SJR 2

This joint resolution makes numerous technical and stylistic changes to the

joint rules, as well as makes changes to clarify the meaning of certain joint rules.

There are some changes to the joint rules, however, that are substantive. These

changes include all of the following:

1. The resolution provides that three-fourths of all the members elected to

both

houses

are necessary to approve any bill to grant increased retirement fund benefits

under section 26 of article IV of the constitution. Current joint rules provide that

three-fourths of all the members elected to

each house

are necessary. This change

is made to conform with a recent Supreme Court decision on section 26 of article IV

of the constitution.

2. The resolution eliminates a requirement that meetings of joint committees

must be chaired by the cochairperson from the house that referred the business to

the committee. Instead, the resolution provides that, unless otherwise provided by

both cochairpersons of a joint committee, any meeting of a joint committee must be

chaired by the cochairperson from the house that referred the business to the

committee.

3. The resolution eliminates a requirement that a duplicate committee record

must be filed with the Legislative Reference Bureau (LRB).

4. The resolution permits the chief clerk of each house to include any

appropriate information in the history file of a legislative proposal.

5. The resolution amends the definition of "rules of procedure" to be "rules of

proceedings" and provides that these are legislative rules that govern legislative

operations and the conduct of legislative business and are found in the following

sources: the state constitution; the joint rules, senate rules, and assembly rules;

custom, usage, and precedent in each house; the statutes; and parliamentary law.

6. The resolution permits the LRB, if time permits, to prepare in plain language

an analysis of a substitute amendment, to be reproduced with the substitute

amendment when it is offered.

7. The resolution requires the chief clerk of each house to publish, on a daily

basis on the legislature's committee Internet Web site, a committee schedule

containing the name of each committee, its chairperson, the room number or place,

and the time and date of each meeting scheduled; and to designate each proposal,

appointment, or administrative rule to be heard by number or name, author, and

topic.

8. The resolution authorizes the committee on assembly organization to

designate a committee work day for assembly advice and consent on nominations for