regular
21 meetings, special meetings may be called from time to time by
22 the Chairman of the Committee or Sub-committee as they deem
23 necessary. No committee shall meet during any session of the
24 House without first obtaining permission of the Speaker. During
25 any such meeting, no vote shall be taken on the Floor of the
26 House on any amendment, recommittal motion, final passage of any
27 bill, or any other matter requiring a roll call vote. Any
28 Committee meeting called off the Floor of the House shall meet
29 in a committee room. In addition to the specific provisions of
30 this Rule 45, all provisions of the act of July 19, 1974
19790H0053R1240 - 37 -
1 (P.L.486, No.175) relative to notice of meetings shall be
2 complied with.
3 At regularly scheduled meetings, or upon the call of the
4 Chairman, or Sub-Committee Chairman, for special meetings, the
5 membership of such Committees shall meet to consider any bill,
6 resolution, or other matter on the agenda. The Secretary of each
7 Standing Committee, or in case of Sub-Committees a secretary
8 designated by the Sub-Committee Chairman, shall record: (1) the
9 minutes of the meeting, (2) all votes taken, and (3) a roll or <--
10 attendance of members at Standing Committee or Sub-Committee
11 meetings showing the names of those present, absent or excused
12 from attendance, AND (4) DISPATCH OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS <--
13 BEFORE THE COMMITTEE; such records shall be open to public
14 inspection. On the first legislative day of each week the House
15 is in session, the Chairman of each Standing Committee shall
16 submit to the Chief Clerk for inclusion in the House Journal,
17 the roll or record of attendance of members at Standing
18 Committee or Sub-committee meetings held prior thereto and not
19 yet reported, along with the record of all votes taken at such
20 meetings. ALL REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES SHALL BE PREPARED <--
21 IN WRITING BY THE SECRETARY OF THE COMMITTEE. MEMBERS OF A
22 STANDING COMMITTEE MAY PREPARE IN WRITING AND FILE A MINORITY
23 REPORT, SETTING FORTH THE REASONS FOR THEIR DISSENT. SUCH
24 COMMITTEE REPORTS SHALL BE FILED WITH THE CHIEF CLERK WITHIN
25 FIVE DAYS OF THE MEETING. All meetings at which formal action is
26 taken by a Standing Committee or Sub-Committee shall be open to
27 the public, making such reports as are required under Rule 44.
28 When any member, except for an excused absence, fails to attend
29 five consecutive regular meetings of his committee, the Chairman
30 of that Committee or Sub-Committee shall notify him of that fact
19790H0053R1240 - 38 -
1 and, if the member in question fails to reasonably justify his
2 absences to the satisfaction of a majority of the membership of
3 the Standing Committee of which he is a member, his membership
4 on the Committee or Sub-Committee shall be deemed vacant and the
5 Chairman of the Standing Committee shall notify the Speaker of
6 the House to that effect. Such vacancy shall then be filled in
7 the manner prescribed by these rules.
8 Whenever the Chairman of any Standing Committee shall refuse
9 to call a regular meeting, then a majority of the members of the
10 Standing Committee may vote to call a meeting by giving two days
11 written notice to the Speaker of the House, setting the time and
12 place for such meeting. Such notice shall be read in the House
13 and the same posted by the Chief Clerk in the House Chamber.
14 Thereafter, the meeting shall be held at the time and place
15 specified in the notice. In addition, all provisions of the act
16 of July 19, 1974 (P.L.486, No.175), relative to notice of
17 meetings shall be complied with.
18 Each Secretary of a Standing Committee and each Secretary of <--
19 a Standing Sub-Committee shall keep a record of the dispatch of
20 the bills, resolutions, committee reports and other matters
21 before it in an appropriate journal which shall be open to
22 public inspection.
23 Records, bills and other papers in the possession of
24 committees and sub-committees, upon final adjournment of the
25 House shall be filed with the Chief Clerk.
26 No Committee report, except a report of the Appropriations
27 Committee, shall be recognized by the House, unless the same has
28 been acted upon by a majority vote of the members of a Standing
29 Committee present at a Committee session actually assembled and
30 meeting as a Committee, provided such majority vote numbers at
19790H0053R1240 - 39 -
1 least ten members, and provided further a quorum is present. No
2 committee report of the Appropriations Committee shall be
3 recognized by the House, unless the same has been acted upon by
4 a majority vote of the members of such committee present at a
5 committee session actually assembled and meeting as a committee,
6 provided such majority vote numbers at least fourteen members,
7 and provided further a quorum is present. All reports of <--
8 Standing Committees shall be prepared in writing by the
9 Secretary of the Committee. Members of a Standing Committee may
10 prepare in writing and file a minority report, setting forth the
11 reasons for their dissent.
12 When the majority of the members of a Standing Committee
13 believe that a certain bill or resolution in the possession of
14 the Standing Committee should be considered and acted upon by
15 such Committee, they may request the Chairman to include the
16 same as part of the business of a committee meeting. Upon
17 failure of the Chairman to comply with such request, the
18 membership may require that such bill be considered by written
19 motion made and approved by a majority vote of the entire
20 membership to which such Committee is entitled.
21 Whenever the phrase "majority of members of a Standing
22 Committee or Sub-committee" is used in these rules, it shall
23 mean majority of the entire membership to which a Standing
24 Committee or Sub-committee is entitled, unless the context
25 thereof indicates a different intent.
26 To assist the House in appraising the administration of the
27 laws and in developing such amendments or related legislation as
28 it may deem necessary, each Standing Committee or Sub-committee
29 of the House shall exercise continuous watchfulness of the
30 execution by the administrative agencies concerned of any laws,
19790H0053R1240 - 40 -
1 the subject matter of which is within the jurisdiction of such
2 committee or sub-committee; and, for that purpose, shall study
3 all pertinent reports and data submitted to the House by the
4 agencies in the executive branch of the Government.
5 RULE 46
6 Committee on Rules
7 The Committee on Rules shall consist of the Speaker, the
8 Majority Leader, the Majority Whip, the Minority Leader, the
9 Minority Whip, six members of the majority party appointed by
10 the Speaker, and three members of the minority party appointed
11 by the Minority Leader. The Majority Leader shall be Chairman.
