Reps. Ward and Waters offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 179.

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

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

“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 (11)

            (b)        Appropriations (29)

           (c)        Banking and Financial Services (9)

            (d)        Commerce (19)

            (e) Conservation, Forestry, and Outdoor Recreation (11)

            (f)         Education (19)

            (g)        Employment Relations, Training, and Safety (7)

            (h)        Energy and Technology (19)

            (i)         Family and Children Services (9)

            (j)         Government Operations (8) (9)

            (k)        Health Policy (17)

            (l) Higher Education and Career Preparation (7)

            (m)       House Oversight, Elections, and Ethics (5)

            (n) Insurance (17)

            (o) Judiciary (15)

            (p) Local Government and Urban Policy (11)

            (q)        Natural Resources, Great Lakes, Land Use, and Environment (15)

            (r)        Regulatory Reform (9)

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

            (t) Tax Policy (17)

(U)       TORT REFORM (8)

(V) (u) Transportation (17)

(W) (v)Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security (9)

            (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.”