[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 24 (Wednesday, February 10, 1999)]
[House]
[Pages H565-H571]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      RULES OF THE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE FOR THE 106TH CONGRESS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Combest) is recognized for 5 minutes
  Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to submit for printing in the 
Congressional Record, pursuant to Rule XI, clause 2(a) of the Rules of 
the House, a copy of the Rules of the Committee on Agriculture, which 
were adopted at the organizational meeting of the Committee on this 
day.
  Appendix A of the Committee Rules will include excerpts from the 
Rules of the House relevant to the operation of the Committee. Appendix 
B will include relevant excerpts from the Congressional Budget Act of 
1974. In the interests of minimizing printing costs, Appendices A and B 
are omitted from this submission.

                 RULES OF THE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE

                     U.S. House of Representatives

                         I. GENERAL PROVISIONS

        (a) Applicability of House Rules.--(1) The Rules of the 
     House of Representatives shall govern the procedure of the 
     committee and its subcommittees, and the Rules of the 
     Committee on Agriculture so far as applicable shall be 
     interpreted in accordance with the Rules of the House of 
     Representatives, 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. (See Appendix A for the 
     applicable Rules of the House of Representatives.)
        (2) As provided in clause 1(a)(2) of House rule XI, 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. (See also committee rules III, IV, V, VI, VII 
     and X, infra.)
        (b) Authority to Conduct Investigations.--The committee 
     and its subcommittees, after consultation with the chairman 
     of the committee, may conduct such investigations and studies 
     as they may consider necessary or appropriate in the exercise 
     of their responsibilities under rule X of the Rules of the 
     House of Representatives and in accordance with clause 2(m) 
     of House rule XI.
        (c) Authority to Print.--The committee is authorized by 
     the Rules of the House of Representatives to have printed and 
     bound testimony and other data presented at hearings held by 
     the committee and its subcommittees. All costs of 
     stenographic services and transcripts in connection with any 
     meeting or hearing of the committee and its subcommittees 
     shall be paid from applicable accounts of the House described 
     in clause (i)(1) of House rule X in accordance with clause 
     1(c) of House rule XI. (See also paragraphs (d), (e) and (f) 
     of committee rule VIII.)
        (d) Vice Chairman.--The Member of the majority party on 
     the committee or subcommittee designated by the chairman of 
     the full committee shall be the vice chairman of the 
     committee or subcommittee in accordance with clause 2(d) of 
     House rule XI.
        (e) Presiding Member.--If the chairman of the committee or 
     subcommittee is not present at any committee or subcommittee 
     meeting or hearing, the vice chairman shall preside. If the 
     chairman and vice chairman of the committee or subcommittee 
     are not present at a committee or subcommittee meeting or 
     hearing the ranking Member of the majority party who is 
     present shall preside in accordance with clause 2(d), House 
     rule XI.
        (f) 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

[[Page H566]]

     under rules X and XI of the Rules of the House of 
     Representatives during the Congress ending on January 3 of 
     such year. (See also committee rule VIII(h)(2).)
        (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 House rule X, 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 with respect thereto.
        (g) 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 as 
     provided in clause 2(a) of House rule XI.
        (h) Joint Committee Reports of Investigation or Study.--A 
     report of an investigation or study conducted jointly by more 
     than one committee may be filed jointly, provided that each 
     of the committees complies independently with all 
     requirements for approval and filing of the report.

    II. COMMITTEE BUSINESS MEETINGS--REGULAR, ADDITIONAL AND SPECIAL

       (a) Regular Meetings.--(1) Regular meetings of the 
     committee, in accordance with clause 2(b) of House rule XI, 
     shall be held on the first Wednesday of every month to 
     transact its business unless such day is a holiday, or 
     Congress is in recess or is adjourned, in which case the 
     chairman shall determine the regular meeting day of the 
     committee, if any, for that month. The chairman shall provide 
     each member of the committee, as far in advance of the day of 
     the regular meeting as practicable, a written agenda of such 
     meeting. Items may be placed on the agenda by the chairman or 
     a majority of the committee. If the chairman believes that 
     there will not be any bill, resolution or other matter 
     considered before the full committee and there is no other 
     business to be transacted at a regular meeting, the meeting 
     may be cancelled 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. (See paragraph (f) 
     of committee rule X for provisions that apply to meetings of 
     subcommittees.)
       (b) Additional Meetings.--The chairman may call and 
     convene, as he or she considers necessary, after consultation 
     with the ranking minority member of the committee, 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 additional meetings pursuant to a notice from 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 
     such special meeting. Such request shall specify the measure 
     or matters to be considered. Immediately upon the filing of 
     the request, the majority staff director (serving as the 
     clerk of the committee for such purpose) 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 measures or matter to be considered at that special 
     meeting in accordance with clause 2(c)(2) of House rule XI. 
     the committee shall meet on that date and hour. Immediately 
     upon the filing of the notice, the majority staff director 
     (serving as 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.