12 The Committee shall make recommendations designed to improve
13 and expedite the business and procedure of the House and its
14 committees, and to propose to the House any amendments to the
15 Rules deemed necessary. The Committee shall also do all things
16 necessary to fulfill any assignment or duty given to the
17 Committee by any resolution, or other rule of the House of
18 Representatives.
19 The Committee shall be privileged to report at any time.
20 The Committee shall, until or unless superseded by law, adopt
21 guidelines for the expenditure of all funds appropriated to the
22 House or to any member or nonmember officer by any appropriation
23 act.
24 Such guidelines shall include a detailed statement of the
25 general and specific purposes for which the funds from that
26 appropriation account may be used, as well as uniform standards
27 of required documentation, accounting systems and record keeping
28 procedures.
29 RULE 47
30 Ethics Committee
19790H0053R1240 - 41 -
1 As used in the context of this rule, the word "Committee"
2 shall mean the Committee on Ethics of the House of
3 Representatives, and the phrase "majority of the Committee:
4 shall mean a majority of the members to which the Committee is
5 entitled:
6 The Committee shall consist of eight members: four of whom
7 shall be members of the Majority Party appointed by the Speaker,
8 and four of whom shall be members of the Minority Party
9 appointed by the Minority Leader. The Speaker shall appoint from
10 the members a Chairman, Vice Chairman and Secretary for the
11 Committee. The Chairman shall be a member of the majority party
12 and the Vice Chairman shall be a member of the minority party.
13 The Chairman shall notify all members of the Committee at
14 least twenty-four hours in advance of the date, time and place
15 of a regular meeting. Whenever the Chairman shall refuse to call
16 a regular meeting, a majority of the Committee may vote to call
17 a meeting by giving two days' written notice to the Speaker of
18 the House setting forth the time and place for such meeting.
19 Such notice shall be read in the House and posted in the House
20 Chamber by the Chief Clerk, or his designee. Thereafter, the
21 meeting shall be held at the time and place specified in such
22 notice.
23 The Committee shall conduct its investigations, hearings and
24 meetings relating to a specific investigation or a specific
25 member, officer or employee of the House in closed session and
26 the fact that such investigation is being conducted or to be
27 conducted or that hearings or such meetings are being held or
28 are to be held shall be confidential information unless the
29 person subject to investigation advises the Committee in writing
30 that he elects that such hearings shall be held publicly. In the
19790H0053R1240 - 42 -
1 event of such an election, the Committee shall furnish such
2 person a public hearing. All other meetings of the Committee
3 shall be open to the public.
4 The Committee shall receive complaints against members,
5 officers and employees of the House, and persons registered or
6 carrying on activities regulated by the act of September 30,
7 1961 (P.L.1778, No.712), known as the "Lobbying Registration and
8 Regulation Act," alleging illegal or unethical conduct. Any such
9 complaint must be in writing verified by the person filing the
10 complaint and must set forth in detail the conduct in question
11 and the section of the "Legislative Code of Ethics," the
12 "Lobbying Registration and Regulation Act," or House rule
13 violated. The Committee shall make a preliminary investigation
14 of the complaint, and if it is determined by a majority of the
15 Committee that a violation of the rule or law may have occurred,
16 the person against whom the complaint has been brought shall be
17 notified in writing and given a copy of the complaint. Within
18 fifteen days after receipt of the complaint, such person may
19 file a written answer thereto with the Committee. Upon receipt
20 of the answer, by vote of a majority of the Committee, the
21 Committee shall either dismiss the complaint within ten days or
22 proceed with a formal investigation, to include hearings, not
23 less than ten days nor more than thirty days after notice in
24 writing to the persons so charged. Failure of the person charged
25 to file an answer shall not be deemed to be an admission or
26 create an inference or presumption that the complaint is true,
27 and such failure to file an answer shall not prohibit a majority
28 of the Committee from either proceeding with a formal
29 investigation or dismissing the complaint.
30 A majority of the Committee may initiate a preliminary
19790H0053R1240 - 43 -
1 investigation of the suspected violation of a Legislative Code
2 of Ethics or House rule by a member, officer or employee of the
3 House or lobbyist. If it is determined by a majority of the
4 Committee that a violation of a rule or law may have occurred,
5 the person in question shall be notified in writing of the
6 conduct in question and the section of the "Legislative Code of
7 Ethics," the "Lobbying Registration and Regulation Act" or House
8 rule violated. Within fifteen days, such person may file a
9 written answer thereto. Upon receipt of the answer, by vote of a
10 majority of the Committee, the Committee shall either dismiss
11 the charges within ten days or proceed with a formal
12 investigation, to include hearings, not less than ten days nor
13 more than thirty days after notice in writing to the person so
14 charged. Failure of the person charged to file an answer shall
15 not be deemed to be an admission or create an inference or
16 presumption that the charge is true, and such failure to file an
17 answer shall not prohibit a majority of the Committee from
18 either proceeding with a formal investigation or dismissing the
19 charge.
20 In the event that the Committee shall elect to proceed with a
21 formal investigation of the conduct of any member, officer or
22 employee of the House, the Committee shall employ independent
23 counsel who shall not be employed by the House for any other
24 purpose or in any other capacity during such investigation.
25 All constitutional rights of any person under investigation
26 shall be preserved, and such person shall be entitled to present
27 evidence, cross-examine witnesses, face his accuser, and be
28 represented by counsel.
29 The Chairman may continue any hearing for reasonable cause,
30 and upon the vote of a majority of the Committee or upon the
19790H0053R1240 - 44 -
1 request of the person subject to investigation, the Chairman
2 shall issue subpoenas for the attendance and testimony of
3 witnesses and the production of documentary evidence relating to
4 any matter under formal investigation by the Committee. The
5 Committee may administer oaths or affirmations and examine and
6 receive evidence.
7 All testimony, documents, records, data, statements or
8 information received by the Committee in the course of any
9 investigation shall be private and confidential except in the
10 case of public hearings or in a report to the House. No report
11 shall be made to the House unless a majority of the Committee
12 has made a finding of unethical or illegal conduct on the part
13 of the person under investigation. No finding of unethical or
14 illegal conduct shall be valid unless signed by at least a
15 majority of the Committee. Any such report may include a
16 minority report. No action shall be taken on any finding of
17 illegal or unethical conduct nor shall such finding or report
18 containing such finding be made public sooner than seven days
19 after a copy of the finding is sent by certified mail to the
20 member, officer or employee under investigation.
