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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2019 - 2020
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | March 19, 2019 01:24 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Jason Ortitay |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Proposed House Rules Change – Selection of Committee Chairs |
| While, we have adopted operating rules for the 2019-20 and are moving forward with consideration of legislation on behalf of the citizens of the Commonwealth, I believe that the time is right to also begin rethinking how committee chairs are selected in the House of Representatives. As you may know, House Rule 77 allows for changes to our rules by a resolution adopted by a majority vote of the House. I plan on introducing a resolution that would amend House Rule 43 to eliminate the seniority requirement in the selection of chairs and minority chairs and grant broad authority to the Speaker and the Minority Leader to select committee chairs from among their respective caucus’s membership. Additionally, the resolution will propose to limit an individual member’s service as the chair of a particular committee to no more than three terms. I believe that the people of Pennsylvania will benefit from periodically bringing fresh perspectives and diverse experiences into our various chair positions. Additionally, I believe that the House of Representatives, as an institution, will benefit from the same. There will be fewer opportunities for entrenched interests to dominate a particular issue. Please consider sponsoring this important legislation. |