HR0035 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0035 LRB097 09758 AMC 49902 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that the following (which are the same as the Rules of the House of Representatives of the 96th General Assembly except as indicated by striking and underscoring) are adopted as the Rules of the House of Representatives of the Ninety-Seventh General Assembly:

ARTICLE I

ORGANIZATION

(House Rule 1)

1. Election of the Speaker.

(a) At the first meeting of the House of each General Assembly, the Secretary of State shall convene the House at 12:00 noon, designate a Temporary Clerk of the House, and preside during the nomination and election of the Speaker. As the first item of business each day before the election of the Speaker, the Secretary of State shall order the Temporary Clerk to call the roll of the members to establish the presence of a quorum as required by the Constitution. If a majority of those elected are not present, the House shall stand adjourned until the next calendar day, excepting weekends, at the hour prescribed in Rule 29. If a quorum of members elected is present, the Secretary of State shall then call for nominations of members for the Office of Speaker. All nominations require a second. When the nominations are completed, the Secretary of State shall direct the Temporary Clerk to call the roll of the members to elect the Speaker.

(b) The election of the Speaker requires the affirmative vote of a majority of those elected. Debate is not in order following nominations and preceding or during the vote.

(c) No legislative measure may be considered and no committees may be appointed or meet before the election of the Speaker.

(d) When a vacancy in the Office of Speaker occurs, the foregoing procedure shall be employed to elect a new Speaker; when the Secretary of State is of a political party other than that of the majority caucus, however, the Majority Leader shall preside during the nomination and election of the successor Speaker. No legislative measures, other than for the nomination and election of a successor Speaker, may be considered by the House during a vacancy in the Office of Speaker.

(House Rule 2)

2. Election of the Minority Leader.

(a) The House shall elect a Minority Leader in a manner consistent with the laws of Illinois. The Minority Leader is the leader of the numerically strongest political party other than the party to which the Speaker belongs.

(b) This Rule may be suspended only by the affirmative vote of 71 members elected.

(House Rule 3)

3. Majority and Minority Leadership.

(a) The Speaker and the Minority Leader shall appoint from within their respective caucuses the members of the Majority and Minority Leaderships as allowed by law.

(b) Appointments are effective upon being filed with the Clerk and remain effective at the pleasure of the Speaker and Minority Leader, respectively, or until a vacancy occurs by reason of resignation or because a leader has ceased to be a Representative. Successor leaders shall be appointed in the same manner as their predecessors. Leaders have those powers delegated to them by the Speaker or Minority Leader, as the case may be.

(House Rule 4)

4. The Speaker.

(a) The Speaker has those powers conferred upon him or her by the Constitution, the laws of Illinois, and any motions or resolutions adopted by the House or jointly by the House and Senate.

(b) Except as otherwise provided by law, the Speaker is the chief administrative officer of the House and has those powers necessary to carry out those functions. The Speaker may delegate administrative duties as he or she deems appropriate.

(c) The duties of the Speaker include the following:

(1) To preside at all sessions of the House, although the Speaker may call on any member to preside temporarily as Presiding Officer.

(2) To open the session at the time at which the House is to meet by taking the chair and calling the members to order. The Speaker may call on any member to open the session as Presiding Officer.

(3) To announce the business before the House in the order upon which it is to be acted. The Presiding Officer shall perform this duty during the period that he or she is presiding.

(4) To recognize those members entitled to the floor.

(5) To state and put to a vote all questions that are regularly moved or that necessarily arise in the course of the proceedings, and to announce the result of the vote.

(6) To preserve order and decorum.

(7) To decide all points of order, subject to appeal, and to speak on these points in preference to other members.

(8) To inform the House when necessary, or when any question is raised, on any point of order or practice pertinent to the pending business.

(9) To sign or authenticate all acts, proceedings, or orders of the House. All writs, warrants, and subpoenae issued by order of the House, or any of its committees, shall be signed by the Speaker and attested by the Clerk.

(10) To sign all bills passed by both chambers of the General Assembly to certify that the procedural requirements for passage have been met.

(11) To have general supervision of the House Chamber, House galleries, House committee rooms and chapel, and adjoining and connecting hallways and passages, including the duty to protect their security and safety and the power to clear them when necessary. The House Chamber shall not be used without permission of the Speaker.

(12) To have general supervision of the Clerk and his or her assistants, the Doorkeeper and his or her assistants, the majority caucus staff, the parliamentarians, and all employees of the House except the minority caucus staff.

(13) To determine the number of majority caucus members and minority caucus members to be appointed to all committees, except the Rules Committee created by Rule 15 and those committees that may be created under Article XII of these Rules.

(14) To appoint all Chairpersons, Co-Chairpersons, and Vice-Chairpersons of committees (from either the majority or minority caucus), and to appoint all majority caucus members of committees.

(15) To enforce all constitutional provisions, statutes, rules, and regulations applicable to the House.

(16) To guide and direct the proceedings of the House subject to the control and will of the members.

(17) To direct the Clerk to correct non-substantive errors in the Journal.

(18) To assign meeting places and meeting times to committees and subcommittees.

(19) To perform any other duties assigned to the Speaker by these House Rules or jointly by the House and Senate.

(20) To decide, subject to the control and will of the members, all questions relating to the priority of business.

(21) To issue, in cooperation with the Comptroller and after clearance with the United States Internal Revenue Service, written regulations covering administration of contingent expense allowances of members of the House.

(22) To appoint one or more parliamentarians to serve at the pleasure of the Speaker.

(d) This Rule may be suspended only by the affirmative vote of 71 members elected.

(House Rule 5)

5. Powers and Duties of the Minority Leader.

(a) The Minority Leader has those powers conferred upon him or her by the Constitution, the laws of Illinois, and any motions or resolutions adopted by the House or jointly by the House and Senate.

(b) The Minority Leader shall appoint to all committees the members from the minority caucus and shall designate a Minority Spokesperson for each committee, except that the Speaker may appoint a minority caucus member to be Chairperson of a standing committee or Chairperson or Co-Chairperson of a special committee.

(c) The Minority Leader has general supervision of the minority caucus staff.

(House Rule 6)

6. Clerk of the House.

(a) The House shall elect a Clerk, who may adopt appropriate policies or procedures for the conduct of his or her office. The Speaker is the final arbiter of any dispute arising in connection with the operation of the Office of the Clerk.

(b) The duties of the Clerk include the following:

(1) To have custody of all bills, papers, and records of the House, which shall not be taken out of the Clerk's custody except in the regular course of business in the House.

(2) To endorse on every original bill and each copy its number, the names of sponsors, the date of introduction, and the several orders taken on it. When reproduced, the names of the sponsors shall appear on the front page of the bill in the same order they appeared when introduced.

(3) To cause each bill and resolution to be reproduced and placed on the desks of the members as soon as it is reproduced, as provided in Rule 16 and Rule 39.

(4) To keep the Journal of the proceedings of the House and, under the direction of the Speaker, correct errors in the Journal.

(5) To keep the transcripts of the debates of the House and make them available to the public under reasonable conditions.

(6) To keep the necessary records for the House and its committees; and to prepare the House Calendar for each legislative day, except perfunctory session days.

(7) To examine all House Bills and Constitutional Amendment Resolutions following Second Reading and before final passage for the purpose of correcting any non-substantive errors, and to report the same back to the Speaker promptly; to supervise the enrolling and engrossing of bills and resolutions, subject to the direction of the Speaker; and to attest to the passage or adoption of legislative measures, and to note thereon the date of final House action. Any corrections made by the Clerk and approved by the Speaker shall be entered on the Journal.

(8) To transmit bills, other documents, and messages to the Senate and secure a receipt therefor, and to receive from the Senate bills, other documents, and messages and give receipt therefor.

(9) To file with the Secretary of State debate transcripts and House documents as required by law.

(10) To attend every session of the House; record the roll; and read all bills, resolutions, and other papers as directed by the Speaker. Bills shall be read by title only.

(11) To supervise the Assistant Clerk, the Doorkeeper, pages, messengers, committee clerks, and other employees of his or her office.

(12) To establish the format for all documents, forms, and committee records and tapes prepared by committee clerks.

(13) Subject to approval by the Speaker, to establish standards of decorum and other standards regarding written statements filed under Rule 53.

(14) To serve as the Speaker's authorized designee for purposes of the Freedom of Information Act. The Clerk shall provide copies of all requests for information under the Freedom of Information Act to the member subject to the request, as well as any responses, notifications, or public records included with responses and notifications.

(15) To ensure each motion under consideration for a roll call vote is accurately displayed on the public viewing board. Accurate and appropriate display of items shall be determined by the standard practices set forth by the Speaker within the technological abilities and limitations of the system.

(16) (15) To perform other duties assigned by the Speaker.

(c) The Clerk and those under the supervision of the Clerk, including the Assistant Clerk, committee clerks, and other employees, may accept a bill, amendment, conference committee report, amendatory veto acceptance motion, or resolution for filing only if (i) it is a document entered into the General Assembly's computer system, at the direction of or with the approval of a member, by the Legislative Reference Bureau, the House or the Senate Democratic staff, the House or the Senate Republican staff, or House or Senate Enrolling and Engrossing or, with respect to appropriation documents only, entered into the General Assembly's computer system by the Governor's Office of Management and Budget, (ii) it bears a bar coded document number of the drafting entity that is compatible with the computer system used by the House, and (iii) the bar coded document number does not duplicate one on another document that has already been filed in the House or the Senate.

(House Rule 7)

7. Assistant Clerk of the House. The House shall, in a manner consistent with the laws of Illinois, elect an Assistant Clerk, who shall perform those duties assigned by the Clerk.

(House Rule 8)

8. Doorkeeper. The House shall elect a Doorkeeper who shall perform those duties assigned by law, or as ordered by the Speaker, Presiding Officer, or Clerk. Those duties shall include the following:

(1) To attend the House during its sessions and execute the commands of the Speaker or Presiding Officer.

(2) To maintain order among spectators admitted into the House Chamber, galleries, and adjoining or connecting hallways and passages.

(3) To take proper measures to prevent interruption of the House.

(4) To remove unruly persons from the House Chamber, galleries, and adjoining and connecting hallways and passages.

(5) To ensure that only authorized persons have access to the House Chamber, galleries, and adjoining hallways and passages, subject to the direction of the Speaker.

(6) To supervise any Assistant Doorkeepers.

(7) To perform other duties assigned by the Speaker.

(House Rule 9)

9. Schedule.

(a) The Speaker shall periodically establish a schedule of days on which the House shall convene in regular, perfunctory, and veto session, with that schedule subject to revision at the discretion of the Speaker.

(b) The Speaker may schedule or reschedule deadlines at his or her discretion for any action on any category of legislative measure as the Speaker deems appropriate, including deadlines for the following legislative actions:

(1) Final day to request bills from the Legislative Reference Bureau.

(2) Final day for introduction of bills.

(3) Final day for standing committees of the House to report House bills, except House appropriation bills.

(4) Final day for standing committees of the House to report House appropriation bills.

(5) Final day for Third Reading and passage of House bills, except House appropriation bills.

(6) Final day for Third Reading and passage of House appropriation bills.

(7) Final day for standing committees of the House to report Senate appropriation bills.

(8) Final day for standing committees of the House to report Senate bills, except appropriation bills.

(9) Final day for special committees to report to the House.

(10) Final day for Third Reading and passage of Senate appropriation bills.

(11) Final day for Third Reading and passage of Senate bills, except appropriation bills.

(12) Final day for consideration of joint action motions and conference committee reports.

(c) The Speaker may schedule or reschedule any necessary deadlines for legislative action during any special session of the House. The Speaker may establish a Weekly Order of Business or a Daily Order of Business setting forth the date and approximate time at which specific legislative measures may be considered by the House. The Weekly Order of Business or Daily Order of Business is effective upon being filed by the Speaker with the Clerk and takes the place of the standing order of business for the amount of time necessary for its completion. Nothing in this Rule, however, limits the Speaker's or Presiding Officer's powers under Rule 4(c)(3) or Rule 43(a).

(d) The foregoing deadlines, or any revisions to those deadlines, are effective upon being filed by the Speaker with the Clerk. The Clerk shall journalize those deadlines.

(e) This Rule may be suspended only by the affirmative vote of 71 members elected.

ARTICLE II

COMMITTEES

(House Rule 10)

10. Committees.

(a) The committees of the House are: (i) the standing committees listed in Rule 11; (ii) the special committees created under Rule 13; (iii) subcommittees created under these Rules; (iv) the Rules Committee created under Rule 15; (v) the Election Contest or Qualifications Challenge Committees, if any, created under Article X; (vi) any committees created under Article XII; and (vii) any Committee of the Whole. Subcommittees may not create subcommittees. Committees of the Whole shall consist of all Representatives.

(b) Except as otherwise provided in this Rule and subject to Rules 12 and 13, all committees shall have a Chairperson and Minority Spokesperson, who may be of the same political party. A Minority Spokesperson may not be appointed until after a Chairperson has been appointed. Standing committees that have Co-Chairpersons from different political parties shall not have a Minority Spokesperson. Special committees that have Co-Chairpersons from different political parties shall not have a Minority Spokesperson. No member may be appointed to serve as a Chairperson, Minority Spokesperson, or Co-Chairperson of any committee unless the member is serving in at least his or her third term as a member of the General Assembly, including any terms in which the member was appointed to fill a vacancy in the office of Representative or Senator; provided that this requirement does not apply if the member received a stipend or additional amount during a previous General Assembly as an "officer", "committee chairman", or "committee minority spokesman" as provided in Section 1 of the General Assembly Compensation Act (25 ILCS 115/1) and in Rule 13(b). Each committee may have a Vice-Chairperson appointed by the Speaker. The number of majority caucus members and minority caucus members of all committees, except the Rules Committee created under Rule 15 and any committees that may be created under Article XII, shall be determined by the Speaker. The Speaker shall file a notice with the Clerk setting forth the number of majority caucus and minority caucus members of each committee, which shall be journalized. A member may be temporarily replaced on a committee due to illness or if the member is otherwise unavailable. All leaders are non-voting ex-officio members of each standing committee and each special committee, except that the leaders may also be appointed to standing committees or special committees as voting members. The Speaker may also appoint any member of the majority caucus, and the Minority Leader may appoint any member of the minority caucus, as a non-voting ex-officio member of any standing committee or special committee.

(c) The Chairperson of a committee has the authority to call the committee to order, designate which bills and resolutions posted for hearing shall be taken up and in what order, order a record vote to be taken on each legislative measure called for a vote, preserve order and decorum during committee meetings, establish procedural rules (subject to approval by the Speaker) governing the presentation and consideration of legislative measures, and generally supervise the affairs of the committee. Any such procedural rules must be filed with the Clerk and copies provided to all members of the committee. The Vice-Chairperson of a committee or other member of the committee from the majority caucus may preside over its meetings in the absence or at the direction of the Chairperson. In the case of standing or special committees with Co-Chairpersons from different political parties, the "Chairperson" for purposes of this Rule is the Co-Chairperson from the majority caucus.

(d) A vacancy on a committee, or in the position of Chairperson, Co-Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, or Minority Spokesperson on a committee, exists when a member resigns from the position, ceases to be a Representative, or changes political party affiliation. Resignations and notices of a change in political party affiliation shall be made in writing to the Clerk, who shall promptly notify the Speaker and Minority Leader. Absent concurrence by a majority of those elected, except as otherwise provided in Rule 15 and except in connection with temporary replacements under Rule 10(b), no member who resigns from a committee shall be re-appointed to that committee for the remainder of the term. Replacement members shall be of the same political party as that of the member who resigns, and shall be appointed in the same manner as the original appointment, except that in the case of the resignation of a Chairperson or Co-Chairperson, the replacement member need not be from the same political party. In the case of vacancies on subcommittees, the parent committee shall fill the vacancy in the same manner as the original appointment.