21 The Committee may meet with a Committee of the Senate to hold
22 investigations or hearings involving employees of the two houses
23 jointly or officers or employees of the Legislative Reference
24 Bureau, the Joint State Government Commission, Local Government
25 Commission, Legislative Budget and Finance Committee and the
26 Legislative Data Processing Committee; provided, however, that
27 no action may be taken at a joint meeting unless it is approved
28 by a majority of the Committee.
29 In the event that a member of the Committee shall be under
30 investigation, such member shall be temporarily replaced on the
19790H0053R1240 - 45 -
1 Committee in a like manner as said member's original
2 appointment.
3 The Committee, whether or not at the request of a member,
4 officer or employee concerned about an ethical problem relating
5 to himself alone or in conjunction with others, may render
6 advisory opinions with regard to questions pertaining to
7 legislative ethics or decorum. Such advisory opinions, with such
8 deletions and changes as shall be necessary to protect the
9 identity of the persons involved or seeking them, may be
10 published and shall be distributed to all the members of the
11 House.
12 Any member of the Committee breaching the confidentiality of
13 materials and events as set forth in this rule shall be removed
14 immediately from the Committee and replaced by another member of
15 the House in a like manner as said member's original
16 appointment.
17 The Committee may adopt rules of procedure for the orderly
18 conduct of its affairs, investigations, hearings and meetings,
19 which rules are not inconsistent with this rule.
20 The Committee shall continue to exist and have authority and
21 power to function after the sine die Adjournment of the General
22 Assembly and shall so continue until the expiration of the then
23 current term of office of the members of the Committee.
24 RULE 47 (a)
25 Special Committee on Internal Affairs
26 and House Administration
27 (1) The Committee shall consist of the Speaker, Majority
28 Leader, Minority Leader, four members of the Majority Party to
29 be elected by the caucus, one of whom shall be named BY THE <--
30 SPEAKER AS Chairperson, and five members of the Minority Party
19790H0053R1240 - 46 -
1 to be elected by the caucus. All appointments shall be made by <--
2 the Speaker, including the Chairperson.
3 (2) The powers and duties of the Committee shall include,
4 but not be limited to the following:
5 (a) To review all public PAYROLL accounts under the control <--
6 or jurisdiction of the Chief Clerk, Secretary, Comptroller,
7 Minority Staff Administrator, Majority and Minority Committee
8 Chairpersons, all members elected by the respective caucuses and
9 any other member or person elected by the membership of the
10 House.
11 (b) Such review shall be conducted at least quarterly and at
12 such other times as the Committee may choose.
13 (c) The findings of each review shall be published in a
14 Committee report and shall be available for public inspection. A
15 copy of said report shall be furnished to any interested person
16 upon request and payment of the actual cost to duplicate the
17 same.
18 (d) The Committee may promulgate rules and regulations to
19 carry out the purview of this Rule which shall be distributed to
20 the members of the House and which shall remain in effect unless
21 voided by a majority vote of the members elected to the House.
22 (3) No employee shall be assigned, hired or otherwise
23 engaged to regularly perform duties outside the City of
24 Harrisburg unless specifically authorized in writing by the
25 person responsible for their performance and a copy of said
26 authorization is filed with the Committee. Such person shall
27 have thirty days after adoption of this rule to comply initially
28 with such written authorization requirement.
29 (4) Before an employee is assigned to a member or members,
30 said member or members shall indicate their acceptance of said <--
19790H0053R1240 - 47 -
1 employee on a form prescribed by the Committee and said member
2 or members shall thereafter be responsible for the faithful
3 performance by the employee of his or her designated duties.
4 RECEIVE A WRITTEN STATEMENT OF THE EMPLOYEE'S JOB RELATED <--
5 QUALIFICATIONS. ANY MEMBER OR MEMBERS ASSIGNED AN EMPLOYEE SHALL
6 THEREAFTER BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FAITHFUL PERFORMANCE BY THE
7 EMPLOYEE OF HIS OR HER DESIGNATED DUTIES.
8 (5) (a) Any member or nonmember having funds under his or
9 her control or jurisdiction who intentionally provides any
10 remuneration to another person in an apparent violation of this
11 Rule or any employee who intentionally accepts any remuneration
12 without providing the required services or otherwise receives
13 public funds to which he or she is not entitled in any other
14 apparent violation of this Rule, shall be notified in writing by
15 the Committee of such alleged violation. Immediately following
16 such notice, the Committee shall turn over all pertinent
17 information on the matter to the House Ethics Committee, which
18 shall conduct an immediate investigation of the allegations and
19 report to the House within sixty days. The Ethics Committee
20 shall make a recommendation to the House for appropriate action
21 by the House which may include a recommendation that the person
22 or persons so involved shall be discharged from employment and
23 said person or persons shall not thereafter be eligible for
24 further employment by the House and/or a recommendation to the
25 House or respective caucus that said member be removed from his
26 or her leadership position and the House or respective caucus
27 shall then act on said recommendation within five legislative
28 days.
29 (b) Whenever a determination is made that a violation has
30 occurred, the Committee shall utilize all available means to
19790H0053R1240 - 48 -
1 recover the moneys disbursed in violation of this Rule.
2 (6) The Committee is authorized to employ the services of an
3 Executive Director and a secretary. Said employees shall be
4 compensated in the same manner and pay range as comparable
5 employees of the several Standing House Committees.
6 (7) All meetings of the Committee shall be open to the
7 public and the votes of the members recorded. No action may be
8 taken without a quorum present and without a majority vote of
9 those members present. A quorum shall consist of at least seven
10 members. The Committee may meet in executive session from time
11 to time subject to the limitations of the act of July 19, 1974
12 (P.L.486, No.175), referred to as the Public Agency Open Meeting
13 Law.
14 RULE 48
15 Conference Committee
16 All Committees of Conference shall be appointed by the
17 Speaker and shall be composed of three members, two of whom
18 shall be selected from the Majority Party and one from the
19 Minority Party.
20 The conferees shall confine themselves to the differences
21 which exist between the House and Senate.
