HB0787 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB100 08188 RJF 18284 b

100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2017 and 2018
HB0787

Introduced , by Rep. Tom Demmer

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

25 ILCS 10/3	from Ch. 63, par. 23.3
25 ILCS 10/8 new

Amends the General Assembly Operations Act. Creates the Joint Committee of the General Assembly on Rules and Operations. Provides for the appointment of members to the Joint Committee. Provides that the Joint Committee shall adopt new rules of organization and procedure, which shall be binding on both houses of the General Assembly, by resolution setting forth those rules in their entirety. Provides that the resolution shall require a majority vote of those elected in each house to adopt the rules set forth for that respective house. Provides that the Joint Committee shall set guidelines for how committees shall be established and function in each respective house of the General Assembly. Makes conforming changes.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning State government.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The General Assembly Operations Act is amended by changing Section 3 and by adding Section 8 as follows:

(25 ILCS 10/3) (from Ch. 63, par. 23.3)

Sec. 3. At the convening of the House of Representatives and the Senate of each General Assembly the Secretary of State and the Governor, as required by the Constitution, shall call the House of Representatives and the Senate to order and shall preside until a Speaker and President are chosen and have taken their seats. For the purpose of the organization and operation of the House of Representatives, the rules adopted by and applicable to the regular session of the House of Representatives of the preceding General Assembly, insofar as such rules may be applicable, shall prevail and be the rules governing the House of Representatives of the General Assembly then convened, until such rules are changed or new rules adopted by the Joint Committee of the General Assembly on Rules and Operations under Section 8 of this Act.

(Source: P.A. 78-10.)

(25 ILCS 10/8 new)

Sec. 8. Joint Committee of the General Assembly on Rules and Operations.

(a) There is created a Joint Committee of the General Assembly on Rules and Operations for the purpose of making recommendations and implementing measures to improve the structure, committees, staff, and rules of each house of the General Assembly. Beginning in January of 2019, and for each odd numbered year thereafter, the Joint Committee shall meet before the second Wednesday of January to fulfill its function and duties under this Section. The Joint Committee shall be comprised of 12 members: 3 members appointed by the President of the Senate; 3 members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representative; 3 members appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate; and 3 members appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.

(b) Upon convening, the Joint Committee shall adopt new rules of organization and procedure, which shall be binding on both houses of the General Assembly, by resolution setting forth those rules in their entirety. The resolution shall require a majority vote of those elected in each house to adopt the rules set forth for that respective house. The Joint Committee shall also set guidelines for how committees shall be established and function in each respective house of the General Assembly, with a goal of increasing efficiency, including, but not limited to, eliminating unnecessary or underused committees, or combining certain committees with larger standing committees.