Bill Text: FL H0001 | 2010 | Organizational Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Rules of the Florida House of Representatives

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2010-11-16 - Adopted -HJ 23 [H0001 Detail]

Download: Florida-2010-H0001-Introduced.html

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HR 1O

1	House Resolution
2	A resolution establishing the Rules of the House of
3	Representatives of the State of Florida for the 2010-2012
4	term.
5
6	Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of
7	Florida:
8
9	That the following rules shall govern the House of
10	Representatives of the State of Florida for the 2010-2012 term:
11
12	RULES OF THE FLORIDA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
13
14	RULE ONE-LEGISLATIVE ORGANIZATION
15
16	1.1-Officers of the House
17	(a)  CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS. Pursuant to Section 2 of
18	Article III of the Florida Constitution:
19	(1)  The House shall choose a permanent presiding officer
20	designated Speaker.
21	(2)  The House hereby designates as its clerk the Clerk of
22	the House (hereinafter "Clerk"), to be appointed and serve in
23	accordance with these rules.
24	(b)  HOUSE LEADERSHIP. In addition to the Speaker, the
25	House shall choose a Speaker pro tempore, who shall serve in
26	accordance with Rule 2.5. The Speaker shall appoint a Majority
27	Leader from among the members of the Majority Conference to
28	serve at the pleasure of the Speaker. The Minority Conference
29	shall select a Minority Leader from among the members of the
30	Minority Conference.
31	(c)  OTHER OFFICERS. The Speaker shall appoint a Clerk and
32	a Sergeant at Arms, who shall be employees of the House.
33
34	1.2-Political Party Conferences
35	Conference rules shall be interpreted and enforced solely by the
36	respective caucuses.
37
38	1.3-Seating Challenges
39	In the case of a contest for a seat in the House, notice setting
40	forth the specific grounds of such contest and the supporting
41	evidence must have been received by the Clerk not less than 5
42	days before the organization session of the Legislature. No
43	motion to disqualify a member shall be in order at the
44	organization session until a Speaker has been elected in
45	accordance with the Florida Constitution. In the case of a
46	special election, notice must have been received by the Clerk
47	not less than 5 days before the next regular or special session
48	convenes. If the election is during a session or less than 5
49	days before the next session, the notice must have been received
50	on the next legislative day following the receipt of certified
51	election results. A contest setting forth facts sufficient to
52	warrant review shall be referred by the Speaker to an
53	appropriate committee or subcommittee. The committee or
54	subcommittee shall conduct hearings as required and report its
55	findings and recommendations to the House. Upon receipt of the
56	committee or subcommittee report, the House shall convene with
57	all dispatch to determine the contest by a majority vote.
58
59	RULE TWO-POWERS, DUTIES, AND RIGHTS OF THE SPEAKER
60
61	2.1-Presiding
62	The Speaker shall take the chair and call the House to order at
63	the hour appointed for meeting and, if a quorum is present,
64	shall proceed with the order of business.
65
66	2.2-Interpreting Rules
67	The Speaker shall interpret, apply, and enforce the Rules of the
68	House.
69
70	2.3-Deciding Questions of Order
71	(a)  DETERMINATION BY THE SPEAKER. All questions of order
72	shall be presented to the Speaker for determination. The Speaker
73	may require the member raising a point of order to cite the rule
74	or other authority in support of the question. The Speaker may
75	decide the question of order, put such question to the House, or
76	refer such question to the Chair of the Rules & Calendar
77	Committee for a recommendation to the Speaker. Any decision of
78	the Speaker on a point of order is subject to an appeal to the
79	House made timely and separately by any five members.
80	(b)  QUESTIONS OF ORDER ARISING IN COMMITTEE OR
81	SUBCOMMITTEE. A question of order may be certified by a
82	committee or subcommittee chair to the Speaker for determination
83	as any other question of order. A question of order decided in
84	committee or subcommittee may be appealed to the Speaker,
85	provided the appeal is announced in the committee or
86	subcommittee meeting, presented in writing, signed by two
87	members of the committee or subcommittee, and delivered to the
88	applicable chair prior to 4:30 p.m. the next day (excluding
89	Saturdays, Sundays, and official state holidays). The appeal
90	must then be immediately certified by the chair to the Speaker,
91	who shall decide the question as any other question of order.
92	The certification or appeal of a question arising in committee
93	or subcommittee does not constitute an automatic stay of further
94	action on the measure to which the question relates.
95	(c)  APPEAL TO THE HOUSE. When a decision of the Speaker on
96	a question of order is appealed, the Speaker shall put the
97	appeal to the House. No member may speak more than once, or for
98	more than 3 minutes, on an appeal unless given leave by the
99	House by majority vote.
100	(d)  DECISIONS NOT SUBJECT TO APPEAL. Responses to
101	parliamentary inquiries and decisions of recognition made by the
102	Speaker may not be appealed.
103
104	2.4-Execution of Documents
105	The Speaker shall sign all bills and all writs, warrants, and
106	subpoenas issued by order of the House, all of which shall be
107	attested to by the Clerk. The Speaker may delegate the authority
108	to sign papers authorizing payments or other papers of an
109	administrative nature.
110
111	2.5-Appointment of a Temporary Presiding Officer
112	(a)  The Speaker may appoint any member to perform the
113	duties of presiding officer for a temporary period of time not
114	to extend beyond a single legislative day.
115	(b)  If the Speaker is absent and has not appointed a
116	presiding officer pursuant to subsection (a), the Speaker pro
117	tempore shall act as presiding officer during the Speaker's
118	absence. However, if the Speaker pro tempore is also absent and
119	has not appointed a presiding officer pursuant to subsection
120	(a), the Chair of the Rules & Calendar Committee shall act as
121	presiding officer during the absence of both the Speaker and
122	Speaker pro tempore.
123	(c)  Upon the Speaker's incapacity or other inability to
124	serve, the Speaker pro tempore shall exercise the duties,
125	powers, and prerogatives of the Speaker during the period of
126	such incapacity or other inability to serve.
127	(d)  The Speaker pro tempore shall exercise the duties,
128	powers, and prerogatives of the Speaker in the event of the
129	Speaker's death or resignation until the Speaker's successor is
130	elected.
131
132	2.6-Protecting the Interests of the House
133	The Speaker may initiate, defend, intervene in, or otherwise
134	participate in any suit on behalf of the House, a committee or
135	subcommittee of the House, a member of the House (whether in the
136	legal capacity of member or otherwise), a former member of the
137	House, or an officer, employee, or agent of the House when the
138	Speaker determines that such suit is of significant interest to
139	the House.
140
141	2.7-Control of House Facilities
142	The Speaker shall have administrative control of the Chamber
143	when the House is not in session and of every other room, lobby,
144	and gallery of the House.
145
146	RULE THREE-MEMBERS
147
148	3.1-Membership
149	The House shall exercise its right to be the sole judge of the
150	qualifications, elections, and returns of its members.
151
152	3.2-Voting Obligation
153	Except when abstention is required, every member shall have an
154	obligation to vote on all matters that come before the House in
155	session or before any committee or subcommittee to which the
156	member is appointed. A member may not vote by proxy. A member
157	may register an electronic vote in the Chamber for another
158	member at the other member's specific request and direction,
159	provided the requesting member is in the Chamber during the
160	vote.
161	(a)  ABSTENTION ON MATTERS OF SPECIAL PRIVATE GAIN OR LOSS.
162	A member may not vote on any measure that the member knows or
163	believes would inure to the member's special private gain or
164	loss. The member must disclose the nature of the member's
165	interest in the matter from which the member is required to
166	abstain.
167	(b)  DISCLOSURE ON MATTERS OF SPECIAL PRIVATE GAIN OR LOSS
168	TO FAMILY OR PRINCIPALS.
169	(1)  When voting on any measure that the member knows or
170	believes would inure to the special private gain or loss of:
171	a.  Any principal by whom the member or the member's
172	spouse, parent, or child is retained or employed;
173	b.  Any parent organization or subsidiary of a corporate
174	principal by which the member is retained or employed; or
175	c.  A relative or business associate of the member,
176
177	the member must disclose the nature of the interest of such
178	person in the outcome of the vote.
179	(2)  For the purpose of this rule, the term:
180	a.  "Relative" means any father, mother, son, daughter,
181	husband, wife, brother, sister, father-in-law, mother-in-law,
182	son-in-law, or daughter-in-law.
183	b.  "Business associate" means any person or entity engaged
184	in or carrying on a business enterprise with the member as a
185	partner, joint venturer, corporate shareholder where the shares
186	of such corporation are not listed on any national or regional
187	stock exchange, or co-owner of property.
188	(c)  METHODS OF DISCLOSURE. If the vote is taken on the
189	floor, disclosure under this rule or under any related law shall
190	be accomplished by filing with the Clerk, within 15 days after
191	the vote occurs, a memorandum the substance of which shall be
192	printed in the Journal. If the vote is taken in a committee or
193	subcommittee, the memorandum shall be filed, within 15 days
194	after the vote occurs, with the committee or subcommittee
195	administrative assistant, who shall file such memorandum in the
196	committee or subcommittee files and with the Clerk.
197
198	3.3-Attendance Obligation
199	(a)  COMMITTEE AND SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING ATTENDANCE. A
200	member shall attend all meetings of committees and subcommittees
201	to which appointed unless excused by the chair or by the
202	Speaker. Excuse from a House session shall constitute excuse
203	from that day's meetings. Failure to attend two consecutive
204	meetings, unless excused, shall constitute automatic removal
205	from the committee or subcommittee and create a vacancy. Upon
206	notification of automatic removal, the Speaker may make an
207	appointment to fill such vacancy.
208	(b)  SESSION ATTENDANCE.
209	(1)  A member may not be absent from the sessions of the
210	House without approval from the Speaker. Upon written request of
211	a member submitted in a timely manner, the Speaker may, by
212	written notice to the Clerk, excuse the member from attendance
213	for any stated period. It shall be the responsibility of the
214	excused member to advise the Clerk when leaving and returning to
215	the Chamber.
216	(2)  Any member who has answered roll call, either orally
217	or by electronic means, at the opening of any daily session, or
218	who enters after the initial quorum call and informs the Clerk
219	of the member's presence, shall thereafter be presumed present
220	unless necessarily prevented or leave of absence is obtained
221	from the Speaker. The Speaker shall make any determination as to
222	whether a member was necessarily prevented.
223
224	3.4-Open Meetings
225	(a)  Subject to order and decorum, each member shall
226	provide reasonable access to members of the public to any
227	meeting between such member and more than one other member of
228	the Legislature, if such members of the public have requested
229	admission and such meeting has been prearranged for the purpose
230	of agreeing to take formal legislative action on pending
231	legislation or amendments at such meeting or at a subsequent
232	time.
233	(b)  Subject to order and decorum, a member of the public
234	requesting admission shall have reasonable access to any meeting
235	between the Speaker, the Senate President, or the Governor, if
236	such meeting has been prearranged for the purpose of agreeing to
237	take formal legislative action on pending legislation or
238	amendments at a subsequent time.
239	(c)  No meeting required by these rules to be open to
240	members of the public shall be conducted in the Members' Lounge,
241	at any location that is closed to the public, or at any location
242	that a participating member knows prohibits admission on the
243	basis of race, religion, gender, national origin, physical
244	disability, or similar classification.
245	(d)  Meetings conducted in the Chamber of either the House
246	or the Senate while such body is in session shall be considered
247	to be held at a location providing reasonable access to, and to
248	be reasonably open to, the public.
249	(e)  When the number of persons attending a meeting subject
250	to this rule must be limited because of space considerations or
251	otherwise for the maintenance of order or decorum, at least one
252	representative each of the print, radio, and television media
253	shall be included among the members of the public admitted, if
254	such persons have requested admission.
255	(f)  For the purpose of this rule, and as used in Section 4
256	of Article III of the Florida Constitution, legislation shall be
257	considered pending if filed with the Clerk. An amendment shall
258	be considered pending if it has been delivered to the
259	administrative assistant of a committee or subcommittee in which
260	the legislation is pending or to the Clerk, if the amendment is
261	to a bill that has been reported favorably by each committee or
262	subcommittee of reference, and the term "formal legislative
263	action" shall include any vote of the House or Senate, or of a
264	committee or subcommittee of either house, on final passage or
265	on a motion other than a motion to adjourn or recess.
266
267	RULE FOUR-DUTIES OF CLERK,
268	SERGEANT AT ARMS, AND EMPLOYEES
269
270	4.1-The Clerk
271	(a)  The Clerk serves at the pleasure of the Speaker. The
272	Clerk shall:
273	(1)  Be the custodian of all bills, resolutions, and
274	memorials. No member or other person may take possession of an
275	original bill, after filing, with the intention of depriving the
276	Legislature of its availability for consideration.
277	(2)  Provide for the keeping of a complete record of
278	introduction and action on all bills, resolutions, and
279	memorials, including each number, each sponsor, each cosponsor,
280	a brief description of the subject matter, and each committee
281	and subcommittee reference.
282	(3)  Keep a correct journal of proceedings of the House.
283	The Journal shall be numbered serially and published from the
284	first day of each session of the Legislature.
285	(4)  Superintend the engrossing and transmitting of bills,
286	resolutions, and memorials and approve the enrolling of all
287	House bills.
288	(5)  Sign and receive necessary papers in the name of the
289	House between a general election and election of the Speaker.
290	(6)  Perform any other duties assigned by the Speaker.
291	(b)  It shall be a ministerial duty of the Clerk to attest
292	to all writs issued by order of the House and to the passage of
293	all legislative measures.
294
295	4.2-The Sergeant at Arms
296	The Sergeant at Arms (hereinafter "Sergeant") serves at the
297	pleasure of the Speaker. The Sergeant shall attend the House
298	during its sittings and maintain order under the direction of
299	the Speaker or other presiding officer. In case of any
300	disturbance or disorderly conduct within the Chamber, corridors,
301	passages, lobby, galleries, and rooms of the House, whether in
302	the Capitol or elsewhere, the Speaker may order the Sergeant to
303	suppress the same and may order the Sergeant to remove any
304	person creating any disturbance. The Sergeant will ensure that
305	no person is admitted to the Chamber except in accordance with
306	these rules. The Sergeant shall oversee the security of the
307	House and its members when engaged in their constitutional
308	duties and perform other duties under the command and
309	supervision of the Speaker.