(e) The Chairperson of a committee has the authority to call meetings of that committee, subject to the approval of the Speaker. In the case of standing or special committees with Co-Chairpersons from different political parties, the Co-Chairperson from the majority caucus has the authority to call meetings of the special committee, subject to the approval of the Speaker. Except as otherwise provided by these Rules, committee meetings shall be convened in accordance with Rule 21.

(f) This Rule may be suspended only by the affirmative vote of 71 members elected.

(House Rule 11)

11. Standing Committees. The Standing Committees of the House are as follows:

ACCESS TO FEDERAL FUNDING

AGING

AGRICULTURE & CONSERVATION

APPROPRIATIONS-ELEMENTARY & SECONDARY EDUCATION

APPROPRIATIONS-GENERAL SERVICES

APPROPRIATIONS-HIGHER EDUCATION

APPROPRIATIONS-HUMAN SERVICES

APPROPRIATIONS-PUBLIC SAFETY

ARMED FORCES & MILITARY AFFAIRS

BIO-TECHNOLOGY

BUSINESS & OCCUPATIONAL LICENSES

CITIES & VILLAGES

COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY

CONSUMER PROTECTION

COUNTIES & TOWNSHIPS

DISABILITY SERVICES

ELECTIONS & CAMPAIGN REFORM

ELECTRIC GENERATION & COMMERCE

ELECTRIC UTILITY OVERSIGHT

ELEMENTARY & SECONDARY EDUCATION

ENVIRONMENT & ENERGY

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

EXECUTIVE

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

HEALTH & HEALTHCARE DISPARITIES

HEALTH CARE AVAILABILITY & ACCESSIBILITY

HEALTH CARE LICENSES

HIGHER EDUCATION

HOMELAND SECURITY & EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

HUMAN SERVICES

INFRASTRUCTURE

INSURANCE

INTERNATIONAL TRADE & COMMERCE

JUDICIARY I-CIVIL LAW

JUDICIARY II-CRIMINAL LAW

LABOR

MASS TRANSIT

MEDICAID REFORM, FAMILY & CHILDREN SERVICES

PERSONNEL & PENSIONS

PUBLIC POLICY & ACCOUNTABILITY FOR EDUCATION

PUBLIC UTILITIES

RENEWABLE ENERGY

REVENUE & FINANCE

SMALL BUSINESS EMPOWERMENT & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

STATE GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

TOURISM & CONVENTIONS

TRANSPORTATION & MOTOR VEHICLES

TRANSPORTATION: , REGULATION, ROADS & BRIDGES

TRANSPORTATION: VEHICLES & SAFETY

VETERANS' AFFAIRS

YOUTH & FAMILY

(House Rule 12)

12. Members and Officers of Standing Committees. The members of each standing committee shall be appointed for the term by the Speaker and the Minority Leader. The Speaker, at his or her discretion, shall appoint a Chairperson or Co-Chairpersons. The Speaker may appoint any member as a Chairperson or Co-Chairperson of a standing committee, subject to Rule 10(b). If the Chairperson or Co-Chairperson is a member of the majority or minority leadership or the Chairperson or Minority Spokesperson of any other standing committee or of a special committee, the member shall receive no additional stipend or compensation for serving as Chairperson or Co-Chairperson of the standing committee. For purposes of Section 1 of the General Assembly Compensation Act (25 ILCS 115/1), one Co-Chairperson of a standing committee shall be considered "Chairman" and the other shall be considered "Minority Spokesman" unless both Co-Chairpersons are members of the majority caucus. The Speaker shall appoint the remaining standing committee members of the majority caucus (one of whom the Speaker may designate as Vice-Chairperson), and the Minority Leader shall appoint the remaining standing committee members of the minority caucus (one of whom the Minority Leader may designate as Minority Spokesperson), except that if the standing committee has Co-Chairpersons from different political parties, the standing committee shall not have a Minority Spokesperson. In that case, the Minority Leader shall appoint the minority caucus members to the standing committee, except the Co-Chairperson from the minority caucus, who shall be appointed by the Speaker. Appointments are effective upon the delivery of appropriate correspondence from the respective leader to the Clerk, regardless of whether the House is in session, and shall remain effective for the duration of the term, subject to Rule 10(d). The Clerk shall journalize the appointments. Committees may conduct business when a majority of the total number of committee members has been appointed.

(House Rule 13)

13. Special Committees.

(a) The following Special Committees are created:

ADOPTION REFORM

BIOTECHNOLOGY

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

HEALTH & HEALTHCARE DISPARITIES

HOUSING

FIRE PROTECTION

INVESTIGATIVE

JUVENILE JUSTICE REFORM

PRISON REFORM

RAILROAD INDUSTRY

TOLLWAY OVERSIGHT

TOURISM & CONVENTIONS

VETERANS' AFFAIRS

The Speaker may create additional special committees by filing a notice of the creation of the special committee with the Clerk. The notice creating an additional special committee shall specify the subject matter of the special committee and the number of members to be appointed.

(b) The Speaker shall determine the number of majority and minority caucus members to be appointed to special committees in accordance with Rule 10(b). The Speaker, at his or her discretion, shall appoint a Chairperson or Co-Chairpersons. The Speaker may appoint any member as a Chairperson or Co-Chairperson of a special committee, subject to Rule 10(b). If the Chairperson or Co-Chairperson is a member of the majority or minority leadership or the Chairperson or Minority Spokesperson of a standing committee, the member shall receive no additional stipend or compensation for serving as Chairperson or Co-Chairperson of the special committee. For purposes of Section 1 of the General Assembly Compensation Act (25 ILCS 115/1), (i) a special committee under these rules is considered a "select committee" and (ii) one Co-Chairperson of a special committee shall be considered "Chairman" and the other shall be considered "Minority Spokesman" unless both Co-Chairpersons are members of the majority caucus. The appointed members of special committees shall be designated by the Speaker and the Minority Leader in a like manner as provided in Rule 12 with respect to standing committees. If the special committee has Co-Chairpersons from different political parties, the special committee shall not have a Minority Spokesperson. In that case, the Minority Leader shall appoint the minority caucus members to the special committee, except the Co-Chairperson from the minority caucus who shall be appointed by the Speaker. The Speaker may establish a reporting date during the term for each special committee by filing a notice of the reporting date with the Clerk. Unless an earlier date is specified by the notice, special committees expire at the end of the term.

(c) Special committees are empowered to conduct business when a majority of the total number of committee members has been appointed.

(d) This Rule may be suspended only by the affirmative vote of 71 members elected.

(House Rule 14)

14. Subcommittees.

(a) The Chairperson of a standing committee, a special committee, or a committee created under Article X may create a subcommittee by filing a notice with the Clerk and the committee clerk. The number of majority caucus and minority caucus members to be appointed to a subcommittee shall be determined by the Committee Chairperson, and filed with the Clerk and the committee clerk. In the case of standing or special committees with Co-Chairpersons from different political parties, the creation of subcommittees and the number of majority caucus and minority caucus members to be appointed to the subcommittee shall be determined by the Co-Chairperson from the majority caucus. Members of subcommittees must be members of the parent committee, and shall be appointed in the manner determined by the committee Chairperson, or in the case of standing or special committees with Co-Chairpersons from different political parties, by the Co-Chairperson from the majority caucus.

The notice creating a subcommittee shall specify the subject matter of the subcommittee and the number of members to be appointed, and may specify a reporting date during the term. Unless an earlier date is specified by the notice, subcommittees expire at the end of the term.

(b) This Rule may be suspended only by the affirmative vote of 71 members elected.

(House Rule 15)

15. Rules Committee.

(a) The Rules Committee is created as a permanent committee. The Rules Committee shall consist of 5 members, 3 appointed by the Speaker and 2 appointed by the Minority Leader. The Speaker and the Minority Leader are each eligible to be appointed to the Rules Committee. The Rules Committee may conduct business when a majority of the total number of its members has been appointed.

(b) The majority caucus members of the Rules Committee shall serve at the pleasure of the Speaker, and the minority caucus members shall serve at the pleasure of the Minority Leader. Appointments shall be by notice filed with the Clerk, and shall be effective for the balance of the term or until a replacement appointment is made, whichever first occurs. Appointments take effect upon filing with the Clerk, regardless of whether the House is in session. Notwithstanding any other provision of these Rules, any Representative who is replaced on the Rules Committee may be re-appointed to the Rules Committee without concurrence of the House.

(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of these Rules, the Rules Committee may meet upon reasonable public notice that includes a statement of the subjects to be considered. All legislative measures pending before the Rules Committee are eligible for consideration at any of its meetings, and all of those legislative measures are deemed posted for hearing by the Rules Committee for all of its meetings.

(d) Upon concurrence of a majority of those appointed, the Rules Committee may advance any legislative measure pending before it to the House, without referral to another committee; the Rules Committee, however, shall not so report any bill that has never been favorably reported by or discharged from a standing committee or a special committee of the House or recommended for action by a joint committee of the House and Senate. A bill advanced to the House shall be placed on the Daily Calendar on the order on which it appeared before it was re-referred to the Rules Committee. Notwithstanding any other provision of these Rules, a floor amendment, joint action motion for final action, or conference committee report advanced to the House by the Rules Committee may be considered for adoption no sooner than one hour after the Clerk announces the report of the Rules Committee referring such a legislative measure to the House.

(e) This Rule may be suspended only by the affirmative vote of 71 members elected.

(House Rule 16)

16. Referrals of Resolutions and Reorganization Orders.

(a) All resolutions, except adjournment resolutions and resolutions considered under subsection (b) or (c) of this Rule, after being initially read by the Clerk, shall be ordered reproduced and automatically referred to the Rules Committee, which may thereafter refer any resolution before it to the House or to a standing committee or special committee. No resolution, except adjournment resolutions and resolutions considered under subsection (b) or (c) of this Rule, may be considered by the House unless (i) referred to the House by the Rules Committee under Rule 18, (ii) favorably reported by a standing committee or special committee, (iii) authorized under Article XII, or (iv) discharged from committee pursuant to Rule 18(g) or Rule 58. An adjournment resolution is subject to Rule 66.

(b) Any member may file a congratulatory or death resolution for consideration by the House. The Principal Sponsor of each congratulatory or death resolution shall pay a reasonable fee, determined by the Clerk with the approval of the Speaker, to offset the actual cost of producing the congratulatory or death resolution. The fee may be paid from the office allowance provided by Section 4 of the General Assembly Compensation Act, or from any other funds available to the member. Upon agreement of the Speaker and the Minority Leader, congratulatory or death resolutions may be immediately considered and adopted by the House without referral to the Rules Committee. Those resolutions may be adopted as a group by a single motion. Congratulatory and death resolutions shall be entered on the Journal only by number, sponsorship, and subject. The provisions of this subsection requiring the Principal Sponsor to pay a reasonable fee may not be suspended.

(c) Death resolutions in memory of former members of the General Assembly and former constitutional officers, upon introduction, may be immediately considered by the House without referral to the Rules Committee. Those resolutions shall be entered on the Journal in full.

(d) Executive reorganization orders of the Governor issued under Article V, Sec. 11 of the Constitution, upon being read into the record by the Clerk, are automatically referred to the Rules Committee for its referral to a standing committee or a special committee, which may issue a recommendation to the House with respect to the Executive Order. The House may disapprove of an Executive Order only by resolution adopted by a majority of those elected; no such resolution is in order until a standing committee or a special committee has reported to the House on the executive reorganization, or until the Executive Order has been discharged under Rule 58.

(House Rule 17)

17. Sponsorship by the Rules Committee. The Rules Committee may consider any legislative measure referred to it under these Rules, by motion or resolution, or by order of the Presiding Officer upon initial reading. The Rules Committee may, with the concurrence of a majority of those appointed, sponsor motions or resolutions; notwithstanding any other provision of these Rules, any motion or resolution sponsored by the Rules Committee may be immediately considered by the House without referral to a committee. Any such motion or resolution shall be assigned standard debate status, subject to Rule 52.

(House Rule 18)

18. Referrals to Committees.

(a) All House Bills and Senate Bills, after being initially read by the Clerk, are automatically referred to the Rules Committee.

(b) During odd-numbered years, the Rules Committee shall thereafter refer any such bill before it to a standing committee or a special committee within 3 legislative days, provided that referral shall not be required for a House bill that is introduced after the introduction deadline for House bills or a Senate bill that is referred to the Rules Committee after the deadline for House committee consideration of Senate bills. During even-numbered years, the Rules Committee shall refer to a standing committee or a special committee only appropriation bills implementing the budget and bills deemed by the Rules Committee, by the affirmative vote of a majority appointed, to be of an emergency nature or to be of substantial importance to the operation of government. This subsection (b) applies equally to House Bills and Senate Bills introduced into or received by the House.

(b-5) Notwithstanding subsection (b), the Rules Committee may refer bills to a joint committee of the House and Senate created by joint resolution. That joint committee shall report back to the Rules Committee any recommendation for action made by that joint committee. The Rules committee may, at any time, however, refer the bill to a standing or special committee of the House.

(c) A standing committee or a special committee may refer a subject matter or a legislative measure pending in that committee to a subcommittee of that committee.

(d) All legislative measures favorably reported by a standing committee or a special committee, or discharged from a standing committee or a special committee under Rule 58, shall be referred to the House and placed on the appropriate order of business, which shall appear on the daily calendar. All legislative measures, except bills or resolutions on the Consent Calendar, bills or resolutions assigned short debate status by a standing committee or special committee, and floor amendments, so referred are automatically assigned standard debate status, subject to Rule 52.

(e) All committee amendments, floor amendments, joint action motions for final action, conference committee reports, and motions to table committee amendments, upon filing with the Clerk, are automatically referred to the Rules Committee. The Rules Committee may refer any committee amendment to the standing committee or the special committee to which the bill or resolution it amends has been referred for its review and consideration, provided the committee amendment is filed no later than 3:00 p.m. the business day before a meeting at which that bill or resolution may be considered. "Business day" does not include Saturday, Sunday, or State or federal holidays unless the House is in session or the Clerk's office is otherwise open to the public on that day. The Rules Committee may refer any floor amendment, joint action motion for final action, conference committee report, or motion to table a committee amendment to the House or to a standing committee or a special committee for its review and consideration (in those instances, and notwithstanding any other provision of these Rules, the standing committee or special committee may hold a hearing on and consider those legislative measures pursuant to a two-hour one-hour advance notice, and referrals to the House shall be subject to the notice requirements of Rule 15(d)). Any committee amendment, floor amendment, joint action motion for final action, conference committee report, or motion to table a committee amendment that is not referred to the House by, or discharged from, the Rules Committee is out of order, except that any floor amendment, joint action motion for final action, conference committee report, or motion to table a committee amendment favorably reported by, or discharged from, a standing committee or a special committee is deemed referred to the House by the Rules Committee for purposes of this Rule. All joint action motions for final action, conference committee reports and motions to table committee amendments so referred are automatically assigned standard debate status, subject to Rule 52. Floor amendments referred to the House under this Rule are automatically assigned amendment debate status.

(f) The Rules Committee may at any time refer or re-refer a legislative measure from a committee to a Committee of the Whole or to any other committee.

(g) Notwithstanding any other provision of these Rules, any bill pending before the Rules Committee shall be immediately discharged and referred to a standing committee, special committee, or order of the Daily Calendar, as provided in this Rule, if the Principal Sponsor of the bill files a motion that is signed by no less than three-fifths of the members of both the majority and minority caucuses, provided each member signing the motion is a sponsor of the underlying bill subject to the motion and the motion specifies the appropriate standing committee, special committee, or order on the Daily Calendar to which the bill shall be referred. Such a motion shall be filed, in writing, with the Clerk. All other legislative measures may be discharged from the Rules Committee only by unanimous consent of the House. A bill or resolution discharged from the Rules Committee shall be referred as follows: (i) a bill or resolution that was not previously referred shall be referred to the standing committee or special committee designated on the motion, subject to the notice requirement of Rule 21; (ii) a bill or resolution re-referred to the Rules Committee from a standing committee or special committee shall be re-referred to that committee, subject to the notice requirement of Rule 21; and (iii) a bill or resolution re-referred to the Rules Committee from Second Reading or Third Reading shall be re-referred to the proper order of business on the Daily Calendar, provided the bill or resolution shall be carried on the Daily Calendar for at least one legislative day prior to consideration by the House. Legislative measures, other than bills or resolutions, that are discharged from the Rules Committee shall be referred as follows: (i) an amendment, joint action motion for final action, or conference committee report shall be referred to the committee that considered the underlying bill or resolution and (ii) any other legislative measure shall be referred to the proper order of business on the Daily Calendar, provided the legislative measure shall be carried on the Daily Calendar for at least one legislative day prior to consideration by the House. Rulings of the Presiding Officer related to this subsection (g) may not be appealed. This subsection may not be suspended. Legislative measures may be discharged from the Rules Committee only by unanimous consent of the House. Any bill discharged from the Rules Committee shall be placed on the order of Second Reading and assigned standard debate status, subject to Rule 52.