             III. OPEN MEETINGS AND HEARINGS; BROADCASTING

        (a) Open Meetings and Hearings.--Each meeting for the 
     transaction of business, including the markup of legislation, 
     and each hearing by the committee or a subcommittee shall be 
     open to the public unless closed in accordance with clause 
     2(g) of House rule XI. (See Appendix A.)
       (b) Broadcasting and Photography.--Whenever a committee or 
     subcommittee 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 House rule XI. (See Appendix A.) When such 
     radio coverage is conducted in the committee or subcommittee, 
     written notice to that effect shall be placed on the desk of 
     each Member. The chairman of the committee or subcommittee, 
     shall not limit the number of television or still cameras 
     permitted in a hearing or meeting room to fewer than two 
     representatives from each medium (except for legitimate space 
     or safety considerations, in which case pool coverage shall 
     be authorized).
       (c) Closed Meetings--Attendees.--No person other than 
     members of the committee or subcommittee and such 
     congressional staff and departmental representatives as the 
     committee or subcommittee may authorize shall be present at 
     any business or markup session that has been closed to the 
     public as provided in clause 2(g)(1) of House rule XI.
       (d) Addressing the Committee.--A committee member may 
     address the committee or a subcommittee on any bill, motion, 
     or other matter under consideration. (See committee rule VII 
     (e) relating to questioning a witness at a hearing.) The time 
     a member may address the committee or subcommittee for any 
     such purpose shall be limited to five minutes, except that 
     this time limit may be waived by unanimous consent. A Member 
     shall also be limited in his or her remarks to the subject 
     matter under consideration, unless the Member receives 
     unanimous consent to extend his or her remarks beyond such 
     subject.
       (e) Meetings to Begin Promptly.--Subject to the presence of 
     a quorum, each meeting or hearing of the committee and its 
     subcommittees shall begin promptly at the time so stipulated 
     in the public announcement of the meeting or hearing.
        (f) Prohibition on Proxy Voting.--No vote by any Member of 
     the committee or subcommittee with respect to any measure or 
     matter may be cast by proxy.
       (g) Location of Persons at Meetings.--No person other than 
     the committee or subcommittee members and committee or 
     subcommittee staff may be seated in the rostrum area during a 
     meeting of the committee or subcommittee unless by unanimous 
     consent of committee or subcommittee.
       (h) Consideration of Amendments and Motions.--A Member, 
     upon request, shall be recognized by the chairman to address 
     the committee or subcommittee at a meeting for a period 
     limited to five minutes on behalf of an amendment or motion 
     offered by the Member or another Member, or upon any other 
     matter under consideration, unless the Member receives 
     unanimous consent to extend the time limit. Every amendment 
     or motion made in committee or subcommittee shall, upon the 
     demand of any Member present, be reduced to writing, and a 
     copy thereof shall be made available to all Members present. 
     Such amendment or motion shall not be pending before the 
     committee or subcommittee or voted on until the requirements 
     of this paragraph have been met.
       (i) Demanding Record Vote.--A record vote of the committee 
     or subcommittee on a question or action shall be ordered on a 
     demand by one-fifth of the Members present.
       (j) Submission of Motions or Amendments In Advance of 
     Business Meetings.--The committee and subcommittee chairman 
     may request and committee and subcommittee members should, 
     insofar as practicable, cooperate in providing copies of 
     proposed amendments or motions to the chairman and the 
     ranking minority member of the committee or the subcommittee 
     24 hours before a committee or subcommittee business meeting.
       (k) Points of Order.--No point of order against the hearing 
     or meeting procedures of the committee or subcommittee shall 
     be entertained unless it is made in a timely fashion.
       (l) Limitation on Committee Sittings.--The committee or 
     subcommittees 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.

                              IV. 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 as noted in paragraphs (b) and 
     (c).
       (b) Majority Quorum.--A majority of the members of the 
     committee or subcommittee shall constitute a quorum for:
       (1) the reporting of a bill, resolution or other measure. 
     (See clause 2(h)(1) of House rule XI, and committee rule 
     VIII);
       (2) the closing of a meeting or hearing to the public 
     pursuant to clauses 2(g) and 2(k)(5) of the Rule XI of the 
     Rules of the House of Representatives; and
       (3) the authorizing of a subpoena as provided in clause 
     2(m)(3), of House rule XI. (See also committee rule VI.)
       (c) Quorum for Taking Testimony.--Two members of the 
     committee or subcommittee shall constitute a quorum for the 
     purpose of taking testimony and receiving evidence.
       (d) Unanimous Consent Agreement on Voting.--Whenever a 
     record vote is ordered on a question other than a motion to 
     recess or adjourn and debate has concluded thereon, the 
     committee or subcommittee by unanimous consent may postpone 
     further proceedings on such question to a designated time.

