Proposed House rule would penalize members who miss sessions to block action

The proposed rule would make a member liable for a fine and a share of attendance costs. This applies to a member absent without leave for the purpose of impeding House action. The House may excuse payment by majority vote. The fine is calculated for each calendar day of absence. The text’s amendment marks make the fine amount unclear.

The proposed rule would let the House impose a budget penalty and remove a member from chair or vice-chair roles. These penalties apply to members absent without leave while the House is operating under a call ordered under the rule. The House may excuse these penalties. If the role penalty is not excused, the member cannot receive a new chair or vice-chair role until the next Legislature convenes; the appointing authority may choose a replacement. The budget penalty applies for each calendar day of absence. The role penalty applies after at least two consecutive days absent.

The proposed rule would reduce a member’s seniority and allow possible changes to office and parking assignments. This applies to a member absent without leave for at least three consecutive days while the House is operating under a call ordered under the rule. The House may excuse the seniority penalty by majority vote. If it is not excused and the member’s new seniority falls below another member’s, the House Administration Committee may allow members to choose offices and parking spaces again. The seniority reduction is two years for each calendar day of absence.

The proposed rule would allow expulsion and require a committee investigation and report beforehand. Expulsion is listed as a possible penalty for a member absent without leave to impede House action. The committee’s printed report must be given to each House member at least 24 hours before the House considers it. The printed report must reach each House member at least 24 hours before the House considers it.