Reps. Richardville and Waters offered the following resolution:

House Resolution No. 8

            A resolution to amend the Standing Rules of the House of Representatives.

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That Rules 23, 35, and 80 of the Standing Rules of the House of Representatives be amended to read as follows:

"Responsibility for Care of House and Televising House Session.

            Rule 23. (1)   The Clerk of the House shall exercise supervisory care and control of the Hall of the House of Representatives and all House rooms and equipment assigned to the office of the Clerk.  The Clerk shall from time to time, upon prior written authorization by the Speaker, have made such repairs and alterations in the House Chambers and the rooms and corridors connected therewith and their furniture and equipment, as may be necessary.

            (2)        Consistent with the standing rules of the House, and any guidelines or procedures adopted by the House Television Oversight Committee, the Clerk shall be responsible for televised coverage of House session and committee meetings.

            (3)        As directed by the Speaker, the Clerk shall enter into contractual agreements for rental of House facilities."

"Names and Number of Members.

            Rule 35.  (1)  All standing committees shall be appointed by the Speaker, except where the House shall otherwise order.

            (2)        The standing committees of the House and the number of Members shall be as follows:

            (a)        Agriculture and Resource Management  (11)

            (b)        Appropriations  (30) (31)

            (c)        Commerce  (19)

            (d)        Conservation and Outdoor Recreation  (11)

            (e)        Criminal Justice  (9)

            (f)         Education  (19)

            (g)        Employment Relations, Training and Safety  (9)

            (h)        Energy and Technology  (19)

            (i)         Family and Children Services  (11)

            (j)         Government Operations  (5)

            (k)        Great Lakes and Tourism  (7)

            (l)         Health Policy  (17)

            (m)       Higher Education  (7)

            (n)        House Television and Oversight  (6)

            (o)        Insurance  (15)

            (p)        Judiciary  (13)

            (q)        Land Use and Environment  (11)

            (r)        Local Government and Urban Policy  (11)

            (s)        Regulatory Reform  (11)

            (t)         Senior Health, Security and Retirement  (9)

            (u)        Tax Policy  (17)

            (v)        Transportation  (17)

            (w)       Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security  (11)

            (3)        Statutory Standing Committees:

            (a)        Administrative Rules  (5)

            (b)        House Fiscal Agency ( 6)

            (c)        Legislative Council  (6)

            (d)        Legislative Retirement  (4)

            (e)        Michigan Capitol Committee  (4)

            (4)        Any Member of any committee who is absent from attendance at any such committee meetings for three committee meetings, unless excused from attendance by the committee according to Rule 36, shall be automatically dropped from membership on such committee, and the committee automatically reduced unless the Speaker of the House shall fill such vacancy.  Each committee clerk shall keep a record of attendance at all committee meetings, and shall make a written report to the office of the Clerk of the House showing the names of those present, the names of those absent, and the names of those excused from attendance, which shall be entered upon the House Journal.  When a Member has been absent for three meetings of a committee without proper excuse, the Clerk of the House shall report the name of such Member, together with the dates of said meetings, to the Speaker of the House, and advise the Member of such action.  The Speaker of the House shall then fill such vacancy by appointing a Member to the committee.

            (5)        The daily House Journal shall report the roll call on all motions to report bills, joint resolutions and reorganization orders.  (See Const 1963, Art 4 ' 17)

            (6)        Committees shall adopt a meeting schedule at the commencement of each term which shall be printed in the House Journal.  Additional meetings may be called by the Chair or by a majority of the Members in writing to the Clerk of the House.  The Chair may cancel any scheduled meeting, except one called by a majority of the Members, by notice to the Members.".

"Televising of House Session.

            Rule 80.  (1)  Nothing in these rules shall prohibit the televising of sessions or committee meetings of the Michigan House of Representatives.

            (2)        The televised coverage of sessions and committee meetings of the Michigan House of Representatives by House television shall be made available for dissemination, pursuant to subsection (4).

            (3)        All televised coverage of House session and committee meetings shall be unedited.

            (4)        No portion of the coverage (either live or taped) authorized pursuant to subsection (2) may be utilized in any fashion for campaign or political purposes or to promote or oppose a ballot issue or the candidacy of any person for any elective office.  Only accredited news organizations, educational institutions, and non-profit public affairs documentary programs may utilize any portion of the House television feed.  No part of the House television feed may be used in any paid commercial advertisements."