                               V. RECORDS

       (a) Maintenance of Records.--The committee shall keep a 
     complete record of all committee and subcommittee 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) written minutes shall include a record of all committee 
     and subcommittee action and a record of all votes on any 
     question and a tally on all record votes. 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 and by telephone request. Information so 
     available for public inspection shall

[[Page H567]]

     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.
       (b) Access to and Correction of Records.--Any public 
     witness, or person authorized by such witness, during 
     committee office hours in the committee offices and within 
     two weeks of the close of hearings, may obtain a transcript 
     copy of that public witness's testimony and make such 
     technical, grammatical and typographical corrections as 
     authorized by the person making the remarks involved as will 
     not alter the nature of testimony given. There shall be 
     prompt return of such corrected copy of the transcript to the 
     committee. Members of the committee or subcommittee shall 
     receive copies of transcripts for their prompt review and 
     correction and prompt return to the committee. the committee 
     or subcommittee may order the printing of a hearing record 
     without the corrections of any Member or witness if it 
     determines that such Member or witness has been afforded a 
     reasonable time in which to make such corrections and further 
     delay would seriously impede the consideration of the 
     legislative action that is subject of the hearing. The record 
     of a hearing shall be closed 10 calendar days after the last 
     oral testimony, unless the committee or subcommittee 
     determines otherwise. Any person requesting to file a 
     statement for the record of a hearing must so request before 
     the hearing concludes and must file the statement before the 
     record is closed unless the committee or subcommittee 
     determines otherwise. The committee or subcommittee may 
     reject any statement in light of its length or its tendency 
     to defame, degrade, or incriminate any person.
       (c) Property of the House.--All committee and subcommittee 
     hearings, records, data, charts, and files shall be kept 
     separate and distinct from the congressional office records 
     of the Members serving as chairman and such records shall be 
     the property of the House and all Members of the House shall 
     have access thereto. The majority staff director shall 
     promptly notify the chairman and the ranking minority member 
     of any request for access to such records.
       (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 
     House rule VII. The chairman shall notify the ranking 
     minority member of the committee of the need for a committee 
     order pursuant to clause 3(b)(3) or clause 4(b) of such House 
     rule, to withhold a record otherwise available.
       (e) Special Rules for Certain Records and Proceedings.--A 
     stenographic record of a business meeting of the committee or 
     subcommittee shall be kept and thereafter may be published if 
     the chairman of the committee, after consultation with the 
     ranking minority member, determines there is need for such a 
     record. The proceedings of the committee or subcommittee in a 
     closed meeting, evidence or testimony in such meeting, shall 
     not be divulged unless otherwise determined by a majority of 
     the committee or subcommittee.
       (f) Electronic Availability of Committee Publications.--To 
     the maximum extent feasible, the committee shall make its 
     publications available in electronic form.

               VI. POWER TO SIT AND ACT; SUBPOENA POWER.

        (a) Authority to Sit and Act.--For the purpose of carrying 
     out any of its function and duties under House rules X and 
     XI, 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, memoranda, papers and 
     documents, as it deems necessary. The chairman of the 
     committee or subcommittee, or any member designated by the 
     chairman, may administer oaths to any witness.
       (b) Issuance of Subpoenas.--(1) A subpoena may be 
     authorized and issued by the committee or subcommittee under 
     paragraph (a)(2) in the conduct of any investigation or 
     series of investigations or activities, only when authorized 
     by a majority of the members voting, a majority being 
     present, as provided in clause 2(m)(3)(A) of House rule XI. 
     Such authorized subpoenas shall be signed by the chairman of 
     the committee or by any member designated 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) Notice of a meeting to consider a motion to authorize 
     and issue a subpoena should be given to all members of the 
     committee by 5 p.m. of the day preceding such meeting.
       (3) 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.
       (4) A subpoena duces tecum may specify terms of return 
     other than at meeting or hearing of the committee or 
     subcommittee authorizing the subpoena.
       (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 to which he or she 
     is entitled. If hearings are held in cities other than 
     Washington DC, the subpoenaed witness may contact the 
     majority staff director of the committee, or his or her 
     representative, before leaving the hearing room.

