[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 20 (Thursday, February 4, 1999)]
[House]
[Pages H435-H439]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RULES OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THE 
                             106TH CONGRESS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Shuster) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to rule XI, clause 2(a) of the 
Rules of the House, enclosed are the rules of the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure for the 106th Congress.

      Rules of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

                       (Adopted January 7, 1999)


                       rule i. general provisions

       (a) Applicability of House Rules.--(1) 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) 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) 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.
       (b) Authority to Conduct Investigations.--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.
       (c) 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 from applicable 
     accounts of the House described in clause 1(h)(1) of Rule X 
     of the Rules of the House.

[[Page H436]]

       (d) Activities Report.--(1) 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) Such report shall include separate sections summarizing 
     the legislative and oversight activities of the Committee 
     during that Congress.
       (3) 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.
       (e) 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.


           rule ii. regular, additional and special meetings

       (a) Regular Meetings.--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. 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. 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. 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 three 
     calendar days after the filing of the request, the Chairman 
     does not call the requested special meeting to be held within 
     seven 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) Vice Chairman.--The Committee 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.
       (e) 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.
       (f) Addressing the Committee.--(1) A Committee member may 
     address the Committee or a subcommittee on any bill, motion, 
     or other matter under consideration or 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 five 
     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 or question the witness. A 
     member shall be limited in his or her remarks to the subject 
     matter under consideration. The Chairman shall enforce this 
     subparagraph.
       (2) 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 
     five 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) 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) 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 five minutes in accordance 
     with subparagraph (1)(B) after the questioning permitted 
     under subparagraph (2) or (3).
       (g) 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.


           rule iii. open meetings and hearings; broadcasting

       (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) 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.


                   rule iv. records and record votes

       (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. 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. A record vote may be demanded by one-fifth of the 
     members present.
       (b) 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.
       (c) 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.


              rule v. power to sit and act; 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 (b)(1) of 
     this rule)--
       (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. The Chairman of the 
     Committee, or any member designated by the Chairman, may 
     administer oaths to any witness.
       (b) Issuance of Subpoenas.--(1) 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) 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.

[[Page H437]]

       (c) 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, DC, the witness may 
     contact the counsel of the Committee, or his or her 
     representative, before leaving the hearing room.


                            rule vi. quorums

       (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 (b) of Committee Rule V, the reporting of a measure 
     or recommendation pursuant to paragraph (b)(1) of Committee 
     Rule VIII, 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 7 of the Public Buildings Act of 1959.
       (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.


                      rule vii. hearing procedures

       (a) Announcement.--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 and shall promptly 
     enter the appropriate information into the Committee 
     scheduling service of the House Information Resources 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 two 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) Investigative Hearings.--(1) Clause 2(k) of Rule XI of 
     the Rules of the House (relating to additional rules for 
     investigative hearings) applies to investigative hearings of 
     the Committee and its subcommittees.
       (2) A subcommittee may not begin a major investigation 
     without approval of a majority of such subcommittee.


       rule viii. procedures for reporting bills and resolutions

       (a) Filing of Reports.--(1) 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) The report of the Committee on a measure or matter 
     which has been approved by the Committee shall be filed 
     within seven 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) No measure, matter or 
     recommendation shall be reported from the Committee unless a 
     majority of the Committee was actually present.
       (2) 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)(1) Approval of Committee Views.--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) 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.


                           rule ix. 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.

[[Page H438]]

       (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 x. 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. For the purposes of 
     this paragraph, a Government agency includes the 
     organizational units of government listed in clause 7(d) of 
     Rule XIII of the Rules of the House.
       (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.--The Committee shall, on or before 
     February 25 of each year, 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 or section 602 
     (in the case of fiscal years 1991 through 1995) 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 XI. 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 unforessen 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 XIII 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 XII. 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 monority 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 xiii. 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 VII.
       (c) Travel Outside the United States.--(1) 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; and
       (E) the names of members and staff for whom authorization 
     is sought.
       (2) 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) 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 as set forth in the Committee 
     Travel Manual.


   Rule XIV. Establishment of Subcommittees; Size and Party Ratios; 
                         Conference Committees

       (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 (50 Members: 28 Majority and 
     22 Minority)
       (2) Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation 
     (9 Members: 5 Majority and 4 Minority)
       (3) Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, 
     Hazardous Materials and Pipeline Transportation (10 Members: 
     6 Majority and 4 Minority)
       (4) Subcommittee on Ground Transportation (50 Members: 28 
     Majority and 22 Minority)
       (5) Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations and Emergency 
     Management (9 Members: 5 Majority and 4 Minority)
       (6) Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment (36 
     Members: 20 Majority and 16 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

[[Page H439]]

     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.
       (d) 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 xv. powers and duties of subcommittee

       (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) 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.''
       (c) 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 XVI. 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 Rule XIV 
     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.

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