[House Prints, 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



 
110th Congress 
 1st Session                COMMITTEE PRINT
_______________________________________________________________________





                            COMMITTEE RULES


                               2007-2008

                       (Adopted January 17, 2007)

                               __________


                            PREPARED BY THE

                              COMMITTEE ON

                   TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE

                     U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES



                               APRIL 2007


             COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE





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                 JAMES L. OBERSTAR, Minnesota, Chairman

NICK J. RAHALL, II, West Virginia    JOHN L. MICA, Florida
PETER A. DeFAZIO, Oregon             DON YOUNG, Alaska
JERRY F. COSTELLO, Illinois          THOMAS E. PETRI, Wisconsin
ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON, District of   HOWARD COBLE, North Carolina
Columbia                             JOHN J. DUNCAN, Jr., Tennessee
JERROLD NADLER, New York             WAYNE T. GILCHREST, Maryland
CORRINE BROWN, Florida               VERNON J. EHLERS, Michigan
BOB FILNER, California               STEVEN C. LaTOURETTE, Ohio
EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON, Texas         RICHARD H. BAKER, Louisiana
GENE TAYLOR, Mississippi             FRANK A. LoBIONDO, New Jersey
JUANITA MILLENDER-McDONALD,          JERRY MORAN, Kansas
California                           GARY G. MILLER, California
ELIJAH E. CUMMINGS, Maryland         ROBIN HAYES, North Carolina
ELLEN O. TAUSCHER, California        HENRY E. BROWN, Jr., South 
LEONARD L. BOSWELL, Iowa             Carolina
TIM HOLDEN, Pennsylvania             TIMOTHY V. JOHNSON, Illinois
BRIAN BAIRD, Washington              TODD RUSSELL PLATTS, Pennsylvania
RICK LARSEN, Washington              SAM GRAVES, Missouri
MICHAEL E. CAPUANO, Massachusetts    BILL SHUSTER, Pennsylvania
JULIA CARSON, Indiana                JOHN BOOZMAN, Arkansas
TIMOTHY H. BISHOP, New York          SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO, West 
MICHAEL H. MICHAUD, Maine            Virginia
BRIAN HIGGINS, New York              JIM GERLACH, Pennsylvania
RUSS CARNAHAN, Missouri              MARIO DIAZ-BALART, Florida
JOHN T. SALAZAR, Colorado            CHARLES W. DENT, Pennsylvania
GRACE F. NAPOLITANO, California      TED POE, Texas
DANIEL LIPINSKI, Illinois            DAVID G. REICHERT, Washington
DORIS O. MATSUI, California          CONNIE MACK, Florida
NICK LAMPSON, Texas                  JOHN R. `RANDY' KUHL, Jr., New 
ZACHARY T. SPACE, Ohio               York
MAZIE K. HIRONO, Hawaii              LYNN A WESTMORELAND, Georgia
BRUCE L. BRALEY, Iowa                CHARLES W. BOUSTANY, Jr., 
JASON ALTMIRE, Pennsylvania          Louisiana
TIMOTHY J. WALZ, Minnesota           JEAN SCHMIDT, Ohio
HEATH SHULER, North Carolina         CANDICE S. MILLER, Michigan
MICHAEL A. ACURI, New York           THELMA D. DRAKE, Virginia
HARRY E. MITCHELL, Arizona           MARY FALLIN, Oklahoma
CHRISTOPHER P. CARNEY, Pennsylvania  VERN BUCHANAN, Florida
JOHN J. HALL, New York
STEVE KAGEN, Wisconsin
STEVE COHEN, Tennessee
JERRY McNERNEY, California

                                  (ii)
                                CONTENTS

Rule I.--General Provisions......................................     1
Rule II.--Regular, Additional and Special Meetings...............     1
Rule III.--Meetings and Hearings Generally.......................     2
Rule IV.--Power to Sit and Act; Power to Conduct Investigations; 
  Oaths; Subpoena Power..........................................     3
Rule V.--Quorums and Record Votes; Postponement of Votes.........     4
Rule VI.--Hearing Procedures.....................................     5
Rule VII.--Procedures for Reporting Bills, Resolutions, and 
  Reports........................................................     7
Rule VIII.--Establishment of Subcommittees; Size and Party Ratios     8
Rule IX.--Powers and Duties of Subcommittees.....................     9
Rule X.--Referral of Legislation to Subcommittees................     9
Rule XI.--Recommendation of Conferees............................    10
Rule XII.--Oversight.............................................    10
Rule XIII.--Review of Continuing Programs; Budget Act Provisions.    11
Rule XIV.--Records...............................................    11
Rule XV.--Committee Budgets......................................    12
Rule XVI.--Committee Staff.......................................    13
Rule XVII.--Travel of Members and Staff..........................    13
      RULES OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE

                       (Adopted January 17, 2007)