                        VII. HEARING PROCEDURES.

       (a) Power to Hear.--For the purpose of carrying out any of 
     its functions and duties under House rule X and XI, the 
     committee and its subcommittees are authorized to sit and 
     hold hearings at any time or place within the United States 
     whether the House is in session, has recessed, or has 
     adjourned. (See paragraph (a) of committee rule VI and 
     paragraph (f) of committee rule X for provisions relating to 
     subcommittee hearings and meetings.)
       (b) Announcement.--The chairman of the committee shall 
     after consultation with the ranking minority member of the 
     committee, make a public announcement of the date, place and 
     subject matter of any committee hearing at least one week 
     before the commencement of the hearing. The chairman of a 
     subcommittee shall schedule a hearing only after consultation 
     with the chairman of the committee and after consultation 
     with the ranking minority member of the subcommittee, and the 
     chairmen of the other subcommittees after such consultation 
     with the committee chairman, and shall request the majority 
     staff director to make a public announcement of the date, 
     place, and subject matter of such hearing at least one week 
     before the hearing. If the chairman of the committee or the 
     subcommittee, with concurrence of the ranking minority member 
     of the committee or subcommittee, 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 of the 
     committee or subcommittee, as appropriate, shall request the 
     majority staff director to make such public 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 Systems as soon as possible after such public 
     announcement is made.
       (c) Scheduling of Witnesses.--Except as otherwise provided 
     in this rule, the scheduling of witnesses and determination 
     of the time allowed for the presentation of testimony at 
     hearings shall be at the discretion of the chairman of the 
     committee or subcommittee, unless a majority of the committee 
     or subcommittee determines otherwise.
       (d) Written Statement; Oral Testimony.--(1) Each witness 
     who is to appear before the committee or a subcommittee, 
     shall insofar as practicable file with the majority staff 
     director of the committee, at least 2 working days before day 
     of his or her appearance, a written statement of proposed 
     testimony. Witnesses shall provide sufficient copies of their 
     statement for distribution to committee or subcommittee 
     members, staff, and the news media. Insofar as practicable, 
     the committee or subcommittee staff shall distribute such 
     written statements to all members of the committee or 
     subcommittee as soon as they are received as well as any 
     official reports from departments and agencies on such 
     subject matter. All witnesses may be limited in their oral 
     presentations to brief summaries of their statements within 
     the time allotted to them, at the discretion of the chairman 
     of the committee or subcommittee, in light of the nature of 
     the testimony and the length of time available.
       (2) As noted in paragraph (a) of committee rule VI, the 
     chairman of the committee or one of its subcommittees, or any 
     Member designated by the chairman, may administer an oath to 
     any witness.
       (3) To the greatest extent practicable, each witness 
     appearing in a non-governmental capacity shall include with 
     the written statement of proposed testimony a curriculum 
     vitae and disclosure of the amount and source (by agency and 
     program) of any Federal grant (or subgrant thereof) or 
     contract (or subcontract thereof) received during the current 
     fiscal year or either of the two preceding fiscal years.
       (e) Questioning of Witnesses.--Committee or subcommittee 
     members may question witnesses only when they have been 
     recognized by the chairman of the committee or subcommittee 
     for that purpose. Each Member so recognized shall be limited 
     to questioning a witness 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 for 5 minutes; 
     and thereafter the chairman of the committee or subcommittee 
     may limit the time of a further round of questioning after 
     giving due consideration to the importance of the subject 
     matter and the length of time available. All questions put to 
     witnesses shall be germane to the measure or matter under 
     consideration. Unless a majority of the committee or 
     subcommittee determines otherwise, no person shall 
     interrogate witnesses other than committee and subcommittee 
     members.
       (f) Extended Questioning for Designated Members.--
     Notwithstanding paragraph (e), the chairman and ranking 
     minority member may designate an equal number of members from 
     each party to question a witness for a period not longer than 
     60 minutes.
       (g) Witnesses for the Minority.--When any hearing is 
     conducted by the committee or

[[Page H568]]

     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 1 day of 
     hearing thereon as provided in clause 2(j)(1) of House rule 
     XI.
        (h) 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 of the committee or subcommittee 
     shall, to the extent practicable, make available to the 
     members of the committee any official reports from 
     departments and agencies on such matter. (See committee rule 
     X(f).)
       (i) Participation of Committee Members in Subcommittees.--
     All members of the committee may attend any subcommittee 
     hearing in accordance with clause 2(g)(2) of House rule XI, 
     but a Member who is not a member of the subcommittee may not 
     vote on any matter before the subcommittee nor offer any 
     amendments or motions and shall not be counted for purposes 
     of establishing a quorum for the subcommittee and may not 
     question witnesses without the unanimous consent of the 
     subcommittee.
       (j) Open Hearings.--Each hearing conducted by the committee 
     or subcommittee shall be open to the public, including radio, 
     television and still photography coverage, except as provided 
     in clause 4 of House rule XI (see also committee rule III 
     (b).). In any event, no Member of the House may be excluded 
     from nonparticipatory attendance at any hearing unless the 
     House by majority vote shall authorize the committee or 
     subcommittee, for purposes of a particular series of hearings 
     on a particular bill or resolution or on a particular subject 
     of investigation, to close its hearings to Members by means 
     of the above procedure.
       (k) Investigative Hearings and Reports.--(1)(i) The 
     chairman of the committee or subcommittee at an investigative 
     hearing shall announce in an opening statement the subject of 
     the investigation. A copy of the committee rules (and the 
     applicable provisions of clause 2 of House rule XI, regarding 
     investigative hearing procedures, an excerpt of which appears 
     in Appendix A thereto) shall be made available to each 
     witness. Witnesses at investigative hearings may be 
     accompanied by their own counsel for the purpose of advising 
     them concerning their constitutional rights. The chairman of 
     the committee or subcommittee may punish breaches of order 
     and decorum, and of professional ethics on the part of 
     counsel, by censure and exclusion from the hearings; but only 
     the full committee may cite the offender to the House for 
     contempt.
       (ii) Whenever it is asserted that the evidence or testimony 
     at an investigative hearing may tend to defame, degrade, or 
     incriminate any person, such testimony or evidence shall be 
     presented in executive session, notwithstanding the 
     provisions of paragraph (j) of this rule, if by a majority of 
     those present, there being in attendance the requisite number 
     required under the rules of the committee to be present for 
     the purpose of taking testimony, the committee or 
     subcommittee determines that such evidence or testimony may 
     tend to defame, degrade, or incriminate any person. the 
     committee or subcommittee shall afford a person an 
     opportunity voluntarily to appear as a witness; and the 
     committee or subcommittee shall receive and shall dispose of 
     requests from such person to subpoena additional witnesses.
       (iii) No evidence or testimony taken in executive session 
     may be released or used in public sessions without the 
     consent of the committee or subcommittee. In the discretion 
     of the committee or subcommittee, witnesses may submit brief 
     and pertinent statements in writing for inclusion in the 
     record. the committee or subcommittee is the sole judge of 
     the pertinency of testimony and evidence adduced at its 
     hearings. A witness may obtain a transcript copy of his or 
     her testimony given at a public session or, if given at an 
     executive session, when authorized by the committee or 
     subcommittee. (See paragraph (c) of committee rule V.)
       (2) A proposed investigative or oversight report shall be 
     considered as read if it has been available to the members of 
     the committee for at least 24 hours (excluding Saturdays, 
     Sundays, or legal holidays except when the House is in 
     session on such day) in advance of their consideration.

