2021 -- H 5036

========

LC000809

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2021

____________

H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

HOUSE RESOLUTION AMENDING THE RULES OF THE HOUSE OF

REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE YEARS 2019-2020

     Introduced By: Representative Camille F. Vella-Wilkinson

     Date Introduced: January 19, 2021

     Referred To: House Rules

     RESOLVED, That the Rules of the House of Representatives adopted by the House of

Representatives at its January session, A.D. 2019, entitled “House Resolution Adopting the Rules

of the House of Representatives for the Years 2019 and 2020,” are hereby amended by adding

thereto the following section:

     (47) Discipline of a Member

     (a) Any action to expel a member shall commence with a resolution sponsored by the

Speaker of the House.

     (b) The Speaker shall refer the resolution to the committee on conduct, or any other

standing committee, for hearing and review. The committee shall investigate the matter and shall

have the right to compel witnesses and produce documents by subpoena prepared by the

committee and approved and signed by the Speaker. All testimony in the committee shall be

under oath and preserved by stenographic record which shall be transcribed upon the order of the

chair.

     (c) Any member who is the subject of potential expulsion under the resolution shall be

afforded due process of law, to include notice of all hearings, the right to retain legal counsel, and

the opportunity to present evidence and/or witnesses and cross examine any witnesses.

     (d) At the completion of the committee hearing, upon consideration and an affirmative

vote of the majority of the committee members present, said resolution shall be reported to the

floor of the house in accordance with these rules.

     (e) Any floor vote of the house for expulsion shall require two-thirds (2/3) of the

members elected for approval of the resolution to expel.

     (f) In those instances where the Speaker deems that censure or reprimand of a member is

in order, the Speaker may in his or her discretion impose said discipline. Upon notice of the

imposition by the Speaker of censure or reprimand upon a member, that member may dispute said

discipline within five (5) calendar days by notifying the Speaker in writing and requesting a

hearing before the committee on conduct. In the event a member requests a hearing before the

committee on conduct, the member shall be entitled to the procedures set forth herein.

     (g) In the alternative, the Speaker may in his or her discretion sponsor and refer a

resolution of censure or reprimand to the committee on conduct, or any other standing committee,

for hearing, review, and consideration by the committee consistent with the procedures set forth

herein.

========

LC000809

========

LC000809 - Page 2 of 3

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

HOUSE RESOLUTION AMENDING THE RULES OF THE HOUSE OF

REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE YEARS 2019-2020

***

     This resolution would amend the Rules of the House for the Years 2019 and 2020 by

establishing a procedure for the discipline of a member, which would include censure, reprimand,

and expulsion. This resolution would also provide that a member subject to potential expulsion

would be afforded due process of law.

========

LC000809

========

LC000809 - Page 3 of 3