22 The presentation of reports of Committees of Conference shall
23 be in order after having been signed by a majority of members of
24 the Committee of each House.
25 Consideration of a report of a Committee of Conference by the
26 House shall be in order when it has been printed, placed on the
27 desks of the members and listed on the calendar.
28 RULE 49
29 Committee Action
30 Whenever a bill, resolution or other matter has been referred
19790H0053R1240 - 49 -
1 by the Speaker of the House to a Standing Committee, and such
2 Committee has one or more Standing Sub-committees, the Chairman
3 of the Standing Committee may either refer it to an appropriate
4 Sub-committee or retain it for consideration by the entire
5 Standing Committee. If it is retained, such Standing Committee
6 shall have full power and control over such bill, resolution or
7 other matter, except that such Committee shall not change the
8 subject nor any amendments adopted by the House. Where the
9 Chairman of the Standing Committee refers such bill, resolution,
10 or matter to a Sub-committee, such Sub-committee, except as
11 hereinafter provided, shall have full power over the same.
12 The recommendations by a committee that a bill or resolution
13 be reported negatively shall not affect its consideration by the
14 House. The words "negative recommendation" shall be printed
15 conspicuously on a line above the title of this bill.
16 All Standing Sub-committees shall be subject to the will of
17 the majority of their parent Standing Committee and shall not
18 promulgate any rules or take any action inconsistent with the
19 rules of their parent Standing Committee or the Rules of the
20 House.
21 RULE 50
22 Public Hearings
23 Each Standing Committee, Sub-committee or select committee to
24 which a proposed bill, resolution or any matter is referred
25 shall have full power and authority to study said bill,
26 resolution or other matter before it, as such Committee, shall
27 determine is necessary to enable it to report properly to the
28 House thereon. To this end, a Standing Committee, Sub-committee,
29 or select committee, may as hereinafter provided, conduct public
30 hearings. No Standing Committee, Sub-committee or select
19790H0053R1240 - 50 -
1 committee shall hold any public hearings without prior approval
2 by a majority vote of the members of the Standing Committee and
3 the Speaker or the Majority Leader of the House. The Speaker or
4 the Majority Leader of the House shall withhold approval of
5 public hearings based only on budgetary consideration.
6 When a public hearing has been authorized as aforesaid, the
7 Chairman of the Standing Committee, Sub-committee Chairman, or
8 Select Committee Chairman as the case may be, shall instruct the
9 Chief Clerk to give written notice thereof to each House Member
10 not less than five calendar days before the proposed hearings
11 and post the same in or immediately adjacent to the House
12 Chambers. Such notice, which shall contain the day, hour and
13 place of the hearing and the number or numbers of bills or other
14 subject matter to be considered at such hearing, shall also be
15 given the supervisor of the news room, and to the news media. In
16 addition, all provisions of the act of July 19, 1974 (P.L.486,
17 No.175), relative to notice of meetings shall be complied with.
18 Public hearings held by a Standing Committee shall be chaired
19 by the Chairman of such Committee, unless absent, in which case
20 an acting Chairman shall be selected in the manner prescribed by
21 these rules to serve in his stead. Public hearings held by
22 Standing Sub-committees shall be chaired by the Sub-committee
23 Chairman thereof, but the Chairman of the parent Standing
24 Committee, as an ex-officio member of the Sub-committee, shall
25 have the right to attend and participate in the hearing
26 proceedings. In the absence of the Sub-committee Chairman, an
27 acting Chairman shall be appointed in the manner prescribed by
28 these rules.
29 All public hearings shall be open to the public and
30 reasonable opportunity to be heard shall be afforded to all
19790H0053R1240 - 51 -
1 interested parties who have requested an appearance before the
2 Committee. In addition, it shall be the responsibility of the
3 Committee in conducting its hearing to request the presentation
4 of testimony by any person who, in the opinion of the Committee,
5 is qualified to present pertinent and important testimony.
6 Such Committee shall, so far as practicable, request all
7 witnesses appearing before it to file written statements of
8 their proposed testimony. The Chairman shall have the right to
9 fix the order of appearance and the time to be allotted to
10 witnesses. Witnesses may submit brief pertinent statements in
11 writing for inclusion in the record. The Committee is the sole
12 judge of the pertinency of testimony and evidence adduced at its
13 hearings.
14 The Chairman, in presiding at such public hearings, shall
15 preserve order and decorum, in and adjacent to his committee
16 room while the hearing is being conducted and he shall have the
17 authority to direct the removal from the Committee room of any
18 person who fails to comply with order and decorum of the
19 Committee.
20 Proceedings of all public hearings shall be either
21 stenographically or electronically recorded. The Committee shall
22 determine which parts of such recorded proceedings, if any,
23 shall be transcribed and the distribution thereof. Except as
24 hereinafter provided, no more than four (4) copies of any
25 transcript shall be made. Such stenographic or electronic
26 records and at least one copy of any transcription shall be
27 preserved by the Chief Clerk until he is authorized to dispose
28 of same by an affirmative vote of three-quarters of the entire
29 membership of the Rules Committee and shall be made available to
30 any member upon written request for the purpose of copying or
19790H0053R1240 - 52 -
1 transcription at that member's expense. Any transcribed records
2 and any reports of the Committee shall be filed with the Chief
3 Clerk or his designee and shall be made available to any person
4 in accordance with reasonable rules and regulations prescribed
5 by the Chief Clerk. Upon payment of a reasonable cost to be
6 determined by the Chief Clerk, a person may obtain a copy of
7 such transcribed records or reports.
