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consideration or investigation in accordance with subcommittees’ jurisdictions. Bills, resolutions, and
other matters referred to subcommittees may be re-referred or discharged by the Chair of the Committee
when, in the judgment of the Chair, the subcommittee is not able to complete its work or cannot reach
agreement therein.
(c) Membership. The Chair of the Committee shall assign members to the subcommittees and shall
designate the chair and vice-chair of each subcommittee. Minority party assignments, including
designation of the ranking minority member of each subcommittee, shall be made only with the
concurrence of the Ranking Minority Member of the Committee.
(d) Ex Officio Membership. The Chair of the Committee and the Ranking Minority Member of the
Committee shall be ex officio members of all subcommittees. They are authorized to vote on
subcommittee matters; but, unless they are regular members of the subcommittee, they shall not be
counted in determining a subcommittee quorum other than a quorum for taking testimony.
Rule 7 — Subcommittee Hearing and Meeting Procedure
(a) Generally. Each subcommittee is authorized to meet, hold hearings, receive testimony, markup
legislation, and report to the Committee on any measure or matter referred to it.
(b) During Committee Meetings and Hearings. No subcommittee may meet or hold a hearing at the
same time as a meeting or hearing of the Committee.
(c) Scheduling. Each subcommittee chair shall set hearing and meeting dates only with the approval of
the Chair of the Committee with a view toward assuring the availability of meeting rooms and avoiding
simultaneous scheduling of meetings or hearings.
(d) Participation. At the discretion of the Chair of the Committee, members of the Committee may
participate in subcommittee and select subcommittee hearings and other proceedings.
Rule 8 — Staff
(a) Employment Authority. Except as otherwise provided by House Rule X, clauses 6, 7 and 9, the
Chair of the Committee shall have the authority to hire and discharge employees of the professional and
clerical staff of the Committee and subcommittees.
(b) Duties. Except as otherwise provided by House Rule X, clauses 6, 7 and 9, the staff of the
Committee and subcommittees shall be subject to the direction of the Chair of the Committee and shall
perform such duties as the Chair of the Committee may assign.
Rule 9 — Hearings
(a) Generally. Hearings shall be conducted according to the procedures in House Rule XI, clause 2(k).
The Chair of the Committee or subcommittee shall make an opening statement as set forth in House
Rule XI, clause 2(k)(1). In addition, the Ranking Minority Member of the Committee or subcommittee
may make an opening statement. All questions put to witnesses before the Committee or a subcommittee
shall be relevant to the subject matter before the Committee or subcommittee for consideration, and the
presiding member shall rule on the relevance of any question put to a witness.
(b) Recognition and Order of Questioning. A member may question witnesses only when recognized
by the presiding member for that purpose. In accordance with House Rule XI, clause 2(j)(2), the five-
minute rule shall apply during the questioning of witnesses in a hearing. The presiding member shall, so
far as practicable, recognize alternately based on seniority of those majority and minority members
present at the conclusion of the members’ opening statements as determined by the Chair for the
majority members and the Ranking Minority Member for the minority members. Other members will be
recognized based on their arrival at the hearing. Additional time may be extended at the direction of the
presiding member.
(c) Extended Questioning. The Chair, or the Committee or subcommittee by motion, may permit a
specified number of majority and minority members to question a witness for a specified, total period
that is equal for each side and not longer than thirty minutes for each side
(d) Staff Questioning. The Chair, or the Committee or subcommittee by motion, may
permit Committee or subcommittee staff of the majority and minority to question a witness for a
specified, total period that is equal for each side and not longer than thirty minutes for each side.
(e) Time for Questioning. Nothing in paragraph (e) or (d) affects the rights of a member (other than a
member designated under paragraph (e) to question a witness for 5 minutes in accordance with
paragraph (b). In any extended questioning permitted under paragraph (c) or (d), the presiding member
shall determine how to allocate the time permitted for extended questioning by majority members or
staff, and the Ranking Minority Member shall determine how to allocate the time permitted for extended
questioning by minority members or staff.
(f) Witness Statements. Witnesses appearing before the Committee or a subcommittee shall, so far as
practicable, submit written statements at least 24 hours before their appearance.