(h) Except for those provisions that may not be suspended require unanimous consent, this Rule may be suspended only by the affirmative vote of 71 members elected.

(House Rule 19)

19. Re-Referrals to the Rules Committee.

(a) All legislative measures that fail to meet the applicable deadline established under Rule 9 for reporting to the House by a standing committee or a special committee, for Third Reading and passage, or for consideration of joint action motions and conference committee reports are automatically re-referred to the Rules Committee unless: (i) the deadline has been suspended or revised by the Speaker, with re-referral to the Rules Committee to occur if the bill has not been reported to the House in accordance with a revised deadline; or (ii) the Rules Committee has issued a written exception to the Clerk with respect to a particular bill before the reporting deadline, with re-referral to occur, if at all, in accordance with the written exception. When a bill is re-referred to the Rules Committee after failure to meet the Third Reading deadline, any floor amendment to the bill remaining in a standing or special committee shall also be re-referred to the Rules Committee.

(b) All legislative measures pending before the House or any of its committees are automatically re-referred to the Rules Committee on the 31st consecutive day that the House has not convened for session unless: (i) any deadline applicable to the bill or resolution that has been designated by the Speaker under Rule 9 exceeds 31 days, with re-referral to occur, if at all, in accordance with that deadline; (ii) this Rule is suspended under Rule 67; or (iii) the Rules Committee, by the affirmative vote of a majority appointed, issues a written exception to the Clerk before that 31st day.

(House Rule 20)

20. Reporting by Committees. Committees shall report to the House, and subcommittees shall report to their parent committees.

(House Rule 21)

21. Notice.

(a) Except as provided in Rule 18(e) or unless this Rule is suspended under Rule 67 or unless the Rules Committee by majority vote waives the notice requirement for a subject matter hearing of any committee, standing committees, special committees, committees created under Article X of these Rules, and subcommittees of those committees shall not consider or conduct a hearing with respect to a subject matter or a legislative measure absent notice first being given as follows:

(1) The Chairperson of the committee, or the Co-Chairperson from the majority caucus of a standing or special committee, shall, no later than 6 days before any proposed hearing, post a notice on the House bulletin board identifying each subject matter and each legislative measure, other than a committee amendment upon initial consideration under Rule 40, that may be considered during that hearing. The notice shall contain the day, hour, and place of the hearing. Legislative measures and subject matters posted for hearing as provided in this item (1) may also be considered at any committee hearing re-convened following a recess of the committee for which notice was posted, but only if the House has met or was scheduled to meet in regular, veto, or special session on each calendar day from the time of the original committee hearing to the re-convened committee hearing.

(2) Meetings of the Rules Committee may be called under Rule 15; meetings of the standing committees and special committees to consider floor amendments, joint action motions for final consideration, conference committee reports, and motions to table committee amendments may be called under Rule 18.

(3) The Chairperson, or Co-Chairperson from the majority caucus of a standing or special committee, shall, in advance of a committee hearing, notify all Principal Sponsors of legislative measures posted for that hearing of the date, time, and place of hearing. When practical, the Clerk shall include a notice of all scheduled hearings, together with all posted bills and resolutions, in the Daily Calendar of the House. Regardless of whether a particular legislative measure or subject matter has been posted for hearing, it is in order for a committee during any of its meetings to refer a subject matter or legislative measure pending before it to a subcommittee of that committee.

(b) Other than the Rules Committee, no committee may meet during any session of the House, and no commission created by Illinois law that has legislative membership may meet during any session of the House.

(c) Regardless of whether notice has been previously given, it is always in order for a committee to table any legislative measure pending before it when the Principal Sponsor so requests, subject to Rule 60.

(d) This Rule may be suspended only by the affirmative vote of 71 members elected, subject to Rule 25.

(House Rule 22)

22. Committee Procedure.

(a) A committee may consider any legislative measure referred to it, except as provided in subsection (b), and may make with respect to that legislative measure one of the following reports to the House or to the parent committee, as appropriate:

(1) that the bill "do pass";

(2) that the bill "do not pass";

(3) that the bill "do pass as amended";

(4) that the bill "do not pass as amended";

(5) that the resolution "be adopted";

(6) that the resolution "be not adopted";

(7) that the resolution "be adopted as amended";

(8) that the resolution "be not adopted as amended";

(9) that the floor amendment, joint action motion, conference committee report, or motion to table a committee amendment referred by the Rules Committee "be adopted";

(10) that the floor amendment, joint action motion, conference committee report, or motion to table a committee amendment referred by the Rules Committee "be not adopted";

(11) "without recommendation"; or

(12) "tabled".

Any of the foregoing reports may be made only upon the concurrence of a majority of those appointed. All legislative measures reported "do pass", "do pass as amended", "be adopted", or "be adopted as amended" are favorably reported to the House. Except as otherwise provided by these Rules, any legislative measure referred or re-referred to a committee and not reported under this Rule shall remain in that committee.

(b) No bill or committee amendment that provides for an appropriation of money from the State Treasury may be considered by an Appropriations Committee unless the bill or committee amendment is limited to appropriations to a single department, office, or institution; this provision does not apply to floor amendments, joint action motions, or conference committee reports.

No bill that provides for an appropriation of money from the State Treasury may be considered for passage by the House unless it has first been favorably reported by an Appropriations Committee or:

(1) the bill was discharged from an Appropriations Committee under Rule 58;

(2) the bill was exempted from this requirement by a majority of those appointed to the Rules Committee; or

(3) this Rule was suspended under Rule 67.

(c) The Chairperson of each committee, or Co-Chairperson from the majority caucus of a standing or special committee, shall keep, or cause to be kept by the Clerk's Office, a record in which there shall be entered:

(1) The time and place of each meeting of the committee.

(2) The attendance of committee members at each meeting.

(3) The votes cast by the committee members on all legislative measures acted on by the committee.

(4) The "Record of Committee Witness" forms executed by each person appearing or registering in each committee meeting, which shall include identification of the witness, the person, group, or firm represented by appearance and the capacity in which the representation is made (if the person is representing someone other than himself or herself), his or her position on the legislation under consideration, and the nature of his or her desired testimony.

(5) An audio recording of the proceedings.

(6) Such additional information as may be requested by the Clerk.

(d) The committee Chairperson, or the Co-Chairperson from the majority caucus of a standing or special committee, shall file with the Clerk, along with every legislative measure reported upon, a written report containing such information as required by the Clerk. The Clerk may adopt forms, policies, and procedures with respect to the preparation, filing, and maintenance of the reports.

(e) When a committee fails to report a legislative measure pending before it to the House, or when a committee fails to hold a public hearing on a legislative measure pending before it, the exclusive means to bring that legislative measure directly before the House for its consideration is as provided in Rule 18 or Rule 58.

(f) No legislative measure may be called for a vote in a standing committee or special committee in the absence of the Principal Sponsor. The committee Chairperson, the committee Minority Spokesperson, or a chief co-sponsor may present a bill or resolution in committee with the approval of the Principal Sponsor when the committee consents. In the case of standing or special committees with Co-Chairpersons from different political parties, the "Chairperson" means the Co-Chairperson from the majority caucus, and the "Minority Spokesperson" means the Co-Chairperson from the minority caucus. This subsection may not be suspended.

(g) Motions for committee approval of bills and resolutions are renewable, provided that no bill or resolution may be voted on more than twice in any committee on motions to report the bill or resolution favorably, or to reconsider the vote by which the committee adopted a motion to report the bill or resolution unfavorably. A bill or resolution having failed to receive a favorable recommendation after 2 such record votes shall be automatically reported with the appropriate unfavorable recommendation.

(h) A bill or resolution shall be given short debate status by report of the committee if the bill or resolution was favorably reported by a three-fifths vote of the members present and voting, including those voting "present". Bills and resolutions receiving favorable reports may be placed upon the Consent Calendar as provided in Rule 42.

(i) This Rule may be suspended only by the affirmative vote of 71 members elected.

(House Rule 23)

23. Witnesses, Oaths, and Subpoenae.

(a) Standing committees may administer oaths and may compel, by subpoena, any person to appear and give testimony as a witness before the standing committee and produce papers, documents, and other materials relating to a legislative measure pending before the standing committee.

(b) Special committees may administer oaths and may compel, by subpoena, any person to appear and give testimony before the special committee and produce papers, documents, and other materials relating to the subject matter for which the special committee was created or relating to a legislative measure pending before the special committee.

(c) A Committee of the Whole may administer oaths and may compel, by subpoena, any person to appear and give testimony before the committee of the whole and produce papers, documents, and other materials relating to the subject matter for which the committee of the whole was created or relating to a legislative measure pending before the committee of the whole.

(d) Oaths may be administered under this Rule by the Presiding Officer or by the Chairperson of a committee or any person sitting in his or her stead.

(e) Subpoenae issued under this Rule must be issued and signed by the Chairperson of the committee and must comply with Rule 4(c)(9).

(f) In the case of special committees with Co-Chairpersons from different political parties, the term "Chairperson" for purposes of this Rule means the Co-Chairperson from the majority caucus.

(g) This Rule may be suspended only by the affirmative vote of 71 members elected.

(House Rule 24)

24. Committee Reports.

(a) All bills favorably reported to the House from a committee, or with respect to which a committee has been discharged, shall be reported to the House and shall be placed on the order of Second Reading and assigned standard debate status, subject to Rule 52. Bills reported to the House from committee "do not pass", "do not pass as amended", "without recommendation", or "tabled" shall lie on the table.

(b) All floor amendments, joint action motions for final action, conference committee reports, and motions to table committee amendments favorably reported from a standing committee or special committee shall be referred to the House and eligible for consideration when the House is on an appropriate order of business. Amendments to bills that are not on the order of Second Reading are out of order. All floor amendments, joint action motions for final action, conference committee reports, and motions to table committee amendments that are reported to the House from committee "be not adopted", "without recommendation", or "tabled" shall lie on the table. When the Rules Committee refers a floor amendment, joint action motion for final action, conference committee report, or motion to table a committee amendment to a standing committee or a special committee that thereafter favorably reports that legislative measure to the House, the legislative measure shall be referred to the House, assigned standard debate status subject to Rule 52 (except floor amendments, which shall be assigned amendment debate status), and eligible for consideration when the House is on an appropriate order of business.

(c) All resolutions favorably reported to the House from the Rules Committee, a standing committee, or a special committee, or with respect to which the committee has been discharged, shall be referred to the House and placed on the order of Resolutions and assigned standard debate status, subject to Rule 52. All resolutions that are reported to the House from committee "be not adopted", "be not adopted as amended", "without recommendation", or "tabled" shall lie on the table. Floor amendments to resolutions are subject to the same procedure applicable to floor amendments to bills.

(House Rule 25)

25. Suspension of Posting Requirements.

(a) A motion to suspend the posting requirements of Rule 21 must be in writing, specifying the committee and the bills or resolutions to which the motion applies, be carried on the calendar before it may be taken up by the House, and adopted by the affirmative vote of 60 members elected. The calendar requirements of this Rule may be suspended only by unanimous consent. The requirement that the motion be in writing may not be suspended.

(b) Except for those provisions that may not be suspended or that require unanimous consent, this Rule may be suspended only by the affirmative vote of 71 members elected.

(House Rule 26)

26. Rights of the Public.

(a) If a bill or resolution has been properly set for hearing and witnesses are present and wish to testify, the committee shall hear the witnesses at the scheduled time and place, subject to Rule 10(c).

(b) Any person wishing to offer testimony to a committee hearing of a bill or resolution shall be given a reasonable opportunity to do so, orally or in writing. The Chairperson may set time limits for presentation of oral testimony. No testimony in writing is required of any witness, but any witness may submit a statement in writing for the committee record. All persons offering testimony shall complete a "Record of Committee Witness" form and submit it to the committee clerk before testifying. In the case of standing or special committees with Co-Chairpersons from different political parties, the "Chairperson" means the Co-Chairperson from the majority caucus.

(c) A motion to foreclose further oral testimony by witnesses on a matter before a committee may be adopted only by a three-fifths majority of those voting on the motion. No such motion is in order until both proponents and opponents requesting to be heard have been given a fair and substantial opportunity to express their positions. No one shall be prohibited from filing for the record "Record of Committee Witness" forms or written statements while the matter is before the committee.

(d) Meetings of committees and subcommittees shall be open to the public. Committee meetings of the House may be closed to the public if two-thirds of the members elected to the House determine, by a record vote, that the public interest so requires.

(e) This Rule cannot be suspended retroactively.

(House Rule 27)

27. Smoking. Smoking is prohibited at any official committee hearing, and no committee member, staff member, or member of the public is permitted to smoke in the room in which the hearing is being held.

ARTICLE III

CONDUCT OF BUSINESS

(House Rule 28)

28. Sessions of the House.

(a) The House is in session whenever it convenes in perfunctory session, regular session, veto session, special session, or joint session with the Senate. Members are entitled to per diem expense reimbursements authorized by law only on those regular, veto, special session, and joint session days that they are in attendance at the House and either (i) are recorded as present on the quorum roll call or (ii) personally appear before the Clerk or the Clerk's designee after the quorum roll call but prior to the close of the Clerk's Office for the day. Attendance by members is not required or recorded on perfunctory session days.

(b) Regular and veto session days shall be scheduled with notice by the Speaker under Rule 9. Special session days shall be scheduled in accordance with the Constitution and laws of Illinois. The Speaker may convene the House when deemed necessary, regardless of whether a different date or time has been established.

(c) The Speaker may schedule perfunctory session days during which the Clerk may read into the House record any legislative measure. Committees may meet and may consider and act upon legislative measures during a perfunctory session day, and the Clerk may receive and read committee reports into the House record during a perfunctory day. Except for automatic referral under these Rules, no further action may be taken by the House with respect to a legislative measure during a perfunctory session day.

(House Rule 29)

29. Hour of Meeting. Unless otherwise ordered by the Speaker or Presiding Officer or as provided in Rule 1, the House shall regularly convene at 12:30 p.m. on the first day of each week that the House convenes in regular, veto, or special session and shall convene at noon on all other days.

(House Rule 30)

30. Access to the House Floor.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in these Rules, only the following persons shall be admitted to the House while it is in session: members and officers of the General Assembly; elected officers of the executive branch; justices of the Supreme Court; the designated aide to the Governor, except as limited by the Speaker; the parliamentarian; majority staff members and minority staff members, except as limited by the Speaker or Presiding Officer; former members, except as limited by the Speaker or prohibited under subsection (d); and employees of the Legislative Reference Bureau, except as limited by the Speaker. Representatives of the press, while the House is in session, may have access to the galleries and places allotted to them by the Speaker. No person is entitled to the floor unless appropriately attired. Only members of the General Assembly may use telephones at the members' desks. Smoking is prohibited on the floor of the House and in the House galleries.

(b) On days during which the House is in session, the Doorkeeper shall clear the floor of all persons not entitled to access to the floor 15 minutes before the convening time, and the Doorkeeper shall enforce all other provisions of this Rule.

(c) The Speaker may authorize the admission to the floor of any other person, except as prohibited under subsection (d).