8 The Chief Clerk shall not make payment of any expenses
9 incurred as a result of a public hearing without the prior
10 written approval of the Speaker or the Majority Leader of the
11 House.
12 RULE 51
13 Investigations
14 Any Standing Committee, Sub-committee or Select Committee,
15 upon resolution introduced and approved by majority vote of the
16 House, may be authorized and empowered to conduct hearings at
17 any place in the Commonwealth to investigate any matter provided
18 for in such resolution. When authorized by such a resolution,
19 such Committee shall be empowered to issue subpoenas under the
20 hand and seal of the Chairman thereof commanding any person to
21 appear before it and answer questions touching matters properly
22 being inquired into by the Committee and produce such books,
23 papers, records, accounts, reports, and documents as the
24 Committee deems necessary. Such subpoenas may be served upon any
25 person and shall have the force and effect of subpoenas issued
26 out of the courts of this Commonwealth. Where any person
27 willfully neglects or refuses to comply with any subpoena issued
28 by the Committee or refuses to testify before the Committee on
29 any matter regarding which he may be lawfully interrogated, it
30 shall be the duty of the Committee to report such disobedience
19790H0053R1240 - 53 -
1 or refusal to the House of Representatives, and such person
2 shall be subject to the penalties provided by the laws of the
3 Commonwealth in such cases. All such subpoenaed books, papers,
4 records, accounts, reports, and documents shall be returned to
5 the person from whom such material was subpoenaed when the
6 Committee has completed its examination of such material, but in
7 no event later than the date on which the Committee completes
8 its investigation. Such material, or any information derived
9 therefrom not a part of public sessions of the Committee, shall
10 not be turned over to any person or authority without the
11 consent of the person from whom such material was subpoenaed.
12 Each member of the Committee shall have power to administer
13 oaths and affirmations to witnesses appearing before the
14 Committee. The Sergeant-at-Arms of the Legislature or other
15 person designated by the Committee shall serve any subpoenas
16 issued by the Committee, when directed to do so by the
17 Committee. The subpoena shall be addressed to the witness, state
18 that such proceeding is before a Committee of the House at which
19 the witness is required to attend and testify at a time and
20 place certain and be signed by the Chairman of the Committee
21 commanding attendance of such witness. Mileage and witness fees
22 shall be paid to such witness in an amount prescribed by law.
23 The Chairman of the investigative hearing shall call the
24 Committee to order and announce in an opening statement the
25 subject or purposes of the investigation.
26 A copy of this rule shall be made available to the witnesses
27 at least three calendar days prior to his or her scheduled
28 testimony. Witnesses at investigative hearings, may be
29 accompanied by their own counsel for the purpose of advising
30 them concerning their constitutional rights. The Chairman, for
19790H0053R1240 - 54 -
1 breaches of order or decorum or of professional ethics on the
2 part of counsel, may exclude him from the hearing. Counsel may
3 interpose legal objection to any and all questions which in the
4 opinion of counsel may violate the civil or constitutional
5 rights of his clients.
6 If the Committee determines that evidence or testimony at an
7 investigative hearing may tend to defame, degrade or incriminate
8 any person, it shall:
9 a. receive such evidence or testimony in executive session;
10 b. afford such person an opportunity voluntarily to appear
11 as a witness; and
12 c. receive and dispose of requests from such person to
13 subpoena additional witnesses.
14 No evidence or testimony taken in executive session may be
15 released to any person or authority or used in public sessions
16 without the consent of the Committee.
17 Proceedings of all public hearing shall be either
18 stenographically or electronically recorded. The Committee shall
19 determine which parts of such recorded proceedings, if any,
20 shall be transcribed and four copies thereof shall be
21 distributed and additional copies made available as provided in
22 Rule 50. Such stenographic or electronic records shall be
23 preserved by the Chief Clerk until he is directed to dispose of
24 same by an affirmative vote of three-quarters of the entire
25 membership of the Rules Committee and shall be made available to
26 any member upon written request for the purpose of transcription
27 at that member's expense. Any transcribed records and any
28 reports of the Committee shall be filed with the Chief Clerk or
29 his designee and shall be made available to any person in
30 accordance with reasonable rules and regulations prescribed by
19790H0053R1240 - 55 -
1 the Chief Clerk.
2 Upon payment of a reasonable cost to be determined by the
3 Chief Clerk, a person may obtain a copy of the transcript of any
4 testimony given at a public session or, if given at an executive
5 session when authorized by the Committee. ALL STANDING <--
6 COMMITTEES, SUBCOMMITTEES, SPECIAL COMMITTEES OR COMMISSIONS
7 WHICH ARE AUTHORIZED TO HOLD PUBLIC HEARINGS AND INVESTIGATIONS
8 SHALL FILE A FINAL REPORT BEFORE BEING DISCHARGED OF DELEGATED
9 RESPONSIBILITIES.
10 RULE 52
11 Possession of Bills by Committee
12 When a committee has ordered that a bill, resolution or other
13 matter be reported to the House, the member to whom it is
14 assigned shall make the report thereof to the House either on
15 the same day or at the next meeting of the House.
16 Failure of a member to comply with this rule shall be
17 reported to the House by the committee, provided the official
18 copy of the bill, resolution or other matter has not been
19 obtained. Upon a motion agreed to by the House, a duplicate
20 certified copy of a House bill, House resolution or other House
21 matter shall be furnished to the committee by the Chief Clerk.
22 A committee or Sub-committee shall not consider a bill,
23 resolution or other matter which is not in its possession.
24 When a committee reports to the House that a House bill,
25 House Resolution or other House matter referred to it is lost,
26 upon a motion agreed to by the House, a duplicate certified copy
27 thereof shall be furnished by the Chief Clerk.
28 If the Senate bill, Senate resolution or other Senate matter
29 received from the Senate is lost, upon a motion agreed to by the
30 House, a request shall be made to the Senate to furnish the
19790H0053R1240 - 56 -
1 House with a duplicate certified copy thereof.
2 If a bill, resolution or other matter is lost before it has
3 been referred to a committee, the fact shall be reported to the
4 House and the procedure provided by this rule shall be followed.
5 RULE 53
6 Discharge of Committees
7 A member may present to the Chief Clerk a resolution in
8 writing to discharge a committee from the consideration of a
9 bill or resolution which has been referred to it fifteen
10 legislative days prior thereto (but only one motion may be
11 presented for each bill or resolution). The discharge resolution
12 shall be placed in the custody of the Chief Clerk, who shall
13 arrange some convenient place for the signature of the members.
14 A signature may be withdrawn by a member in writing at any time
15 before the discharge resolution is entered in the Journal. When
16 twenty-five members of the House shall have signed the
17 resolution, it shall be entered in the Journal and the title of
18 the bill or resolution and the name of the committee to be
19 discharged shall be printed on the calendar.
