COMMITTEE CHAIRS

Choose a Secretary/Co-Chair who:
	 posts on the chalk board under the committee's name the bill
	    numbers to be considered in the committee that meeting.
	 takes roll
	 keeps tally of the votes and recommendation on each bill
	    before the committee
	 keeps minutes of the committee's discussion

Bring committee to order:
	 Ask secretary to take roll
	 Ask for approval of the minutes of the previous meeting
	    (if they are available)
	 Consider bills.  The committee has your chamber's bills
	    to consider first and then those of the other body.  Take
	    testimony following proper procedure*.  Testimony may be
	    taken from other committee members, other members of the
	    legislature,the Governor, the Lt. Governor, lobbyists and
	    the public.
	 Ask for motions.  Motions allowed:
		a.	I move that we send SB/HB#_____ to the floor
			with a do pass recommendation 
		b.	I move that we send SB/HB#______to the floor
			without recommendation 
		c.	I move we send SB/HB#______ to be amended
			(stating amendment)
		d.	I move that we hold SB/HB#_____  in committee 
			All motions must be seconded or they "die" for
			a lack of a second.
	 Vote.  The Chair votes last.  The Secretary/Co-Chair takes a
	    roll call vote and s/he votes when his/her name is read.
	 Announce the vote and the results.  
	 Appoint a member of the committee to be the bill's floor
	    sponsor.  This may be the person who originally brought
	    the bill to the committee or it may be a member of the
	    committee or both.
	 Take up the next bill or adjourn the committee.

At the end of each committee meeting, the Secretary/Co-Chair records the
meeting's results on the "Committee Bill Action Report Form" and gives
that form to your chamber's clerk.  That form should include the
following information:  (1) the committee name; (2) the bill number;
(3) the committee's action on each bill; (4) the name of the bill's
sponsor; (5) the date of the meeting.

* When discussing a bill, each individual who  wishes to speak must
raise their hand and say, "Mr/Madam Chair" and wait for you to
recognize him/her.  If one member has a question of another member
or someone testifying, s/he must first ask the chair for permission
to ask the question.  You then ask the member if s/he is willing to
take the question.  If that member agrees, then you give permission
to ask the question.  In general, all communication must "go through"
the chair.  This is the way you control the flow of the debate.



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