(d) No person who is directly or indirectly interested in defeating or promoting any pending legislative measure, if required to be registered as a lobbyist, shall be allowed access to the floor of the House at any time during the session.

(e) When he or she deems it necessary for the preservation of order, the Presiding Officer may by order remove any person from the floor of the House. A Representative may be removed from the floor only under Article XI or XII of these Rules.

(House Rule 31)

31. Standing Order of Business. Unless otherwise determined by the Presiding Officer, the standing daily order of business of the House is as follows:

(1) Call to Order, Invocation, Pledge of Allegiance, and Roll Call.

(2) Approval of the Journal.

(3) Reading of House Bills a first time.

(4) Reports from committees, with reports from the Rules Committee ordinarily made at any time.

(5) Presentation of Resolutions, Petitions, and Messages.

(6) Introduction of House Bills.

(7) Messages from the Senate, not including reading Senate Bills a first time.

(8) Reading of House Bills a second time.

(9) Reading of House Bills a third time.

(10) Reading of Senate Bills a third time.

(11) Reading of Senate Bills a second time.

(12) Reading of Senate Bills a first time.

(13) House Bills on the Order of Concurrence.

(14) Senate Bills on the Order of Non-Concurrence.

(15) Conference Committee Reports.

(16) Motions in Writing.

(17) Constitutional Amendment Resolutions.

(18) Motions with respect to Vetoes.

(19) Consideration of Resolutions.

(20) Motions to Discharge Committee.

(21) Motions to Take from the Table.

(22) Motions to Suspend the Rules.

(23) Consideration of Bills on the Order of Postponed Consideration.

(House Rule 32)

32. Quorum.

(a) A majority of those elected constitutes a quorum of the House, and a majority of those appointed constitutes a quorum of a committee, but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day, or recess for less than one day, and compel the attendance of absent members. The attendance of absent members may also be compelled by order of the Speaker.

(b) The question of the presence of a quorum in any committee may not be raised on consideration of a legislative measure by the House unless the same question was previously raised before the committee with respect to that legislative measure.

(c) Any member not answering the quorum roll call of the House on any session day who is in attendance and wishes to be added to that quorum roll call must file a request to be shown present on the quorum roll call with the Clerk. The request must be in writing and filed in person by the member on the same calendar day the quorum roll call was taken.

(House Rule 33)

33. Approval of the Journal. The Speaker or his or her designee shall periodically examine and report to the House any corrections he or she deems should be made in the Journal before it is approved. If those corrections are approved by the House, they shall be made by the Clerk.

(House Rule 34)

34. Executive Sessions. The sessions of the House shall be open to the public. Sessions and committee meetings of the House may be closed to the public if two-thirds of the members elected determine, by a record vote, that the public interest so requires.

(House Rule 35)

35. Length of Adjournment. The House, without the consent of the Senate, shall not adjourn for more than 3 days or to a place other than where the 2 chambers of the General Assembly are sitting. The House is in session on any day in which it convenes in perfunctory session, regular session, veto session, special session, or joint session with the Senate.

(House Rule 36)

36. Transcript of the House. Nothing contained in the official transcript of the House shall be changed or expunged except by written request of a Representative to the Clerk and Speaker, and that request may be approved only by the record vote of 71 members elected.

ARTICLE IV

BILLS AND AMENDMENTS

(House Rule 37)

37. Bills.

(a) A bill may be introduced in the House by sponsorship of one or more members of the House, whose names shall be on the reproduced copies of the bills, in the House Journal, and in the Legislative Digest. The Principal Sponsor shall be the first name to appear on the bill and may be joined by no more than 4 chief co-sponsors with the approval of the Principal Sponsor; other co-sponsors shall be separated from the Principal Sponsor and any chief co-sponsors by a comma. The Principal Sponsor may change the sponsorship of a bill to that of one or more other Representatives, or to that of the standing committee or special committee to which the bill was referred or from which the bill was reported. Such change may be made at any time the bill is pending before the House or any of its committees by filing a notice with the Clerk, provided that the addition of any member as a Principal Sponsor, chief co-sponsor, or co-sponsor must be with that member's consent. This subsection may not be suspended.

(b) The Principal Sponsor of a bill controls that bill. A committee-sponsored bill is controlled by the Chairperson, or if Co-Chairpersons have been appointed, by the Co-Chairperson from the majority caucus, who for purposes of these Rules is deemed the Principal Sponsor. Committee-sponsored bills may not have individual co-sponsors.

(c) The Senate sponsor of a bill originating in the Senate may request substitute House sponsorship of that bill by filing a notice with the Clerk. Such notice is automatically referred to the Rules Committee. The notice shall include the bill number, signature of the Senate sponsor, signature of the substitute House sponsor, and a statement that the original House sponsor was provided with notice of intent to request a substitute House sponsor. A notice that satisfies the requirements of this subsection shall be approved by the Rules Committee. If the Rules Committee does not act on a notice that satisfies the requirements of this subsection within 3 legislative days after its referral, then the notice is deemed approved and the Clerk shall substitute sponsorship. This subsection shall be in effect if, and only for so long as, the Rules of the Senate include a reciprocal privilege for House sponsors and the Senate complies with the rule. This subsection may not be suspended. ; such a notice is automatically referred to the Rules Committee and deemed adopted if approved by the Rules Committee. If disapproved by the Rules Committee, the notice shall lie on the table. If the Rules Committee fails to act on a notice, that notice may be discharged by unanimous consent.

(d) All bills introduced in the House shall be read by title a first time, ordered reproduced, and automatically referred to the Rules Committee in accordance with Rule 18. After a Senate Bill is received and a House member has submitted notification to the Clerk of sponsorship of that bill, it shall be read by title, ordered reproduced, and automatically referred to the Rules Committee in accordance with Rule 18.

(e) All bills introduced into the House shall be accompanied by 6 copies. Any bill that amends a statute shall indicate the particular changes in the following manner:

(1) All new matter shall be underscored.

(2) All matter that is to be omitted or superseded shall be shown crossed with a line.

(f) No bill shall be passed by the House except on a record vote of a majority of those elected, subject to Rule 69. A bill that has lost on third reading and has not been reconsidered may not thereafter be revived. If a motion for the adoption of a first conference committee report fails and the motion is not reconsidered, then a second conference committee may be appointed as provided in Rule 76(c). If a motion for the adoption of a second conference committee report fails and is not reconsidered, then the bill may not thereafter be revived.

(House Rule 37.5)

37.5. Amendments to Taxpayer Accountability and Budget Stabilization Act.

(a) From the commencement of the 97th General Assembly until June 30, 2015, no bill that amends or refers to Section 201.5 of the Illinois Income Tax Act, or that seeks to appropriate or transfer money pursuant to a declaration of a fiscal emergency under Section 201.5 of that Act, may be moved from the order of Second Reading to the order of Third Reading unless a motion to approve such measure for consideration has been adopted by a record vote of 71 members. If such a bill is on the order of concurrence or in the form of a conference committee report, no motion to concur or to adopt that conference committee report is in order unless a motion to approve such measure for consideration has been adopted by a record vote of 71 members. Nothing in this House Rule shall be deemed to alter the vote requirement for final passage of a legislative measure required by the Illinois Constitution.

(b) Any motion made pursuant to subsection (a) to approve a legislative measure for consideration must be in writing. Upon receipt of the written motion, the Clerk shall immediately notify the Speaker and the Minority Leader. The motion shall not be referred to a committee. The motion must be carried on the calendar before it may be taken up by the House and may then be immediately considered and adopted by the House. The motion is renewable and may be reconsidered, provided that once that motion is adopted, it shall not be reconsidered.

(c) This Rule may not be suspended except by unanimous consent.

(House Rule 37.6)

37.6. Amendments to State Pension Funds Continuing Appropriation Act.

(a) From the commencement of the 97th General Assembly until June 30, 2015, no bill that amends or refers to the State Pension Funds Continuing Appropriation Act may be moved from the order of Second Reading to the order of Third Reading unless a motion to approve such measure for consideration has been adopted by a record vote of 71 members. If such a bill is on the order of concurrence or in the form of a conference committee report, no motion to concur or to adopt that conference committee report is in order unless a motion to approve such measure for consideration has been adopted by a record vote of 71 members. Nothing in this House Rule shall be deemed to alter the vote requirement for final passage of a legislative measure required by the Illinois Constitution.

(b) Any motion made pursuant to subsection (a) to approve a legislative measure for consideration must be in writing. Upon receipt of the written motion, the Clerk shall immediately notify the Speaker and the Minority Leader. The motion shall not be referred to a committee. The motion must be carried on the calendar before it may be taken up by the House and may then be immediately considered and adopted by the House. The motion is renewable and may be reconsidered, provided that once that motion is adopted, it shall not be reconsidered.

(c) This Rule may not be suspended except by unanimous consent.

(House Rule 38)

38. Reading and Reproduction of Bills. Every bill shall be read by title on 3 different days before passage by the House, and the bill and all amendments adopted to it shall be reproduced, under Rule 39, before the vote is taken on its final passage.

(House Rule 39)

39. Reproduction and Distribution. The Clerk shall, as soon as any bill is reproduced, cause the bill to be placed upon the desks of the members. Reproduction and distribution may be done electronically, or the Clerk may establish a method that any member may use to secure a copy of any bill.

(House Rule 40)

40. Amendments.

(a) An amendment to a bill may be adopted by a standing committee or special committee when the bill is before that committee. An amendment to a bill may be adopted by the House when a bill is on the order of Second Reading if: (i) the Rules Committee has referred the floor amendment to the House for consideration under Rule 18; (ii) a standing committee or special committee has referred the floor amendment to the House; or (iii) the floor amendment has been discharged from committee pursuant to Rule 18(g) or Rule 58. All amendments must be in writing. All committee amendments that have been referred to a standing committee or special committee by the Rules Committee timely filed, as determined by the Chairperson, shall be considered by the committee or a subcommittee of that committee prior to consideration by the committee of the bill to which the amendment relates. All committee amendments not adopted to a bill prior to the favorable reporting of the bill by a standing committee or special committee or its re-referral to the Rules Committee are automatically tabled. All floor amendments not adopted to a bill and that are still pending in a committee or before the House upon the passage or defeat of a bill on Third Reading are automatically tabled, provided that any floor amendment tabled pursuant to this Rule shall automatically be taken from the table upon the adoption of a motion to reconsider the vote for the passage or defeat of the bill on Third Reading.

(b) Except as otherwise provided in these Rules, committee amendments may be offered only by the Principal Sponsor or a member of the committee while the affected bill is before that committee, and shall be adopted by a majority of those appointed. Floor amendments may be offered for adoption only by a Representative while the bill is on the order of Second Reading, subject to Rule 18, and shall be adopted by a majority vote of the House. The sponsor of a committee or floor amendment may change the sponsorship of the amendment to that of another member, with that other member's consent. Such change may be made at any time the amendment is pending before the House or any of its committees by filing notice with the Clerk. A committee amendment may be the subject of a motion to "do adopt" or "do not adopt". A committee amendment may be adopted only by a successful motion to "do adopt". The Chairperson of a committee may refer any committee amendment to a subcommittee of that committee.

(c) Committee amendments shall be filed with the Clerk no later than 3:00 p.m. the business day before a meeting at which the bill or resolution it amends may be considered Chairperson of the committee, and are in order only when sufficient copies have been filed to provide each member of the committee with a copy (which may be done in the same manner as distribution of bills under Rule 39) and 6 additional copies for the Chairperson. Floor amendments shall be filed with the Clerk only while the bill is on the order of Second Reading or Third Reading. Amendments , and are in order only when 6 copies have been filed. The Clerk shall number amendments sequentially in the order submitted, and all amendments that are in order shall be considered in ascending numerical order.

(d) The Clerk shall have reproduced all adopted committee amendments that come before the House. The Clerk shall also have reproduced all floor amendments referred to the House by a committee. No floor amendment may be adopted by the House unless it has been reproduced and placed on the members' desks in the same manner as for bills under Rule 39.

(e) No floor amendment is in order unless it has been first referred to the House for consideration by the Rules Committee under Rule 18, or favorably reported by, or discharged from, a standing committee or special committee. A floor amendment may be referred to the House for consideration, or to a standing or special committee, only while the bill is on the order of Second Reading or Third Reading.

(f) Amendments that propose to alter any existing law shall conform to the requirements of Rule 37(e).

(g) If a committee reports a bill "do pass as amended", the committee amendments are deemed adopted by the committee action and shall be reproduced and placed on the members' desks (which may be done in the same manner as provided for bills under Rule 39) before the bill may be read a second time.

(h) In the case of special committees with Co-Chairpersons from different political parties, the "Chairperson" for the purposes of this Rule is the Co-Chairperson from the majority caucus.

(House Rule 41)

41. Note Requests; Quick Takes.

(a) The House shall comply with all Illinois laws requiring fiscal or other notes. The notes shall be filed with the Clerk, who shall affix each note with a time stamp endorsing the date and time received, and attached to the original of the bill and available for inspection by the members. As soon as practical, the Clerk shall provide a copy of the note to the Legislative Reference Bureau, which shall provide an informative summary of the note in subsequent issues of the Legislative Digest.

(b) No bill authorizing or directing the conveyance by the State of any particular interest in real estate to any individual or entity other than a governmental unit or agency may be voted upon in committee or upon Second Reading unless a certified appraisal of the value of the interest has been filed. The appraisal shall be filed with the Clerk of the House, and shall be part of the permanent record for that bill.

(c) No bill authorizing the State or a unit of local government to acquire property by eminent domain using "quick-take" powers under the Eminent Domain Act may be voted upon in committee or on Second Reading unless the State or the unit of local government, as applicable, has complied with all of the following procedures:

(1) The State or the unit of local government must notify each owner of an interest in the property, by certified mail, of the intention of the State or the unit of local government to request approval of legislation by the General Assembly authorizing the State or the unit of local government to acquire the property by eminent domain using "quick-take" powers under Section 7-103 of the Code of Civil Procedure.

(2) The State or the unit of local government must cause notice of its intention to request authorization to acquire the property by eminent domain using "quick-take" powers to be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the territory sought to be acquired by the State or the unit of local government.

(3) Following the notices required under paragraphs (1) and (2), the State or the unit of local government must hold at least one public hearing, at the place where the unit of local government normally holds its business meetings (or, in the case of property sought to be acquired by the State: (i) at a location in the county in which the property sought to be acquired by the State is located, or (ii) if the property is located in Cook County, at a location in the township in which the property is located, or (iii) if the property is located in 2 adjacent counties other than Cook County or in 2 adjacent townships in Cook County, at a location in the county or in the township in Cook County in which the majority of the property is located, or (iv) if the property is located in Cook County and an adjacent county, at a location in the other county or in the township in Cook County in which the majority of the property is located), on the question of the acquisition of the property by the State or the unit of local government by eminent domain using "quick-take" powers.

(4) In the case of property sought to be acquired by a unit of local government, following the public hearing or hearings held under paragraph (3), the unit of local government must adopt, by recorded vote, a resolution to request approval of legislation by the General Assembly authorizing the unit of local government to acquire the property by eminent domain using "quick-take" powers under the Eminent Domain Act. The resolution must include a statement of the time period within which the unit of local government requests authority to exercise "quick-take" powers, which may not exceed one year.

(5) Following the public hearing or hearings held under paragraph (3), the head of the appropriate State office, department, or agency or the chief elected official of the unit of local government, as applicable, must submit to the Chairperson and Minority Spokesperson of the House Executive Committee a sworn, notarized affidavit that contains, or has attached as an incorporated exhibit, all of the following:

(A) The legal description of the property.

(B) The street address of the property.

(C) The name of each State Senator and State Representative who represents the territory that is the subject of the proposed taking.

(D) The date or dates on which the State or the unit of local government contacted each such State Senator and State Representative concerning the intention of the State or the unit of local government to request approval of legislation by the General Assembly authorizing the State or the unit of local government to acquire the property by eminent domain using "quick-take" powers.