20 Any member who has signed a discharge resolution which has
21 been on the calendar at least one legislative day prior thereto
22 and seeks recognition, shall be recognized for the purpose of
23 calling up the discharge resolution and the House shall proceed
24 to its consideration without intervening motion except one
25 motion to adjourn; however, no discharge resolution shall be
26 considered during the last six legislative days of any session
27 of the House. A majority vote of all the members elected to the
28 House shall be required to agree to a resolution to discharge a
29 committee. When any perfected discharge resolution has been
30 acted upon by the House and defeated it shall not be in order to
19790H0053R1240 - 57 -
1 entertain during the same session of the House any other
2 discharge resolution from that committee of said measure, or
3 from any other committee of any other bill or resolution
4 substantially the same, relating in substance to or dealing with
5 the same subject matter.
6 RULE 54
7 Presentation and Withdrawal of Motions
8 When a motion which is in order has been made, the Speaker
9 shall state it or (if it is in writing) cause it to be read by
10 the Clerk. It shall then be in the possession of the House, but
11 it may be withdrawn by the maker at any time before decision or
12 amendment.
13 The Speaker shall put the question in the following form,
14 viz: "those in favor of the motion will say 'aye'." After the
15 affirmative is expressed, "those who are opposed will say 'no'."
16 All motions, except for the previous question and a motion
17 for reconsideration, may be made without a second.
18 No dilatory motion shall be entertained by the Speaker.
19 RULE 55
20 Privileged Motions
21 When a question is under debate or before the House, no
22 motion shall be received but the following, which shall take
23 precedence in the order named:
24 1. To adjourn, or recess
25 2. A call of the House
26 3. To lay on the table
27 4. For the previous question
28 5. To postpone
29 6. To commit or recommit
30 7. To amend
19790H0053R1240 - 58 -
1 Debate on the motion to postpone shall be confined to the
2 question of the postponement and shall not include discussion of
3 the main question.
4 The motion to commit or recommit is open to debate only as to
5 the reasons for or against reference to committee and shall not
6 include a discussion of the merits of the main question.
7 Debate on the motion to amend shall be limited to the
8 amendment and shall not include the general merits of the main
9 question.
10 RULE 56
11 Adjourn
12 A motion to adjourn or recess is not debatable, cannot be
13 amended and is always in order, except: (a) when another member
14 has the floor; (b) when the House is voting.
15 When a motion to adjourn is made, it shall be in order for
16 the Speaker, before putting the question, to permit the Majority
17 and Minority Leaders and/or one member designated by each of
18 them to state to the House any fact relating to the condition of
19 the business of the House which would seem to render it
20 inadvisable to adjourn. These statements shall be limited to two
21 minutes and shall not be debatable.
22 RULE 57
23 Call of the House
24 If a question of the absence of a quorum is raised by a
25 member, the Speaker shall order the Sergeant-at-Arms to close
26 the doors of the House. No member shall be permitted to leave
27 the House, except by permission of the House. The names of the
28 members present shall be recorded and absentees noted. Those for
29 whom no leave of absence has been granted or no sufficient
30 excuse is made may, by order of a majority of the members
19790H0053R1240 - 59 -
1 present, be sent for and taken into custody by the Sergeant-at-
2 Arms and his assistants appointed for that purpose, and brought
3 before the bar of the House where, unless excused by a majority
4 of the members present, they shall be censured or punished for
5 neglect of duty as the House may direct.
6 Further proceedings under a call of the House may be
7 dispensed with at any time after the completion of the roll call
8 and the announcement of the result.
9 These proceedings shall be without debate, and no motion,
10 except to adjourn, shall be in order.
11 RULE 58
12 Persons Admitted Under a Call of the House
13 Members who voluntarily appear during a call of the House
14 shall be admitted to the House. Upon recognition by the Speaker
15 they shall announce their presence and their names shall be
16 recorded on the roll.
17 Officers of the House, accredited correspondents and
18 employees designated by the Chief Clerk shall be admitted to the
19 House during a call.
20 Visitors shall not be admitted to the House after the doors
21 are closed and until the proceedings under the call are
22 terminated, but they shall be permitted to leave.
23 RULE 59
24 Lay on the Table
25 A motion to lay on the table is not debatable, is not subject
26 to amendment and carries with it the main question and all other
27 pending questions which adhere to it, except when an appeal is
28 laid on the table.
29 RULE 60
30 Motion to Take from the Table
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1 A motion to take from the table a bill or other subject is in
2 order under the same order of business in which the matter was
3 laid on the table. It shall be decided without debate or
4 amendment.
5 RULE 61
6 Previous Question
7 A motion for the previous question, seconded by twenty
8 members and sustained by a majority of the members present,
9 shall put an end to all debate and bring the House to an
10 immediate vote on the question then pending, or the questions on
11 which it has been ordered.
12 A motion for the previous question may be made to embrace any
13 or all pending amendments or motions and to include the passage
14 or rejection of a bill or resolution.
15 RULE 62
16 Call for Yeas and Nays--Reasons for Vote
17 The yeas and nays of the members on any question shall, at
18 the desire of any two of them, be entered on the Journal.
19 (Constitution, Article II, Section 12).
20 When the Speaker or any member is not satisfied with a voice
21 vote on a pending question, the Speaker may order a roll call
22 vote; or, upon request of two members, before the result of the
23 vote is announced, he shall order a roll call vote.
24 A member may submit a written explanation of his vote
25 immediately following the announcement of the result of the vote
26 and have it printed in the Journal.
27 RULE 63
28 Division of a Question
29 Any member may call for a division of a question by the
30 House, if it comprehends propositions so distinct and separate
19790H0053R1240 - 61 -
1 that one being taken away, the other will stand as a complete
2 proposition for the decision of the House.
3 A motion to strike out and insert is indivisible, but a
4 motion to strike out being lost shall neither preclude amendment
5 nor a motion to strike out and insert.
6 RULE 64
7 Members Required to be Present and Vote
8 Every member shall be present within the Hall of the House
9 during its sittings, unless excused by the House or unavoidably
10 prevented, and shall vote for or against each question put,
11 unless he has a direct personal or pecuniary interest in the
12 determination of the question, or unless he is excused by the
13 House.
14 No member shall be permitted to vote and have his vote
15 recorded on the roll unless he is present in the Hall of the
16 House during the roll call vote.
17 The Legislative Journal shall show the result of each roll
18 call by yeas and nays and those absent and not voting.