Rule I. General Provisions
    (a) Applicability of House Rules.--
          (1) In general.--The Rules of the House are the rules 
        of the Committee and its subcommittees so far as 
        applicable, except that a motion to recess from day to 
        day, and a motion to dispense with the first reading 
        (in full) of a bill or resolution, if printed copies 
        are available, are non-debatable privileged motions in 
        the Committee and its subcommittees.
          (2) Subcommittees.--Each subcommittee is part of the 
        Committee, and is subject to the authority and 
        direction of the Committee and its rules so far as 
        applicable.
          (3) Incorporation of House Rule on Committee 
        procedure.--Rule XI of the Rules of the House, which 
        pertains entirely to Committee procedure, is 
        incorporated and made a part of the rules of the 
        Committee to the extent applicable. Pursuant to clause 
        2(a)(3) of Rule XI of the Rules of the House, the 
        Chairman is authorized to offer a motion under clause 1 
        of Rule XXII of the Rules of the House whenever the 
        Chairman considers it appropriate.
  (b) Publication of Rules.--The Committee's rules shall be 
published in the Congressional Record not later than 30 days 
after the Committee is elected in each odd-numbered year.
  (c) Vice Chairman.--The Chairman shall appoint a vice 
chairman of the Committee and of each subcommittee. If the 
Chairman of the Committee or subcommittee is not present at any 
meeting of the Committee or subcommittee, as the case may be, 
the vice chairman shall preside. If the vice chairman is not 
present, the ranking member of the majority party on the 
Committee or subcommittee who is present shall preside at that 
meeting.
Rule II. Regular, Additional, and Special Meetings
  (a) Regular Meetings.--
          (1) In general.--Regular meetings of the Committee 
        shall be held on the first Wednesday of every month to 
        transact its business unless such day is a holiday, or 
        the House is in recess or is adjourned, in which case 
        the Chairman shall determine the regular meeting day of 
        the Committee for that month.
          (2) Notice.--The Chairman shall give each member of 
        the Committee, as far in advance of the day of the 
        regular meeting as the circumstances make practicable, 
        a written notice of such meeting and the matters to be 
        considered at such meeting. To the maximum extent 
        practicable, the Chairman shall provide such notice at 
        least 3 days prior to such meeting.
          (3) Cancellation or deferral.--If the Chairman 
        believes that the Committee will not be considering any 
        bill or resolution before the full Committee and that 
        there is no other business to be transacted at a 
        regular meeting, the meeting may be canceled or it may 
        be deferred until such time as, in the judgment of the 
        Chairman, there may be matters which require the 
        Committee's consideration.
          (4) Applicability.--This paragraph shall not apply to 
        meetings of any subcommittee.
    (b) Additional Meetings.--The Chairman may call and 
convene, as he or she considers necessary, additional meetings 
of the Committee for the consideration of any bill or 
resolution pending before the Committee or for the conduct of 
other committee business. The Committee shall meet for such 
purpose pursuant to the call of the Chairman.
    (c) Special Meetings.--If at least three members of the 
Committee desire that a special meeting of the Committee be 
called by the Chairman, those members may file in the offices 
of the Committee their written request to the Chairman for that 
special meeting. Such request shall specify the measure or 
matter to be considered. Immediately upon the filing of the 
request, the clerk of the Committee shall notify the Chairman 
of the filing of the request. If, within 3 calendar days after 
the filing of the request, the Chairman does not call the 
requested special meeting to be held within 7 calendar days 
after the filing of the request, a majority of the members of 
the Committee may file in the offices of the Committee their 
written notice that a special meeting of the Committee will be 
held, specifying the date and hour thereof, and the measure or 
matter to be considered at that special meeting. The Committee 
shall meet on that date and hour. Immediately upon the filing 
of the notice, the clerk of the Committee shall notify all 
members of the Committee that such meeting will be held and 
inform them of its date and hour and the measure or matter to 
be considered; and only the measure or matter specified in that 
notice may be considered at that special meeting.
    (d) Prohibition on Sitting During Joint Session.--The 
Committee may not sit during a joint session of the House and 
Senate or during a recess when a joint meeting of the House and 
Senate is in progress.

Rule III. Meetings and Hearings Generally

    (a) Open Meetings.--Each meeting for the transaction of 
business, including the markup of legislation, and each hearing 
of the Committee or a subcommittee shall be open to the public, 
except as provided by clause 2(g) of Rule XI of the Rules of 
the House.
    (b) Meetings To Begin Promptly.--Each meeting or hearing of 
the Committee shall begin promptly at the time so stipulated in 
the public announcement of the meeting or hearing.
    (c) Addressing the Committee.--A Committee member may 
address the Committee or a subcommittee on any bill, motion, or 
other matter under consideration--
          (1) only when recognized by the Chairman for that 
        purpose; and
          (2) only for 5 minutes until such time as each member 
        of the Committee or subcommittee who so desires has had 
        an opportunity to address the Committee or 
        subcommittee.
A member shall be limited in his or her remarks to the subject 
matter under consideration. The Chairman shall enforce this 
subparagraph.
    (d) Participation of Members in Subcommittee Meetings and 
Hearings.--All members of the Committee who are not members of 
a particular subcommittee may, by unanimous consent of the 
members of such subcommittee, participate in any subcommittee 
meeting or hearing. However, a member who is not a member of 
the subcommittee may not vote on any matter before the 
subcommittee, be counted for purposes of establishing a quorum, 
or raise points of order.
    (e) Broadcasting.--Whenever a meeting for the transaction 
of business, including the markup of legislation, or a hearing 
is open to the public, that meeting or hearing shall be open to 
coverage by television, radio, and still photography in 
accordance with clause 4 of Rule XI of the Rules of the House. 
Operation and use of any Committee Internet broadcast system 
shall be fair and nonpartisan and in accordance with clause 
4(b) of Rule XI of the Rules of the House and all other 
applicable rules of the Committee and the House.
    (f) Access to the Dais and Lounges.--Access to the hearing 
rooms' daises and to the lounges adjacent to the Committee 
hearing rooms shall be limited to Members of Congress and 
employees of Congress during a meeting or hearing of the 
Committee unless specifically permitted by the Chairman or 
ranking minority member.
    (g) Use of Cellular Telephones.--The use of cellular 
telephones in the Committee hearing room is prohibited during a 
meeting or hearing of the Committee.