              VIII. THE REPORTING OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS

       (a) Filing of Reports.--The chairman shall report or cause 
     to be reported promptly to the House any bill, resolution, or 
     other measure approved by the committee and shall take or 
     cause to be taken all necessary steps to bring such bill, 
     resolution, or other measure to a vote. No bill, resolution, 
     or measure shall be reported from the committee unless a 
     majority of the committee is actually present. A committee 
     report on any bill, resolution, or other measure approved by 
     the committee shall be filed within 7 calendar days (not 
     counting days on which the House is not in session) after the 
     day on which there has been filed with the majority staff 
     director of the committee a written request, signed by a 
     majority of the committee, for the reporting of that bill or 
     resolution. The majority staff director of the committee 
     shall notify the chairman immediately when such a request is 
     filed.
       (b) Content of Reports.--Each committee report on any bill 
     or resolution approved by the committee shall include as 
     separately identified sections:
       (1) a statement of the intent or purpose of the bill or 
     resolution;
       (2) a statement describing the need for such bill or 
     resolution;
       (3) a statement of committee and subcommittee consideration 
     of the measure including a summary of amendments and motions 
     offered and the actions taken thereon;
       (4) the results of the each record vote on any amendment in 
     the committee and subcommittee and on the motion to report 
     the measure or matter, including the names of those Members 
     and the total voting for and the names of those Members and 
     the total voting against such amendment or motion (See clause 
     3(b) of House rule XIII);
       (5) the oversight findings and recommendations of the 
     committee with respect to the subject matter of the bill or 
     resolution as required pursuant to clause 3(c)(1) of House 
     rule XIII and clause 2(b)(1) of House rule X;
       (6) the detailed statement described in section 308(a) of 
     the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 if the bill or 
     resolution provides new budget authority (other than 
     continuing appropriations), new spending authority described 
     in section 401(c)(2) of such Act, new credit authority, or an 
     increase or decrease in revenues or tax expenditures, except 
     that the estimates with respect to new budget authority shall 
     include, when practicable, a comparison of the total 
     estimated funding level for the relevant program (or 
     programs) to the appropriate levels under current law;
       (7) the estimate of costs and comparison of such estimates, 
     if any, prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget 
     Office in connection with such bill or resolution pursuant to 
     section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 if 
     submitted in timely fashion to the committee;
       (8) any oversight findings and recommendations made by the 
     Committee on Government Reform under clause 4(c)(2) of House 
     rule X to the extent such were available during the 
     committee's deliberations on the bill or resolution;
       (9) a statement citing the specific powers granted to the 
     Congress in the Constitution to enact the law proposed by the 
     bill or joint resolution;
       (10) an estimate of the costs that would be incurred in 
     carrying out such bill or joint resolution in the fiscal year 
     in which it is reported and for its authorized duration or 
     for each of the 5 fiscal years following the fiscal year of 
     reporting, whichever period is less (see Rule XIII, clause 
     3(d)(2), (3) and (h)(2), (3)),, together with----
       (i) a comparison of these estimates with those made and 
     submitted to the committee by any Government agency when 
     practicable, and
       (ii) a comparison of the total estimated funding level for 
     the relevant program (or programs) with appropriate levels 
     under current law (The provisions of this clause do not apply 
     if a cost estimate and comparison prepared by the Director of 
     the Congressional Budget Office under section 403 of the 
     Congressional Budget Act of 1974 has been timely submitted 
     prior to the filing of the report and included in the 
     report);
       (11) the changes in existing law (if any) shown in 
     accordance with clause 3 of House rule XIII;
       (12) the determination required pursuant to section 5(b) of 
     Public Law 92-463, if the legislation reported establishes or 
     authorizes the establishment of an advisory committee; and
       (13) the information on Federal and intergovernmental 
     mandates required by section 423(c) and (d) of the 
     Congressional Budget Act of 1974, as added by the Unfunded 
     Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (P.L. 104-4).
       (c) Supplemental, Minority, or 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 2 
     subsequent calendar days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and 
     legal holidays except when the House is in session on such 
     date) in which to file such views, in writing and signed by 
     that Member, with the majority staff director of the 
     committee. When time guaranteed by this paragraph has expired 
     (or if sooner, when all separate views have been received), 
     the committee may arrange to file its report with the Clerk 
     of the House not later than 1 hour after the expiration of 
     such time. All such views (in accordance with House rule XI, 
     clause 2(1) and House rule XIII, clause 3(a)(1)), as filed by 
     one or more members of the committee, shall be included 
     within and made a part of the report filed by the committee 
     with respect to that bill or resolution.
       (d) Printing of Reports.--The report of the committee on 
     the measure or matter noted in paragraph (a) above shall be 
     printed in a single volume, which shall:
       (1) include all supplemental, minority or additional views 
     that have been submitted by the time of the filing of the 
     report; and
       (2) bear on its cover a recital that any such supplemental, 
     minority, or additional views (and any material submitted 
     under House rule XII, clause 3(a)(1)) are included as part of 
     the report.
       (e) Immediate Printing; Supplemental Reports.--Nothing in 
     this rule shall preclude----