(E) The current name, address, and telephone number of each owner of an interest in the property.

(F) A summary of all negotiations between the State or the unit of local government and the owner or owners of the property concerning the sale of the property to the State or the unit of local government.

(G) A statement of the date and location of each public hearing held under paragraph (3).

(H) A statement of the public purpose for which the State or the unit of local government seeks to acquire the property.

(I) The certification of the head of the appropriate State office, department, or agency or the chief elected official of the unit of local government, as applicable, that (i) the property is located within the territory under the jurisdiction of the State or the unit of local government and (ii) the State or the unit of local government seeks to acquire the property for a public purpose.

(J) A map of the area in which the property to be acquired is located, showing the location of the property.

(K) Photographs of the property.

(L) An appraisal of the property by a real estate appraiser who is certified or licensed under the Real Estate Appraiser Licensing Act of 2002.

(M) In the case of property sought to be acquired by a unit of local government, a copy of the resolution adopted by the unit of local government under paragraph (4).

(N) Documentation of the public purpose for which the State or the unit of local government seeks to acquire the property.

(O) A copy of each notice sent to an owner of an interest in the property under paragraph (1).

A request for quick-take authority shall not be considered by a House committee fewer than 30 days after the date of the notice to each property owner as required by paragraph (1).

Every affidavit submitted by the State or a unit of local government pursuant to this Rule 41(c), together with all documents and other items submitted with the affidavit, must be made available to any person upon request for inspection and copying.

(House Rule 42)

42. Consent Calendar.

(a) The Clerk shall include a Consent Calendar on the daily calendar and designate it as a separate calendar. The Consent Calendar shall contain 3 orders of business: Consent Calendar - Second Reading, Consent Calendar - Third Reading, and Consent Calendar - Resolutions. Within each order of business, bills or resolutions shall be listed in separate groups according to the number of required days each has been on that order of business on the Consent Calendar. No more than 80 bills and resolutions shall be listed in each group. All bills or resolutions to which amendments have been adopted shall be so designated.

(b) No debate is in order regarding any item on the Consent Calendar. The Presiding Officer, however, shall allow a reasonable time for questions from the floor and answers to those questions. No amendment from the floor is in order regarding any bill or resolution on the Consent Calendar.

(c) A bill on the Consent Calendar shall stand for 2 legislative days on the order of Consent Calendar - Second Reading, and for at least 2 legislative days on the order of Consent Calendar - Third Reading, before a vote on the final passage may be taken. Resolutions on the Consent Calendar shall stand for at least 4 legislative days before a vote on adoption may be taken. One record vote on final passage shall be taken on those bills called for final passage. Immediately before a vote on the bills on the Consent Calendar, the Presiding Officer shall call to the attention of the members the fact that the next legislative action will be the vote on the Consent Calendar.

(d) A bill or resolution may be placed on the Consent Calendar by report of a standing committee upon a motion adopted by a unanimous vote of the members present. For purposes of this subsection (d), a unanimous vote on the motion is a vote with no member voting nay.

(e) No bill regarding revenue or appropriations may be placed on the Consent Calendar. No resolution requiring more than 60 affirmative votes for adoption and no bill requiring more than 60 affirmative votes for passage by the House may be placed on the Consent Calendar.

(f) The Speaker and the Minority Leader shall each appoint 3 members who may challenge the presence of any bill or resolution on the Consent Calendar. Before a vote on final passage of any item on the Consent Calendar, an item shall be removed from the Consent Calendar if (i) 4 or more members, (ii) the Principal Sponsor of the bill or resolution, or (iii) one or more of the appointed challengers file with the Clerk written objections to the presence of the bill or resolution on the Consent Calendar. Any bill or resolution so removed may not be placed thereafter on the Consent Calendar during that session of the General Assembly, unless the member or members who objected to the presence of the bill or resolution on the Consent Calendar consent in writing to restoration of the bill or resolution on the Consent Calendar.

Any bill removed from the Consent Calendar shall stand on the order of Second Reading with short debate status, subject to Rule 52, and any resolution so removed shall stand on the order of Resolutions with short debate status, subject to Rule 52.

(House Rule 43)

43. Changing Order of Business.

(a) Any order of business may be changed at any time by the Speaker or Presiding Officer.

(b) Any order of business may be changed at any time upon the motion of any member, supported by 5 additional members, if the motion is adopted by an affirmative vote of 71 members elected.

(c) This Rule may be suspended only by the affirmative vote of 71 members elected.

(House Rule 44)

44. Special Orders; Rules Committee.

(a) A special order of business may be set by the Rules Committee or by the Speaker. The Principal Sponsor of a bill or resolution must consent to the placement of the bill or resolution on a special order. A special order shall fix the day to which it applies and the matters to be included. The Speaker, or the Rules Committee by a vote of a majority of the members appointed, may establish time limits for a special order and may establish limitations on debate during a special order (notwithstanding Rule 52), in which event the allotted time shall be fairly divided between proponents and opponents of the legislation to be considered. A special order of business takes the place of the standing order for such time as may be necessary for its completion. Only matters that may otherwise properly be before the House may be included in a special order.

(b) A special order shall appear on the Daily Calendar for 3 legislative days. This subsection (b) may be suspended only by the affirmative vote of 71 members elected.

(c) A special order may be suspended, amended, or modified by motion adopted by an affirmative vote of 60 members. A special order shall be suspended by a written objection signed by 3 members of the Rules Committee and filed during the first legislative day on which the special order appears on the calendar.

ARTICLE V

RESOLUTIONS AND CERTIFICATES OF RECOGNITION

(House Rule 45)

45. Resolutions.

(a) A resolution may be introduced in the House by sponsorship of one or more members of the House, and the names of all sponsors shall be included in the House Journal and in the Legislative Digest. Each resolution introduced shall be accompanied by 6 copies. Consideration of resolutions shall be governed by Rule 16 and Rule 66.

(b) The Principal Sponsor of a resolution controls that resolution. The Principal Sponsor of a resolution, or the sponsor of an amendment to a resolution, may change the sponsorship of the resolution or amendment, as applicable, to that of another member, with that other member's consent, by filing notice with the Clerk. A standing committee-sponsored resolution is controlled by the Chairperson of the committee, or if Co-Chairpersons have been appointed, by the Co-Chairperson from the majority caucus, who for purposes of these Rules is deemed the Principal Sponsor. A special committee-sponsored resolution is controlled by the Chairperson, or if Co-Chairpersons have been appointed, by the Co-Chairperson from the majority caucus, who for purposes of these Rules is deemed the Principal Sponsor. Committee-sponsored resolutions may not have individual co-sponsors.

(c) Any resolution calling for the expenditure of State funds may be adopted only by a record vote of a majority of those elected.

(House Rule 46)

46. State Constitutional Amendments. All resolutions introduced in the House proposing amendments to the Illinois Constitution shall be reproduced and distributed in the same manner in which bills are reproduced and distributed under Rule 39. Every such resolution that originated in the Senate and is presented to the House shall be ordered reproduced and distributed in like manner. No such resolution shall pass unless read in full in its final form on 3 different days. Amendments are in order only on First Reading and Second Reading. Final passage requires the affirmative vote of 71 members elected. No resolution proposing a change in the Constitution of the State of Illinois may be considered for passage after the last day preceding the day marking the beginning of the last 6 months before the general election occurring during the term of this General Assembly, and all such resolutions still pending shall be tabled at the end of business on that day.

(House Rule 47)

47. Federal Constitutional Amendments and Constitutional Conventions.

(a) The affirmative vote of 71 of the members elected is required to adopt any resolution:

(1) requesting Congress to call a federal constitutional convention;

(2) ratifying a proposed amendment to the Constitution of the United States; or

(3) calling a State convention to ratify a proposed amendment to the Constitution of the United States.

(b) This Rule may be suspended only by the affirmative vote of 71 members elected.

(House Rule 48)

48. Certificates of Recognition. Any member may sponsor a certificate of recognition to be signed by the Speaker and attested by the Clerk to recognize any person, organization, or event worthy of public commendation. The form of the Certificate of Recognition shall be determined by the Clerk with the approval of the Speaker.

ARTICLE VI

PARLIAMENTARY PRACTICE

(House Rule 49)

49. Voting. The Presiding Officer shall put all questions distinctly, as follows: "All those in favor vote AYE, and those opposed vote NAY." No member may vote on any question before the House unless on the floor before the vote is announced. No member of a committee may vote except in person at the time of the call of the committee vote. Any vote of the House shall be by record vote whenever 5 Representatives shall so request or whenever the Presiding Officer shall so order.

(House Rule 50)

50. Announcing a Record Vote. When a record vote is requested, the Presiding Officer shall put the question and then announce to the House: "The voting is open." While the vote is being taken, the Presiding Officer shall state: "Have all voted who wish?" The voting is closed when the Presiding Officer announces: "Take the Record." The Presiding Officer, unless an intervening motion to postpone consideration by the Principal Sponsor is made, shall then announce the results of the record vote. After the record is taken, no member may vote, change his or her vote, or remove his or her vote as recorded; except that when a record vote is taken on more than one legislative measure at the same time, each member has the right to have his or her votes recorded separately for each of those legislative measures by filing a signed document with the Clerk on the same legislative day.

(House Rule 51)

51. Decorum.

(a) When any member is about to speak to the House, he or she shall rise and address the Presiding Officer as "Speaker". The Presiding Officer, upon recognizing the member, shall address him or her by name, and thereupon the engineer in charge of operating the microphones in the House shall give the use of the microphone to the member who has been so recognized. The member in speaking shall confine himself or herself to the subject matter under discussion and avoid personalities.

(b) Questions affecting the rights, reputation, and conduct of members of the House in their representative capacity are questions of personal privilege. A matter of personal explanation does not constitute a question of personal privilege.

(c) If 2 or more members rise at once, the Presiding Officer shall name the member who is to speak first.

(d) No person shall give any signs of approbation or disapprobation while the House is in session.

(e) Recognition of guests by any member is prohibited, except that the Speaker or Presiding Officer may recognize an honored guest.

(f) While the Presiding Officer is putting a question, no member shall leave or walk across the House Chamber. When a member is addressing the House, no member or other person entitled to the floor shall entertain private discourse or pass between the member speaking and the Presiding Officer.

(g) In case of any disturbance or disorderly conduct, the Speaker or Presiding Officer may order that the lobby, gallery, or hallways adjoining the House Chamber be cleared.

(h) No literature may be distributed on the House floor.

(i) No member may be absent from a session of the House unless he or she has leave or is sick or his or her absence is unavoidable. The switch to the electrical roll call recording equipment located on the desk of any member who has been excused or is absent shall be locked by the Clerk and shall not be unlocked until the member returns and files with the Clerk a request to be shown as present on the quorum roll call as provided in Rule 32(c).

(House Rule 52)

52. Debate.

(a) All legislative measures, except those legislative measures that are not debatable as provided in these Rules, are subject to a debate status as follows:

(1) Short Debate: Debate is limited to a 2-minute presentation by the Principal Sponsor or a member designated by the Principal Sponsor, a 2-minute presentation by a member in response, and one minute for the Principal Sponsor to close debate, or yield to other members; provided that at the request of 7 members before the close of debate, the debate status shall be opened to standard debate;

(2) Standard Debate: Debate is limited to a 5-minute presentation by the Principal Sponsor or a member designated by the Principal Sponsor, debate by each of 2 additional proponents of the legislative measure and by 3 members in response to the legislative measure, and 3 minutes for the Principal Sponsor to close debate, or yield to other members;

(3) Extended Debate: Debate is limited to a 5-minute presentation by the Principal Sponsor or a member designated by the Principal Sponsor, debate by each of 4 proponents of the legislative measure and 5 members in response, and 5 minutes for the Principal Sponsor to close debate, or yield to other members;

(4) Unlimited Debate: Debate shall consist of a 10-minute presentation by the Principal Sponsor or a member designated by the Principal Sponsor, debate by each proponent and member in response who seeks recognition, and 5 minutes for the Principal Sponsor to close debate, or yield to other members; or

(5) Amendment Debate: Debate on floor amendments referred to the House from a committee, or discharged from a committee, is limited to a 3-minute presentation by the Principal Sponsor, or a member designated by the Principal Sponsor, debate by one proponent, debate by each of 2 members in response, and 3 minutes for the Principal Sponsor to close debate, or yield to other members.

No debate is in order on bills or resolutions on the order of First Reading or Second Reading, except for debate on floor amendments as provided in this Rule.

(b) All legislative measures, except floor amendments, referred to the House from a committee, or discharged from a committee, are automatically assigned standard debate status, subject to subsection (c) of this Rule, except those assigned to the Consent Calendar or short debate status by a standing committee or a special committee. All floor amendments referred to the House from a committee, or discharged from a committee, are automatically assigned amendment debate status, subject to subsection (c) of this Rule.

(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of these Rules to the contrary, the debate status of any legislative measure may be changed only (i) by the Speaker, as defined in item (27) of Rule 102, by filing a notice with the Clerk, or (ii) by the Rules Committee by motion approved by a majority of those appointed. While a legislative measure is being considered by the House, the debate status may also be changed by unanimous consent. No legislative measure, however, may be placed on the Consent Calendar under this Rule. No legislative measure, except a floor amendment, may be assigned amendment debate status under this Rule.

(d) The Speaker or Rules Committee, as the case may be, shall notify the Clerk of any action to change the debate status of any legislative measure. The Clerk shall cause that information to be reflected on the Daily Calendar on subsequent legislative days, provided the legislative measure is still before the House.

(e) No member shall speak longer than 5 minutes at one time or more than once on the same question except by leave of the House. The Principal Sponsor of a measure or a member designated by the Principal Sponsor, however, shall be allowed to open the debate and to close the debate in accordance with subsection (a) of this Rule. The provisions of this subsection (e) are subject to and limited by subsections (a), (b), and (c) of this Rule. A member may yield to another member the time allotted for the member's debate.

(f) The Presiding Officer shall allocate the debate on each legislative measure alternately, if possible, between proponents and opponents of the legislative measure under debate.

(g) This Rule may not be suspended.

(House Rule 53)

53. Written Statements.

(a) Any member may submit a written statement regarding any bill, resolution, or floor amendment considered by the House, by submitting that statement to the Clerk within one legislative day or 3 business days, whichever is shorter, after the day on which the bill, resolution, or floor amendment to which the comments relate was considered by the House. The Clerk shall affix a time stamp to each statement indicating the date on which the statement was submitted. Each statement shall indicate the member or members on whose behalf the statement is submitted, the bill, resolution, or floor amendment to which it applies, the names of any other members mentioned in the statement, and the person who actually submits the statement to the Clerk. Each member on whose behalf a statement is submitted is under an obligation to ensure that all required information, specifically including the names of any other members mentioned in the statement, is indicated at the time a statement is submitted. Each statement shall comply with standards as may be established by the Clerk with the approval of the Speaker. The standards established by the Clerk, however, shall not relate to the contents of the written statement. The Clerk shall maintain statements that comply with this Rule and established standards in files for each bill and resolution. A statement is not considered filed until the Clerk has determined that it complies with this Rule and established standards. The Clerk shall notify the member or members on whose behalf a statement was submitted if the statement is determined not to comply. Statements filed under this Rule shall be considered part of the transcript and made available to the public.

(b) If a statement mentions another member, the statement shall not be considered filed until the member mentioned has an opportunity to respond as a matter of personal privilege. The Clerk shall notify each member who is identified at the time a statement is submitted as being mentioned in the statement. The member identified as mentioned in the statement shall have one legislative day or 3 business days, whichever is shorter, after notification by the Clerk in which to file a written response to the statement. The original statement and any responsive statement shall both be considered filed at the close of business on the final day on which a response may be filed. If, however, a statement is submitted mentioning another member and the name of the member mentioned is not indicated to the Clerk at the time of submission, the statement shall be stricken at the request of the member mentioned in the statement. The Clerk shall notify each member on whose behalf the statement was submitted that the statement has been stricken from the record.

(c) This Rule may be suspended only by the affirmative vote of 71 members elected.