Rule IV. Power To Sit and Act; Power To Conduct Investigations; Oaths; 
        Subpoena Power

    (a) Authority To Sit and Act.--For the purpose of carrying 
out any of its functions and duties under Rules X and XI of the 
Rules of the House, the Committee and each of its 
subcommittees, is authorized (subject to paragraph (d)(1))--
          (1) to sit and act at such times and places within 
        the United States whether the House is in session, has 
        recessed, or has adjourned and to hold such hearings; 
        and
          (2) to require, by subpoena or otherwise, the 
        attendance and testimony of such witnesses and the 
        production of such books, records, correspondence, 
        memorandums, papers, and documents, as it deems 
        necessary.
    (b) Authority To Conduct Investigations.--
          (1) In general.--The Committee is authorized at any 
        time to conduct such investigations and studies as it 
        may consider necessary or appropriate in the exercise 
        of its responsibilities under Rule X of the Rules of 
        the House and (subject to the adoption of expense 
        resolutions as required by Rule X, clause 6 of the 
        Rules of the House) to incur expenses (including travel 
        expenses) in connection therewith.
          (2) Major investigations by subcommittees.--A 
        subcommittee may not begin a major investigation 
        without approval of a majority of such subcommittee.
    (c) Oaths.--The Chairman of the Committee, or any member 
designated by the Chairman, may administer oaths to any 
witness.
    (d) Issuance of Subpoenas.--
          (1) In general.--A subpoena may be issued by the 
        Committee or subcommittee under paragraph (a)(2) in the 
        conduct of any investigation or activity or series of 
        investigations or activities, only when authorized by a 
        majority of the members voting, a majority being 
        present. Such authorized subpoenas shall be signed by 
        the Chairman of the Committee or by any member 
        designated by the Committee. If a specific request for 
        a subpoena has not been previously rejected by either 
        the Committee or subcommittee, the Chairman of the 
        Committee, after consultation with the ranking minority 
        member of the Committee, may authorize and issue a 
        subpoena under paragraph (a)(2) in the conduct of any 
        investigation or activity or series of investigations 
        or activities, and such subpoena shall for all purposes 
        be deemed a subpoena issued by the Committee. As soon 
        as practicable after a subpoena is issued under this 
        rule, the Chairman shall notify all members of the 
        Committee of such action.
          (2) Enforcement.--Compliance with any subpoena issued 
        by the Committee or subcommittee under paragraph (a)(2) 
        may be enforced only as authorized or directed by the 
        House.
    (e) Expenses of Subpoenaed Witnesses.--Each witness who has 
been subpoenaed, upon the completion of his or her testimony 
before the Committee or any subcommittee, may report to the 
offices of the Committee, and there sign appropriate vouchers 
for travel allowances and attendance fees. If hearings are held 
in cities other than Washington, D.C., the witness may contact 
the counsel of the Committee, or his or her representative, 
before leaving the hearing room.

