The House of Delegates convened for day 1 of the 60-day legislative session.
Senate Concurrent Resolution 4 was adopted. The resolution amends the Joint Rules of the Senate and House of Delegates.
House Resolution 1, the Rules of the House of Delegates, was debated extensively. Nine amendments were offered to the resolution; all were rejected.
For a quick summary of House Resolution 1, please see this post.
The biggest change to the House Rules is the committee process and structure. The House has six standing committees: Finance, Education, Judiciary, Government Organization, Health and Human Resources, and Energy and Public Works. Each standing committee has three subcommittees, except for the finance committee, which has four. Each bill will spend two days in each committee. The first day will be the “hearing” day, where the bill is presented to the committee, explained by the sponsor, and individuals will be invited to speak to the bill. On “mark-up” day, the process will be similar to now. Amendments will be provided, and discussion will happen before a recommendation is made. Amendments must be submitted to committee clerks two hours before the committee meeting. This does not apply to committee substitutes.
Another clarification in the changed rules is that former members, who are now lobbyists are not permitted to be on the floor during session.
The House is in recess until 6:30 p.m.
Committee Meetings, Today February 12
- The Education Committee will meet briefly at 1:30 p.m. in Room 434.
- The Finance Committee will hold a public hearing for Federal Block Grants at 2 p.m. in Room 460.
Committee Meetings, Tomorrow February 13
- The Finance Committee will meet at 9 a.m. in Room 460 for the Budget Presentation.
- The Judiciary Committee will meet at 9 a.m. in Room 410.
- The Subcommittee on Courts will meet at 10:30 a.m. in Room 410.
- The Committee on Government Organization will meet at 1 p.m. in Room 215E.
- The Education Committee will meet at 1 p.m. in Room 434.
- The Committee on Energy and Public Works will meet at 3 p.m. in Room 460.
- The Committee on Health and Human Resources will meet at 3:30 p.m. in Room 215E.
Committee Meetings, Friday, February 14
- The Finance Committee will meet at 9 a.m. in Room 460 for a budget hearing.
- The Subcommittee on Agriculture, Commerce, and Tourism will meet at 2:15 p.m. in Room 215E.
The House returned to session for the Joint Assembly for the Governor’s State of the State Address.
The House is adjourned until 11 a.m. tomorrow, February 13, 2025.
