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For Immediate Release
January 2, 2007
Contact:
Joe Pittman
(724) 357-0151
Back New Rules Open Senate Actions to Public
Review
Late sessions curtailed, votes to be posted on Internet
As some of its first actions of the 2007-08
Legislative Session, the state Senate today (January 2)
adopted a new set of rules intended to make the legislative
process more open to the public, according to Senator Don
White, R-41st District, who strongly supported the
proposals.
"I am encouraged by these reforms," Senator
White said. "They show the Senate has heard the voices of
the voters when they demanded reform and change in state
government. These rules show we are committed to a fresh
approach in the way the General Assembly conducts business."
Under the new rules:
- Session times will be limited to between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m.
- Amendments will be posted to the Internet
before being offered on the Senate floor.
- The Senate will wait at least six hours
before voting on an amended bill or a conference committee
report.
- All roll call votes will be posted on the
Internet as soon as possible after a vote, but always within
24 hours of a vote.
- Committee votes on bills will be posted on
the Internet within 48 hours of the vote.
- The Senate's Legislative Journal – which
includes the full text of all floor debates – will be posted
on the Internet upon Senate approval of the Journal or
within 45 days, whichever is earlier.
- An updated fiscal note will be prepared if a
bill is amended after consideration by the Senate
Appropriations Committee, if the amendment has a fiscal
impact.
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