Rule V. Quorums and Record Votes; Postponement of Votes

    (a) Working Quorum.--One-third of the members of the 
Committee or a subcommittee shall constitute a quorum for 
taking any action other than the closing of a meeting pursuant 
to clauses 2(g) and 2(k)(5) of Rule XI of the Rules of the 
House, the authorizing of a subpoena pursuant to paragraph (d) 
of Committee Rule IV, the reporting of a measure or 
recommendation pursuant to paragraph (b)(1) of Committee Rule 
VII, and the actions described in paragraphs (b), (c) and (d) 
of this rule.
    (b) Quorum for Reporting.--A majority of the members of the 
Committee or a subcommittee shall constitute a quorum for the 
reporting of a measure or recommendation.
    (c) Approval of Certain Matters.--A majority of the members 
of the Committee or a subcommittee shall constitute a quorum 
for approval of a resolution concerning any of the following 
actions:
          (1) A prospectus for construction, alteration, 
        purchase or acquisition of a public building or the 
        lease of space as required by section 3307 of title 40, 
        United States Code.
          (2) Survey investigation of a proposed project for 
        navigation, flood control, and other purposes by the 
        Corps of Engineers (section 4 of the Rivers and Harbors 
        Act of March 4, 1913, 33 U.S.C. 542).
          (3) Construction of a water resources development 
        project by the Corps of Engineers with an estimated 
        Federal cost not exceeding $15,000,000 (section 201 of 
        the Flood Control Act of 1965).
          (4) Deletion of water quality storage in a Federal 
        reservoir project where the benefits attributable to 
        water quality are 15 percent or more but not greater 
        than 25 percent of the total project benefits (section 
        65 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1974).
          (5) Authorization of a Natural Resources Conservation 
        Service watershed project involving any single 
        structure of more than 4,000 acre feet of total 
        capacity (section 2 of P.L. 566, 83rd Congress).
    (d) Quorum for Taking Testimony.--Two members of the 
Committee or subcommittee shall constitute a quorum for the 
purpose of taking testimony and receiving evidence.
    (e) Record Votes.--A record vote may be demanded by one-
fifth of the members present.
    (f) Postponement of Votes.--
          (1) In general.--In accordance with clause 2(h)(4) of 
        Rule XI of the Rules of the House, the Chairman of the 
        Committee or a subcommittee, after consultation with 
        the ranking minority member of the Committee or 
        subcommittee, may--
                  (A) postpone further proceedings when a 
                record vote is ordered on the question of 
                approving a measure or matter or on adopting an 
                amendment; and
                  (B) resume proceedings on a postponed 
                question at any time after reasonable notice.
          (2) Resumption of proceedings.--When proceedings 
        resume on a postponed question, notwithstanding any 
        intervening order for the previous question, an 
        underlying proposition shall remain subject to further 
        debate or amendment to the same extent as when the 
        question was postponed.

Rule VI. Hearing Procedures

    (a) Announcement of Hearing.--The Chairman, in the case of 
a hearing to be conducted by the Committee, and the appropriate 
subcommittee chairman, in the case of a hearing to be conducted 
by a subcommittee, shall make public announcement of the date, 
place, and subject matter of such hearing at least one week 
before the hearing. If the Chairman or the appropriate 
subcommittee chairman, as the case may be, with the concurrence 
of the ranking minority member of the Committee or subcommittee 
as appropriate, determines there is good cause to begin the 
hearing sooner, or if the Committee or subcommittee so 
determines by majority vote, a quorum being present for the 
transaction of business, the Chairman shall make the 
announcement at the earliest possible date. The clerk of the 
Committee shall promptly notify the Daily Digest Clerk of the 
Congressional Record as soon as possible after such public 
announcement is made.
    (b) Written Statement; Oral Testimony.--So far as 
practicable, each witness who is to appear before the Committee 
or a subcommittee shall file with the clerk of the Committee or 
subcommittee, at least 2 working days before the day of his or 
her appearance, a written statement of proposed testimony and 
shall limit his or her oral presentation to a summary of the 
written statement.
    (c) Minority Witnesses.--When any hearing is conducted by 
the Committee or any subcommittee upon any measure or matter, 
the minority party members on the Committee or subcommittee 
shall be entitled, upon request to the Chairman by a majority 
of those minority members before the completion of such 
hearing, to call witnesses selected by the minority to testify 
with respect to that measure or matter during at least one day 
of hearing thereon.
    (d) Summary of Subject Matter.--Upon announcement of a 
hearing, to the extent practicable, the Committee shall make 
available immediately to all members of the Committee a concise 
summary of the subject matter (including legislative reports 
and other material) under consideration. In addition, upon 
announcement of a hearing and subsequently as they are 
received, the Chairman shall make available to the members of 
the Committee any official reports from departments and 
agencies on such matter.
    (e) Questioning of Witnesses.--The questioning of witnesses 
in Committee and subcommittee hearings shall be initiated by 
the Chairman, followed by the ranking minority member and all 
other members alternating between the majority and minority 
parties. In recognizing members to question witnesses in this 
fashion, the Chairman shall take into consideration the ratio 
of the majority to minority members present and shall establish 
the order of recognition for questioning in such a manner as 
not to disadvantage the members of the majority nor the members 
of the minority. The Chairman may accomplish this by 
recognizing two majority members for each minority member 
recognized.
    (f) Procedures for Questions.--
          (1) In general.--A Committee member may question a 
        witness at a hearing--
                  (A) only when recognized by the Chairman for 
                that purpose; and
                  (B) subject to subparagraphs (2) and (3), 
                only for 5 minutes until such time as each 
                member of the Committee or subcommittee who so 
                desires has had an opportunity to question the 
                witness.
A member shall be limited in his or her remarks to the subject 
matter under consideration. The Chairman shall enforce this 
paragraph.
          (2) Extended questioning of witnesses by members.--
        The Chairman of the Committee or a subcommittee, with 
        the concurrence of the ranking minority member, or the 
        Committee or subcommittee by motion, may permit a 
        specified number of its members to question a witness 
        for longer than 5 minutes. The time for extended 
        questioning of a witness under this subdivision shall 
        be equal for the majority party and minority party and 
        may not exceed one hour in the aggregate.
          (3) Extended questioning of witnesses by staff.--The 
        Chairman of the Committee or a subcommittee, with the 
        concurrence of the ranking minority member, or the 
        Committee or subcommittee by motion, may permit 
        committee staff for its majority and minority party 
        members to question a witness for equal specified 
        periods. The time for extended questioning of a witness 
        under this subdivision shall be equal for the majority 
        party and minority party and may not exceed one hour in 
        the aggregate.
          (4) Right to question witnesses following extended 
        questioning.--Nothing in subparagraph (2) or (3) 
        affects the right of a Member (other than a Member 
        designated under subparagraph (2)) to question a 
        witness for 5 minutes in accordance with subparagraph 
        (1)(B) after the questioning permitted under 
        subparagraph (2) or (3).
    (g) Additional Hearing Procedures.--Clause 2(k) of Rule XI 
of the Rules of the House (relating to additional rules for 
hearings) applies to hearings of the Committee and its 
subcommittees.