[[Page H569]]

       (1) the immediate filing or printing of a committee report 
     unless timely request for the opportunity to file 
     supplemental, minority, or additional views has been made as 
     provided by paragraph (c), or
       (2) the filing by the committee of any supplemental report 
     on any bill or resolution that may be required for the 
     correction of any technical error in a previous report made 
     by the committee on that bill or resolution.
       (f) Availability of Printed Hearing Records.--If hearings 
     have been held on any reported bill or resolution, the 
     committee shall make every reasonable effort to have the 
     record of such hearings printed and available for 
     distribution to the Members of the House prior to the 
     consideration of such bill or resolution by the House. Each 
     printed hearing of the committee or any of its subcommittees 
     shall include a record of the attendance of the Members.
       (g) Committee Prints.--All committee or subcommittee prints 
     or other committee or subcommittee documents, other than 
     reports or prints of bills, that are prepared for public 
     distribution shall be approved by the chairman of the 
     committee or the committee prior to public distribution.
       (h) Post Adjournment Filing of Committee Reports.--(1) 
     After an adjournment of the last regular session of a 
     Congress sine die, an investigative or oversight report 
     approved by the committee may be filed with the Clerk at any 
     time, provided that if a member gives notice at the time of 
     approval of intention to file supplemental, minority, or 
     additional views, that member shall be entitled to not less 
     than 7 calendar days in which to submit such views for 
     inclusion with the report.
       (2) After an adjournment of the last regular session of a 
     Congress sine die, the chairman of the committee may file at 
     any time with the Clerk the committee's activity report for 
     that Congress pursuant to clause 1(d)(1) of rule XI of the 
     Rules of the House of Representatives without the approval of 
     the committee, provided that a copy of the report has been 
     available to each member of the committee for at least 7 
     calendar days and the report includes any supplemental, 
     minority, or additional views submitted by a member of the 
     committee.

                     IX. OTHER COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES

       (a) Oversight Plan.--Not later than February 15 of the 
     first session of a Congress, the chairman shall convene the 
     committee in a meeting that is open to the public and with a 
     quorum present to adopt its oversight plans for that 
     Congress. Such plans shall be submitted simultaneously to the 
     Committee on Government Reform and to the Committee on House 
     Administration. In developing such plans the committee shall, 
     to the maximum extent feasible----
       (1) consult with other committees of the House that have 
     jurisdiction over the same or related laws, programs, or 
     agencies within its jurisdiction, with the objective of 
     ensuring that such laws, programs, or agencies are reviewed 
     in the same Congress and that there is a maximum of 
     coordination between such committees in the conduct of such 
     reviews; and such plans shall include an explanation of what 
     steps have been and will be taken to ensure such coordination 
     and cooperation;
       (2) give priority consideration to including in its plans 
     the review of those laws, programs, or agencies operating 
     under permanent budget authority or permanent statutory 
     authority;
       (3) have a view toward ensuring that all significant laws, 
     programs, or agencies within its jurisdiction are subject to 
     review at least once every 10 years. the committee and its 
     appropriate subcommittees shall review and study, on a 
     continuing basis, the impact or probable impact of tax 
     policies affecting subjects within its jurisdiction as 
     provided in clause 2(d) of House rule X. the committee shall 
     include in the report filed pursuant to clause 1(d) of House 
     rule XI a summary of the oversight plans submitted by the 
     committee under clause 2(d) of House rule X, a summary of 
     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.
       (b) 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. 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) Budget Act Compliance: Views and Estimates (See 
     Appendix B).--By February 25 each year and after the 
     President submits a budget under section 1105(a) of title 31, 
     United State Code, 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 (under 
     section 301 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974--see 
     Appendix B) that are within its jurisdiction or functions; 
     and (2) an estimate of the total amounts of new budget 
     authority, and budget outlays resulting therefrom, to be 
     provided or authorized in all bills and resolutions within 
     its jurisdiction that it intends to be effective during that 
     fiscal year.
       (d) Budget Act Compliance: Recommended Changes.--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 (See Appendix B).
       (e) Conference Committees.--Whenever in the legislative 
     process it becomes necessary to appoint conferees, the 
     chairman shall, after consultation with the ranking minority 
     member, determine the number of conferees the chairman deems 
     most suitable and then recommend to the Speaker as conferees, 
     in keeping with the number to be appointed by the Speaker as 
     provided in clause House rule I, clause 11, the names of 
     those members of the committee of not less than a majority 
     who generally supported the House position and who were 
     primarily responsible for the legislation. The chairman 
     shall, to the fullest extent feasible, include those members 
     of the committee who were the principal proponents of the 
     major provisions of the bill as it passed the House and such 
     other committee members of the majority party as the chairman 
     may designate in consultation with the members of the 
     majority party. Such recommendations shall provide a ratio of 
     majority party members to minority party members no less 
     favorable to the majority party than the ratio of majority 
     party members to minority party members on the committee. In 
     making recommendations of minority party members as 
     conferees, the chairman shall consult with the ranking 
     minority member of the committee.