310
311	4.3-The Employees
312	The Speaker shall employ all employees of the House and shall
313	determine their qualifications, duties, hours of work, and
314	compensation, including perquisites and other benefits. All
315	employees work for and serve at the pleasure of the Speaker. The
316	Speaker has the right to dismiss any employee of the House
317	without cause, and the pay of such employee shall stop on the
318	designated day of dismissal. Except when operating under
319	direction from a member with authority over the designated
320	employee, no House employee shall seek to influence the passage
321	or rejection of proposed legislation.
322
323	RULE FIVE-FORM AND INTRODUCTION OF BILLS
324
325	5.1-"Bill" Stands for All Legislation
326	Except when the context otherwise indicates, "bill," as used in
327	these rules, means a bill, joint resolution, concurrent
328	resolution, resolution, memorial, or other measure upon which a
329	committee or subcommittee may be required to report.
330
331	5.2-Member Bill Filing Deadline
332	Filing deadlines for member bills shall be as follows:
333	(a)  No general bill, local bill, joint resolution,
334	concurrent resolution (except one relating to extension of a
335	session or legislative organization or procedures), substantive
336	House resolution, or memorial shall be given first reading
337	unless approved for filing with the Clerk no later than noon of
338	the first day of the regular session.
339	(b)  No ceremonial resolution shall be given first reading
340	unless approved for filing with the Clerk prior to the 46th day
341	of regular session.
342
343	5.3-Limitation on Member Bills Filed
344	(a)  A member may not file more than six bills for a
345	regular session. For purposes of this rule, the member
346	considered to have filed a bill is the first-named sponsor of
347	the bill.
348	(1)  Of the six bills for the 2011 regular session, at
349	least two must be approved for filing with the Clerk no later
350	than noon of the 6th Tuesday prior to the first day of that
351	regular session.
352	(2)  Of the six bills for the 2012 regular session, at
353	least two must be approved for filing with the Clerk no later
354	than noon of the 5th Tuesday prior to the first day of that
355	regular session.
356	(b)  Bills not counted toward these limits include:
357	(1)  Local bills, including local claim bills.
358	(2)  Ceremonial House resolutions.
359	(3)  Memorials.
360	(4)  Concurrent resolutions relating to extension of a
361	session or legislative organization or procedures.
362	(5)  Trust fund bills adhering to another bill.
363	(6)  Public records or public meetings exemption bills
364	adhering to another bill.
365	(7)  General bills adhering to a joint resolution.
366	(8)  Bills that only repeal or delete, without substantive
367	replacement, provisions of the Florida Statutes or Laws of
368	Florida.
369	(9)  Bills withdrawn from further consideration prior to
370	the applicable filing deadline.
371	(c)  A member may file an additional bill after the first
372	committee or subcommittee of reference reports a repealer bill
373	as described in paragraph (b)(8) favorably or favorably as a
374	committee or subcommittee substitute. The additional bill must
375	be approved for filing with the Clerk by noon of the 21st day of
376	regular session. No more than three additional bills may be
377	filed under this subsection.
378
379	5.4-Forms of Measures; Sponsorship Transactions
380	(a)  To be acceptable for introduction, all bills shall be
381	produced in accordance with standards approved by the Speaker.
382	(b)  No member may be added or deleted as a sponsor or
383	cosponsor of a bill without the member's consent. A member
384	desiring to be a cosponsor must submit to the Clerk a
385	cosponsorship request agreed to by the first-named sponsor. A
386	member may withdraw as a cosponsor by submitting a request to
387	the Clerk.
388	(c)  Bills that propose to amend existing provisions of law
389	shall contain the full text of the section, subsection, or
390	paragraph to be amended. Joint resolutions that propose to amend
391	the Florida Constitution shall contain the full text of the
392	section to be amended. As to those portions of general bills and
393	joint resolutions that propose to amend existing provisions of
394	the Florida Statutes or the Florida Constitution, words to be
395	added shall be inserted in the text underlined and words to be
396	deleted shall be lined through with hyphens. If the change in
397	language is so general that the use of these procedures would
398	hinder, rather than assist, the understanding of the amendment,
399	it is not necessary to use the coded indicators of words added
400	or deleted, but, in lieu thereof, a notation similar to the
401	following shall be inserted immediately preceding the affected
402	section of the bill: "Substantial rewording of section. See s.
403	. . . . , F.S., for present text." When such a notation is used,
404	the notation, as well as the substantially reworded text, shall
405	be underlined. The words to be deleted and the above-described
406	indicators of such words and of new material are for information
407	and guidance and do not constitute a part of the bill under
408	consideration. Numerals in the margins of the line-numbered
409	pages do not constitute a part of the bill and are shown on each
410	page only for convenience in identifying lines. Section
411	catchlines of existing text shall not be underlined, nor shall
412	any other portion of a bill covered by this rule other than new
413	material.
414
415	5.5-Local Bills
416	(a)  If the substance of a local bill may be enacted into
417	law by ordinance of a local governing body without the legal
418	need for a referendum, no committee or subcommittee may report
419	the bill favorably.
420	(b)  A local bill that provides an exemption from general
421	law may not be placed on the Special Order Calendar in any
422	section reserved for the expedited consideration of local bills.
423	(c)  All local bills, including local claim bills, must
424	either, as required by Section 10 of Article III of the Florida
425	Constitution, embody provisions for a ratifying referendum
426	(stated in the title as well as in the text of the bill) or be
427	accompanied by an affidavit of proper advertisement, securely
428	attached to the original bill ahead of its first page.
429
430	5.6-Claim Bills
431	(a)  The Speaker may appoint a Special Master to review a
432	claim bill or conduct a hearing, if necessary. The Special
433	Master may administer an oath to all witnesses, accept relevant
434	documentary and tangible evidence offered as deemed necessary,
435	and record the hearing. The Special Master may prepare a final
436	report containing findings of fact, conclusions of law, and
437	recommendations. The report shall be signed by the Special
438	Master, who shall be available, in person, to explain his or her
439	report to any committee or subcommittee of reference.
440	(b)  Stipulations entered into by the parties are not
441	binding on the Special Master or the House or any of its
442	committees or subcommittees.
443	(c)  The hearing and consideration of a claim bill shall be
444	held in abeyance until all available administrative and judicial
445	remedies have been exhausted, except that the hearing and
446	consideration of a claim that is still within the judicial or
447	administrative system may proceed when the parties have executed
448	a written settlement agreement.
449
450	5.7-Reviser's Bills
451	Reviser's bills shall be introduced by the Rules & Calendar
452	Committee, which may request prior review by another committee
453	or subcommittee.
454
455	5.8-Legislative Reapportionment and Congressional Redistricting
456	Bills and Amendments
457	Bills and amendments proposing any reapportionment or
458	redistricting of the state's legislative or congressional
459	districts shall be submitted to the Redistricting Committee in
460	the form prescribed by the Speaker. The committee staff of the
461	Redistricting Committee shall submit such proposals to the House
462	Bill Drafting Service as requested by the sponsor. After final
463	drafting, approval for filing shall be in the ordinary manner.
464
465	5.9-Memorials
466	A memorial expresses the opinion of the Legislature to the
467	federal government. All memorials shall contain the resolving
468	clause "Be It Resolved by the Legislature of the State of
469	Florida:".
470
471	5.10-House Resolutions; Concurrent Resolutions; Tributes
472	(a)  All House resolutions and all concurrent resolutions
473	originating in the House shall contain a title and a resolving
474	clause. In the case of House resolutions, the resolving clause
475	shall be "Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the
476	State of Florida:". In the case of concurrent resolutions
477	originating in the House, the resolving clause shall be "Be It
478	Resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of
479	Florida, the Senate Concurring:". Concurrent resolutions
480	originating in the House shall present only questions pertaining
481	to extension of a session, enactment of joint rules,
482	ratification of federal constitutional amendments,
483	communications with the judiciary, actions taken pursuant to
484	federal law not requiring gubernatorial approval, or other
485	exclusively legislative matters.
486	(b)  All ceremonial House resolutions shall be reviewed and
487	approved by the Chair of the Rules & Calendar Committee before
488	introduction.
489	(c)  Copies of House resolutions shall be furnished by the
490	Clerk. The Secretary of State shall be requested to prepare
491	certified copies of concurrent resolutions after their adoption.
492	(d)  Any matter commemorating local achievement,
493	condolences, or other recognition shall be prepared in
494	accordance with standards approved by the Speaker as an
495	individual tribute for the member sponsoring the measure.
496
497	5.11-Bills Filed During an Interim
498	During the period between the organization session and the
499	convening of the first regular session of the legislative
500	biennium and during the period between the first and second
501	regular sessions of the legislative biennium, members may file
502	for introduction bills that have been prepared or reviewed by
503	the House Bill Drafting Service.
504
505	5.12-Requirements for Introduction
506	(a)  All bills (other than an appropriations bill,
507	concurrent resolutions relating to organization of the
508	Legislature, resolutions relating to organization of the House,
509	concurrent resolutions pertaining to extension of a session,
510	reviser's bills, bills proposing any reapportionment or
511	redistricting of the state's legislative or congressional
512	districts, and recall of acts from the Governor) shall either be
513	prepared or, in the case of local bills, reviewed by the House
514	Bill Drafting Service. After completion and delivery by the
515	House Bill Drafting Service, no change may be made in the text
516	or title of the bill without returning the bill to the House
517	Bill Drafting Service prior to filing.
518	(b)  The House Bill Drafting Service shall notify any
519	member proposing a bill of any identical or substantially
520	similar bill that has been filed and the name of the sponsor of
521	such bill.
522
523	5.13-Identification
524	Each bill shall be given a number and filed with the Clerk by
525	the House Bill Drafting Service. Bills shall be serially
526	numbered in an odd-numbered sequence, except that bills of a
527	similar type may be serially numbered separately. The Clerk
528	shall validate the original copy of each bill, and each page
529	thereof, to ensure its identification as the item introduced in
530	order to prevent unauthorized or improper substitutions
531	therefor.
532
533	5.14-Companion Measures
534	A companion Senate bill must be substantially similar in
535	wording, and identical as to specific intent and purpose, to the
536	House bill for which it is being substituted. Whenever a House
537	bill is reached on the floor for consideration, either on second
538	or third reading, and there is also pending on the Calendar of
539	the House a companion bill already passed by the Senate, it
540	shall be in order to move that the Senate companion bill be
541	substituted and considered in lieu of the House bill. Such
542	motion may be adopted by a majority vote, provided the Senate
543	bill is on the same reading; otherwise, the motion shall be to
544	waive the rules by a two-thirds vote and substitute such Senate
545	bill. At the moment the House substitutes the Senate companion
546	bill or takes up a Senate bill in lieu of a House bill, the
547	House bill so replaced shall be automatically tabled.
548
549	RULE SIX-REFERENCE
550
551	6.1-Speaker to Refer Legislation
552	The authority to make bill referrals rests with the Speaker,
553	except as otherwise provided in these rules.
554
555	6.2-Reference: Generally
556	(a)  Bills, upon filing or introduction, whether House or
557	Senate, may be referred by the Speaker to one or more committees
558	or subcommittees or any combination thereof or to the Calendar
559	of the House. The order of reference shall be determined by the
560	Speaker.
561	(b)  References of bills and the nature of any documents
562	referred shall be recorded in the Journal.
563
564	6.3-Reference: Exception
565	A Senate bill with a House companion may be paired with the
566	companion House bill at whatever its stage of consideration,
567	provided both bills are on the same reading.
568
569	6.4-Reference of Resolutions, Concurrent Resolutions: Exception
570	Resolutions on House organization and concurrent resolutions
571	pertaining to extension of the session may be taken up upon
572	motion and adopted at the time of introduction without
573	reference.
574
575	6.5-Appropriations or Tax Measures:  Withdrawal from a Fiscal
576	Committee or Subcommittee; Additional Reference
577	(a)  A bill in the possession of a fiscal committee or
578	subcommittee that has been amended by report from a committee or
579	subcommittee of previous reference to remove its fiscal impact
580	may be withdrawn from the fiscal committee or subcommittee on a
581	point of order raised by the committee chair of the fiscal
582	committee having possession of the bill or jurisdiction over the
583	subcommittee having possession of the bill.
584	(b)  If an amendment adopted on the floor of the House
585	affects an appropriation or a tax matter, upon a point of order
586	made by the chair or vice chair of a fiscal committee, the bill
587	may be referred by the Speaker, with the amendment, to an
588	appropriate committee or subcommittee. If the bill, as amended
589	on the floor, is reported favorably without further amendment,
590	it shall be returned to the same reading as when referred. If
591	the bill, as amended on the floor, is reported favorably with
592	further amendment, it shall be returned to second reading.
593
594	6.6-Reference of Veto Messages
595	The Speaker may refer veto messages to the appropriate committee
596	or subcommittee for a recommendation.
597
598	RULE SEVEN-COMMITTEES AND SUBCOMMITTEES
599
600	PART ONE-Organization
601
602	7.1-Standing Committees and Subcommittees
603	(a)  The following standing committees, and the standing
604	subcommittees within their respective jurisdictions, are
605	established:
606	(1)  Appropriations Committee.
607	a.  Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations
608	Subcommittee.
609	b.  Government Operations Appropriations Subcommittee.
610	c.  Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee.
611	d.  Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee.
612	e.  Justice Appropriations Subcommittee.
613	f.  PreK-12 Appropriations Subcommittee.
614	g.  Transportation & Economic Development Appropriations
615	Subcommittee.
616	(2)  Economic Affairs Committee.
617	a.  Business & Consumer Affairs Subcommittee.
618	b.  Community & Military Affairs Subcommittee.
619	c.  Economic Development & Tourism Subcommittee.
620	d.  Insurance & Banking Subcommittee.
621	e.  Transportation & Highway Safety Subcommittee.
622	(3)  Education Committee.
623	a.  K-20 Competitiveness Subcommittee.
624	b.  K-20 Innovation Subcommittee.
625	(4)  Finance & Tax Committee.
626	(5)  Health & Human Services Committee.
627	a.  Health & Human Services Access Subcommittee.
628	b.  Health & Human Services Quality Subcommittee.
629	(6)  Judiciary Committee.
630	a.  Civil Justice Subcommittee.
631	b.  Criminal Justice Subcommittee.
632	(7)  Redistricting Committee.
633	a.  Congressional Redistricting Subcommittee.
634	b.  House Redistricting Subcommittee.
635	c.  Senate Redistricting Subcommittee.