Rule VII. Procedures for Reporting Bills, Resolutions, and Reports

    (a) Filing of Reports.--
          (1) In general.--The Chairman of the Committee shall 
        report promptly to the House any measure or matter 
        approved by the Committee and take necessary steps to 
        bring the measure or matter to a vote.
          (2) Requests for reporting.--The report of the 
        Committee on a measure or matter which has been 
        approved by the Committee shall be filed within 7 
        calendar days (exclusive of days on which the House is 
        not in session) after the day on which there has been 
        filed with the clerk of the Committee a written 
        request, signed by a majority of the members of the 
        Committee, for the reporting of that measure or matter. 
        Upon the filing of any such request, the clerk of the 
        Committee shall transmit immediately to the Chairman of 
        the Committee notice of the filing of that request.
    (b) Quorum; Record Votes.--
          (1) Quorum.--No measure, matter, or recommendation 
        shall be reported from the Committee unless a majority 
        of the Committee was actually present.
          (2) Record votes.--With respect to each record vote 
        on a motion to report any measure or matter of a public 
        character, and on any amendment offered to the measure 
        or matter, the total number of votes cast for and 
        against, and the names of those members voting for and 
        against, shall be included in the Committee report on 
        the measure or matter.
    (c) Required Matters.--The report of the Committee on a 
measure or matter which has been approved by the Committee 
shall include the items required to be included by clauses 2(c) 
and 3 of Rule XIII of the Rules of the House.
    (d) Additional Views.--If, at the time of approval of any 
measure or matter by the Committee, any member of the Committee 
gives notice of intention to file supplemental, minority, or 
additional views, that member shall be entitled to not less 
than two additional calendar days after the day of such notice 
(excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays) in which to 
file such views in accordance with clause 2(1) of Rule XI of 
the Rules of the House.
    (e) Activities Report.--
          (1) In general.--The Committee shall submit to the 
        House, not later than January 2 of each odd-numbered 
        year, a report on the activities of the Committee under 
        Rules X and XI of the Rules of the House during the 
        Congress ending on January 3 of such year.
          (2) Contents.--Such report shall include separate 
        sections summarizing the legislative and oversight 
        activities of the Committee during that Congress.
          (3) Oversight section.--The oversight section of such 
        report shall include a summary of the oversight plans 
        submitted by the Committee pursuant to clause 2(d) of 
        Rule X of the Rules of the House, a summary of the 
        actions taken and recommendations made with respect to 
        each such plan, and a summary of any additional 
        oversight activities undertaken by the Committee, and 
        any recommendations made or actions taken thereon.
    (f) Other Committee Materials.--
          (1) In general.--All Committee and subcommittee 
        prints, reports, documents, or other materials, not 
        otherwise provided for under this rule, that purport to 
        express publicly the views of the Committee or any of 
        its subcommittees or members of the Committee or its 
        subcommittees shall be approved by the Committee or the 
        subcommittee prior to printing and distribution and any 
        member shall be given an opportunity to have views 
        included as part of such material prior to printing, 
        release, and distribution in accordance with paragraph 
        (d) of this rule.
          (2) Documents containing views other than member 
        views.--A Committee or subcommittee document containing 
        views other than those of members of the Committee or 
        subcommittee shall not be published without approval of 
        the Committee or subcommittee.
          (3) Disclaimer.--All Committee or subcommittee 
        reports printed pursuant to legislative study or 
        investigation and not approved by a majority vote of 
        the Committee or subcommittee, as appropriate, shall 
        contain the following disclaimer on the cover of such 
        report: ``This report has not been officially adopted 
        by the Committee on (or pertinent subcommittee thereof) 
        and may not therefore necessarily reflect the views of 
        its members.''.
          (4) Compilations of laws.--To the maximum extent 
        practicable, the Committee shall publish a compilation 
        of laws under the jurisdiction of each subcommittee.
    (g) Availability of Publications.--Pursuant to clause 
2(e)(4) of Rule XI of the Rules of the House, the Committee 
shall make its publications available in electronic form to the 
maximum extent feasible.

