Change Committee Membership Rules

Assembly Resolution No. 56 BY: M. of A. Kolb AMENDING section 1 of Rule IV of the Assembly rules, in relation to standing committees RESOLVED, That section 1 of Rule IV of the Assembly rules is amended to read as follows: Section 1. Standing Committees. a. The standing committees shall be as follows: Name of Committee Number of Members Aging ............................................ 30 Agriculture ...................................... 23 Alcoholism and Drug Abuse ........................ 14 Banks ............................................ 31 Children and Families ............................ 17 Cities ........................................... 16 Codes ............................................ 22 Consumer Affairs and Protection .................. 16 Corporations, Authorities and Commissions ........ 26 Correction ....................................... 13 Economic Development, Job Creation, Commerce and Industry ............................ 26 Education ........................................ 31 Election Law ..................................... 16 Energy ........................................... 17 Environmental Conservation ....................... 30 Ethics and Guidance ............................... 8 Governmental Employees ........................... 14 Governmental Operations .......................... 14 Health ........................................... 26 Higher Education ................................. 26 Housing .......................................... 28 Insurance ........................................ 25 Judiciary ........................................ 21 Labor ............................................ 29 Libraries and Education Technology ................ 9 Local Governments ................................ 20 Mental Health .................................... 13 Oversight, Analysis and Investigation ............. 7 Racing and Wagering .............................. 11 Real Property Taxation ........................... 10 Rules ............................................ 31 Small Business ................................... 17 Social Services .................................. 18 Tourism, Parks, Arts and Sports Development ...... 21 Transportation ................................... 26 Veterans' Affairs ................................ 19 Ways and Means ................................... 35 b. The number of majority members of each standing committee shall be in the same ratio as the majority members of the House are to the entire membership of the House, with all fractional members of one-half or greater being credited to the majority; provided, however that there shall be at least one minority member on each standing committee; and further provided that the Standing Committee on Ethics and Guidance shall consist of an equal number of majority and minority members. A member who in any calendar year has three or more unexcused absences, as determined by the chairperson or ranking minority member, as appropriate, from any regularly scheduled meeting of a standing committee at which bills are scheduled to be considered shall be removed from one or more of the standing committees to which he or she is assigned. The standing committee shall notify the member upon each unexcused absence and shall notify the Committee on Committees upon the second and any subsequent unexcused absences. The Committee on Committees shall notify the member of any resulting reduction in his or her committee assignments. c. Members of the Assembly shall serve on no more than six standing committees; provided, however that members serving as the chairperson of a standing committee shall serve on no more than five standing committees. Such limitations shall not apply to a member of the Assembly serving as an ex officio member of a committee pursuant to paragraph nine of subdivision c of section one of Rule I or for any member serving on a standing committee on an interim basis. d. All standing committees shall operate on an annual basis and their jurisdiction shall include, but not be limited to, the subject matter of each bill or resolution referred to them by the Speaker. Each standing committee shall propose legislative action and conduct such studies and investigations as may relate to matter within their jurisdiction. Each standing committee shall, furthermore, devote substantial efforts to the oversight and analysis of the activities, including but not limited to the implementation and administration of programs, of departments, agencies, divisions, authorities, boards, commissions, public benefit corporations and other entities within its jurisdiction. After adjournment sine die of the Legislature in an odd numbered year, standing committees may consider and act on pre-filed bills and bills carried over pursuant to subdivision f of section two of Rule III and may report such bills to the order of second reading for consideration by the Assembly at the next succeeding regular legislative session. e. No select, joint or joint legislative committee, except for the Temporary Joint Legislative Committee on Disaster Preparedness and Response, shall be created to make special studies or investigations by Assembly resolution or by any other resolution requiring the approval or concurrence of the Assembly except that an Assembly standing committee or subcommittee, or the staff thereof, may jointly consider, study or investigate with an appropriate Assembly or Senate standing committee or subcommittee or the staff thereof any subject matter which is within their jurisdiction.