(House Rule 54)

54. Motions.

(a) The following are general rules for all motions:

(1) Every motion, except to adjourn, recess, or postpone consideration, shall be reduced to writing if ordered by the Presiding Officer. Unless otherwise provided in these Rules, no second is required to any motion presented to the House, or in any committee. The Presiding Officer may refer any motion to the Rules Committee.

(2) Before the House debates a motion, the Presiding Officer shall state an oral motion and the Clerk shall read aloud a written motion. Each motion, unless otherwise provided in these Rules, is assigned standard debate status, subject to Rule 52.

(3) After a motion is stated by the Presiding Officer or read by the Clerk, it is deemed in the possession of the House, but may be withdrawn at any time before decision with consent of a majority of the members elected.

(4) If a motion is divisible, any member may call for a division of the question.

(5) Any question taken under consideration may be withdrawn, postponed, or tabled by unanimous consent or, if unanimous consent is denied, by a motion adopted by a majority of the members elected.

(b) The Rule may be suspended only by the affirmative vote of 71 members elected.

(House Rule 55)

55. Precedence of Motions.

(a) When a question is under debate, no motion may be entertained except:

(1) to adjourn to a time certain;

(2) to adjourn;

(3) to question the presence of a quorum;

(4) to recess;

(5) to lay on the table;

(6) for the previous question;

(7) to postpone consideration;

(8) to commit or recommit; or

(9) to amend, except as otherwise provided in these Rules.

The foregoing motions have precedence in the order in which they are listed.

(b) During a record vote, no motion (except a motion to postpone consideration) is in order until after the announcement of the result of the vote.

(c) A motion to commit or re-commit, until it is decided, precludes all amendments and debate on the main question. A motion to postpone consideration, until it is decided, precludes all amendments and debate on the main question.

(House Rule 56)

56. Verification.

(a) After any record vote, except for a vote that requires a specific number of affirmative votes and that has not received the required votes, and before intervening business, it is in order for any member to request verification of the results of the record vote, except that (i) a member voting in the affirmative may not request verification of the affirmative votes and (ii) a member voting in the negative may not request a verification of the negative votes. If a member is disqualified from requesting a verification because of his or her vote, a qualifying member who makes a subsequent request for a verification shall be allowed to proceed with the verification.

(b) In verifying a record vote, the Presiding Officer shall instruct the Clerk to call the names of those members whose votes are to be verified. The member requesting the verification may thereafter identify those members he or she wishes to verify. If a member does not answer, his or her vote shall be stricken; the member's vote shall be restored to the roll, however, if his or her presence is recognized before the Presiding Officer announces the final result of the verification. The Presiding Officer shall determine the presence or absence of each member whose name is called, and shall then announce the results of the verification.

(c) While the results of any record vote are being verified, it is in order for any member to announce his or her presence on the floor and thereby have his or her vote verified.

(d) A request for a verification of the affirmative and negative results of a record vote may be made only once on each record vote.

(House Rule 57)

57. Appealing a Ruling.

(a) If any appeal is taken from a ruling of the Presiding Officer, the Presiding Officer shall be sustained unless 71 of the members elected vote to overrule the Presiding Officer. Notwithstanding Rule 52, debate on a motion to appeal is limited to a 2-minute presentation by the Principal Sponsor or a member designated by the Principal Sponsor, a 2-minute presentation by a member in response, and one-minute for the Principal Sponsor to close debate, or yield to other members. A motion to appeal is not in order if the House has conducted intervening business since the ruling at issue was made.

(b) If any appeal is taken from a ruling of a committee Chairperson, the Chairperson shall be sustained unless three-fifths of those appointed vote to overrule the Chairperson. A motion to appeal is not in order if the committee has adjourned or recessed, or if intervening business has occurred. In the case of special committees with Co-Chairpersons from different political parties, the "Chairperson" for purposes of this Rule is the Co-Chairperson from the majority caucus.

(c) In an appeal of a ruling of the Presiding Officer or Chairperson, the question is: "Shall the ruling of the Chair be sustained?"

(d) This Rule may be suspended only by the affirmative vote of 71 members elected.

(House Rule 58)

58. Discharge of Committee.

(a) Any member may move that a standing committee or a special committee be discharged from consideration of any legislative measure assigned to it and not reported back unfavorably.

(b) The motion must be in writing and shall be carried on the Daily Calendar for the next legislative day under the order of "Motions". No action shall be taken on the motion until it is on the calendar.

(c) If the motion receives an affirmative vote of 60 members, the legislative measure subject to the motion shall be referred to the House and placed on the appropriate order of business.

(d) This Rule may be suspended only by the affirmative vote of 71 members elected.

(House Rule 59)

59. Previous Question.

(a) A motion for the previous question may be made at any time, except that a member may not move the previous question while participating in debate pursuant to Rule 52. A motion for the previous question is not debatable and requires the affirmative vote of 60 members elected.

(b) The previous question shall be stated in the following form: "Shall the main question be put?" Until the previous question is decided, all amendments and debate are precluded. When it is decided that the main question shall not be put, the main question remains under debate.

(c) The effect of the main question being ordered is to put an end to all debate and bring the House to a direct vote on the immediately pending motion. After a motion for the previous question has been approved, it is not in order to move for adjournment or to make any other motion before a decision on the main question.

(d) This Rule may be suspended only by the affirmative vote of 71 members elected.

(House Rule 60)

60. Tabling.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in subsections (d) and (e), a motion to lay on the table applies only to the particular proposition and is neither debatable nor amendable.

(b) A motion to table a bill or resolution shall identify the bill or resolution by number. The Principal Sponsor of a bill or resolution may, with leave of the House, table that bill or resolution at any time. A motion to table a committee bill that is before the House may be adopted only by the affirmative vote of a majority of those elected.

(c) The Principal Sponsor of a bill or resolution before a committee may, with leave of the committee, table the bill or resolution. Upon tabling, the Chairperson of the committee shall return the bill or resolution to the Clerk, noting thereon that it has been tabled.

(d) If a floor amendment to a bill has been adopted by the House, then a motion to table that amendment is in order and may be adopted only when the bill is on Second Reading. If a floor amendment to a resolution has been adopted by the House, then a motion to table that amendment is in order and may be adopted only when the resolution is pending before the House. Motions to table floor amendments are debatable and may be adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of those elected.

(e) If a committee amendment to a bill has been adopted by a committee, then a motion to table that amendment is in order and may be adopted (i) by that committee at any time while the bill is before that committee or (ii) by the House only when the bill is on Second Reading. If a committee amendment to a resolution has been adopted by a committee, then a motion to table that amendment is in order and may be adopted (i) by the committee at any time while the resolution is before that committee or (ii) by the House only when the resolution is pending before the House. No motion to table a committee amendment to a bill or resolution before the House is in order unless it has been first referred to the House for consideration by the Rules Committee under Rule 18, or by a standing or special committee. Motions to table committee amendments are debatable and may be adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the members elected to the House or appointed to the committee, as applicable.

(House Rule 61)

61. Motion to Take from Table.

(a) A motion to take from the table requires the affirmative vote of a majority of those elected if the Rules Committee has previously recommended that action by written notice filed with the Clerk; otherwise, a motion to take from the table requires the affirmative vote of 71 members elected.

(b) A bill taken from the table shall, as applicable, (i) be placed on the Daily Calendar on the order on which it appeared before it was tabled or (ii) be returned to the committee to which it was assigned before it was tabled.

(b-5) An amendment taken from the table shall be returned to the position it held before it was tabled, provided that a floor amendment may be taken from the table only while the bill is on the order of Second Reading and a committee amendment may be taken from the table only while the bill is in committee.

(c) This Rule may be suspended only by the affirmative vote of 71 members elected.

(House Rule 62)

62. Motion to Postpone Consideration. A motion to postpone consideration on a bill or resolution may not be made more than once on the same bill or resolution. Unless otherwise provided by these Rules, a motion to postpone consideration shall be granted as a matter of privilege; no motion to postpone consideration is in order, however, if the bill or resolution initially received a vote of fewer than 47 of the members elected.

(House Rule 63)

63. Motion on Different Subject. No motion or other legislative measure on a subject different from that under consideration shall be admitted under color of amendment.

(House Rule 64)

64. Division of Question. If the question under consideration contains several points, any member may have the question divided. On a motion to strike out and insert, it is not in order to move for a division of the question. The rejection of a motion to strike out and insert one proposition does not prevent a motion to strike out and insert a different proposition.

(House Rule 65)

65. Reconsideration.

(a) A member who voted on the prevailing side of a record vote on a legislative measure still within the control of the House may on the same or the following legislative day move to reconsider the vote. The motion to reconsider may be laid on the table without affecting the vote to which it refers. When the motion to reconsider is made during the last 3 days of April or any time thereafter during the regular session, or at any time during a veto or special session, any member may move that the vote on reconsideration be taken immediately. A question that requires the affirmative vote of a majority of those elected or more to carry requires a majority of those elected to reconsider.

(b) A motion to reconsider a record vote on the adoption of an amendment to a bill may be made only on Second Reading.

(c) If a motion to reconsider is made under this Rule and the motion is later tabled, the question shall not be further reconsidered. This subsection (c) may be suspended only by the affirmative vote of 71 members elected.

(d) When a motion to reconsider is made within the time prescribed by these Rules, the Clerk shall not allow the bill or other subject matter of the motion to pass out of the possession of the House until after the motion has been decided or withdrawn. Such a motion shall be deemed rejected if laid on the table.

(e) A Representative who voted "present" or failed to vote on a question does not have the right to move for reconsideration.

(House Rule 66)

66. Motion to Adjourn.

(a) A motion to adjourn is in order at any time, except when a prior motion to adjourn has been defeated and no intervening business has transpired.

(b) A motion to adjourn is neither debatable nor amendable.

(c) The Clerk shall enter in the Journal the hour at which every motion to adjourn is made.

(d) Unless the Presiding Officer otherwise orders, the standing hour to which the House adjourns is 12:00 noon, except on the last day of a week in which the House convenes in regular, veto, or special session, in which case the standing hour to which the House adjourns is 12:30 p.m.

(e) A motion to adjourn for more than 3 days is not in order unless both chambers of the General Assembly have adopted a joint resolution permitting that adjournment. Notwithstanding any other provision of these Rules, a resolution filed under this Rule may be referred to the Rules Committee by the Presiding Officer or may be immediately considered and adopted by the House.

(House Rule 67)

67. Adoption and Amendment to or Suspension of Rules.

(a) Adoption of Rules. At the commencement of a term, the House shall adopt new rules of organization and procedure by resolution setting forth those rules in their entirety. The resolution must be adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of those elected. These Rules of the House of Representatives are subject to revision or amendment only in accordance with this Rule.

(b) Rules may be amended only by resolution. Any resolution to amend these Rules shall show the proposed changes in the existing rules by underscoring all new matter and by crossing out with a line all matter that is to be omitted or superseded.

(c) Any resolution proposing to amend a House Rule or any Joint House-Senate Rule, upon initial reading by the Clerk, is automatically referred to the Rules Committee. Resolutions to amend the House Rules or any Joint House-Senate Rules may be initiated and sponsored by the Rules Committee and may be amended by the Rules Committee; those resolutions shall not be referred to a committee and may be immediately considered and adopted by the House. Those resolutions shall be assigned standard debate status, subject to Rule 52.

(d) A resolution to amend the House Rules or any Joint House-Senate Rules that has been reported "do adopt" or "do adopt as amended" by a majority of those appointed to the Rules Committee requires the affirmative vote of a majority of those elected for adoption by the House. Any other resolution proposing to amend the House Rules or any Joint House-Senate Rules requires the affirmative vote of 71 of the members elected for adoption by the House.

(e) No House Rule or any Joint House-Senate Rule may be suspended except by unanimous consent of the members present or upon a motion supported by the affirmative vote of a majority of those elected unless a higher number is required in the Rule sought to be suspended. A committee may not suspend any Rule.

(f) This Rule may be suspended only by the affirmative vote of 71 members elected.

(House Rule 68)

68. Motion to Commit or Recommit. No motion to commit or recommit a legislative measure to committee, being decided in the negative, shall again be allowed on the same day, or at the same stage of the legislative measure.

(House Rule 69)

69. Effective Date.

(a) A bill passed after May 31 of a calendar year shall not become effective prior to June 1 of the next calendar year unless an earlier effective date is specified in the bill and it is approved by the affirmative vote of 71 members elected.

(b) If a majority of those elected, but fewer than 71, vote affirmatively for a bill on Third Reading after May 31 and the bill specifies an effective date earlier than the following June 1, the bill has not passed, but the Principal Sponsor has the right to have the bill automatically reconsidered and returned to the order of Second Reading for an amendment to remove the earlier effective date. The amendment, if offered and referred to the House by a committee, shall be reproduced and placed on the desks of the members, in the same manner as provided for bills under Rule 39, before the bill is taken up again on the order of Third Reading.

(House Rule 70)

70. Home Rule. No bill denies or limits any power or function of a home rule unit under paragraph (g), (h), (i), (j), or (k) of Sec. 6 of Article VII of the Constitution unless there is specific language limiting or denying the power or function and the language specifically sets forth in what manner and to what extent it is a denial or limitation of the power or function of a home rule unit. If a majority of those elected, but fewer than 71, vote affirmatively for a bill on Third Reading that requires the affirmative vote of 71 members elected to deny or limit a power of a home rule unit, the bill has not passed, but the Principal Sponsor has the right to have the bill automatically reconsidered and returned to the order of Second Reading for an amendment to remove those effects of the bill. The amendment, if referred to the House by a committee, shall be reproduced and placed on the desks of the members, in the same manner as provided for bills under Rule 39, before the bill is taken up again on the order of Third Reading.

ARTICLE VII

(RESERVED)

(House Rule 71)

71. (Blank.)

ARTICLE VIII

JOINT ACTION

(House Rule 72)

72. Concurring in or Receding from Amendments.

(a) If a bill or resolution is received back in the House with one or more amendments added by the Senate, it is in order for the Principal Sponsor to present a motion "to concur" or "not to concur and to ask the Senate to recede" with respect to each, several, or all of those amendments, subject to Rules 18 and 75. A motion to concur shall be by record vote and shall be adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of those elected, subject to Rule 69. Any 2 members may demand a separate vote or a separate record vote, as applicable, on any of those amendments.

(b) When the Senate has refused to concur in one or more amendments added to a bill or resolution by the House and has returned the bill or resolution to the House with a message requesting the House to recede from one or more of its amendments, it is in order for the Principal Sponsor to present a motion "to recede" from the House amendments or "not to recede and to request a conference", subject to Rules 18 and 75. A motion to recede shall be by record vote and shall be adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of those elected, subject to Rule 69. Any 2 members may demand a separate vote or a separate record vote, as applicable, on any of those amendments.

(c) Motions authorized by this Rule are renewable and may be reconsidered, provided that no such motion may be voted on more than twice by the House.

(House Rule 73)

73. Conference Committees.

(a) A disagreement between the House and Senate exists with respect to any bill or resolution in the following situations:

(1) when the Senate refuses to recede from the adoption of any amendment, after the House has previously refused to concur in the amendment; or

(2) when the House refuses to recede from the adoption of any amendment, after the Senate has previously refused to concur in the amendment.

In those cases of disagreement between the House and Senate, the House may request a conference. When such a request is made, both chambers of the General Assembly shall appoint members to a committee to confer on the subject of the bill or resolution giving rise to the disagreement. The combined membership of the 2 chambers appointed for that purpose is the conference committee.

(b) The conference committee shall consist of 5 members from each chamber of the General Assembly. The number of majority caucus members from each chamber shall be one more than the number of minority caucus members from each chamber.

(c) Each conference committee shall be comprised of 5 members of the House, 3 appointed by the Speaker and 2 appointed by the Minority Leader. No conference committee report may be filed with the Clerk until a majority of the House conferees has been appointed.