636	(8)  Rules & Calendar Committee.
637	a.  Rulemaking & Regulation Subcommittee.
638	(9)  State Affairs Committee.
639	a.  Agriculture & Natural Resources Subcommittee.
640	b.  Energy & Utilities Subcommittee.
641	c.  Federal Affairs Subcommittee.
642	d.  Government Operations Subcommittee.
643	(b)  For purposes of these rules, the term "committee"
644	includes subcommittee, except where the context indicates
645	otherwise.
646
647	7.2-Committee and Subcommittee Appointments
648	The Speaker may appoint the chair, the vice chair, and any co-
649	chairs as he or she deems necessary, as well as all members, for
650	each standing House committee and subcommittee. The Speaker may
651	appoint the House chair and all House members of each conference
652	committee, joint committee, and joint select committee created
653	by agreement of the House and Senate or of the Speaker and the
654	Senate President. The Speaker shall give written notice of each
655	such appointment to the Clerk for publication. After the Speaker
656	has made committee and subcommittee appointments, the Minority
657	Leader may name a Minority Conference member of any committee or
658	subcommittee as "ranking member" of that committee or
659	subcommittee, subject to the approval of the Speaker.
660
661	7.3-Powers of the Chair
662	A committee or subcommittee chair has authority to sign all
663	notices, vouchers, and reports required or permitted by these
664	rules. The chair has authority, subject to approval by the
665	Speaker, to sign all subpoenas issued under these rules. The
666	chair has all authority necessary to ensure the orderly
667	operation of the committee or subcommittee, including, but not
668	limited to, presiding over meetings, establishing each meeting
669	agenda, determining the order in which matters are to be taken
670	up, recognizing or not recognizing non-member presenters, and
671	deciding questions of order. Decisions on questions of order may
672	be appealed pursuant to Rule 2.3(b), but there shall be no
673	appeal of the chair's recognition.
674
675	7.4-Absence of the Chair
676	In the absence of the chair and all co-chairs, the vice chair,
677	if any, shall assume the duty to convene and preside over
678	meetings and such other duties as the Speaker may assign, unless
679	a temporary chair has been appointed by the Speaker. During a
680	meeting properly convened, the presiding chair, vice chair, or
681	temporary chair may temporarily assign the duty to preside at
682	that meeting to another committee or subcommittee member until
683	the assignment is relinquished or revoked.
684
685	7.5-Term of Appointment
686	All standing committee or subcommittee chairs, vice chairs, and
687	members serve at the pleasure of the Speaker. All standing
688	committee and subcommittee appointments made by the Speaker in
689	accordance with Rule 7.2 shall be made prior to the convening of
690	each regular session and shall expire on July 1 of odd-numbered
691	years or, if the Legislature is convened in special or extended
692	session on that date, upon adjournment sine die of such session.
693
694	7.6-Creation of Select Committees
695	At any time, the Speaker may create a select committee and shall
696	appoint the membership and name the chair and vice chair. A
697	select committee may include the entire membership of the House.
698	A select committee has the jurisdiction, authority, and powers
699	and duties assigned to it by the Speaker and exists for the
700	period of time specified by the Speaker. The Speaker shall give
701	written notice of the creation of a select committee to the
702	Clerk for publication.
703
704	7.7-Ex officio Members
705	The Speaker may designate the Speaker pro tempore or the
706	Majority Leader as an ex officio, voting member of any committee
707	or subcommittee. In addition, the Speaker may designate a
708	committee chair as an ex officio, voting member of any
709	subcommittee within the committee's jurisdiction. The
710	designation shall be made in writing and addressed to the chair
711	of the committee or subcommittee. Prior to the start of the
712	committee or subcommittee meeting, a copy of the designation
713	shall be provided to the Minority Leader. Only one ex officio
714	member may sit and vote at a time on any one committee or
715	subcommittee.
716
717	7.8-Meetings of Committees and Subcommittees
718	Committees and subcommittees shall meet only within the dates,
719	times, and locations designated or authorized by the Speaker.
720	Committees and subcommittees shall meet at the call of the
721	chair.
722
723	7.9-Consideration of Proposed Committee and Subcommittee Bills
724	Before a standing committee or subcommittee may consider a
725	proposed committee or subcommittee bill, the chair shall submit
726	a written request to the Speaker for approval. A request for
727	approval to consider a proposed subcommittee bill shall be
728	cosigned by the chair of the committee with jurisdiction over
729	the subcommittee. In introducing a proposed committee or
730	subcommittee bill, the chair must designate a member of the
731	committee or subcommittee as first-named cosponsor, with the
732	approval of such member.
733
734	7.10-Conference Committees
735	(a)  The Speaker shall determine the number of House
736	managers needed for all conference committees. A conference
737	committee report shall require the affirmative votes of a
738	majority of the managers on the part of each house. Such reports
739	may recommend action on amendments previously adopted by the
740	House or Senate, recommend action on additional compromise
741	amendments, or offer an amendment deleting everything after the
742	enacting clause. New amendments recommended by the conference
743	committee shall accompany the report.
744	(b)  The receiving of conference committee reports shall
745	always be in order, except when the House is voting on any
746	proposition. When a conference committee report is presented to
747	the House, the procedure shall be:
748	(1)  First to vote on a motion to accept the report in its
749	entirety. The motion shall not be subject to amendment. If this
750	vote fails, the report shall be automatically recommitted to the
751	conference committee.
752	(2)  If the report is accepted, the final vote shall be a
753	roll call on the passage of the bill as amended by the report.
754	The bill as amended by the report is not subject to further
755	amendment.
756	(c)  When House managers report inability of a conference
757	committee to agree, no action of the House taken prior to such
758	appointment shall preclude further action by the House as the
759	House may determine.
760
761	PART TWO-Procedures in Committees and Subcommittees
762
763	7.11-Scheduling Committee and Subcommittee Meetings
764	(a)  NOTICE OF COMMITTEE AND SUBCOMMITTEE MEETINGS. Any
765	committee or subcommittee meeting to be held for the purpose of
766	considering legislation must be noticed. The committee or
767	subcommittee administrative assistant shall provide electronic
768	or paper copies of the notice to the Clerk for publication and
769	to the House Majority Office, the House Minority Office, the
770	members of the committee or subcommittee, and the first-named
771	sponsor of each bill noticed.
772	(b)  CONTENT OF MEETING NOTICE. The notice shall state the
773	date, time, and place of the meeting and, for each bill to be
774	considered, the bill or proposed bill number and a portion of
775	the title sufficient for identification. Except with respect to
776	bills retained on reconsideration under Rule 7.16 and committee
777	or subcommittee substitutes under Rule 7.19, only such bills as
778	are included on the notice of a committee or subcommittee
779	meeting may be considered at that meeting.
780	(c)  PROPOSED BILLS TO BE AVAILABLE. A copy of each
781	proposed bill noticed for consideration must be available to
782	each committee or subcommittee member no later than the time of
783	providing notice of the meeting.
784	(d)  NOTICE DEADLINE BETWEEN SESSIONS. During the period
785	when the Legislature is not in session, before any committee or
786	subcommittee holds a meeting for the purpose of considering
787	legislation a notice of such meeting shall be provided no later
788	than 4:30 p.m. of the 7th day before the meeting.
789	(e)  NOTICE DEADLINES DURING SESSIONS. During the first 45
790	days of a regular session, notice shall be provided no later
791	than 4:30 p.m. of the 2nd day (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and
792	official state holidays) before the committee or subcommittee
793	meeting for the purpose of considering legislation. After the
794	45th day of a regular session and during any extended session,
795	the notice shall be provided no later than 4:30 p.m. on the day
796	(including Saturdays, Sundays, and official state holidays)
797	before the committee or subcommittee meeting. During any special
798	session, the notice shall be provided no later than 2 hours
799	before the committee or subcommittee meeting.
800	(f)  NOTICE OF NOT MEETING. If a committee or subcommittee
801	is authorized and scheduled for a meeting by the Speaker but
802	does not plan to meet, a notice stating that no meeting will be
803	held shall be provided in the time and manner of noticing a
804	meeting.
805	(g)  AMENDED NOTICE AND CANCELLATION. At any time prior to
806	a noticed meeting, a bill or other item may be removed from a
807	meeting notice or the meeting may be canceled by providing an
808	amended notice.
809	(h)  CLERK DUTIES. The Clerk shall promptly publish the
810	content of meeting notices in accordance with policies approved
811	by the Speaker.
812	(i)  CONTINUATION AFTER NOTICED TIME. If the majority of
813	committee or subcommittee members present agree, a committee or
814	subcommittee may continue the consideration of properly noticed
815	legislation after the expiration of the time called for the
816	meeting or may temporarily recess to continue the meeting at a
817	time and place certain on the same day. However, a committee or
818	subcommittee may not meet beyond the time authorized or in a
819	place not authorized by the Speaker without special leave
820	granted by the Speaker.
821	(j)  RULES & CALENDAR COMMITTEE EXEMPT FROM NOTICE
822	DEADLINE. The Rules & Calendar Committee shall be exempt from
823	the notice deadlines of this rule except when meeting to
824	consider the substance of legislation.
825
826	7.12-Amendment Deadlines in Committee and Subcommittee
827	(a)  Amendments may be offered in any committee or
828	subcommittee by any member of the House, subject to the
829	following deadlines:
830	(1)  For the period when the Legislature is not in session,
831	and during the first 45 days of a regular session, an amendment
832	by a member who is not a member of the committee or subcommittee
833	considering the bill shall be filed by 6 p.m. of the day
834	(excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and official state holidays)
835	prior to the committee or subcommittee meeting.
836	(2)  After the 45th day of a regular session and during any
837	extended session, an amendment by a member who is not a member
838	of the committee or subcommittee considering the bill shall be
839	filed by 6 p.m. of the day (including Saturdays, Sundays, and
840	official state holidays) prior to the committee or subcommittee
841	meeting.
842	(3)  During any special session, an amendment by a member
843	who is not a member of the committee or subcommittee considering
844	the bill shall be filed no later than 1 hour prior to the
845	committee or subcommittee meeting.
846	(b)  Notwithstanding the foregoing, subject to approval by
847	a majority vote of the House, the Rules & Calendar Committee may
848	establish special amendment deadlines and procedures for
849	appropriations bills, implementing bills, and conforming bills,
850	as defined in Rule 12.5, as well as for bills proposing any
851	reapportionment or redistricting of the state's legislative or
852	congressional districts.
853
854	7.13-Quorum of Committee or Subcommittee
855	A majority of any committee's or subcommittee's members shall
856	constitute a quorum necessary for the transaction of business.
857	An ex officio member shall not be counted for purposes of
858	determining a quorum.
859
860	7.14-Meeting during House Sessions
861	No committee or subcommittee shall meet while the House is in
862	session without special leave of the Speaker.
863
864	7.15-Voting in Committee or Subcommittee
865	(a)  Every vote on final consideration of a bill in
866	committee or subcommittee shall be taken by the yeas and nays,
867	and the names of the members voting for and against, as well as
868	the names of members absent, shall be recorded on the committee
869	or subcommittee report. Upon the request of any two members, the
870	vote of each member shall be recorded on any other question and
871	all such votes shall be reported with the committee or
872	subcommittee report.
873	(b)  An absent member may submit an indication of how the
874	member would have voted had the member been present, but this
875	shall not be counted on a roll call. If submitted after the
876	committee or subcommittee report has been filed, such votes
877	after roll call shall be filed with the committee or
878	subcommittee administrative assistant, who shall file them in
879	the committee or subcommittee files and with the Clerk.
880
881	7.16-Reconsideration in Committee or Subcommittee
882	A motion for reconsideration in committee or subcommittee shall
883	be treated in the following manner:
884	(a)  When a main question has been decided by a committee
885	or subcommittee, any member voting with the prevailing side, or
886	any member when the vote was a tie, may move for
887	reconsideration.
888	(b)  Any member voting on the prevailing side on passage or
889	defeat of a bill may, as a matter of right, serve notice that
890	the bill be retained through the next committee or subcommittee
891	meeting for the purpose of reconsideration. Such notice by an
892	individual member may be set aside by adoption of a motion to
893	report the bill immediately, which shall require a two-thirds
894	vote. No bill may be retained under this provision after the
895	40th day of a regular session or during any extended or special
896	session.
897	(c)  A motion to reconsider a collateral matter must be
898	disposed of during the course of consideration of the main
899	subject to which it is related.
900	(d)  If a bill has been retained under subsection (b), any
901	member may move for its reconsideration at the next meeting of
902	the committee or subcommittee. The retained bill is not required
903	to be included on the committee or subcommittee meeting notice.
904	(e)  If the committee or subcommittee refuses to reconsider
905	or, upon reconsideration, confirms its prior decision, no
906	further motion to reconsider shall be in order except upon
907	unanimous consent of the committee or subcommittee members
908	present.
909	(f)  If a bill is not retained under subsection (b), it
910	shall be promptly reported to the Clerk.
911
912	7.17-Reports on Bills
913	A committee or subcommittee may report a House bill unfavorably,
914	favorably, or favorably with a committee or subcommittee
915	substitute. A committee or subcommittee may report a Senate bill
916	favorably, favorably with one or more amendments, or
917	unfavorably. A bill may not be reported without recommendation.
918	A motion to lay a bill on the table shall be construed as a
919	motion to report the bill unfavorably.
920
921	7.18-Bill Reported Unfavorably by a Committee or Subcommittee
922	A bill reported unfavorably by a committee or subcommittee shall
923	be laid on the table.
924
925	7.19-Committee and Subcommittee Substitutes
926	(a)  A standing committee or subcommittee may introduce a
927	committee or subcommittee substitute embracing the same general
928	subject matter of one or more bills in possession of the
929	committee or subcommittee. If the original bill or bills are
930	noticed, no further notice is required. If a proposed committee
931	or subcommittee substitute is noticed in the manner required for
932	a proposed committee or subcommittee bill, the original bill or
933	bills need not be noticed. Upon the reporting of a committee or
934	subcommittee substitute, the original bill or bills shall be
935	laid on the table of the House.
936	(b)  Committee and subcommittee substitutes shall be
937	prepared by the House Bill Drafting Service and filed with the
938	Clerk.
939	(c)  No later than the day (excluding Saturdays, Sundays,
940	and official state holidays) after it is filed by the committee
941	or subcommittee, a committee or subcommittee substitute shall be
942	read a first time and be subject to referral by the Speaker.
