* FINAL VERSION - Concurred
Resolution:A013
Title:Amending Rules 12(g) and 17 of the House of Deputies Rules of Order
Topic:Rules of Order
Committee:03 - Rules of Order
House of Initial Action:Deputies
Proposer:House of Deputies President's Council of Advice

Resolved, That Rule of Order 12(g) of the House of Deputies be amended to read as follows:

(g) Except as provided herein, every Committee meeting shall be open to the public. However, the Chair may convene the Committee in conference, during which time the public may remain but may not participate in the Committee deliberations. Upon a two-thirds majority vote of Committee members present, a Committee may go into executive session if the matter to be considered in executive session has first been scheduled for hearing and heard in open session, and interested persons have been given an opportunity to be heard. No legislative matter may be amended or otherwise voted on in executive session;

And be it further

Resolved, that Rule of Order 17 of the House of Deputies be amended to read as follows:

17. The provisions of Rules 12 and 13 shall not apply to Committees having procedural matters only, including, but not limited to, the Committee on Elections, Committee on Certification of Minutes, Committee on Dispatch of Business; Provided, however the meetings of such Committees shall be open to Bishops, Deputies, and Visitors, except that, on a two-thirds majority vote of Committee members present, the Committee may go into executive session to discuss, but not vote on, an appropriate matter.


EXPLANATION

The goal of the process is to ensure transparency and not permit actions to be taken in any kind of closed session. Where proceedings are purely procedural, such as Certification of Minutes or Dispatch of Business, the further goal is to facilitate getting their work done without undue distraction.

* Note: The final language, as well as the final status of each resolution, is being reviewed by the General Convention office. The Journal of the 76th General Convention and the Constitution and Canons will be published once the review process has been completed.