(House Rule 74)

74. Conference Committee Reports.

(a) No subject matter shall be included in any conference committee report on any bill unless that subject matter directly relates to the matters of difference between the House and Senate that have been referred to the conference committee unless the Rules Committee, by a majority vote of the members appointed, determines that the proposed subject matter is of an emergency nature, is of substantial importance to the operation of government, or is in the best interests of Illinois.

(b) No conference committee report shall be received by the Clerk or acted upon by the House unless it has been signed by at least 6 conferees. The report shall be signed in duplicate. One of the reports shall be filed with the Secretary of the Senate and one with the Clerk. The report shall contain the agreements reached by the committee.

(c) If the conference committee determines that it is unable to reach agreement, the committee shall so report to each chamber of the General Assembly and request appointment of a second conference committee. If there is agreement, the committee shall so report to each chamber.

(d) No conference committee report shall be adopted by the House except on a record vote of a majority of those elected, subject to Rule 69.

(House Rule 75)

75. House Consideration of Joint Action.

(a) No joint action motion for final action or conference committee report may be considered by the House unless it has first been referred to the House by the Rules Committee or a standing committee or special committee in accordance with Rule 18, or unless the joint action motion or conference committee report has been discharged from the Rules Committee under Rule 18. Joint action motions for final consideration and conference committee reports referred to a standing committee or special committee by the Rules Committee may not be discharged from the standing committee or special committee. This subsection (a) may be suspended by unanimous consent.

(b) No conference committee report may be considered by the House unless it has been reproduced and placed on the members' desks, in the same manner as provided for bills under Rule 39, for one full day during the period beginning with the convening of the House on the 2nd Wednesday of January each year and ending on the 30th day prior to the scheduled adjournment of the regular session established each year by the Speaker pursuant to Rule 9(a), and for one full hour on any other day.

(c) Before any conference committee report on an appropriation bill is considered by the House, the conference committee report shall first be the subject of a public hearing by a standing Appropriations Committee or a special committee (the conference committee report need not be referred to an Appropriations Committee or special committee, but instead may remain before the Rules Committee or the House, as the case may be). The hearing shall be held pursuant to not less than one hour advance notice by announcement on the House floor, or one day advance notice by posting on the House bulletin board. An Appropriations Committee or special committee shall not issue any report with respect to the conference committee report following the hearing.

(d) Any House Bill amended in the Senate and returned to the House for concurrence in the Senate amendment shall lie upon the desk of the Clerk for not less than one hour before being further considered.

(e) No House Bill that is returned to the House with Senate amendments may be called except by the Principal Sponsor, or by a chief co-sponsor with the consent of the Principal Sponsor. This subsection may not be suspended.

(f) Except as otherwise provided in Rule 74, the report of a conference committee on a non-appropriation bill or resolution shall be confined to the subject of the bill or resolution referred to the conference committee. The report of a conference committee on an appropriation bill shall be confined to the subject of appropriations.

(House Rule 76)

76. Action on Conference Committee Reports.

(a) Each chamber of the General Assembly shall inform the other by message of any action taken with respect to a conference committee report. Copies of all papers necessary for a complete understanding of the action shall accompany the message. The original bill or resolution shall remain in the chamber of origin.

(b) No conference committee report may be called except by the Principal Sponsor of the bill for which the conference committee was appointed. A chief co-sponsor may call a conference committee report with the consent of the Principal Sponsor. This subsection may not be suspended.

(c) If either chamber refuses to adopt the report of the conference committee, the report of the conference committee is laid on the table, or the first conference committee is unable to reach agreement, either chamber may request a second conference committee. When such a request is made, each chamber shall again appoint a conference committee. If either chamber refuses to adopt the report of a second conference committee, the 2 chambers shall have adhered to their disagreement, and the bill or resolution is lost.

ARTICLE IX

VETOES

(House Rule 77)

77. Recording of Vetoes. Upon the receipt by the House of any bill returned by the Governor under any of the provisions of Article IV, Sec. 9 of the Constitution, the Clerk shall enter the objections of the Governor on the Journal, and shall distribute copies of all veto messages to each member's desk, together with copies of the vetoed bill or item, as soon as practical, in the same manner as for bills under Rule 39.

(House Rule 78)

78. Amendatory Vetoes.

(a) The Principal Sponsor of a bill that has been passed by the General Assembly may request the Clerk to notify the Governor that the Principal Sponsor wishes to be consulted by the Governor or his or her designee before the Governor returns the bill together with specific recommendations for change under subsection (e) of Section 9 of Article IV of the Illinois Constitution.

(b) Any bill returned by the Governor together with specific recommendations for change under subsection (e) of Section 9 of Article IV of the Illinois Constitution shall automatically be placed on the Daily Calendar on the order of amendatory vetoes, and shall be considered as provided in this Rule.

(c) The Governor's specific recommendations for change with respect to a bill returned under subsection (e) of Section 9 of Article IV of the Illinois Constitution shall be limited to addressing the Governor's objections to portions of a bill the general merit of which the Governor recognizes and shall not alter the fundamental purpose or legislative scheme set forth in the bill as passed.

(d) Any motion to accept the Governor's specific recommendations for change shall be automatically referred to the Rules Committee. The Rules Committee shall examine the Governor's specific recommendations for change and determine by a majority of the members appointed whether those recommendations comply with the standard set forth in subsection (c). Any motion to accept specific recommendations for change that the Rules Committee determines are in compliance with subsection (c) of this Rule shall be subject to action by the Rules Committee in the same manner as floor amendments, joint action motions, conference committee reports and motions to table committee amendments under Rule 18(e).

(e) Any motion to override the Governor's specific recommendations for change shall not be referred to a committee and may be immediately considered and adopted by the House subject to Rule 80(d).

(f) This rule may not be suspended.

(House Rule 79)

79. Motions to Consider Vetoes. For purposes of this Article, the term "motions" means motions to accept or override a veto of the Governor. Motions with respect to bills returned by the Governor may be made by the Principal Sponsor, the committee Chairperson in the case of a committee-sponsored bill, or if Co-Chairpersons have been appointed, by the Co-Chairperson of the majority caucus in the case of special committee-sponsored bills. Motions shall be filed in writing with the Clerk. Any motion to override a veto of the Governor shall not be referred to a committee and may be immediately considered and adopted by the House subject to Rule 80. All motions shall be assigned standard debate status, subject to Rule 52, are renewable, and may be reconsidered, provided that no motion may be voted on more than twice by the House.

(House Rule 80)

80. Consideration of Motions.

(a) The vote to override a veto of a bill vetoed in its entirety shall be by record vote and shall be entered on the Journal. The form of motion with respect to these bills shall be: "I move that ________ Bill _____ do pass, notwithstanding the veto of the Governor."

(b) The vote to override an item veto shall be by record vote as to each item separately and shall be entered on the Journal. The form of motion with respect to an item shall be: "I move that the item on page ____, line ____, of ____ Bill _____ do pass, notwithstanding the item veto of the Governor."

(c) The vote to override an item reduction veto and restore an item that has been reduced shall be by record vote as to each item separately and shall be entered on the Journal. The form of motion with respect to an item shall be: "I move that the item on page ____, line ____, of ____ Bill ____ be restored, notwithstanding the item reduction of the Governor."

(d) A bill returned together with specific recommendations of the Governor may be acted upon, by record vote, in either of the following manners:

(1) By a motion to accept the specific recommendations of the Governor. The form of motion shall be: "I move to accept the specific recommendations of the Governor as to _____ Bill _____ in manner and form as follows: (inserting herein the language deemed necessary to effectuate the specific recommendations)."; or

(2) By considering the bill as a vetoed bill and overriding the recommendation and passing the bill in its original form. The form of motion shall be: "I move that _____ Bill _____ do pass, notwithstanding the specific recommendations of the Governor.".

(House Rule 81)

81. Vetoed Bills Considered in Entirety. If a bill is returned by the Governor containing more than one item veto, reduction veto, specific recommendation for change, or combination of them, the bill shall be acted upon in its entirety before the bill is released from the custody of the House.

(House Rule 82)

82. Disposition of Vetoes. When a bill or item has received the affirmative vote of the number of members elected necessary under the Constitution, the Presiding Officer shall declare that the bill or item has been passed or restored over the veto of the Governor, or that the specific recommendations for change have been approved, as the case may be. The bill shall then be attested to by the Clerk who shall note thereon the day the bill passed. The bill and the objections of the Governor shall then be immediately delivered to the Senate. When specific recommendations have been accepted, then the accepting language shall be attached to the original bill, and the bill shall be delivered to the Senate.

ARTICLE X

ELECTION CONTESTS AND QUALIFICATIONS CHALLENGES

(House Rule 83)

83. Election Contests and Qualifications Challenges.

(a) An election contest places in issue only the validity of the results of an election of a member to the House in a representative district. An election contest may result only in a determination of which candidate in that election was properly elected to the House and shall be seated.

(b) A qualifications challenge places in issue only the qualifications of an incumbent member of the House under the Constitution, or the legality of an appointment of a person as a member of the House to fill a vacancy. A qualifications challenge may result only in a determination of whether a member of the House is properly seated.

(c) Election contests and qualifications challenges shall be brought and conducted as provided in these Rules.

(d) If an election contest or qualifications challenge is filed with the Clerk, the Speaker shall create an Election Contest or Qualifications Challenge Committee, as the case may be, within 3 legislative days by filing a notice with the Clerk. The creation of any committee under this Rule shall be governed by Rule 10. The election contest or qualifications challenge shall be automatically referred to the Election Contest or Qualifications Challenge Committee, as the case may be. For purposes of this Article, the term "committee" means only the Election Contest or Qualifications Challenge Committees created under this Rule. This subsection may not be suspended.

(e) The committee may adopt rules to govern election contests and qualifications challenges, but those committee rules must be consistent with these Rules, must be filed with the Clerk, and must be made available to all parties and to the public. Any committee rule shall be subject to amendment, suspension, or repeal by House resolution.

(House Rule 84)

84. Initiating Election Contests.

(a) Election contests may be brought only by a registered voter of the representative district or by a member of the House.

(b) Election contests may be brought only by the procedures and within the time limits established by the Election Code. Notice of intention to contest shall be served on the person certified as elected to the House from the representative district within the time limits established by the Election Code. The requirements of this subsection apply to a member of the House appointed to fill a vacancy the same as if that member had been elected to the House.

(c) Within 10 days after the convening of the House in January following the general election contested, each contestant shall file with the Clerk a petition of election contest and shall serve the petition on the incumbent member of the House from the representative district. A petition of election contest shall allege the contestant's qualifications to bring the contest and to serve as a member of the House, that he or she believes that a mistake or fraud has been committed in specified precincts in the counting, return, or canvass of the votes, or that there was some other specified irregularity in the conduct of the election in specified precincts. A petition of election contest shall contain a prayer specifying the relief requested and the precincts in which a recount or other inquiry is desired. A petition of election contest shall be verified by affidavit swearing to the truth of the allegations or based upon information and belief, and shall be accompanied by proof of service on all respondents.

(d) A notice of intent to contest may not be amended to cure a defect under the statutory requirements. A petition of election contest, if filed and served after the notice of intention to contest, may not raise points not expressed in the notice.

(e) The incumbent member of the House from the representative district is a necessary party to the initiation of an election contest.

(House Rule 85)

85. Initiating Qualifications Challenges.

(a) Qualifications challenges may be brought only by a registered voter of the representative district of the representative challenged or by a member of the House.

(b) Qualifications challenges must be brought within 90 days after the day the challenged member takes his or her oath of office as a member of the House, or within 90 days after the day the petitioner first learns of the information on which the challenge is based, whichever occurs later.

(c) A qualifications challenge shall be brought by filing a petition of qualifications challenge with the Clerk, and by serving a copy of the petition on the respondent member of the House. The petition must be accompanied by proof of personal service upon the respondent member and must be verified by affidavit swearing to the truth of the allegations or based upon information and belief. A petition of qualifications challenge shall set forth the grounds on which the respondent member is alleged to be constitutionally unqualified, or on which his or her appointment to the House is claimed to be legally improper, the qualifications of the petitioner to bring the challenge, and a prayer for relief.

(House Rule 86)

86. Contests and Challenges; Due Process.

(a) Election contests and challenges shall be heard and determined as expeditiously as possible under adversary procedures wherein each party to the proceedings has a reasonable opportunity to present his or her claim, to present any defense and arguments, and to respond to those of his or her opponents. All parties may be represented by counsel.

(b) Election contests and qualifications challenges shall be heard and determined in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Election Code and other Illinois statutes, the Illinois Constitution, and the United States Constitution. Judicial decisions that bear on a point of law in a contest or challenge shall be admissible in the arguments of the parties and the deliberations and decisions of the committee. Judicial decisions applicable to a point of law or to a fact situation to the committee shall be given weight as precedent.

(c) In addition to notice of meetings required under these Rules, the committee and any subcommittee shall give notice to all parties reasonably in advance of each meeting or other proceeding. The committee shall also give notice of all rules, timetables, or deadlines adopted by the committee. Notice under this subsection shall be in writing and shall be given either personally with receipt, or by certified mail (return receipt requested) addressed to the party at his or her place of residence, and to his or her attorney of record at the attorney's office if so requested by the party.

(House Rule 87)

87. Committee Proceedings and Powers in Contests and Challenges.

(a) All proceedings of the committee and any subcommittees concerning election contests and qualifications challenges shall be transcribed by a certified court reporter. Copies of the transcript shall be made available to the members of the committee and to the parties.

(b) The committee may dismiss an election contest or qualifications challenge, or may determine to proceed to a recount or other inquiry. The committee may limit the issues to be determined in a contest or challenge, except that when a recount is conducted in an election contest, any precinct timely requested by any party to be recounted shall be recounted by the committee.

(c) In conducting inquiries, investigations, and recounts in election contests and qualifications challenges, the committee has the power to send for and compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of books, papers, ballots, documents, and records by subpoena signed by the Chairperson of the committee as provided by law and subject to Rule 4(c)(9). In conducting proceedings in election contests and qualifications challenges, the Chairperson of the committee and the Chairperson of any subcommittee may administer oaths to witnesses, as provided by law, and for this purpose a subcommittee is deemed to be a committee of the House.

(d) The committee may issue commissions by its Chairperson to any officer authorized to take depositions of any necessary witnesses as may be permitted by law. In recounting the ballots in any election contest, however, no person other than a member of the committee shall handle any ballots, tally sheets, or other election materials without consent of the committee or subcommittee. The responsibility for the actual recounting of ballots may not be delegated.

(e) The committee shall maintain an accurate and complete record of proceedings in every election contest and qualifications challenge. That record shall include all notices and pleadings, the transcripts and roll call votes, all reports and dissents, and all documents that were admitted into the proceeding. The committee shall file the record with the Clerk of the House upon the adoption of its final report. The record shall then be available for examination in the Clerk's office.

(f) With the approval of the Speaker, the committee may employ clerks, stenographers, court reporters, professional staff, and messengers.

(House Rule 88)

88. Adoption of Reports in Contests and Challenges.

(a) All final decisions of the committee regarding an election contest or qualification challenge shall be approved by a majority of the members appointed to the committee and reported in writing to the House. Reports shall include a specific recommendation to the House as to the disposition of the contest or challenge. Final reports following full inquiry on the merits of a contest or challenge shall contain findings of fact and, when necessary, conclusions of law.

(b) Any member of the committee may file a dissent from a report of the committee, a minority report, or a special concurrence with the majority report or with any minority report.

(c) A subcommittee shall report to the committee in writing in the same form as required for the committee report. Subcommittee members may file dissents, reports, and special concurrences.

(d) Reports shall not be adopted by the committee or a subcommittee until a hearing has been held thereon, with notice to all parties and a reasonable opportunity to examine and respond to a proposed majority report.

(e) Reports of the committee shall be filed with the Clerk, reproduced, and placed on the members' desks, along with any dissents, minority reports, or special concurrences, in the same manner as provided for bills under Rule 39. The report shall be listed on the calendar under the heading "Report of Election Contest" or "Report of Qualifications Challenge". The report shall be carried on the Daily Calendar for 2 legislative days before any action by the House.