943
944	7.20-Subpoena Powers
945	The standing committees and subcommittees of the House may
946	exercise subpoena power and issue other necessary legal process
947	pursuant to Rule 16.
948
949	7.21-Administration of Oaths
950	Whenever desired by a committee or subcommittee, the chair or
951	any other member of the committee or subcommittee may administer
952	oaths and affirmations in the manner prescribed by law to any
953	witness appearing before such committee or subcommittee for the
954	purpose of testifying in any matter about which such committee
955	or subcommittee may require sworn testimony, provided the record
956	of a statement made under oath in committee or subcommittee may
957	not be used to controvert a factual determination of the
958	Legislature.
959
960	7.22-Procedure in Conference Committees
961	Conference committee meeting notices shall be published not less
962	than 1 hour prior to the time scheduled for the meeting. Each
963	conference committee may determine its own procedures and select
964	a member to preside, provided a majority of managers of each
965	house agree.
966
967	7.23-Open Meetings; Decorum
968	(a)  All meetings of committees and subcommittees shall be
969	open to the public at all times, subject always to the authority
970	of the chair to maintain order and decorum; however, when
971	reasonably necessary for security purposes or the protection of
972	a witness, a chair, with the concurrence of the Speaker and the
973	Minority Leader, may close a meeting or portion thereof, and the
974	record of such meeting may not disclose the identity of any
975	witness appearing before the committee or subcommittee during a
976	closed session.
977	(b)  The chair shall exercise all authority necessary to
978	maintain order and decorum, including the authority to impose
979	time limitations on testimony and presentations by non-members
980	and to require all persons attending a committee or subcommittee
981	meeting to silence all audible electronic equipment.
982
983	PART THREE-Oversight Powers and Responsibilities
984
985	7.24-Oversight Powers and Responsibilities of Standing
986	Committees and Subcommittees
987	(a)  Each standing committee or subcommittee is authorized
988	to exercise all powers authorized for committees pursuant to s.
989	11.143, Florida Statutes, to carry out oversight
990	responsibilities within its respective subject matter
991	jurisdiction. For purposes of this rule, the Speaker shall
992	determine the subject matter jurisdiction of each committee or
993	subcommittee.
994	(b)  Select committees shall exercise committee powers
995	authorized by s. 11.143, Florida Statutes, whenever specifically
996	authorized in writing by the Speaker.
997	(c)  Each committee or subcommittee shall exercise other
998	oversight powers and responsibilities vested in the House
999	whenever specifically authorized by the Speaker.
1000	(d)  Each committee or subcommittee shall conduct other
1001	business as directed by the Speaker.
1002
1003	RULE EIGHT-DEBATE AND CHAMBER PROTOCOL
1004
1005	PART ONE-Privilege of the Floor
1006
1007	8.1-Privilege of the Floor
1008	(a)  MEMBERS' ACCESS. Members of the House shall have the
1009	exclusive right to enter the Chamber during sessions, and no
1010	other person shall be admitted unless granted privilege of the
1011	floor as provided below.
1012	(b)  PRIVILEGED GUESTS. The Governor, the Lieutenant
1013	Governor, the Chief Financial Officer, the Attorney General, the
1014	Commissioner of Agriculture, members of the Senate, Justices of
1015	the Supreme Court, former members of the House, the Doctor of
1016	the Day, and the Guest Chaplain are granted the privilege of the
1017	floor; however, no registered lobbyist may be so admitted.
1018	(c)  EMPLOYEES' ADMISSION. House employees may be admitted
1019	to the Chamber as determined by the Speaker.
1020	(d)  OTHER GUESTS. Other guests may be granted the
1021	privilege of the floor by the Speaker or by the House.
1022	(e)  RESTRICTIONS ON NON-MEMBERS. Persons granted the
1023	privilege of the floor may not lobby the members while the House
1024	is in session, unless granted leave to address the House.
1025	(f)  SESSION ATTIRE. When the House is in session, all
1026	persons in the Chamber shall be dressed in proper business
1027	attire.
1028
1029	PART TWO-Speaking
1030
1031	8.2-Addressing the House; Requirements to Spread Remarks upon
1032	the Journal
1033	(a)  When a member desires to speak or deliver any matter
1034	to the House, the member shall rise and respectfully address the
1035	Speaker as "Mr. (or Madam) Speaker" and shall confine all
1036	remarks to the question under debate, avoiding personalities.
1037	Once recognized, a member may speak from the member's desk or
1038	may, with the Speaker's permission, speak from the well.
1039	(b)  Any motion to spread remarks upon the Journal, except
1040	those of the Governor or the Speaker, shall be referred to the
1041	Chair of the Rules & Calendar Committee for recommendation
1042	before being put to the House.
1043
1044	8.3-When Two Members Rise at Once
1045	When two or more members rise at once, the Speaker shall name
1046	the one who is to speak first. This decision shall be final and
1047	not open to debate or appeal.
1048
1049	8.4-Recognition of Members
1050	There shall be no appeal of the Speaker's recognition, but the
1051	Speaker shall be governed by the rules and usage in priority of
1052	entertaining motions from the floor. When a member seeks
1053	recognition, the Speaker may ask, "For what purpose does the
1054	member rise?" or "For what purpose does the member seek
1055	recognition?"
1056
1057	8.5-Recognition of Gallery Visitors and Doctor of the Day
1058	On written request by a member, on a form approved by the Clerk,
1059	the Speaker may recognize or permit the member to recognize any
1060	person or persons in the gallery. After granting a request for
1061	recognition, the Speaker shall afford that recognition at a
1062	convenient place in the order of business, considering the need
1063	for order and decorum and the need for continuity of debate. At
1064	an appropriate time during proceedings on the floor, the Speaker
1065	may recognize a Doctor of the Day.
1066
1067	PART THREE-Debate
1068
1069	8.6-Decorum
1070	The members shall attend to the debates unless necessarily
1071	prevented, and no member shall stand between the Speaker and a
1072	member recognized to speak.
1073
1074	8.7-Speaking and Debate; Right to Close
1075	(a)  A member may not speak more than once nor occupy more
1076	than 15 minutes in debate on any question.
1077	(b)  A member who has the floor may not be interrupted by
1078	another member for any purpose, save the privilege of the House,
1079	unless he or she consents to yield to the other member. A member
1080	desiring to interrupt another in debate should first address the
1081	Speaker for the permission of the member speaking. The Speaker
1082	shall then ask the member who has the floor if he or she wishes
1083	to yield and shall then announce the decision of that member.
1084	Whether to yield shall be entirely within the speaking member's
1085	discretion. This subsection shall not, however, deprive the
1086	first-named sponsor or mover of the right to close when the
1087	effect of an amendment or motion would be to foreclose favorable
1088	action on the bill, amendment, or motion.
1089
1090	8.8-Asking Questions of Members
1091	It is entirely within a speaking member's discretion whether to
1092	yield to a question. The proper purpose of a question is to
1093	obtain information in good faith, not for the questioner to
1094	supply information to the body. Neither a question nor an answer
1095	to a question may contain arguments or debate.
1096
1097	8.9-Right to Open and Close Debate
1098	The member presenting a motion shall have the right to open and
1099	close the debate and, for this purpose, may speak each time up
1100	to 10 minutes, unless otherwise limited by majority vote of the
1101	House, notwithstanding the limitation in Rule 8.7.
1102
1103	PART FOUR-Materials and Meals in Chamber
1104
1105	8.10-Distribution of Materials in Chamber; Meals in Chamber
1106	(a)  The following constitutes policy regarding material
1107	distributed to the general membership through the Sergeant at
1108	Arms' Office and pages:
1109	(1)  All material prior to such distribution must be
1110	approved by the Chair of the Rules & Calendar Committee.
1111	(2)  The following official materials are approved: House
1112	and Senate bills, resolutions, memorials, and amendments
1113	thereto, and official calendars and journals; committee and
1114	subcommittee meeting notices; communications from the Speaker
1115	and Clerk and official communications from the Senate; and
1116	official staff reports of standing or select committees or
1117	subcommittees or of the majority or minority party.
1118	(b)  While members may consume nonalcoholic beverages on
1119	the floor, meals will not be allowed on the floor without
1120	concurrence of a majority vote.
1121
1122	PART FIVE-Miscellaneous Papers
1123
1124	8.11-Miscellaneous Papers
1125	Papers of a miscellaneous nature addressed to the House may, at
1126	the discretion of the Speaker, be read, noted in the Journal, or
1127	filed with the appropriate committee or subcommittee. When the
1128	reading of a paper other than one upon which the House is called
1129	to give a final vote is demanded and such reading is objected to
1130	by any member, whether the paper shall be read shall be
1131	determined without debate by the House by a majority vote.
1132
1133	RULE NINE-VOTING
1134
1135	9.1-Members Shall Vote
1136	Every member shall be within the Chamber during its sittings,
1137	unless excused or necessarily prevented, and shall vote on each
1138	question put, unless required to abstain under Rule 3.2.
1139
1140	9.2-Taking the Yeas and Nays
1141	The Speaker shall declare all votes, but if any member rises to
1142	doubt a vote, upon a showing of hands by five members, the
1143	Speaker shall take the sense of the House by oral or electronic
1144	roll call. When taking the yeas and nays on any question, the
1145	electronic roll-call system may be used and when so used shall
1146	have the force and effect of a roll call taken as provided in
1147	these rules. This system likewise may be used to determine the
1148	presence of a quorum. When the House is ready to vote upon a
1149	question requiring roll call, and the vote is by electronic roll
1150	call, the Speaker shall say, "The question now recurs on
1151	(designating the matter to be voted upon). The Clerk will unlock
1152	the machine and the House will proceed to vote." When sufficient
1153	time has elapsed for each member to vote, the Speaker shall ask,
1154	"Have all members voted?" After a short pause, the Speaker shall
1155	say, "The Clerk will lock the machine and record the vote." When
1156	the vote is completely recorded, the Speaker shall announce the
1157	result to the House, and the Clerk shall record the action upon
1158	the Journal.
1159
1160	9.3-Vote of the Speaker or Temporary Presiding Officer
1161	The Speaker or temporary presiding officer is not required to
1162	vote in legislative proceedings other than on final passage of a
1163	bill, except when the Speaker's or temporary presiding officer's
1164	vote would be decisive. In all yea and nay votes, the Speaker's
1165	or temporary presiding officer's name shall be called last. With
1166	respect to voting, the Speaker or temporary presiding officer is
1167	subject to the same disqualification and disclosure requirements
1168	as any other member.
1169
1170	9.4-Votes After Roll Call; Finality of a Roll Call Vote
1171	(a)  After the result of a roll call has been announced, a
1172	member may submit to the Clerk an indication of how the member
1173	would have voted or would have voted differently. The Clerk
1174	shall provide forms for the recording of these actions. When
1175	timely submitted, the vote after roll call shall be shown
1176	beneath the roll call in the Journal. Otherwise, the vote after
1177	roll call shall be shown separately in the Journal.
1178	(b)  In no instance, other than by reason of an electronic
1179	or mechanical malfunction, shall the result of a voting machine
1180	roll call on any question be changed.
1181
1182	9.5-No Member to Vote for Another except by Request and
1183	Direction
1184	(a)  No member may vote for another member except at the
1185	other member's specific request and direction. No member may
1186	vote for another member who is absent from the Chamber, nor may
1187	any person who is not a member cast a vote for a member.
1188	(b)  In no case shall a member vote for another on a quorum
1189	call.
1190	(c)  Any member who votes or attempts to vote for another
1191	member in violation of this rule or who requests another member
1192	to vote for the requesting member in violation of this rule may
1193	be disciplined in such a manner as the House may deem proper.
1194	(d)  Any person who is not a member and who votes in the
1195	place of a member shall be subject to such discipline as the
1196	House may deem proper.
1197
1198	9.6-Explanation of Vote
1199	A member may not explain his or her vote during a roll call but
1200	may reduce his or her explanation to writing in not more than
1201	200 words in an electronic format approved by the Clerk. Upon
1202	submission to the Clerk, this explanation shall be spread upon
1203	the Journal.
1204
1205	RULE TEN-ORDER OF BUSINESS AND CALENDARS
1206
1207	PART ONE-Order of Business
1208
1209	10.1-Daily Sessions
1210	The House shall meet each legislative day at 9 a.m. or as stated
1211	in the motion adjourning the House on the prior legislative day
1212	on which the House met.
1213
1214	10.2-Daily Order of Business
1215	(a)  When the House convenes on a new legislative day, the
1216	daily order of business shall be as follows:
1217	(1)  Call to Order.
1218	(2)  Prayer.
1219	(3)  Roll Call.
1220	(4)  Pledge of Allegiance.
1221	(5)  Correction of the Journal.
1222	(6)  Communications.
1223	(7)  Messages from the Senate.
1224	(8)  Reports of Standing Committees and Subcommittees.
1225	(9)  Reports of Select Committees.
1226	(10)  Motions Relating to Committee and Subcommittee
1227	References.
1228	(11)  Matters on Reconsideration.
1229	(12)  Bills and Joint Resolutions on Third Reading.
1230	(13)  Special Orders.
1231	(14)  House Resolutions.
1232	(15)  Unfinished Business.
1233	(16)  Introduction and Reference.
1234	(b)  During special sessions, the order of business of
1235	Introduction and Reference shall be called for immediately
1236	following the order of business of Correction of the Journal.
1237	(c)  Within each order of business, matters shall be
1238	considered in the order in which they appear on the daily
1239	printed Calendar of the House.
1240	(d)  After the 45th day of a regular session, by a majority
1241	vote, the House may, on motion of the Chair or Vice Chair of the
1242	Rules & Calendar Committee, move to Communications, Messages
1243	from the Senate, Bills and Joint Resolutions on Third Reading,
1244	or Special Orders. The motion may provide which matter on such
1245	order of business may be considered.
1246
1247	10.3-Chaplain to Offer Prayer
1248	A chaplain shall attend at the beginning of each day's sitting
1249	of the House and open the same with prayer. In the absence of a
1250	chaplain, the Speaker may designate someone else to offer
1251	prayer.
1252
1253	10.4-Quorum
1254	A majority of the membership of the House shall constitute a
1255	quorum to conduct business.
1256
1257	10.5-Consideration of Senate Messages: Generally
1258	Senate messages may be considered by the House at the time and
1259	in the order determined by the Speaker.