19 RULE 65
20 Member Having Private Interest
21 A member who has a personal or private interest in any
22 measure or bill proposed or pending before the House shall
23 disclose the fact to the House and shall not vote thereon.
24 (Constitution, Article III, Section 13).
25 RULE 66
26 Electric Roll Call
27 The names of the members shall be listed on the electric roll
28 call boards by party affiliation in alphabetical order, except
29 the name of the Speaker shall be last.
30 On any question requiring the "yeas" and "nays", the electric
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1 roll call system shall be used. On all other questions to be
2 voted upon, the Speaker may, in his discretion, order the yeas
3 and nays taken by the electric roll call system or voice vote
4 or, upon demand of two members before the result of a vote has
5 been declared, the yeas and nays shall be taken by the electric
6 roll call system.
7 In the event the electric roll system is not in operating
8 order, the Speaker shall order all yea and nay votes be taken by
9 calling the roll, as provided in the Rules of the House.
10 The vote of any member which has not been recorded because of
11 mechanical malfunction of the electric roll call system shall be
12 entered on the Journal, if said member was in the Hall of the
13 House at the time of the vote and did cast his vote at the
14 appropriate time, and the fact of such malfunction is reported
15 to the Speaker of the House prior to the announcement of the
16 result of the vote.
17 When the House is ready to vote upon any question requiring
18 the yeas and nays and the vote is to be taken by the electric
19 roll call system, the Speaker shall state: "The question
20 .............. .............. .............. (Designating the
21 matter to be voted upon.)" The Speaker shall then unlock the
22 voting machine and announce, "The members shall now proceed to
23 vote." Once the voting has begun, it shall not be interrupted,
24 except for the purpose of questioning the validity of a member's
25 vote or, if the voting switch of a member present in the Hall of
26 the House is locked or otherwise inoperative, a request that
27 such switch be rendered operative or such members vote be
28 officially recorded, before the result is announced.
29 When, in the judgment of the Speaker, reasonable time has
30 been allowed all members present in the House to vote (in no
19790H0053R1240 - 63 -
1 event shall such time exceed ten minutes) he shall ask the
2 question: "Have all members present voted"? After a pause, the
3 Speaker shall lock the machine and instruct the Clerk to record
4 the vote, and the Speaker shall announce the result of the vote.
5 No member or other person shall be allowed at the Clerk's
6 desk while the yeas and nays are being recorded, or the vote
7 counted.
8 After the voting machine is locked, no member may change his
9 vote and the votes of tardy members will not be recorded.
10 The vote as electrically recorded on the roll of members
11 shall not in any manner be altered or changed by any person.
12 No member shall vote for another member, nor shall any person
13 not a member vote for a member. Any member who shall vote or
14 attempt to vote for another member, or a person not a member who
15 shall vote or attempt to vote for a member, may be punished in
16 such manner as the House determines.
17 Any member or other person who willfully tampers with or
18 attempts to disarrange, deface, impair or destroy in any manner
19 whatsoever the electrical voting equipment used by the House, or
20 who instigates, aids or abets with the intent to destroy or
21 change the record of votes thereon shall be punished in such
22 manner as the House determines.
23 A member who has been appointed by the Speaker to preside as
24 Speaker Pro Tempore may designate either the Majority or
25 Minority Whip to cast his vote on any question while he is
26 presiding in accordance with his instructions from the Chair.
27 RULE 67
28 Verification and Challenge
29 Upon completion of a roll call and before the result is
30 announced, if there appears to be need for verification, the
19790H0053R1240 - 64 -
1 Speaker may direct the Clerk to verify it, or three members may
2 demand a verification.
3 Any member may challenge in writing the yea or nay or
4 electrically recorded vote of other members. The allegations
5 made shall be investigated by a committee composed of the
6 Speaker, a majority member and a minority member appointed by
7 the Speaker, who shall submit a report to the House not later
8 than its next session. The House shall then decide whether the
9 challenged vote shall be recorded or not.
10 If the challenged vote would change the result, the
11 announcement of the vote shall be postponed until the House
12 decides the case.
13 RULE 68
14 Changing Vote
15 No member may change his vote, or have his vote recorded
16 after the result of a roll call vote has been announced, nor
17 after an affirmative or negative roll has been declared
18 verified.
19 RULE 69
20 Journal
21 The Chief Clerk shall keep a Journal of the proceedings of
22 the House, which shall be printed and shall be made available to
23 the members.
24 The Journal of the proceedings of the last day's session
25 shall not be read unless so ordered by a majority vote of the
26 House.
27 RULE 70
28 History of House Bills
29 and House Resolutions
30 A weekly History, showing the title and action on House bills
19790H0053R1240 - 65 -
1 and the text and action on non-privileged resolutions, shall be
2 compiled and indexed under the direction of the Chief Clerk and
3 shall be printed and placed on each member's desk.
4 The House History shall include a cumulative index of laws
5 enacted during the session and the text of vetoes by the
6 Governor.
7 RULE 71
8 House Calendar
9 Bills and non-privileged resolutions reported from committees
10 to the House with an affirmative recommendation shall be listed
11 on the calendar in such manner as prescribed by the Rules
12 Committee and any other rule of the House. House bills and House
13 resolutions shall precede Senate bills and Senate resolutions.
14 Bills and non-privileged resolutions shall be listed on the
15 House Calendar for no more than fifteen consecutive legislative
16 days. At the end of the fifteenth consecutive legislative day
17 the said bill or non-privileged resolution shall be
18 automatically recommitted to the committee from which it was
19 reported to the floor of the House.
20 Any bill or non-privileged resolution on the calendar which
21 cannot, by its status, be recommitted shall be removed from the
22 calendar and laid on the table, unless the House shall otherwise
23 direct.