Rule VIII. Establishment of Subcommittees; Size and Party Ratios

    (a) Establishment.--There shall be 6 standing 
subcommittees. These subcommittees, with the following sizes 
(including delegates) and majority/minority ratios, are:
          (1) Subcommittee on Aviation (48 Members: 26 Majority 
        and 22 Minority).
          (2) Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime 
        Transportation (16 Members: 9 Majority and 7 Minority).
          (3) Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public 
        Buildings, and Emergency Management (14 Members: 8 
        Majority and 6 Minority).
          (4) Subcommittee on Highways and Transit (53 Members: 
        29 Majority and 24 Minority).
          (5) Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and 
        Hazardous Materials (31 Members: 17 Majority and 14 
        Minority).
          (6) Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment 
        (40 Members: 22 Majority and 18 Minority).
    (b) Ex Officio Members.--The Chairman and ranking minority 
member of the Committee shall serve as ex officio voting 
members on each subcommittee.
    (c) Ratios.--On each subcommittee there shall be a ratio of 
majority party members to minority party members which shall be 
no less favorable to the majority party than the ratio for the 
full Committee. In calculating the ratio of majority party 
members to minority party members, there shall be included the 
ex officio members of the subcommittees.

Rule IX. Powers and Duties of Subcommittees

    (a) Authority to Sit.--Each subcommittee is authorized to 
meet, hold hearings, receive evidence, and report to the full 
Committee on all matters referred to it or under its 
jurisdiction. Subcommittee chairmen shall set dates for 
hearings and meetings of their respective subcommittees after 
consultation with the Chairman and other subcommittee chairmen 
with a view toward avoiding simultaneous scheduling of full 
Committee and subcommittee meetings or hearings whenever 
possible.
    (b) Consideration by Committee.--Each bill, resolution, or 
other matter favorably reported by a subcommittee shall 
automatically be placed upon the agenda of the Committee. Any 
such matter reported by a subcommittee shall not be considered 
by the Committee unless it has been delivered to the offices of 
all members of the Committee at least 48 hours before the 
meeting, unless the Chairman determines that the matter is of 
such urgency that it should be given early consideration. Where 
practicable, such matters shall be accompanied by a comparison 
with present law and a section-by-section analysis.

Rule X. Referral of Legislation to Subcommittees

    (a) General Requirement.--Except where the Chairman of the 
Committee determines, in consultation with the majority members 
of the Committee, that consideration is to be by the full 
Committee, each bill, resolution, investigation, or other 
matter which relates to a subject listed under the jurisdiction 
of any subcommittee established in Committee Rule VIII referred 
to or initiated by the full Committee shall be referred by the 
Chairman to all subcommittees of appropriate jurisdiction 
within two weeks. All bills shall be referred to the 
subcommittee of proper jurisdiction without regard to whether 
the author is or is not a member of the subcommittee.
    (b) Recall From Subcommittee.--A bill, resolution, or other 
matter referred to a subcommittee in accordance with this rule 
may be recalled therefrom at any time by a vote of a majority 
of the members of the Committee voting, a quorum being present, 
for the Committee's direct consideration or for reference to 
another subcommittee.
    (c) Multiple Referrals.--In carrying out this rule with 
respect to any matter, the Chairman may refer the matter 
simultaneously to two or more subcommittees for concurrent 
consideration or for consideration in sequence (subject to 
appropriate time limitations in the case of any subcommittee 
after the first), or divide the matter into two or more parts 
(reflecting different subjects and jurisdictions) and refer 
each such part to a different subcommittee, or make such other 
provisions as he or she considers appropriate.

Rule XI. Recommendation of Conferees

  The Chairman of the Committee shall recommend to the Speaker 
as conferees the names of those members (1) of the majority 
party selected by the Chairman, and (2) of the minority party 
selected by the ranking minority member of the Committee. 
Recommendations of conferees to the Speaker shall provide a 
ratio of majority party members to minority party members which 
shall be no less favorable to the majority party than the ratio 
for the Committee.

Rule XII. Oversight

      (a) Purpose.--The Committee shall carry out oversight 
responsibilities as provided in this rule in order to assist 
the House in--
          (1) its analysis, appraisal, and evaluation of--
                  (A) the application, administration, 
                execution, and effectiveness of the laws 
                enacted by the Congress; or
                  (B) conditions and circumstances which may 
                indicate the necessity or desirability of 
                enacting new or additional legislation; and
          (2) its formulation, consideration, and enactment of 
        such modifications or changes in those laws, and of 
        such additional legislation, as may be necessary or 
        appropriate.
    (b) Oversight Plan.--Not later than February 15 of the 
first session of each Congress, the Committee shall adopt its 
oversight plans for that Congress in accordance with clause 
2(d)(1) of Rule X of the Rules of the House.
    (c) Review of Laws and Programs.--The Committee and the 
appropriate subcommittees shall cooperatively review and study, 
on a continuing basis, the application, administration, 
execution, and effectiveness of those laws, or parts of laws, 
the subject matter of which is within the jurisdiction of the 
Committee, and the organization and operation of the Federal 
agencies and entities having responsibilities in or for the 
administration and execution thereof, in order to determine 
whether such laws and the programs thereunder are being 
implemented and carried out in accordance with the intent of 
the Congress and whether such programs should be continued, 
curtailed, or eliminated. In addition, the Committee and the 
appropriate subcommittees shall cooperatively review and study 
any conditions or circumstances which may indicate the 
necessity or desirability of enacting new or additional 
legislation within the jurisdiction of the Committee (whether 
or not any bill or resolution has been introduced with respect 
thereto), and shall on a continuing basis undertake future 
research and forecasting on matters within the jurisdiction of 
the Committee.
    (d) Review of Tax Policies.--The Committee and the 
appropriate subcommittees shall cooperatively review and study 
on a continuing basis the impact or probable impact of tax 
policies affecting subjects within the jurisdiction of the 
Committee.