                            X. SUBCOMMITTEES

       (a) Number and Composition.--There shall be such 
     subcommittees as specified in paragraph (c) of this rule. 
     Each of such subcommittees shall be composed of the number of 
     members set forth in paragraph (c) of this rule, including ex 
     officio members.
        The chairman may create additional subcommittees of an ad 
     hoc nature as the chairman determines to be appropriate 
     subject to any limitations provided for in the House 
     rules.\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
     1 The chairman and ranking minority member of the committee 
     serve as ex officio members of the subcommittees. (See 
     paragraph (e) of this rule).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
       (b) Ratios.--On each subcommittee, there shall be a ratio 
     of majority party members to minority party members which 
     shall be consistent with the ratio on 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 and ratios below reflect that fact.
       (c) Jurisdiction.--Each subcommittee shall have the 
     following general jurisdiction and number of members:

                        OPERATIONAL SUBCOMMITTEE

       Department Operations, Oversight, Nutrition, and Forestry 
     (21 Members, 11 majority, 10 minority).--Agency oversight, 
     review and analysis, special investigations, pesticide 
     regulation, nutrition, food stamps, hunger, consumer 
     programs, and forestry.

                         COMMODITY SUBCOMMITTEES

       General Farm Commodities, Resource Conservation, and Credit 
     (21 Members, 11 majority, 10 minority).--Program and markets 
     related to cotton, cottonseed, wheat, feed grains, soybeans, 
     oilseeds, rice, dry beans, peas, lentils, the Commodity 
     Credit Corporation, agricultural credit, natural resource 
     conservation, small watershed program, rural development, 
     rural electrification, energy, farm security, and family 
     farming matters.
       Livestock and Horticulture (23 Members, 12 majority, 11 
     minority).--Livestock, dairy, poultry, meat, seafood and 
     seafood products, the inspection of those commodities, 
     aquaculture, animal welfare, fruits and vegetables, marketing 
     orders, and grazing.
       Risk Management, Research, and Specialty Crops (34 members, 
     18 majority, 16 minority).--Commodity futures, crop 
     insurance, peanuts, sugar, tobacco, honey and bees, research 
     and education, and agricultural biotechnology matters.
       (d) Referral of Legislation.--
         (1)(a) In general.--All bills, resolutions, and other 
     matters referred to the committee shall be referred to all 
     subcommittees of appropriate jurisdiction within 2 weeks 
     after being referred to the committee. After consultation 
     with the ranking minority member, the chairman may determine 
     that the committee will consider certain bills, resolutions, 
     or other matters.
         (b) Trade Matters.--Unless action is otherwise taken 
     under subparagraph (3), bills, resolutions, and other matters 
     referred to

[[Page H570]]

