Legislative Council

The Legislative Council serves as the central authority for how the legislature operates. It is automatically composed of the Speaker of the House, the President of the Senate, and the majority and minority leaders from both chambers, making it a leadership-driven body rather than a broad committee. Its primary role is to set the rules and procedures for the legislative process—deciding when the legislature meets, how bills are introduced and debated, the legislative process, and how the overall workflow is structured. The Council also has the authority over committees and membership on those committees. Rather than focusing on specific policy content, the Council ensures the institution itself runs efficiently and predictably.

Legislative Council Members

Policies

JOINT RULE 26-01

Any bill, resolution, or measure not finally passed by both chambers of the Legislature and, where required, presented to the Governor for action prior to 12:00 midnight on the 120th calendar day following convening shall be deemed to have failed. No such measure may be carried over into any subsequent regular or special session and must be reintroduced as a new bill in a future session.

JOINT RULE 26-02

All elected members of the Legislature and legislative branch employees shall be entitled to protection services provided by the State Police. Such protection may include personal security, threat assessment, and facility security as deemed appropriate by the State Police in coordination with legislative leadership.

JOINT RULE 26-03

No member of the Legislature shall photograph, audio record, or video record another member, legislative employee, or any individual within the chamber or its immediate environs during session, including open floor proceedings, without the express consent of the individual being recorded. This rule shall not apply to official legislative broadcasting systems authorized by chamber leadership.

JOINT RULE 26-04

Measures eligible for consideration on second or third reading shall be scheduled for floor debate in ascending numerical order based on bill number. A measure with a lower numerical designation shall receive priority for consideration over measures with higher numerical designations, provided it has met all procedural requirements and is ready for floor action.

JOINT RULE 26-05

Each legislator shall be entitled to submit up to five bill requests per regular session to the Office of Legislative Legal Services. Any additional bill requests beyond the initial five must receive prior written approval from the presiding officer of the member’s chamber or their designee.