Demo wants committee closed to the public

Rules panels have been open for at least 10 years

Published: Thursday, Jan. 17, 2008 12:23 a.m. MST
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
A longtime Democratic state legislator suggested Wednesday that the House Rules Committee once again be closed to the public and press.

Rep. Neal Hendrickson's idea carries some irony with it since it has been legislative Democrats — 25 years in the minority — who have tried to make an election issue out of the majority Republicans closing their caucus meetings.

By legislative rule, both party caucuses and the House and Senate rules committees can be closed by a vote of each group's members.

But by practice, both houses' rules committees have been open for at least 10 years, maybe longer.

"I personally want to keep it open," the House rules chairman, Rep. Steve Urquhart, R-St. George, said following an open Rules Committee Wednesday afternoon where Hendrickson, a Rules Committee member, made his suggestion. "But we'll discuss it" with other committee members at a later date, Urquhart added. The 2008 Legislature starts Monday, and the House Rules Committee will meet at least once a day, sometimes more often than that.

House Speaker Greg Curtis, R-Sandy, said while a debate may come, "I personally prefer our Rules (Committee) remain open, and I will vehemently oppose closing it. I think I can say that Rules will remain open — as it has for some time."

Story continues below

House Minority Assistant Whip David Litvack, D-Salt Lake, said House minority leaders also don't believe the Rules Committee should be closed. "We stand for more transparency in government. Neal has his own ideas, and we don't tell our caucus members what to do. But (a closed Rules Committee) does not make for good decision-making."

The House and Senate rules committees are some of the most powerful committees in the Legislature. Most of the time they meet as sifting committees, where members decided whether proposed bills will go to a standing committee for a public hearing, or will die a quiet death.

In the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, the rules committees met in secret behind closed doors. It was even outlawed for a committee member or staffer to talk about what went on in committee, and a legislator could be kicked off the committee and brought before an ethics committee for violating the oath of secrecy.

Hendrickson, D-West Valley, is one of two Democrats on the House Rules Committee. There are six Republicans on it.

In the old days of closed rules committees, wheeler-and-dealer members of both bodies were put on the committees where various secret agreements were made about whether this or that controversial bill would be killed or let out for a public hearing. And those committee members were some of the most powerful lawmakers in the Legislature.

In recent years, any House or Senate member may come into an open Rules Committee and stare down committee members voting to hold up his bill and not letting it out for debate. And that kind of pressure is warping the sifting process, some legislators complain.

Recent comments

Since most of Utah's official business takes place out of the public...

RangerGordon | Jan. 17, 2008 at 11:59 p.m.

You ARE just joking, "Not Fooled" ... aren't you?
And just how are...

Anonymous | Jan. 17, 2008 at 8:41 p.m.

Rules meetings are not public. If we want to end the nonsense going...

Not Fooled | Jan. 17, 2008 at 6:39 p.m.

previousnext

Latest comments

Salaries: AK + Harpring = McGrady. Buy out McGrady. Salary exchange would...

I'm quite proud of that play and I'm proud of Beck to Harline. I still get...

Tracyyyy Jazz must be smoking? Right? IT's gonna be good for AK only, he will...

If Jordan Wynn gets a fair and true shot at being the starter, he will take...

First off, I love Millsap because of his effort and nose for the ball in...

None of the Above! I love Milsap but he doesn't have the tallent to carry a...

Has the SLC Tribune cancelled their Utah Utes Sports section?Sure would be...

The only reason we looked better the last 20 minutes is because S.J stoped...

I am sick of hearing about San Antonio's brilliant cap work. If you have Tim...

It seems like I might be one of the only Kirilinko supporters still left here...

Advertisements
Advertisement