Rule XIII. Review of Continuing Programs; Budget Act Provisions

    (a) Ensuring Annual Appropriations.--The Committee shall, 
in its consideration of all bills and joint resolutions of a 
public character within its jurisdiction, ensure that 
appropriations for continuing programs and activities of the 
Federal Government and the District of Columbia government will 
be made annually to the maximum extent feasible and consistent 
with the nature, requirements, and objectives of the programs 
and activities involved.
    (b) Review of Multi-Year Appropriations.--The Committee 
shall review, from time to time, each continuing program within 
its jurisdiction for which appropriations are not made annually 
in order to ascertain whether such program could be modified so 
that appropriations therefore would be made annually.
    (c) Views and Estimates.--In accordance with clause 4(f)(1) 
of Rule X of the Rules of the House, the Committee shall submit 
to the Committee on the Budget--
          (1) its views and estimates with respect to all 
        matters to be set forth in the concurrent resolution on 
        the budget for the ensuing fiscal year which are within 
        its jurisdiction or functions; and
          (2) an estimate of the total amount of new budget 
        authority, and budget outlays resulting therefrom, to 
        be provided or authorized in all bills and resolutions 
        within its jurisdiction which it intends to be 
        effective during that fiscal year.
    (d) Budget Allocations.--As soon as practicable after a 
concurrent resolution on the budget for any fiscal year is 
agreed to, the Committee (after consulting with the appropriate 
committee or committees of the Senate) shall subdivide any 
allocations made to it in the joint explanatory statement 
accompanying the conference report on such resolution, and 
promptly report such subdivisions to the House, in the manner 
provided by section 302 of the Congressional Budget Act of 
1974.
    (e) Reconciliation.--Whenever the Committee is directed in 
a concurrent resolution on the budget to determine and 
recommend changes in laws, bills, or resolutions under the 
reconciliation process, it shall promptly make such 
determination and recommendations, and report a reconciliation 
bill or resolution (or both) to the House or submit such 
recommendations to the Committee on the Budget, in accordance 
with the Congressional Budget Act of 1974.

Rule XIV. Records

    (a) Keeping of Records.--The Committee shall keep a 
complete record of all Committee action which shall include--
          (1) in the case of any meeting or hearing 
        transcripts, a substantially verbatim account of 
        remarks actually made during the proceedings, subject 
        only to technical, grammatical, and typographical 
        corrections authorized by the person making the remarks 
        involved; and
          (2) a record of the votes on any question on which a 
        record vote is demanded.
    (b) Public Inspection.--The result of each such record vote 
shall be made available by the Committee for inspection by the 
public at reasonable times in the offices of the Committee. 
Information so available for public inspection shall include a 
description of the amendment, motion, order, or other 
proposition and the name of each member voting for and each 
member voting against such amendment, motion, order, or 
proposition, and the names of those members present but not 
voting.
    (c) Property of the House.--All Committee hearings, 
records, data, charts, and files shall be kept separate and 
distinct from the congressional office records of the member 
serving as Chairman of the Committee; and such records shall be 
the property of the House and all members of the House shall 
have access thereto.
    (d) Availability of Archived Records.--The records of the 
Committee at the National Archives and Records Administration 
shall be made available for public use in accordance with Rule 
VII of the Rules of the House. The Chairman shall notify the 
ranking minority member of the Committee of any decision, 
pursuant to clause 3(b)(3) or clause 4(b) of such rule, to 
withhold a record otherwise available, and the matter shall be 
presented to the Committee for a determination on written 
request of any member of the Committee.
    (e) Authority To Print.--The Committee is authorized to 
have printed and bound testimony and other data presented at 
hearings held by the Committee. All costs of stenographic 
services and transcripts in connection with any meeting or 
hearing of the Committee shall be paid as provided in clause 
1(c) of Rule XI of the House.

