STATE OF MINNESOTA THIRTY-NINTH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EIGHTY-FIFTH SESSION
June 13, 2008
GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS, REFORM, TECHNOLOGY
& ELECTIONS COMMITTEE
MINUTES
Representative Gene Pelowski, Chair of the Government Operations, Reform, Technology and Elections Committee, called the meeting to order at 10:02 A.M. on Friday, June 13, 2008, in Room 200 of the State Office Building.
The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.
Members present:
Pelowski, Chair
Morgan, Vice Chair
Anderson, S.
Brod
Hilty
Howes
Kahn
Nelson
Olson
Peterson, N.
Poppe
Simon
Excused: Emmer, Kalin, Winkler, and Wollschlager
Other house members in attendance:
Lieder
Scalze
Hortman
Murphy, E.
Loeffler
Masin
A quorum was present.
The presentation on legislative process reform continued.
The committee reviewed materials covered in previous meetings, specifically documents presented by:
Brenda Erickson, National Conference of State Legislatures (NSCL);
Pat McCormack, Director, House Research, The Changing Nature of Legislative Staffing;
Phil Griffin, Secretary, Minnesota Governmental Relations Council;
Jack Davies, former State Senator and author of Legislative Law and Process in a Nutshell; and
Michelle Timmons, Office of the Revisor of Statutes, Trends in Legislative Activity
Mark Shepard gave an overview of the document, Legislative Process: Policy Considerations and Potential Changes.
Chairman Pelowski stated the committee would develop a document, which will be presented to the body on legislative reform.
Al Mathowitz, Chief Clerk, answered questions regarding Mason's Manual and legislative procedures.
June 13, 2008
Page Two
Discussion was held regarding limited bill introductions for members, limits on amendments, unlimited co-authors, time limits on floor debates, Special Orders, and what is the specific role (power) of committees.
Chairman Pelowski stated that the focus of the next meeting would be related to committee structure and procedures.
The date of the next committee meeting was set for Monday, June 23rd at 10:00 AM.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:01 PM.
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REP. GENE PELOWSKI, CHAIRMAN
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Kathy L. Anderson, Committee Legislative Assistant