1260
1261	PART TWO-Readings
1262
1263	10.6-"Reading" Defined
1264	"Reading" means the stage of consideration of a bill,
1265	resolution, or memorial after reading of a portion of the title
1266	sufficient for identification, as determined by the Speaker.
1267
1268	10.7-Reading of Bills and Joint Resolutions
1269	Each bill and each joint resolution shall be read on 3 separate
1270	days prior to a vote upon final passage unless this rule is
1271	waived by a two-thirds vote, provided the publication of a bill
1272	or joint resolution by its title in the Journal shall satisfy
1273	the requirements of first reading.
1274
1275	10.8-Reading of Concurrent Resolutions and Memorials
1276	Concurrent resolutions and memorials shall be read on 2 separate
1277	days prior to a voice vote upon adoption, except that concurrent
1278	resolutions extending a legislative session or involving other
1279	procedural legislative matters may be read twice without motion
1280	on the same legislative day.
1281
1282	10.9-Reading of House Resolutions
1283	(a)  A House resolution shall receive two readings by title
1284	only prior to a voice vote upon adoption.
1285	(b)  Ceremonial resolutions may be shown as read and
1286	adopted by publication in full in the Journal in accordance with
1287	Rule 10.17.
1288
1289	10.10-Measures on Third Reading
1290	(a)  Bills on third reading shall be taken up in the order
1291	in which the House concluded action on them on second reading.
1292	(b)  Before any bill shall be read the third time, whether
1293	amended or not, it shall be referred without motion to the
1294	Engrossing Clerk for examination and, if amended, the engrossing
1295	of amendments. In the case of any Senate bill amended in the
1296	House, the amendment adopted shall be reproduced and attached to
1297	the bill amended in such manner that it will not be lost
1298	therefrom.
1299	(c)  A bill shall be deemed on its third reading when it
1300	has been read a second time on a previous day and has no motion
1301	left pending.
1302
1303	PART THREE-Calendars
1304
1305	10.11-Special Order Calendar
1306	(a)  REGULAR SESSION.
1307	(1)  The Rules & Calendar Committee shall periodically
1308	submit, as needed, a Special Order Calendar determining the
1309	sequence for consideration of legislation. The Special Order
1310	Calendar may include bills on second reading, bills on
1311	unfinished business, resolutions, and specific sections for
1312	local bills, trust fund bills, and bills to be taken up at a
1313	time certain. Upon adoption of a Special Order Calendar, no
1314	other bills shall be considered for the time period set forth
1315	for that Special Order Calendar, except that any bill appearing
1316	on that Special Order Calendar may be stricken from it by a
1317	majority vote or any bill may be added to it pursuant to Rule
1318	10.13. A previously adopted Special Order Calendar shall expire
1319	upon adoption by the House of a new Special Order Calendar.
1320	(2)  Any committee, subcommittee, or member may apply in
1321	writing to the Chair of the Rules & Calendar Committee to place
1322	a bill on the Special Order Calendar. The Rules & Calendar
1323	Committee may grant such requests by a majority vote.
1324	(3)  During the first 55 days of a regular session, the
1325	Special Order Calendar shall be published in two Calendars of
1326	the House, and it may be taken up on the day of the second
1327	published Calendar. After the 55th day of a regular session, the
1328	Special Order Calendar shall be published in one Calendar of the
1329	House and may be taken up on the day the Calendar is published.
1330	(b)  EXTENDED OR SPECIAL SESSION.
1331	(1)  If the Legislature extends a legislative session, all
1332	bills on the Calendar of the House at the time of expiration of
1333	the regular session shall be placed in the Rules & Calendar
1334	Committee.
1335	(2)  During any extended or special session, all bills upon
1336	being reported favorably by the last committee or subcommittee
1337	of reference shall be placed in the Rules & Calendar Committee.
1338	(3)  During any extended or special session, the Rules &
1339	Calendar Committee shall establish a Special Order Calendar and
1340	only those bills on such Special Order Calendar shall be placed
1341	on the Calendar of the House.
1342	(4)  During any extended or special session, the Special
1343	Order Calendar shall be published in one Calendar of the House
1344	and bills thereon may be taken up on the day the Calendar is
1345	published.
1346
1347	10.12-Special Floor Procedures
1348	The Rules & Calendar Committee may recommend special floor
1349	procedures for the management of amendments and debate on a
1350	particular bill, on second and third readings, which procedures
1351	may include limitations on amendments and debate. Such
1352	procedures may not be implemented unless approved by a majority
1353	vote in session.
1354
1355	10.13-Consideration of Bills Not on Special Order Calendar
1356	A bill not included on the Special Order Calendar may be
1357	considered by the House upon a two-thirds vote.
1358
1359	10.14-Consent Calendar
1360	The Rules & Calendar Committee may submit Consent Calendar
1361	procedures to expedite the consideration of noncontroversial
1362	legislation.
1363
1364	10.15-Requirements for Placement on Special Order Calendar
1365	No measure may be placed on a Special Order Calendar until it
1366	has been reported favorably by each committee and subcommittee
1367	of reference and is available for consideration on the floor.
1368
1369	10.16-Informal Deferral of Bills
1370	Whenever the member who introduced a bill or the first-named
1371	member sponsor of a committee and subcommittee bill is absent
1372	from the Chamber when the bill has been reached in the regular
1373	order on second or third reading, consideration shall be
1374	informally deferred until such member's return, unless another
1375	member consents to offer the bill on behalf of the original
1376	member. The bill shall retain its position on the Calendar of
1377	the House during the same legislative day. The member shall have
1378	the responsibility of making the motion for its subsequent
1379	consideration.
1380
1381	PART FOUR-Ceremonial Resolutions
1382
1383	10.17-Ceremonial Resolutions Published in Journal
1384	Upon approval of the Chair of the Rules & Calendar Committee, a
1385	ceremonial resolution may be shown as read and adopted by
1386	publication in full in the Journal. The Rules & Calendar
1387	Committee shall distribute a list of such resolutions 1 day
1388	(excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and official state holidays)
1389	prior to the day of their publication, during which time any
1390	member may file with the Rules & Calendar Committee an objection
1391	to any resolution listed. Each resolution for which an objection
1392	has been filed shall be removed from the list and placed on the
1393	Calendar of the House. All resolutions without objections shall
1394	be printed on the next legislative day in the Journal and
1395	considered adopted by the House.
1396
1397	PART FIVE-Procedural Limitations in Final Week
1398
1399	10.18-Consideration Limits to Bills after Day 55
1400	After the 55th day of a regular session, no House bills on
1401	second reading may be taken up and considered by the House.
1402
1403	10.19-Consideration Limits after Day 58
1404	After the 58th day of a regular session, the House may consider
1405	only:
1406	(a)  Returning messages.
1407	(b)  Conference reports.
1408	(c)  Concurrent resolutions.
1409
1410	RULE ELEVEN-MOTIONS
1411
1412	11.1-Motions; How Made
1413	Every motion shall be made orally, except when requested by the
1414	Speaker to be reduced to writing.
1415
1416	11.2-Precedence of Motions During Debate
1417	(a)  When a question is under debate, the Speaker shall
1418	receive no motion except:
1419	(1)  To adjourn at a time certain.
1420	(2)  To adjourn.
1421	(3)  To recess to a time certain.
1422	(4)  To lay on the table.
1423	(5)  To reconsider.
1424	(6)  For the previous question.
1425	(7)  To limit debate.
1426	(8)  To temporarily postpone.
1427	(9)  To postpone to a time or day certain.
1428	(10)  To refer to or to recommit to committee or
1429	subcommittee.
1430	(11)  To amend.
1431	(12)  To amend by removing the enacting or resolving
1432	clause.
1433	(b)  Such motions shall have precedence in the descending
1434	order given.
1435
1436	11.3-Questions of Order Decided without Debate
1437	The Speaker shall decide, without debate, all procedural
1438	questions of order that arise when a motion is before the House
1439	or on appeal.
1440
1441	11.4-Division of Question
1442	If a question before the House is susceptible of separation into
1443	two or more parts, any member may call for a division of the
1444	question so that each part may be voted on separately. However,
1445	a motion to remove and insert cannot be divided.
1446
1447	11.5-Motion to Recess to a Time Certain
1448	A motion to recess to a time certain shall be treated the same
1449	as a motion to adjourn, except that the motion is debatable when
1450	no business is before the House and can be amended as to the
1451	time to recess and duration of the recess. It yields only to a
1452	motion to adjourn.
1453
1454	11.6-Motion to Lay on the Table
1455	(a)  A motion to lay on the table is not debatable and
1456	cannot be amended; however, before the motion is put to a vote,
1457	the first-named sponsor of a bill or the mover of a debatable
1458	motion shall be allowed 5 minutes within which to discuss the
1459	same and may divide the time with, or waive this right in favor
1460	of, some other member.
1461	(b)  A motion to lay an amendment on the table, if adopted,
1462	does not carry with it the measure to which it adheres.
1463
1464	11.7-Motion to Reconsider; Immediate Certification of Bills
1465	(a)  When a motion or main question has been made and
1466	carried or lost, it shall be in order at any time as a matter of
1467	right on the same or succeeding legislative day for a member
1468	voting with the prevailing side, or for any member in the case
1469	of a voice or tie vote, to move for reconsideration thereof.
1470	(b)  When a majority of members vote in the affirmative but
1471	the proposition is lost because it is one in which the
1472	concurrence of a greater number than a majority is necessary for
1473	adoption or passage, any member may move for a reconsideration.
1474	(c)  The motion to reconsider shall require a majority vote
1475	for adoption.
1476	(d)  If the House refuses to reconsider or upon
1477	reconsideration confirms its prior decision, no further motion
1478	to reconsider shall be in order except upon unanimous consent of
1479	the members present.
1480	(e)  Debate shall be allowed on a motion to reconsider only
1481	when the question that it is proposing to reconsider is
1482	debatable. When debate upon a motion to reconsider is in order,
1483	no member shall speak thereon more than once or for more than 5
1484	minutes.
1485	(f)  The adoption of a motion to reconsider a vote upon any
1486	secondary matter shall not remove the main subject under
1487	consideration from consideration of the House.
1488	(g)  A motion to reconsider a collateral matter must be
1489	disposed of at once during the course of the consideration of
1490	the main subject to which it is related, and such motion shall
1491	be out of order after the House has passed to other business.
1492	(h)  No bill referred or recommitted to a committee or
1493	subcommittee by a vote of the House shall be brought back into
1494	the House on a motion to reconsider.
1495	(i)  The Clerk shall retain possession of all bills and
1496	joint resolutions for the period after passage during which
1497	reconsideration may be moved, except that local bills,
1498	concurrent resolutions, and memorials shall be transmitted to
1499	the Senate without delay.
1500	(j)  The adoption of a motion to waive the rules and
1501	immediately certify any bill to the Senate shall be construed as
1502	releasing the measure from the Clerk's possession for the period
1503	of reconsideration.
1504	(k)  Unless otherwise directed by the Speaker, during the
1505	last 14 days of a regular session or any extension thereof and
1506	during any special session, all measures acted on by the House
1507	shall be transmitted to the Senate without delay.
1508
1509	11.8-Motion for the Previous Question
1510	(a)  The previous question may be asked and ordered upon
1511	any debatable single motion, series of motions, or amendment
1512	pending and the effect thereof shall be to conclude all action
1513	on the same day. If third reading is reached on another day, the
1514	order for the previous question must be renewed on that day.
1515	(b)  The motion for the previous question shall be decided
1516	without debate. If the motion prevails, the sponsor of a bill or
1517	debatable motion and an opponent shall be allowed 3 minutes each
1518	within which to debate the pending question, and each may divide
1519	the time with, or waive this right in favor of, some other
1520	member. On second reading, the final available question is the
1521	main amendment; on third reading, it is the bill.
1522	(c)  When the motion for the previous question is adopted
1523	on a main question, the sense of the House shall be taken
1524	without delay on pending amendments and such question in the
1525	regular order.
1526	(d)  The motion for the previous question may not be made
1527	by the first-named sponsor or mover.
1528
1529	11.9-Motion to Limit Debate
1530	When there is debate by the House, it shall be in order for a
1531	member to move to limit debate and such motion shall be decided
1532	without debate, except that the first-named sponsor or mover of
1533	the question under debate shall have 5 minutes within which to
1534	discuss the motion and may divide the allotted time with, or
1535	waive it in favor of, some other member. If, by majority vote,
1536	the question is decided in the affirmative, debate shall be
1537	limited to 10 minutes for each side, unless a greater time is
1538	stated in the motion, such time to be apportioned by the
1539	Speaker; however, the first-named sponsor or mover shall have an
1540	additional 5 minutes within which to close the debate and may
1541	divide the allotted time with, or waive it in favor of, some
1542	other member.
1543
1544	11.10-Motion to Temporarily Postpone
1545	(a)  The motion to temporarily postpone shall be decided
1546	without debate and shall cause a measure to be set aside but
1547	retained on the desk.
1548	(b)  If a main question has been temporarily postponed
1549	after having been debated or after motions have been applied and
1550	is not brought back before the House on the same legislative
1551	day, it shall be placed under the order of unfinished business
1552	on the Calendar of the House. If a main question is temporarily
1553	postponed before debate has commenced or motions have been
1554	applied, its reading shall be considered a nullity and the bill
1555	shall retain its original position on the order of business on
1556	the same legislative day; otherwise, the bill reverts to the
1557	status of bills on second or third reading, as applicable.
1558	(c)  The motion to return to consideration of a temporarily
1559	postponed main question shall be made under the proper order of
1560	business when no other matter is pending.
1561	(d)  If applied to a collateral matter, the motion to
1562	temporarily postpone shall not cause the main question to be
1563	carried with it. After having been temporarily postponed, if a
1564	collateral matter is not brought back before the House in the
1565	course of consideration of the adhering or main question, it
1566	shall be deemed abandoned.
1567
1568	11.11-Motion to Withdraw or Refer a Bill
1569	(a)  A motion to withdraw a bill from a committee or
1570	subcommittee shall require a two-thirds vote on the floor.
1571	(b)  Any member may, no later than under the order of
1572	business of Motions Relating to Committee and Subcommittee
1573	References on the legislative day following reference of a bill,
1574	move for reference from one committee or subcommittee to a
1575	different committee or subcommittee, which shall be decided by a
1576	majority vote.
1577	(c)  A motion to refer a bill from one committee or
1578	subcommittee to another committee or subcommittee, other than as
1579	provided in subsection (b), may be made during the regular order
1580	of business and shall require a two-thirds vote.
