House of Delegates Adopts Rules for 2018-2019 Session

From the Republican House Caucus….

The Virginia House of Delegates on Wednesday adopted the Rules for the 2018-2019 General Assembly session.

The Rules package proposed by House Majority Leader Todd Gilbert (R-Shenandoah) expands the existing rule on proportional representation, applying the practice to subcommittees and requires the House to utilize electronic voting equipment to record votes in committee and subcommittee. The House will also live stream all committee meetings, as announced in 2017.

“The House of Delegates has long operated under a fair set of even-handed rules that protect the integrity of the institution and allow for the House to smoothly conduct the people’s business,” said Gilbert. “The Rules we agreed to today reflect the new composition of the House chamber, as well as several new transparency initiatives we are proud to champion.”

“We have sought to establish a bipartisan framework under which the House can operate for the next two years,” said Caucus Chairman Timothy D. Hugo (R-Fairfax). “The House continues to lead by promoting transparency, both for legislators and the public. Recorded votes in subcommittee and live streaming for all committees is a major step forward for the House.”

“The work we do as public servants should always be open and accessible to an informed citizenry,” said Delegate Ben Cline (R-Rockbridge). “I have always advocated for recorded votes and I am proud of the step the House took today.”

The Rules package also makes a number of other technical and procedural changes to streamline and improve the legislative operations of the House of Delegates.

A full copy of the Rules can be found online as HR 17, introduced by Gilbert.