Rule XV. Committee Budgets

    (a) Biennial Budget.--The Chairman, in consultation with 
the chairman of each subcommittee, the majority members of the 
Committee, and the minority members of the Committee, shall, 
for each Congress, prepare a consolidated Committee budget. 
Such budget shall include necessary amounts for staff 
personnel, necessary travel, investigation, and other expenses 
of the Committee.
    (b) Additional Expenses.--Authorization for the payment of 
additional or unforeseen Committee expenses may be procured by 
one or more additional expense resolutions processed in the 
same manner as set out herein.
    (c) Travel Requests.--The Chairman or any chairman of a 
subcommittee may initiate necessary travel requests as provided 
in Committee Rule XVII within the limits of the consolidated 
budget as approved by the House and the Chairman may execute 
necessary vouchers thereof.
    (d) Monthly Reports.--Once monthly, the Chairman shall 
submit to the Committee on House Administration, in writing, a 
full and detailed accounting of all expenditures made during 
the period since the last such accounting from the amount 
budgeted to the Committee. Such report shall show the amount 
and purpose of such expenditure and the budget to which such 
expenditure is attributed. A copy of such monthly report shall 
be available in the Committee office for review by members of 
the Committee.

Rule XVI. Committee Staff

    (a) Appointment by Chairman.--The Chairman shall appoint 
and determine the remuneration of, and may remove, the 
employees of the Committee not assigned to the minority. The 
staff of the Committee not assigned to the minority shall be 
under the general supervision and direction of the Chairman, 
who shall establish and assign the duties and responsibilities 
of such staff members and delegate such authority as he or she 
determines appropriate.
    (b) Appointment by Ranking Minority Member.--The ranking 
minority member of the Committee shall appoint and determine 
the remuneration of, and may remove, the staff assigned to the 
minority within the budget approved for such purposes. The 
staff assigned to the minority shall be under the general 
supervision and direction of the ranking minority member of the 
Committee who may delegate such authority as he or she 
determines appropriate.
    (c) Intention Regarding Staff.--It is intended that the 
skills and experience of all members of the Committee staff 
shall be available to all members of the Committee.

Rule XVII. Travel of Members and Staff

    (a) Approval.--Consistent with the primary expense 
resolution and such additional expense resolutions as may have 
been approved, the provisions of this rule shall govern travel 
of Committee members and staff. Travel to be reimbursed from 
funds set aside for the Committee for any member or any staff 
member shall be paid only upon the prior authorization of the 
Chairman. Travel shall be authorized by the Chairman for any 
member and any staff member in connection with the attendance 
of hearings conducted by the Committee or any subcommittee and 
meetings, conferences, and investigations which involve 
activities or subject matter under the general jurisdiction of 
the Committee. Before such authorization is given there shall 
be submitted to the Chairman in writing the following:
          (1) The purpose of the travel.
          (2) The dates during which the travel is to be made 
        and the date or dates of the event for which the travel 
        is being made.
          (3) The location of the event for which the travel is 
        to be made.
          (4) The names of members and staff seeking 
        authorization.
  (b) Subcommittee Travel.--In the case of travel of members 
and staff of a subcommittee to hearings, meetings, conferences, 
and investigations involving activities or subject matter under 
the legislative assignment of such subcommittee, prior 
authorization must be obtained from the subcommittee chairman 
and the Chairman. Such prior authorization shall be given by 
the Chairman only upon the representation by the chairman of 
such subcommittee in writing setting forth those items 
enumerated in subparagraphs (1), (2), (3), and (4) of paragraph 
(a) and that there has been a compliance where applicable with 
Committee Rule VI.
    (c) Travel Outside the United States.--
          (1) In general.--In the case of travel outside the 
        United States of members and staff of the Committee or 
        of a subcommittee for the purpose of conducting 
        hearings, investigations, studies, or attending 
        meetings and conferences involving activities or 
        subject matter under the legislative assignment of the 
        Committee or pertinent subcommittee, prior 
        authorization must be obtained from the Chairman, or, 
        in the case of a subcommittee from the subcommittee 
        chairman and the Chairman. Before such authorization is 
        given there shall be submitted to the Chairman, in 
        writing, a request for such authorization. Each 
        request, which shall be filed in a manner that allows 
        for a reasonable period of time for review before such 
        travel is scheduled to begin, shall include the 
        following:
                  (A) The purpose of the travel.
                  (B) The dates during which the travel will 
                occur.
                  (C) The names of the countries to be visited 
                and the length of time to be spent in each.
                  (D) An agenda of anticipated activities for 
                each country for which travel is authorized 
                together with a description of the purpose to 
                be served and the areas of Committee 
                jurisdiction involved.
                  (E) The names of members and staff for whom 
                authorization is sought.
          (2) Initiation of requests.--Requests for travel 
        outside the United States may be initiated by the 
        Chairman or the chairman of a subcommittee (except that 
        individuals may submit a request to the Chairman for 
        the purpose of attending a conference or meeting) and 
        shall be limited to members and permanent employees of 
        the Committee.
          (3) Reports by staff members.--At the conclusion of 
        any hearing, investigation, study, meeting, or 
        conference for which travel has been authorized 
        pursuant to this rule, each staff member involved in 
        such travel shall submit a written report to the 
        Chairman covering the activities and other pertinent 
        observations or information gained as a result of such 
        travel.
    (d) Applicability of Laws, Rules, Policies.--Members and 
staff of the Committee performing authorized travel on official 
business shall be governed by applicable laws, resolutions, or 
regulations of the House and of the Committee on House 
Administration pertaining to such travel, and by the travel 
policy of the Committee.

                                  
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