1581	(d)  A motion to refer a bill to an additional committee or
1582	subcommittee may be made during the regular order of business
1583	and shall require a two-thirds vote.
1584	(e)  A motion to refer shall be debated only as to the
1585	propriety of the reference.
1586	(f)  A motion to withdraw a bill from further consideration
1587	of the House shall require a two-thirds vote.
1588	(1)  The Chair or Vice Chair of the Rules & Calendar
1589	Committee, at the request of the first-named member sponsor, may
1590	move for the withdrawal of a bill from further consideration.
1591	(2)  The first-named member sponsor of a bill may, prior to
1592	its introduction and provided no substantive action has been
1593	taken on it, withdraw the bill by written notice to the Clerk.
1594	(3)  In moving for the withdrawal of a bill from further
1595	consideration by floor motion, the introducer shall be required
1596	to identify the nature of the bill.
1597
1598	11.12-Motion to Refer or Recommit
1599	(a)  Any bill on the Calendar of the House may be referred
1600	or recommitted by the House to a committee or subcommittee by a
1601	majority vote.
1602	(b)  A motion to refer or recommit a bill that is before
1603	the House may be made during the regular order of business. The
1604	motion shall be debatable only as to the propriety of that
1605	reference and shall require an affirmative majority vote.
1606	(c)  If a bill on third reading is referred or recommitted
1607	to a committee or subcommittee that subsequently reports the
1608	bill favorably with a committee or subcommittee substitute or
1609	with one or more amendments, the bill shall return to second
1610	reading.
1611	(d)  Referral or recommitment of a House bill shall
1612	automatically carry with it a Senate companion bill then on the
1613	Calendar of the House.
1614
1615	11.13-Dilatory Motions
1616	Dilatory or delaying motions shall not be in order as determined
1617	by the Speaker.
1618
1619	11.14-Withdrawal of Motion
1620	The mover of a motion may withdraw the motion at any time before
1621	it has been amended or a vote on it has commenced.
1622
1623	RULE TWELVE-AMENDMENTS
1624
1625	12.1-Form
1626	Floor amendments shall be prepared by the House Bill Drafting
1627	Service and filed with the Clerk.
1628
1629	12.2-Filing Deadlines for Floor Amendments
1630	(a)  During the first 55 days of a regular session:
1631	(1)  Main floor amendments must be approved for filing with
1632	the Clerk by 2 p.m. of the first day a bill appears on the
1633	Special Order Calendar in the Calendar of the House; and
1634	(2)  Amendments to main floor amendments and substitute
1635	amendments for main floor amendments must be approved for filing
1636	by 5 p.m. of the same day.
1637	(b)  After the 55th day of a regular session and during any
1638	extended or special session:
1639	(1)  Main floor amendments must be approved for filing with
1640	the Clerk not later than 2 hours before session is scheduled to
1641	convene on the day a bill appears on the Special Order Calendar
1642	in the Calendar of the House; and
1643	(2)  Amendments to main floor amendments and substitute
1644	amendments for main floor amendments must be approved for filing
1645	not later than 1 hour after the main floor amendment deadline.
1646	(c)  A late-filed floor amendment may be taken up for
1647	consideration only upon motion adopted by a two-thirds vote.
1648	(d)  Notwithstanding the foregoing, subject to approval by
1649	a majority vote of the House, the Rules & Calendar Committee may
1650	establish special amendment deadlines and procedures for
1651	appropriations bills, implementing bills, conforming bills, and
1652	bills proposing any reapportionment or redistricting of the
1653	state's legislative or congressional districts.
1654
1655	12.3-Presentation and Consideration
1656	(a)  Amendments shall be taken up only as sponsors gain
1657	recognition from the Speaker to move their adoption, except that
1658	the chair of the committee or subcommittee (or any member
1659	thereof designated by the chair) reporting the measure under
1660	consideration shall have preference for the presentation of
1661	committee or subcommittee amendments to Senate bills.
1662	(b)  An amendment to a pending main amendment may be
1663	received, but until it is disposed of no other motion to amend
1664	will be in order except a substitute amendment or an amendment
1665	to the substitute. Such amendments are to be disposed of in the
1666	following order:
1667	(1)  Amendments to the amendment are voted on before the
1668	substitute is taken up. Only one amendment to the amendment is
1669	in order at a time.
1670	(2)  Amendments to the substitute are next voted on.
1671	(3)  The substitute then is voted on. The adoption of a
1672	substitute amendment in lieu of an original amendment shall be
1673	treated and considered as an amendment to the bill itself.
1674
1675	[INSERT GRAPHIC ON AMENDMENT LEVELS]
1676
1677	(c)  The adoption of an amendment to a section shall not
1678	preclude further amendment of that section. If a bill is being
1679	considered section by section or item by item, only amendments
1680	to the section or item under consideration shall be in order.
1681	(d)  For the purpose of this rule, an amendment shall be
1682	deemed pending only after its proposer has been recognized by
1683	the Speaker and has moved its adoption.
1684	(e)  Reviser's bills may be amended only by making
1685	deletions.
1686
1687	12.4-Second and Third Reading; Vote Required on Third Reading
1688	(a)  A motion to amend is in order during the second or
1689	third reading of any bill.
1690	(b)  Amendments proposed on third reading shall require a
1691	two-thirds vote for adoption, except that technical amendments
1692	introduced in the name of the Rules & Calendar Committee shall
1693	require a majority vote for adoption. Amendments on third
1694	reading, other than technical amendments introduced in the name
1695	of the Rules & Calendar Committee, must be approved for filing
1696	not later than the earlier of the following deadlines:
1697	(1)  Nine a.m. on the day session is scheduled to convene
1698	on the day the bill is reached on third reading; or
1699	(2)  One hour before session is scheduled to convene on the
1700	day the bill is reached on third reading.
1701	(c)  A motion for reconsideration of an amendment on third
1702	reading requires a two-thirds vote for adoption.
1703
1704	12.5-Amendment of Appropriations Bills, Implementing Bills, and
1705	Conforming Bills
1706	(a)  For purposes of these rules:
1707	(1)  An "appropriations bill" is a general appropriations
1708	bill or any other bill the title text of which begins "An act
1709	making appropriations," "An act making special appropriations,"
1710	or "An act making supplemental appropriations."
1711	(2)  An "implementing bill" is a bill, effective for one
1712	fiscal year, implementing an appropriations bill.
1713	(3)  A "conforming bill" is a bill designated as such by
1714	the Speaker that amends the Florida Statutes to conform to an
1715	appropriations bill.
1716	(b)  Whether on the floor or in any committee or
1717	subcommittee, whenever an amendment is offered to an
1718	appropriations bill that would either increase any state
1719	appropriation or decrease any state revenue for any fund, such
1720	amendment shall show the amount of the appropriation increase or
1721	revenue decrease for a fund by line item and by section and
1722	shall decrease an appropriation from within the same
1723	appropriations allocation and sub-allocation (as determined by
1724	the Speaker) or increase a revenue to the fund in an amount
1725	equivalent to or greater than the corresponding appropriation
1726	increase or revenue decrease required by the amendment.
1727	(c)  Whether on the floor or in any committee or
1728	subcommittee, an amendment offered to an implementing bill or to
1729	a conforming bill shall not increase a state appropriation to a
1730	level that is in excess of the allocations or sub-allocations
1731	determined by the Speaker for a fund.
1732	(d)  Whether on the floor or in any committee or
1733	subcommittee, any amendment offered to an implementing bill or
1734	to a conforming bill that reduces revenues supporting
1735	appropriations must raise the equivalent or greater revenue for
1736	the same fund from other sources.
1737
1738	12.6-Consideration of Senate Amendments
1739	(a)  After the reading of a Senate amendment to a House
1740	bill, the following motions shall be in order and shall be
1741	privileged in the order named:
1742	(1)  Amend the Senate amendment.
1743	(2)  Concur in the Senate amendment.
1744	(3)  Refuse to concur and ask the Senate to recede.
1745	(4)  Request the Senate to recede and, if the Senate
1746	refuses to recede, to appoint a conference committee to meet
1747	with a like committee appointed by the Speaker.
1748	(b)  If the Senate refuses to concur in a House amendment
1749	to a Senate bill, the following motions shall be in order and
1750	shall be privileged in the order named:
1751	(1)  That the House recede.
1752	(2)  That the House insist and ask for a conference
1753	committee.
1754	(3)  That the House insist.
1755	(c)  The Speaker may, upon determining that a Senate
1756	amendment substantially changes the bill as passed by the House,
1757	refer the Senate message, with the bill and Senate amendment or
1758	amendments, to the appropriate House committee or subcommittee
1759	for review and report to the House. The Speaker, upon such
1760	reference, shall announce the date and time for the committee or
1761	subcommittee to meet. The committee or subcommittee shall report
1762	to the House the recommendation for disposition of the Senate
1763	amendment or amendments under one of the four options presented
1764	in subsection (a). The report shall be furnished to the Clerk
1765	and to the House, in writing, by the chair of the reporting
1766	committee or subcommittee.
1767
1768	12.7-Motion to Amend by Removing Enacting or Resolving Clause
1769	An amendment to remove the enacting clause of a bill or the
1770	resolving clause of a resolution or memorial shall, if carried,
1771	be considered equivalent to rejection of the bill, resolution,
1772	or memorial by the House.
1773
1774	12.8-Germanity of House Amendments
1775	(a)  GERMANITY.
1776	(1)  Neither the House nor any committee or subcommittee
1777	shall consider an amendment that relates to a different subject
1778	or is intended to accomplish a different purpose than that of
1779	the pending question or that, if adopted, would require a title
1780	amendment for the bill that is substantially different from the
1781	bill's original title or that would unreasonably alter the
1782	nature of the bill.
1783	(2)  The Speaker, or the chair in the case of an amendment
1784	offered in committee or subcommittee, shall determine the
1785	germanity of any amendment when the question is timely raised.
1786	(3)  An amendment of the second degree or a substitute
1787	amendment must be germane to both the main amendment and the
1788	measure to which it adheres.
1789	(b)  AMENDMENTS THAT ARE NOT GERMANE. House amendments that
1790	are not germane include:
1791	(1)  A general proposition amending a specific proposition.
1792	(2)  An amendment amending a statute or session law when
1793	the purpose of the bill is limited to repealing such law, or an
1794	amendment repealing a statute or session law when the purpose of
1795	the bill is limited to amending such law.
1796	(3)  An amendment that substantially expands the scope of
1797	the bill.
1798	(4)  An amendment to a bill when legislative action on that
1799	bill is by law or these rules limited to passage, concurrence,
1800	or nonconcurrence as introduced.
1801	(c)  AMENDMENTS THAT ARE GERMANE. Amendments that are
1802	germane include:
1803	(1)  A specific provision amending a general provision.
1804	(2)  An amendment that accomplishes the same purpose in a
1805	different manner.
1806	(3)  An amendment limiting the scope of the proposal.
1807	(4)  An amendment providing appropriations necessary to
1808	fulfill the original intent of a proposal.
1809	(5)  An amendment that changes the effective date of a
1810	repeal, reduces the scope of a repeal, or adds a short-term
1811	nonstatutory transitional provision to facilitate repeal.
1812	(d)  WAIVER OF RULE. Waiver of this rule shall require
1813	unanimous consent of the House.
1814
1815	12.9-Floor Amendments Out of Order
1816	A floor amendment is out of order if it is the principal
1817	substance of a bill that has:
1818	(a)  Received an unfavorable committee or subcommittee
1819	report,
1820	(b)  Been withdrawn from further consideration, or
1821	(c)  Not been reported favorably by at least one committee
1822	or subcommittee of reference,
1823
1824	and may not be offered to a bill on second or third reading. Any
1825	amendment that is substantially the same, and identical as to
1826	specific intent and purpose, as the measure residing in a
1827	committee or subcommittee of reference is covered by this rule.
1828
1829	12.10-Printing of Amendments in Journal
1830	All amendments taken up, unless withdrawn, shall be printed in
1831	the Journal, except that an amendment to an appropriations bill
1832	constituting an entirely new bill shall not be printed except
1833	upon consideration of the conference committee report.
1834
1835	RULE THIRTEEN-RULES
1836
1837	13.1-Parliamentary Authorities
1838	In all cases not provided for by the Florida Constitution, the
1839	Rules of the House, or the Joint Rules of the Senate and House,
1840	the guiding, but nonbinding, authority shall be first the
1841	Rulings of the Speaker and then the latest edition of Mason's
1842	Manual of Legislative Procedure.
1843
1844	13.2-Standing Rules Amendment
1845	Any standing rule may be rescinded or changed by a majority vote
1846	of the members, provided that the proposed change or changes be
1847	submitted at least 1 day in advance by the Rules & Calendar
1848	Committee in writing to the members together with notice of the
1849	consideration thereof. Any standing rule may be suspended
1850	temporarily by a two-thirds vote of the members present, except
1851	as otherwise provided in these rules.
1852
1853	13.3-Rules Apply for Term
1854	The standing rules adopted after the beginning of the term
1855	govern all acts of the House during the course of the term
1856	unless amended or repealed.
1857
1858	13.4-Joint Rules
1859	The House shall be governed by joint rules approved by the House
1860	and Senate during the term. Such joint rules may not be waived
1861	except by agreement of both the House and Senate. A majority
1862	vote of the House is required for such agreement.
1863
1864	13.5-Authority and Interpretation
1865	These rules are adopted pursuant to the specific authority
1866	granted and the inherent powers vested in the House of
1867	Representatives by the Florida Constitution. These rules are
1868	intended to facilitate the orderly, practical, and efficient
1869	completion of legislative work undertaken by the House. These
1870	rules shall govern procedures in the House notwithstanding any
1871	inconsistent parliamentary tradition and notwithstanding any
1872	joint rule or any statute enacted by a prior Legislature.
1873	Adoption of these rules constitutes the determination of the
1874	House that they do not violate any express regulation or
1875	limitation contained in the Florida Constitution. These rules
1876	may not be construed to limit any of the powers, rights,
1877	privileges, or immunities vested in or granted to the House by
1878	the Florida Constitution or other organic law.
1879
1880	13.6-Majority Action
1881	Unless otherwise indicated by these rules, all action by the
1882	House or its committees or subcommittees shall be by majority
1883	vote of those members present and voting. When the body is
1884	equally divided, the question is defeated.