(f) The House shall adopt the majority report or a minority report in an election contest or qualifications challenge or shall refuse to adopt any report filed and re-refer the contest or challenge to the committee for further proceedings or for a modified report. A report that has the effect of unseating an incumbent member of the House shall be adopted only by the affirmative vote of 60 members elected.

(g) Each party to a contest or challenge shall file with the Clerk of the committee within 10 days after the filing of the final report a detailed statement of attorney's fees and expenses incurred by that party in connection with the case. The committee shall make recommendations to the House concerning reimbursement of attorney's fees and the expenses of the parties. The recommendation shall not exceed a sum that is reasonable, just, and proper.

ARTICLE XI

DISCIPLINE AND PROTEST

(House Rule 89)

89. Disorderly Behavior.

(a) In accordance with Article IV, Sec. 6(d) of the Constitution, the House may punish any of its members for disorderly behavior and, with the concurrence of two-thirds of the members elected, expel a member (but not for a second time for the same offense). The reason for expulsion shall be entered upon the Journal with the names and votes of those members voting on the question.

(b) In accordance with Article IV, Sec. 6(d) of the Constitution, the House during its session may punish by imprisonment any person, not a member, guilty of disrespect to the House by disorderly or contemptuous behavior in its presence. That imprisonment shall not extend beyond 24 hours at one time unless the person persists in disorderly or contemptuous behavior.

(House Rule 90)

90. Protest. Any 2 members have the right to dissent and protest, in respectful language, against any act or resolution that they may think injurious to the public or to any individual, and have the reason of their protest entered upon the Journal. When by motion a majority of members determines that the language of a protest is not respectful, the protest shall be referred back to the protesting members.

ARTICLE XII

DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS

(House Rule 91)

91. Initiating Disciplinary Proceedings.

(a) Disciplinary proceedings may be commenced by filing with the Speaker a petition for a special investigating committee. The petition must be signed by at least one member of the House, and shall contain suggested charges which, if true, may subject the member named in the petition to disciplinary action by the House. If the petition is signed by 3 or more members of the House, the Speaker shall appoint 3 members of the majority caucus and the Minority Leader shall appoint 3 members of the minority caucus to a special investigating committee. If the petition is signed by fewer than 3 members of the House, the Speaker shall consult the member named in the petition, and unless that member objects in writing, the Speaker and the Minority Leader shall appoint a special investigating committee. If the member named in the petition objects to the appointment of a special investigating committee, any member who signed a petition for an investigation under this Rule may introduce a resolution to initiate disciplinary proceedings. Unless a resolution initiating disciplinary proceedings is introduced under this Rule, the contents of a petition for a special investigating committee shall be confidential except as to the member named, the members signing it, the Speaker, and the members of a special investigating committee.

(b) A resolution to initiate disciplinary proceedings shall be substantially in the following form:

"BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ____________ GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that a Special Investigating Committee be appointed to investigate allegations concerning the conduct of Representative _______________________, which, if true, may subject that member to disciplinary action by the House of Representatives."

A resolution to initiate disciplinary proceedings may be introduced only as permitted under this Rule. It is improper to attempt to initiate disciplinary proceedings in any manner not authorized by this Rule.

(c) A resolution to initiate disciplinary proceedings shall be referred to the Rules Committee.

(d) A resolution to initiate disciplinary proceedings is debatable.

(e) A resolution initiating disciplinary proceedings may be adopted only by the affirmative vote of 60 members elected.

(f) This Rule may be suspended only by unanimous consent.

(House Rule 92)

92. Preliminary Investigation.

(a) Pursuant to a petition or upon the adoption of a resolution initiating disciplinary proceedings, as provided in Rule 91, a special investigating committee consisting of 6 members shall be appointed, of whom 3 shall be appointed by the Speaker from the majority caucus and 3 shall be appointed by the Minority Leader from the minority caucus. The Speaker shall appoint the Chairperson of the special investigating committee from among the 6 members. Sponsors of the initiating resolution may not be appointed to the special investigating committee.

(b) The special investigating committee shall conduct a thorough investigation of all allegations and charges of impropriety concerning the member named in the initiating resolution that are brought to its attention to determine if reasonable grounds exist to bring charges against the member for formal disciplinary proceedings by the House. The special investigating committee shall meet with the Principal Sponsor of the initiating resolution at its initial meeting.

At the initial meeting, the Principal Sponsor of the initiating resolution shall submit to the special investigating committee a written list of suggested charges. The list shall define the scope of the inquiry or investigation pursuant to the initiating resolution. If the Principal Sponsor of the initiating resolution fails to submit a list, the special committee shall report a resolution of exoneration.

The Principal Sponsor of the initiating resolution shall also submit to the special investigating committee all information he or she may have relevant to the charges and allegations.

(c) The special investigating committee shall conduct all of its proceedings in executive session, and shall maintain strict confidence as to all of its proceedings and all witnesses, testimony, information, and exhibits that may come before it. No transcript or record of proceedings shall be taken. This subsection shall be adopted and effective upon an affirmative vote of 79 members. This subsection may not be suspended.

(d) Except for its initial meeting, any posting or notice requirements do not apply to meetings of the special investigating committee, but the Chairperson shall give notice of all meetings to the member named in and the Principal Sponsor of the initiating resolution and shall give reasonable notice to the public. The member who is the subject of the initiating resolution has the right to counsel during proceedings of the special investigating committee.

(e) Except for subsection (c), this Rule may be suspended only by the affirmative vote of 71 members elected.

(House Rule 93)

93. Report of Special Investigating Committee.

(a) The special investigating committee shall report in writing. All reports shall be signed by the members supporting the report.

(b) If a majority of those appointed determines to prefer charges, it shall file with the Clerk a formal statement of charges and specifications, and shall appoint 2 members of the House, one from the majority caucus and one from the minority caucus, who are not members of the special investigating committee to be managers for the House at the hearing on the charges. The statement of charges shall constitute the report of the special committee, but the special committee in its discretion may file a supplementary report stating its reasons for not bringing any other charges that may have been suggested to it.

(c) If the special committee determines not to prefer charges, it shall file with the Clerk a resolution exonerating the member named in the initiating resolution together with a report stating its reasons for not preferring charges.

(d) If the special committee cannot by majority vote of those appointed determine whether to prefer charges, the committee shall file with the Clerk a resolution of exoneration and a report stating the affirmative reasons for not preferring charges. That report shall be signed by all members of the special investigating committee, regardless of their original vote in the committee proceedings on whether to prefer charges.

(e) This Rule may be suspended only by the affirmative vote of 71 members elected.

(House Rule 94)

94. Select Committee on Discipline.

(a) When charges are preferred against any member of the House under Rule 93, the Speaker and the Minority Leader shall appoint a committee, to be known as a select committee on discipline, to hear and determine the charges. The select committee shall consist of 12 members of the House, 6 of whom shall be appointed by the Speaker from the majority caucus and 6 of whom shall be appointed by the Minority Leader from the minority caucus. The Speaker shall appoint a Chairperson of the select committee from among the 12 members. No member who served on the special investigating committee or any sponsor of the initiating resolution may be appointed to the select committee.

(b) All appointments to a select committee on discipline shall be completed and the select committee shall convene within 30 days after the filing of charges for which the committee is appointed.

(c) This Rule may be suspended only by the affirmative vote of 79 members elected.

(House Rule 95)

95. Hearings on Disciplinary Charges.

(a) Proceedings before the select committee on discipline shall be adversary in form, with the managers for the House presenting the case for disciplinary action. The respondent member may be represented by counsel.

(b) Stipulations of fact shall be encouraged by the select committee.

(c) The rules of evidence applicable to criminal proceedings apply except as may be waived by the managers or respondent, as may be appropriate.

(House Rule 96)

96. Report of Select Committee.

(a) The committee shall vote on each specification and charge, except that a vote of exoneration on a charge shall be a vote as to all specifications under that charge. All final votes on the merits of a charge or specification shall be by record vote.

(b) A finding of fault or exoneration on any specification or charge requires an affirmative vote of a majority of the members appointed to the select committee.

(c) The committee shall file a report of its findings on each specification and charge and a recommendation as to penalty with the Clerk. The report shall state the reasons for each conclusion and recommendation. If the committee finds the respondent member exonerated regarding any charge, it shall report a resolution of exoneration together with its report. If the select committee finds the respondent member at fault regarding any charge, it shall report a resolution embodying its findings and recommended penalty.

(d) If a select committee reports a finding of fault regarding any charge, any member of the select committee may file a minority report with the Clerk either dissenting from a finding, reason, or recommendation in the majority report or stating a concurrence on different grounds. A dissenting report may include a resolution of exoneration as to any charge or specifications.

(e) When a select committee has found a member at fault regarding a charge, the committee shall adopt a recommendation for disciplinary action. The committee may recommend a reprimand, a censure, expulsion from the House, or that no penalty be invoked. The recommendation on disciplinary action requires an affirmative vote of the majority of the members appointed to the select committee.

(f) This Rule may be suspended only by the affirmative vote of 71 members elected.

(House Rule 97)

97. House Action on Disciplinary Reports.

(a) The report of a select committee, together with any dissenting or concurring reports, and any accompanying resolution, shall be reproduced and placed on the members' desks, in the same manner as for bills under Rule 39. The report shall be placed on the calendar under the heading "Report of Select Committee on Discipline". The report shall be carried on the Daily Calendar for 2 legislative days before any action by the House.

(b) If the report of a select committee or a special investigating committee exonerates the respondent member, the House shall take up the resolution or re-refer the case to the committee for further proceedings.

(c) If the select committee reports a finding of fault as to any charge, the House shall take up the resolution for disciplinary action together with any minority resolutions. The House may amend a resolution for disciplinary action to decrease the recommended penalty.

(d) The House shall take action by a record vote on each resolution. Adoption of a resolution finding the respondent member at fault regarding charges and specifications shall dispose of any minority resolution of exoneration on those charges and specifications. If the House adopts a resolution of exoneration as to any charge or specification, a majority resolution shall be amended in accord with that disposition of those charges and specifications before it may be called for a final vote. If the adoption of exoneration resolutions disposes of all the charges and specifications in a majority resolution for disciplinary action, the majority resolution shall be tabled.

(e) Following record votes on all majority and minority resolutions arising out of a select committee finding of fault on a charge or specification, if there remains any charge or specification on which the House has neither exonerated the member or adopted a finding of fault, then any member may introduce and move a resolution of exoneration on that charge or specification.

(f) A resolution finding a member at fault regarding a charge may be adopted only by the affirmative vote of 71 members elected, except that a resolution the effect of which is to expel a member may be adopted only by the affirmative vote of 79 members elected.

(g) This Rule may be suspended only by the affirmative vote of 79 members elected.

ARTICLE XIII

FORCE AND EFFECT

(House Rule 98)

98. Applicability. The meetings and actions of the House, including all of its committees, are governed by these House Rules.

(House Rule 99)

99. Parliamentary Authority. The rules of parliamentary practice appearing in the latest edition of Robert's Rules of Order govern the House in all cases to which they apply so long as they are not inconsistent with these Rules.

(House Rule 100)

100. Certification by Speaker. With respect to each bill that is certified by the Speaker in accordance with Article IV, Sec. 8(d) of the Constitution, there is an irrebuttable presumption that the procedural requirements for passage have been met.

(House Rule 101)

101. Effective Date. These rules are in full force and effect upon their adoption, and shall remain in full force and effect except as amended in accordance with these Rules, or until superseded by new rules adopted as part of the organization of a newly-constituted General Assembly at the commencement of a term.

ARTICLE XIV

DEFINITIONS

(House Rule 102)

102. Definitions. As used in these Rules, terms have the meanings ascribed to them as follows, unless the context clearly requires a different meaning:

(1) Chairperson. "Chairperson" means that Representative designated by the Speaker to serve as chair of a committee.

(2) Co-Chairperson. "Co-Chairperson" means a Representative designated by the Speaker to serve as co-chair of a standing or special committee.

(3) Clerk. "Clerk" means the elected Clerk of the House.

(4) Committee. "Committee" means a committee of the House and includes a standing committee, the Rules Committee, a special committee, committees created under Article X and Article XII of these Rules, and a subcommittee of a committee. "Committee" does not mean a conference committee, and the procedural and notice requirements applicable to committees do not apply to conference committees.

(4.5) Committee amendment. "Committee amendment" means an amendment referred by the Rules Committee to a standing committee or special committee while the bill or resolution it amends is before that committee.

(5) Constitution. "Constitution" means the Constitution of the State of Illinois.

(6) General Assembly. "General Assembly" means the current General Assembly of the State of Illinois.

(7) House. "House" means the House of Representatives of the General Assembly.

(8) Joint Action Motions. "Joint action motions" means the following motions before the House: to concur in a Senate amendment, to non-concur in a Senate amendment, to recede from a House amendment, to refuse to recede from a House amendment, to request that a conference committee be appointed, and to adopt a conference committee report.

(9) Legislative Digest. "Legislative Digest" means the Legislative Synopsis and Digest that is prepared by the Legislative Reference Bureau of the General Assembly.

(10) Legislative Measures. "Legislative measures" means all matters brought before the House for consideration, whether originated in the House or Senate, and includes bills, amendments, resolutions, conference committee reports, motions, messages, notices, and Executive Orders from the executive branch.

(11) Majority. "Majority" means a majority of those members present and voting on a question. Unless otherwise specified with respect to a particular House Rule, for purposes of determining the number of members present and voting on a question, a "present" vote shall not be counted.

(12) Majority Caucus. "Majority caucus" means that group of Representatives from the numerically strongest political party in the House.

(13) Majority of those Appointed. "Majority of those appointed" means a majority of the total number of Representatives authorized under these Rules to be appointed to a committee.

(14) Majority of those Elected. "Majority of those elected" means a majority of the total number of Representatives entitled to be elected to the House, regardless of the number of elected or appointed Representatives actually serving in office. So long as 118 Representatives are entitled to be elected to the House, "majority of those elected" means 60 affirmative votes; 71 affirmative votes means three-fifths of the members elected; and 79 affirmative votes means two-thirds of the members elected.

(15) Member. "Member" means a Representative. Where the context so requires, "member" may also mean a Senator of the Illinois Senate.

(16) Members Appointed. "Members appointed" means the total number of Representatives authorized under these Rules to be appointed to a committee.

(17) Members Elected. "Members elected" means the 118 Representatives entitled to be elected to the House, regardless of the number of elected or appointed Representatives actually serving in office.

(18) Minority Caucus. "Minority caucus" means that group of Representatives from the second numerically strongest political party in the House.

(19) Minority Leader. "Minority Leader" means the Minority Leader of the House elected under Rule 2.

(20) Minority Spokesperson. "Minority spokesperson" means that Representative designated by the Minority Leader to serve as the minority spokesperson of a committee.

(21) Perfunctory Session. "Perfunctory session" means the convening of the House, pursuant to the scheduling of the Speaker, for purposes consistent with Rule 28.

(22) Presiding Officer. "Presiding Officer" means that Representative serving as the presiding officer of the House, whether that Representative is the Speaker or another Representative designated by the Speaker under Rule 4.

(23) Principal Sponsor. "Principal sponsor" means the first listed House sponsor of any legislative measure; with respect to a committee-sponsored bill or resolution, it means the Chairperson of the committee or the Co-Chairperson from the majority caucus.

(24) Record Vote. "Record vote" means a vote by ayes and nays entered on the journal.

(25) Representative. "Representative" means any duly elected or duly appointed Illinois State Representative, and means the same as "member".

(26) Senate. "Senate" means the Senate of the General Assembly.

(27) Speaker. "Speaker" means the Speaker of the House elected as provided in Rule 1.

(28) Term. "Term" means the 2-year term of a General Assembly.

(29) Vice-Chairperson. "Vice-Chairperson" means that Representative designated by the Speaker to serve as Vice-Chairperson of a committee.