24 RULE 72
25 Journal, Transcribing and
26 Documents Rooms
27 No person, except members and employees of the House having
28 official business, shall be permitted in the Transcribing, the
29 Legislative Journal, and the Bills and Documents Rooms of the
30 House without the consent of the Chief Clerk.
19790H0053R1240 - 66 -
1 RULE 73
2 Correspondents
3 Admission to and administration of the Press Galleries of the
4 Senate and House of Representatives shall be vested in a
5 Committee on Correspondents consisting of the President Pro
6 Tempore of the Senate, or his designee; the Speaker of the House
7 of Representatives, or his designee; the Supervisor of the
8 Capitol Newsroom; the President of the Pennsylvania Legislative
9 Correspondents' Association, or his designee and the Executive
10 Director of the Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters, or his
11 designee.
12 Persons desiring admission to the press sections of the
13 Senate and House of Representatives shall make application to
14 the Chairman of the Committee on Correspondents. Such
15 application shall state the newspaper, press association or
16 licensed radio or television station, its location, times of
17 publication or hours of broadcasting, and be signed by the
18 applicant.
19 The Committee on Correspondents shall verify the statements
20 made in such application, and, if the application is approved by
21 the Committee, shall issue a correspondent's card signed by the
22 members of the Committee.
23 The gallery assigned to newspaper correspondents or
24 recognized press association correspondents or representatives
25 of licensed radio and television stations, systems or
26 newsgathering agencies shall be for their exclusive use and
27 persons not holding correspondents cards shall not be entitled
28 to admission thereto. Employees of the General Assembly,
29 representatives and employees of state departments, boards,
30 commissions and agencies, visitors and members of the families
19790H0053R1240 - 67 -
1 of correspondents entitled to admission to the press gallery
2 shall, at no time, be permitted to occupy the seats or be
3 entitled to the privileges of the press gallery.
4 Accredited representatives of newspapers, wire, newsreel
5 services and licensed radio or television stations, systems or
6 newsgathering agencies, may be authorized by the Speaker of the
7 House to take photographs, make audio or video recordings or
8 tapes, and to broadcast or televise in the House of
9 Representatives. Applications to take photographs, make audio or
10 video recordings or tapes, or to broadcast or televise at public
11 hearings of committees shall be approved by the Committee
12 Chairman or Co-chairmen conducting such hearing. However, the
13 Committee Chairman conducting the hearing may make such orders
14 to such representatives as may be necessary to preserve order
15 and decorum.
16 No photographs shall be taken nor any recordings or tapes
17 made, nor any broadcasting or televising done in the House of
18 Representatives during sessions, being at ease or recessed,
19 without prior notice to the Representatives. When possible, such
20 notice shall be given at the beginning of the session, at ease
21 or recess, during which the photographs, recordings or taping,
22 broadcasting or televising are scheduled to be taken or made.
23 No more than one representative of each newspaper, press
24 association or licensed radio or television station, system or
25 newsgathering agency shall be admitted to the press gallery at
26 one time. Members of the Pennsylvania Legislative
27 Correspondents' Association and representatives of licensed
28 radio and television stations, systems or newsgathering
29 agencies, assigned to the House of Representatives on a daily
30 basis shall have permanent assigned seating in the press gallery
19790H0053R1240 - 68 -
1 with identification plates. Visiting representatives of daily
2 newspapers, press associations, Sunday newspapers as well as
3 radio and television stations, systems or newsgathering agencies
4 shall coordinate seating accommodations with the supervisor of
5 the Capitol Newsroom.
6 Persons assigned to the press gallery on a permanent or
7 temporary basis, shall at all times, refrain from loud talking
8 or causing any disturbance which tends to interrupt the
9 proceedings of the House of Representatives.
10 Persons assigned to the press gallery on a permanent or
11 temporary basis shall not walk onto the floor of the House of
12 Representatives nor approach the rostrum or the clerks' desks
13 during session or while being at ease.
14 Persons assigned to the press gallery on a permanent or
15 temporary basis wishing to confer with a Representative shall
16 disclose this fact by having a message delivered by a page to
17 the Representative. Such conversation shall be conducted off the
18 floor of the House of Representatives.
19 Representatives of the Pennsylvania Public Broadcasting
20 System may, subject to regulations of the Speaker, televise or
21 make video tapes of proceedings of sessions of the House of
22 Representatives and meetings of all committees of the House of
23 Representatives.
24 RULE 74
25 Visitors
26 Visitors shall be admitted to the Hall of the House only when
27 sponsored by a member. The chief clerk shall issue an
28 appropriate pass to any visitor so sponsored.
29 Persons admitted to the Hall of the House other than members
30 and attaches, shall not be permitted to stand while the House is
19790H0053R1240 - 69 -
1 in session but shall be seated in chairs provided for them. At
2 no time shall visitors be permitted on the Floor of the House
3 while the House is in Session unless so permitted by the
4 speaker.
5 RULE 75
6 Lobbyists
7 No registered lobbyist shall be admitted to the Hall of the
8 House.
9 RULE 76
10 Soliciting Prohibited
11 No officer or employee of the House shall solicit any member,
12 other officer or employee of the House for any purpose.
13 RULE 77
14 Suspending and Changing Rules
15 Any rule of the House, which is not required by the
16 Constitution, may be temporarily suspended at any time for a
17 specific purpose only by a majority vote of the members elected
18 to the House by a roll call vote.
19 A motion to suspend the rules may not be laid on the table,
20 postponed, committed or amended.
21 The existing rules of the House shall not be changed, added
22 to, modified or deleted except by written resolution and the
23 same approved by a majority vote of the members elected to the
24 House by a roll call vote.
25 Except where such resolution originates with the Committee on
26 Rules, no resolution proposing any change, addition,
27 modification or deletion to existing House rules shall be
28 considered until such resolution has been referred to the
29 Committee on Rules, reported therefrom, printed, filed on the
30 desk of each member and placed on the calendar.
19790H0053R1240 - 70 -
1 Any proposed change, addition, modification or deletion
2 offered by a member on the floor of the House to such resolution
3 shall be considered, in effect, a change, addition, modification
4 or deletion to existing House rules and shall require for
5 approval a majority vote of the members by a roll call vote.
6 RULE 78
7 Parliamentary Authority
8 Jefferson's Manual supplemented by Mason's Manual of
9 Legislative Procedure shall be the parliamentary authority of
10 the House, if applicable and not inconsistent with the
11 Constitution of Pennsylvania, the laws of Pennsylvania
12 applicable to the General Assembly, the Rules of the House, the
13 established precedents of the House and the established customs
14 and usages of the House.
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