1885
1886	13.7-Extraordinary Action
1887	Unless otherwise required by these rules or the Florida
1888	Constitution, all extraordinary votes shall be by vote of those
1889	members present and voting.
1890
1891	13.8-"Days" Defined
1892	Wherever used in these rules, a "legislative day" means a day
1893	when the House convenes and a quorum is present. All other
1894	references to a "day" mean a calendar day.
1895
1896	RULE FOURTEEN-MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
1897
1898	PART ONE-Public Records
1899
1900	14.1-Legislative Records
1901	There shall be available for public inspection, whether
1902	maintained in Tallahassee or in a district office, the papers
1903	and records developed and received in connection with official
1904	legislative business, except as provided in s. 11.0431, Florida
1905	Statutes, or other provision of law. Any person who is denied
1906	access to a legislative record and who believes that he or she
1907	is wrongfully being denied such access may appeal to the Speaker
1908	the decision to deny access.
1909
1910	14.2-Legislative Records; Maintenance, Control, Destruction,
1911	Disposal, and Disposition
1912	(a)  Records that are required to be created by these rules
1913	or that are of vital, permanent, or archival value shall be
1914	maintained in a safe location that is easily accessible for
1915	convenient use. No such record need be maintained if the
1916	substance of the record is published or retained in another form
1917	or location. Whenever necessary, but no more often than annually
1918	or less often than biennially, records required to be maintained
1919	may be archived.
1920	(b)  Other records that are no longer needed for any
1921	purpose and that do not have sufficient administrative, legal,
1922	or fiscal significance to warrant their retention shall be
1923	disposed of systematically.
1924	(c)(1)  The administrative assistant for each existing
1925	committee or subcommittee shall ensure compliance with this rule
1926	for all records created or received by the committee or
1927	subcommittee or for a former committee or subcommittee whose
1928	jurisdiction has been assigned to the committee or subcommittee.
1929	(2)  The Speaker, the Speaker pro tempore, the Minority
1930	Leader, the Majority Leader, and the Sergeant at Arms shall
1931	ensure compliance with this rule for all records created or
1932	received by their respective offices and their predecessors in
1933	office.
1934	(3)  Each member shall ensure compliance with this rule for
1935	all records created or received by the member or the member's
1936	district office.
1937	(4)  The director of an ancillary House office shall ensure
1938	compliance with this rule for all records created or received by
1939	the director's office.
1940	(5)  The Clerk shall ensure compliance with this rule for
1941	all other records created or received by the House of
1942	Representatives.
1943	(d)  If a committee, subcommittee, or office is not
1944	continued in existence, the records of such committee,
1945	subcommittee, or office shall be forwarded to the committee,
1946	subcommittee, or office assuming the jurisdiction or
1947	responsibility of the former committee, subcommittee, or office,
1948	if any. Otherwise, such records shall be forwarded to the Clerk.
1949	(e)  The Clerk shall establish a schedule of reasonable and
1950	appropriate fees for copies of legislative records and
1951	documents.
1952
1953	PART TWO-Distribution of Documents; Display of Signs
1954
1955	14.3-Distribution of Documents
1956	Documents required by these rules to be printed or published may
1957	be produced and distributed on paper or in electronic form.
1958
1959	14.4-Display of Signs, Placards, and the Like
1960	Signs, placards, or other objects of similar nature shall be
1961	permitted in the rooms, lobby, galleries, or Chamber of the
1962	House only upon approval of the Chair of the Rules & Calendar
1963	Committee.
1964
1965	PART THREE-House Seal
1966
1967	14.5-House Seal
1968	(a)  REQUIREMENT. There shall be an official seal of the
1969	House of Representatives. The seal shall be used only by or on
1970	behalf of a member or officer of the House in conjunction with
1971	his or her official duties or when specifically authorized in
1972	writing by the Chair of the Rules & Calendar Committee.
1973	(b)  CONFIGURATION. The seal shall be a circle having in
1974	the center thereof a view of the sun's rays over a highland in
1975	the distance, a sabal palmetto palm tree, a steamboat on the
1976	water, and a Native American female scattering flowers in the
1977	foreground, encircled by the words "House of Representatives."
1978	(c)  USE. Unless a written exception is otherwise granted
1979	by the Chair of the Rules & Calendar Committee:
1980	(1)  Material carrying the official seal shall be used only
1981	by a member, officer, or employee of the House or other persons
1982	employed or retained by the House.
1983	(2)  The use, printing, publication, or manufacture of the
1984	seal, or items or materials bearing the seal or a facsimile of
1985	the seal, shall be limited to official business of the House or
1986	official legislative business.
1987	(d)  CUSTODIAN. The Clerk shall be the custodian of the
1988	official seal.
1989
1990	RULE FIFTEEN-ETHICS AND CONDUCT OF MEMBERS
1991
1992	15.1-Legislative Ethics and Official Conduct
1993	Legislative office is a trust to be performed with integrity in
1994	the public interest. A member is respectful of the confidence
1995	placed in the member by the other members and by the people. By
1996	personal example and by admonition to colleagues whose behavior
1997	may threaten the honor of the lawmaking body, the member shall
1998	watchfully guard the responsibility of office and the
1999	responsibilities and duties placed on the member by the House.
2000	To this end, each member shall be accountable to the House for
2001	violations of this rule or any provision of the House Code of
2002	Conduct contained in Rules 15.1-15.7.
2003
2004	15.2-The Integrity of the House
2005	A member shall respect and comply with the law and shall perform
2006	at all times in a manner that promotes public confidence in the
2007	integrity and independence of the House and of the Legislature.
2008	Each member shall perform at all times in a manner that promotes
2009	a professional environment in the House, which shall be free
2010	from unlawful employment discrimination.
2011
2012	15.3-Improper Influence; Solicitation of Campaign Contributions
2013	(a)  A member may neither solicit nor accept anything that
2014	reasonably may be construed to improperly influence the member's
2015	official act, decision, or vote.
2016	(b)  A member may neither solicit nor accept any campaign
2017	contribution during the 60-day regular legislative session or
2018	any extended or special session on the member's own behalf, on
2019	behalf of a political party, on behalf of any organization with
2020	respect to which the member's solicitation is regulated under s.
2021	106.0701, Florida Statutes, or on behalf of a candidate for the
2022	House of Representatives; however, a member may contribute to
2023	the member's own campaign.
2024
2025	15.4-Ethics; Conflicting Employment
2026	A member shall:
2027	(a)  Scrupulously comply with the requirements of all laws
2028	related to the ethics of public officers.
2029	(b)  Not allow personal employment to impair the member's
2030	independence of judgment in the exercise of official duties.
2031	(c)  Not directly or indirectly receive or agree to receive
2032	any compensation for any services rendered or to be rendered
2033	either by the member or any other person when such activity is
2034	in substantial conflict with the duties of a member of the
2035	House.
2036
2037	15.5-Use of Official Position
2038	A member may not corruptly use or attempt to use the member's
2039	official position or any property or resource which may be
2040	within the member's trust in a manner contrary to the trust or
2041	authority placed in the member, either by the public or by other
2042	members, for the purpose of securing a special privilege,
2043	benefit, or exemption for the member or for others.
2044
2045	15.6-Use of Information Obtained by Reason of Official Position
2046	A member may engage in business and professional activity in
2047	competition with others but may not use or provide to others,
2048	for the member's personal gain or benefit or for the personal
2049	gain or benefit of any other person or business entity, any
2050	information that has been obtained by reason of the member's
2051	official capacity as a member and that is unavailable to members
2052	of the public as a matter of law.
2053
2054	15.7-Representation of Another Before a State Agency
2055	A member may not personally represent another person or entity
2056	for compensation before any state agency other than a judicial
2057	tribunal. For the purposes of this rule, "state agency" means
2058	any entity of the legislative or executive branch of state
2059	government over which the Legislature exercises plenary
2060	budgetary and statutory control.
2061
2062	15.8-Advisory Opinions
2063	(a)  A member, when in doubt about the applicability and
2064	interpretation of the House Code of Conduct or ethics laws to
2065	the member's conduct, may convey the facts of the situation to
2066	the House general counsel for an advisory opinion. The general
2067	counsel shall issue the opinion within 10 days after receiving
2068	the request. The advisory opinion may be relied upon by the
2069	member requesting the opinion. Upon request of any member, the
2070	committee or subcommittee designated by the Speaker to have
2071	responsibility for the ethical conduct of members may revise an
2072	advisory opinion rendered by the House general counsel through
2073	an advisory opinion issued to the member who requested the
2074	opinion.
2075	(b)  An advisory opinion rendered by the House general
2076	counsel or the committee or subcommittee shall be numbered,
2077	dated, and published. Advisory opinions from the House general
2078	counsel or the committee or subcommittee may not identify the
2079	member seeking the opinion unless such member so requests.
2080
2081	15.9-Penalties for Violations
2082	Separately from any prosecutions or penalties otherwise provided
2083	by law, any member determined to have violated the requirements
2084	of these rules relating to ethics or member conduct shall be
2085	fined, censured, reprimanded, placed on probation, or expelled
2086	or have such other lesser penalty imposed as may be appropriate.
2087	Such determination and disciplinary action shall be taken by a
2088	two-thirds vote of the House, except that expulsions shall
2089	require two-thirds vote of the membership, upon recommendation
2090	of the Rules & Calendar Committee pursuant to Rule 18.
2091
2092	15.10-Felony Indictment or Information of a Member
2093	(a)  If an indictment or information for a felony of any
2094	jurisdiction is filed against a member of the House, the member
2095	indicted or informed against may request the Speaker to excuse
2096	the member, without pay, from all privileges of membership of
2097	the House pending final adjudication.
2098	(b)  If the indictment or information is either nolle
2099	prossed or dismissed, or if the member is found not guilty of
2100	the felonies charged, or lesser included felonies, then the
2101	member shall be paid all back pay and other benefits retroactive
2102	to the date the member was excused.
2103
2104	15.11-Felony Guilty Plea of a Member
2105	A member who enters a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to a
2106	felony of any jurisdiction may, at the discretion of the
2107	Speaker, be suspended immediately, without a hearing and without
2108	pay, from all privileges of membership of the House through the
2109	remainder of that member's term.
2110
2111	15.12-Felony Conviction of a Member
2112	(a)  A member convicted of a felony of any jurisdiction
2113	may, at the discretion of the Speaker, be suspended immediately,
2114	without a hearing and without pay, from all privileges of
2115	membership of the House pending appellate action or the end of
2116	the member's term, whichever occurs first.
2117	(b)  A member suspended under the provisions of this rule
2118	may, within 10 days after such suspension, file a written
2119	request for a hearing, setting forth specific reasons contesting
2120	the member's suspension. Upon receipt of a written request for a
2121	hearing, the Speaker shall appoint a select committee, which
2122	shall commence a hearing on the member's suspension within 30
2123	days and issue a report to the House within 10 days after the
2124	conclusion of the hearing. The report of the select committee
2125	shall be final unless the member, within 10 days after the
2126	issuance of the report, requests in writing that the Speaker
2127	convene the full House to consider the report of the select
2128	committee. Upon receipt of a request for such consideration, the
2129	Speaker shall timely convene the House for such purpose.
2130	(c)  If the final appellate decision is to sustain the
2131	conviction, then the member's suspension shall continue to the
2132	end of the member's term. If the final appellate decision is to
2133	vacate the conviction and there is a rehearing, the member shall
2134	be subject to Rule 15.10. If the final appellate decision is to
2135	vacate the conviction and no felony charges remain against the
2136	member, the member shall be entitled to restitution of back pay
2137	and other benefits retroactive to the date of suspension.
2138
2139	RULE SIXTEEN-PROCEDURES FOR CONDUCTING INVESTIGATIVE AND
2140	ENFORCEMENT PROCEEDINGS
2141
2142	16.1-Issuance of Subpoenas
2143	(a)  In order to carry out its duties, each standing or
2144	select committee, whenever required, may issue subpoenas and
2145	other necessary process to compel the attendance of witnesses
2146	before such committee or the taking of a deposition pursuant to
2147	these rules. The chair of the committee shall issue such process
2148	on behalf of the committee after a majority of the committee
2149	votes to approve issuance and the Speaker has provided written
2150	approval. The chair or any other member of such committee may
2151	administer all oaths and affirmations in the manner prescribed
2152	by law to witnesses who shall appear before such committee for
2153	the purpose of testifying in any matter about which such
2154	committee may require evidence.
2155	(b)  Each standing or select committee, whenever required,
2156	may also compel by subpoena duces tecum the production of any
2157	books, letters, or other documentary evidence it may need to
2158	examine in reference to any matter before it. The chair of the
2159	standing or select committee shall issue process on behalf of
2160	the standing or select committee after a majority of the
2161	committee votes to approve issuance and the Speaker has provided
2162	written approval.
2163
2164	16.2-Contempt Proceedings
2165	(a)  The House may punish, by fine or imprisonment, any
2166	person who is not a member and who is guilty of disorderly or
2167	contemptuous conduct in its presence or of a refusal to obey its
2168	lawful summons.
2169	(b)  A person shall be deemed in contempt if the person:
2170	(1)  Fails or refuses to appear in compliance with a
2171	subpoena or, having appeared, fails or refuses to testify under
2172	oath or affirmation;
2173	(2)  Fails or refuses to answer any relevant question or
2174	fails or refuses to furnish any relevant book, paper, or other
2175	document subpoenaed on behalf of such committee; or
2176	(3)  Commits any other act or offense against such
2177	committee that, if committed against the Legislature or either
2178	house thereof, would constitute contempt.
2179	(c)  During a legislative session, a standing or select
2180	committee may, by majority vote of all of its members, apply to
2181	the House for contempt citation. The application shall be
2182	considered as though the alleged contempt had been committed in
2183	or against the House itself. If such committee is meeting during
2184	the interim, its application shall be made to the circuit court
2185	pursuant to Rule 16.6.
2186	(d)  A person guilty of contempt under this rule may be
2187	fined not more than $500 or imprisoned not more than 90 days or
2188	both, or may be subject to such other punishment as the House
2189	may, in the exercise of its inherent powers, impose prior to and
2190	in lieu of the imposition of the aforementioned penalty.
2191	(e)  The sheriffs in the several counties shall make such
2192	service and execute all process or orders when required by
2193	standing or select committees. Sheriffs shall be paid as
2194	provided for in s. 30.231, Florida Statutes.
2195
2196	16.3-False Swearing
2197	Whoever willfully affirms or swears falsely in regard to any
2198	material matter or thing before any standing or select committee
2199	is guilty of false swearing in an official proceeding, which is
2200	a felony of the second degree and shall be punished as provided
2201	in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084, Florida Statutes.
2202
2203	16.4-Rights of Witnesses
2204	(a)  All witnesses summoned before any standing or select
2205	committee shall receive reimbursement for travel expenses and
2206	per diem at the rates provided in s. 112.061, Florida Statutes.
2207	However, the fact that such reimbursement is not tendered at the
2208	time the subpoena is served shall not excuse the witness from
2209	appearing as directed therein.
2210	(b)  Service of a subpoena requiring the attendance of a
2211	person at a meeting of a standing or select committee shall be
2212	made in the manner provided by law for the service of subpoenas
2213	in a civil action at least 7 days prior to the date of the
2214	meeting unless a shorter period of time is authorized by
2215	majority vote of all the members of such committee. If a shorter
2216	period of time is authorized, the persons subpoenaed shall be
2217	given reasonable notice of the meeting, consistent with the
2218	particular circumstances involved.
2219	(c)  Any person who is served with a subpoena to attend a
2220	meeting of any standing or select committee also shall be served
2221	with a general statement informing the person of the subject
2222	matter of such committee's investigation or inquiry and a notice
2223	that the person may be accompanied at the meeting by private
2224	counsel.
2225	(d)  Upon the request of any party and the approval of a
2226	majority of the standing or select committee, the chair shall
2227	instruct all witnesses to leave the meeting room and retire to a
2228	designated place. The witness shall be instructed by the chair
2229	not to discuss the testimony of the witness or the testimony of
2230	any other person with anyone until the meeting has been
2231	adjourned and the witness has been discharged by the chair. The
2232	witness shall be further instructed that if any person discusses
2233	or attempts to discuss the matter under investigation with the
2234	witness after receiving such instructions, the witness shall
2235	bring such matter to the attention of such committee. No member
2236	of such committee or representative thereof may discuss any
2237	matter or matters pertinent to the subject matter under
2238	investigation with any witness to be called before such
2239	committee from the time that these instructions are given until
2240	the meeting has been adjourned and the witness has been
2241	discharged by the chair. Any person violating this subsection
2242	shall be in contempt of the House.
2243	(e)  Any standing or select committee taking sworn
2244	testimony from witnesses as provided herein shall cause a record
2245	to be made of all proceedings in which testimony or other
2246	evidence is demanded or adduced, which record shall include
2247	rulings of the chair, questions of such committee and its staff,
2248	the testimony or responses of witnesses, sworn written
2249	statements submitted to the committee, and such other matters as
2250	the committee or its chair may direct.
2251	(f)  A witness at a meeting, upon advance request and at
2252	the witness's own expense, shall be furnished a certified
2253	transcript of the witness's testimony at the meeting.
2254
2255	16.5-Right of Other Persons to be Heard
2256	(a)  Any person who, in the opinion of the committee, is
2257	adversely affected as a result of being mentioned or otherwise
2258	identified during a meeting being conducted for the purpose of
2259	taking sworn testimony from witnesses of any standing or select
2260	committee may, upon the request of the person or upon the
2261	request of any member of such committee, appear personally
2262	before such committee and testify on the person's own behalf,
2263	or, with such committee's consent, file a sworn written
2264	statement of facts or other documentary evidence for
2265	incorporation into the record of the meeting. Any such witness,
2266	however, shall, prior to filing such statement, consent to
2267	answer questions from such committee regarding the contents of
2268	the statement.
2269	(b)  Upon the consent of a majority of the members present,
2270	a quorum having been established, any standing or select
2271	committee may permit any other person to appear and testify at a
2272	meeting or submit a sworn written statement of facts or other
2273	documentary evidence for incorporation into the record. No
2274	request to appear, appearance, or submission shall limit in any
2275	way the committee's power of subpoena. Any such witness,
2276	however, shall, prior to filing such statement, consent to
2277	answer questions from any standing or select committee regarding
2278	the contents of the statement.
2279
2280	16.6-Enforcement of Subpoena Out of Session
2281	If any witness fails to respond to the lawful subpoena of any
2282	standing or select committee at a time when the Legislature is
2283	not in session or, having responded, fails to answer all lawful
2284	inquiries or to turn over evidence that has been subpoenaed,
2285	such committee may file a complaint before any circuit court of
2286	the state setting up such failure on the part of the witness. On
2287	the filing of such complaint, the court shall take jurisdiction
2288	of the witness and the subject matter of the complaint and shall
2289	direct the witness to respond to all lawful questions and to
2290	produce all documentary evidence in the possession of the
2291	witness that is lawfully demanded. The failure of any witness to
2292	comply with such order of the court shall constitute a direct
2293	and criminal contempt of court, and the court shall punish such
2294	witness accordingly.
2295
2296	16.7-Definition
2297	Pursuant to Rule 7.1(b) and for purposes of Rule 16, the term
2298	"committee" includes the House and any subcommittee thereof.
2299
2300	RULE SEVENTEEN-ETHICS AND CONDUCT OF LOBBYISTS
2301
2302	17.1-Obligations of a Lobbyist
2303	(a)  A lobbyist shall supply facts, information, and
2304	opinions of principals to legislators from the point of view
2305	that the lobbyist openly declares. A lobbyist shall not offer or
2306	propose anything that may reasonably be construed to improperly
2307	influence the official act, decision, or vote of a legislator,
2308	nor shall a lobbyist attempt to improperly influence the
2309	selection of officers or employees of the House. A lobbyist, by
2310	personal example and admonition to colleagues, shall maintain
2311	the honor of the legislative process by the integrity of the
2312	lobbyist's relationship with legislators as well as with the
2313	principals whom the lobbyist represents.
2314	(b)  A lobbyist shall not knowingly and willfully falsify,
2315	conceal, or cover up, by any trick, scheme, or device, a
2316	material fact; make any false, fictitious, or fraudulent
2317	statement or representation; or make or use any writing or
2318	document knowing the same to contain any false, fictitious, or
2319	fraudulent statement or entry.
2320	(c)  During a regular session, or any extended or special
2321	session, a lobbyist may not contribute to a member's campaign.
2322	(d)  A lobbyist may not make any expenditure prohibited by
2323	s. 11.045(4)(a), Florida Statutes.
2324	(e)  No registered lobbyist shall be permitted upon the
2325	floor of the House while it is in session.
2326
2327	17.2-Advisory Opinions; Compilation Thereof
2328	A lobbyist, when in doubt about the applicability and
2329	interpretation of Rule 17.1 in a particular context related to
2330	that lobbyist's conduct, or any person when in doubt about the
2331	applicability and interpretation of s. 11.045, s. 112.3148, or
2332	s. 112.3149, Florida Statutes, as such statute or statutes may
2333	apply to that person, may request an advisory opinion under this
2334	rule. Such request shall be in writing, addressed to the
2335	Speaker, and shall contain the relevant facts. The Speaker shall
2336	either refer the issue to the House general counsel for review
2337	and drafting of an advisory opinion of the Speaker or refer the
2338	issue to a committee designated by the Speaker to have
2339	responsibility for the ethical conduct of lobbyists, and the
2340	person requesting the advisory opinion may appear in person
2341	before such committee. The Speaker or this committee shall
2342	render advisory opinions to the person who seeks advice as to
2343	whether the facts as described in the request and any
2344	supplemental communication would constitute a violation of such
2345	rule or statute by that person. Such opinion, until amended or
2346	revoked, shall be binding upon the House in any proceeding upon
2347	a subsequent complaint concerning the person who sought the
2348	opinion and acted on it in good faith, unless material facts
2349	were omitted or misstated in the request for the advisory
2350	opinion. Upon request of the person who requested the advisory
2351	opinion or any member, the committee designated by the Speaker
2352	to have responsibility for the ethical conduct of lobbyists may
2353	revise any advisory opinion issued by the Speaker or may revise
2354	any advisory opinion issued by the general counsel of the Office
2355	of Legislative Services under Joint Rule 1.8. The House general
2356	counsel or this committee shall make sufficient deletions to
2357	prevent disclosing the identity of persons in the decisions or
2358	opinions. All advisory opinions of the Speaker or this committee
2359	shall be numbered, dated, and published in an annual publication
2360	of the House. The Clerk shall keep a compilation of all advisory
2361	opinions.
2362
2363	17.3-Penalties for Violations
2364	Separately from any prosecutions or penalties otherwise provided
2365	by law, any person determined to have violated the foregoing
2366	requirements of Rule 17, any provision in Joint Rule One, or s.
2367	11.045, s. 112.3148, or s. 112.3149, Florida Statutes, may be
2368	reprimanded, censured, prohibited from lobbying for all or any
2369	part of the legislative biennium during which the recommended
2370	order is proposed, or have such other penalty imposed as may be
2371	appropriate. Such determination shall be made by a majority of
2372	the House, upon recommendation of the Rules & Calendar Committee
2373	pursuant to Rule 18. Any prohibition or other limitation imposed
2374	by the House may be continued for up to a total of 2 years by a
2375	determination made by a majority of the House at or following
2376	the Organization Session following the biennium during which
2377	such prohibition or other limitation was imposed.
2378
2379	RULE EIGHTEEN-COMPLAINTS AGAINST MEMBERS AND
2380	OFFICERS OF THE HOUSE, LOBBYISTS, AND OTHER PERSONS
2381
2382	18.1-Complaints against Members and Officers of the House,
2383	Lobbyists, and Other Persons; Procedure
2384	Rule 18 governs proceedings on all complaints under the
2385	jurisdiction of the House. Such complaints include:
2386	(a)  Those alleging violation of law, violation of the
2387	House Code of Conduct, or improper conduct of a member or
2388	officer that may reflect upon the House; or
2389	(b)  Violations of Joint Rule One or s. 11.045, s.
2390	112.3148, or s. 112.3149, Florida Statutes, by any lobbyist or
2391	person other than a member of the House.
2392
2393	18.2-Violations; Investigations
2394	(a)  Any person may file a sworn complaint with the Chair
2395	of the Rules & Calendar Committee alleging a violation as
2396	provided in Rule 18.1. The complaint shall be based on personal
2397	knowledge of the complainant, shall state detailed facts, shall
2398	specify the actions of the named respondent which form the basis
2399	for the complaint, and shall identify each specific rule or law
2400	alleged by the complainant to have been violated.
2401	(b)  Upon a determination by the Chair of the Rules &
2402	Calendar Committee that the complaint states facts supporting a
2403	finding of probable cause, the Speaker shall refer the complaint
2404	to a special master or to a select committee. Upon a
2405	determination by the Chair of the Rules & Calendar Committee
2406	that the complaint fails to state facts supporting a finding of
2407	probable cause, the complaint shall be dismissed.
2408	(c)  Upon referral by the Speaker of a complaint under
2409	subsection (b), the special master or select committee shall
2410	conduct an investigation, shall give reasonable notice to the
2411	respondent, and shall grant the respondent an opportunity to be
2412	heard unless the investigation fails to reveal facts supporting
2413	a finding of probable cause. A special master's or select
2414	committee's report and recommendation is advisory only and shall
2415	be presented to the Chair of the Rules & Calendar Committee as
2416	soon as practicable after the close of the investigation. If the
2417	report and recommendation conclude that the facts do not support
2418	a finding of probable cause, the complaint shall be dismissed by
2419	the Chair of the Rules & Calendar Committee.
2420	(d)  If the complaint is not dismissed by the special
2421	master or the select committee, the Rules & Calendar Committee
2422	shall consider the report and recommendation, shall grant the
2423	respondent an opportunity to be heard, and shall develop its own
2424	recommendation. If the complaint is against the Chair of the
2425	Rules & Calendar Committee, the chair is excused and the vice
2426	chair shall conduct the deliberation. If the Rules & Calendar
2427	Committee votes to dismiss the complaint, the Chair of the Rules
2428	& Calendar Committee or vice chair shall dismiss the complaint.
2429	Otherwise, the special master's or select committee's report and
2430	recommendation and the recommendation of the Rules & Calendar
2431	Committee shall be presented to the Speaker.
2432	(e)  The Speaker shall present the committee's
2433	recommendation, along with the special master's report and
2434	recommendation, to the House for final action.
2435	(f)  Nothing in this rule prohibits the Chair of the Rules
2436	& Calendar Committee from correcting or preventing the alleged
2437	violation by informal means if the chair determines that a
2438	violation is inadvertent, technical, or otherwise de minimis.
2439	(g)  Nothing in this rule prohibits the respondent and the
2440	Chair of the Rules & Calendar Committee, the special master, or
2441	a select committee from agreeing to a consent decree, which
2442	shall state findings of fact, and such penalty as may be
2443	appropriate. If the House accepts the consent decree, the
2444	complaint pursuant to these rules shall be resolved.
2445	(h)  The House may move forward with disciplinary
2446	proceedings without waiting for the outcome of a criminal case.
2447
2448	18.3-Confidentiality
2449	Any material provided to the House in response to a complaint
2450	filed under Rule 18 that is confidential under applicable law
2451	shall remain confidential and shall not be disclosed except as
2452	authorized by applicable law. Except as otherwise provided in
2453	this rule, a complaint and the records relating to a complaint
2454	shall be available for public inspection upon the dismissal of a
2455	complaint, a determination as to probable cause, informal
2456	resolution of a complaint, or the receipt by the Speaker of a
2457	request in writing from the respondent that the complaint and
2458	other records relating to the complaint be made public records.
2459
2460	18.4-Conflict
2461	If a complaint is filed against the Chair of the Rules &
2462	Calendar Committee, the initial review of the complaint shall be
2463	managed by the Speaker or, if designated by the Speaker, the
2464	Speaker pro tempore. If a complaint is filed against the
2465	Speaker, the duties of the Speaker pursuant to Rule 18 shall be
2466	transferred to the Speaker pro tempore.
2467
2468	18.5-Time Limitations
2469	(a)  A complaint must be filed with the Speaker within 2
2470	years after the alleged violation.
2471	(b)  A violation of the House Code of Conduct is committed
2472	when every element necessary to establish a violation of the
2473	rule has occurred, and time starts to run on the day after the
2474	violation occurred.
2475	(c)  The applicable period of limitation is tolled on the
2476	day a sworn complaint against the member or officer is filed
2477	with the Speaker.

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.