     the committee relating to foreign agriculture, foreign food 
     or commodity assistance, and foreign trade and marketing 
     issues will be considered by the committee.
       (2) The chairman, by a majority vote of the committee, may 
     discharge a subcommittee from further consideration of any 
     bill, resolution, or other matter referred to the 
     subcommittee and have such bill, resolution or other matter 
     considered by the committee. the committee having referred a 
     bill, resolution, or other matter to a subcommittee in 
     accordance with this rule may discharge such subcommittee 
     from further consideration thereof at any time by a vote of 
     the majority members of the committee for the committee's 
     direct consideration or for reference to another 
     subcommittee.
       (3) Unless the committee, a quorum being present, decides 
     otherwise by a majority vote, the chairman may refer bills, 
     resolutions, legislation or other matters not specifically 
     within the jurisdiction of a subcommittee, or that is within 
     the jurisdiction of more than one subcommittee, jointly or 
     exclusively as the chairman deems appropriate, including 
     concurrently to the subcommittees with jurisdiction, 
     sequentially to the subcommittees with jurisdiction (subject 
     to any time limits deemed appropriate), divided by subject 
     matter among the subcommittees with jurisdiction, or to an ad 
     hoc subcommittee appointed by the chairman for the purpose of 
     considering the matter and reporting to the committee 
     thereon, or make such other provisions deemed appropriate.
       (e) Service on subcommittees.--(1) The chairman and the 
     ranking minority member shall serve as ex officio members of 
     all subcommittees and shall have the right to vote on all 
     matters before the subcommittees. The chairman and the 
     ranking minority member may not be counted for the purpose of 
     establishing a quorum.
       (2) Any member of the committee who is not a member of the 
     subcommittee may have the privilege of sitting and 
     nonparticipatory attendance at subcommittee hearings in 
     accordance with clause 2(g)(2) of House rule XI. Such member 
     may not:
       (i) vote on any matter;
       (ii) be counted for the purpose of a establishing a quorum 
     for any motion, vote, or other subcommittee action;
       (iii) participate in questioning a witness under the 5-
     minute rule, unless permitted to do so by the subcommittee 
     chairman or a majority of the subcommittee a quorum being 
     present;
       (iv) raise points of order; or
       (v) offer amendments or motions.
       (f) Subcommittee Hearings and Meetings.--(1) Each 
     subcommittee is authorized to meet, hold hearings, receive 
     evidence, and report to the committee on all matters referred 
     to it or under its jurisdiction after consultation by the 
     subcommittee chairmen with the committee chairman. (See 
     committee rule VII.)
       (2) After consultation with the committee chairman, 
     subcommittee chairmen shall set dates for hearings and 
     meetings of their subcommittees and shall request the 
     majority staff director to make any announcement relating 
     thereto. (See committee rule VII(b).) In setting the dates, 
     the committee chairman and subcommittee chairman shall 
     consult with other subcommittee chairmen and relevant 
     committee and subcommittee ranking minority members in an 
     effort to avoid simultaneously scheduling committee and 
     subcommittee meetings or hearings to the extent practicable.
       (3) Notice of all subcommittee meetings shall be provided 
     to the chairman and the ranking minority member of the 
     committee by the majority staff director.
       (4) Subcommittees may hold meetings or hearings outside of 
     the House if the chairman of the committee and other 
     subcommittee chairmen and the ranking minority member of the 
     subcommittee is consulted in advance to ensure that there is 
     no scheduling problem. However, the majority of the committee 
     may authorize such meeting or hearing.
       (5) The provisions regarding notice and the agenda of 
     committee meetings under committee rule II(a) and special or 
     additional meetings under committee rule II(b) shall apply to 
     subcommittee meetings.
       (6) If a vacancy occurs in a subcommittee chairmanship, the 
     chairman may set the dates for hearings and meetings of the 
     subcommittee during the period of vacancy. The chairman may 
     also appoint an acting subcommittee chairman until the 
     vacancy is filled.
       (g) Subcommittee Action.--(1) Any bill, resolution, 
     recommendation, or other matter ordered reported to the 
     committee by a subcommittee shall be promptly reported by the 
     subcommittee chairman or any subcommittee member authorized 
     to do so by the subcommittee.
       (2) Upon receipt of such report, the majority staff 
     director of the committee shall promptly advise all members 
     of the committee of the subcommittee action.
       (3) The committee shall not consider any matters reported 
     by subcommittees until 2 calendar days have elapsed from the 
     date of reporting, unless the chairman or a majority of the 
     committee determines otherwise.
       (h) Subcommittee Investigations.--No investigation shall be 
     initiated by a subcommittee without the prior consultation 
     with the chairman of the committee or a majority of the 
     committee.

                XI. COMMITTEE BUDGET, STAFF, AND TRAVEL

       (a) Committee Budget.--The chairman, in consultation with 
     the majority members of the committee, and the minority 
     members of the committee, shall prepare a preliminary budget 
     for each session of the Congress. Such budget shall include 
     necessary amounts for staff personnel, travel, investigation, 
     and other expenses of the committee and subcommittees. After 
     consultation with the ranking minority member, the chairman 
     shall include an amount budgeted to minority members for 
     staff under their direction and supervision. Thereafter, the 
     chairman shall combine such proposals into a consolidated 
     committee budget, and shall take whatever action is necessary 
     to have such budget duly authorized by the House.
       (b) Committee Staff.--(1) The chairman shall appoint and 
     determine the remuneration of, and may remove, the 
     professional and clerical employees of the committee not 
     assigned to the minority. The professional and clerical 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. (See House rule X, clause 9).
       (2) The ranking minority member of the committee shall 
     appoint and determine the remuneration of, and may remove, 
     the professional and clerical staff assigned to the minority 
     within the budget approved for such purposes. The 
     professional and clerical 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.
       (3) From the funds made available for the appointment of 
     committee staff pursuant to any primary or additional expense 
     resolution, the chairman shall ensure that each subcommittee 
     is adequately funded and staffed to discharge its 
     responsibilities and that the minority party is fairly 
     treated in the appointment of such staff (See House rule X, 
     clause 6(d)).
       (c) Committee Travel.--(1) Consistent with the primary 
     expense resolution and such additional expense resolution as 
     may have been approved, the provisions of this rule shall 
     govern official travel of committee members and committee 
     staff regarding domestic and foreign travel (See House rule 
     XI, clause 2(n) and House rule X, clause 8 (reprinted in 
     Appendix A)). Official travel for any member or any committee 
     staff member shall be paid only upon the prior authorization 
     of the chairman. Official travel may be authorized by the 
     chairman for any committee Member and any committee staff 
     member in connection with the attendance of hearings 
     conducted by the committee and its subcommittees and 
     meetings, conferences, facility inspections, and 
     investigations which involve activities or subject matter 
     relevant to the general jurisdiction of the committee. Before 
     such authorization is given there shall be submitted to the 
     chairman in writing the following:
       (i) The purpose of the official travel;
       (ii) The dates during which the official travel is to be 
     made and the date or dates of the event for which the 
     official travel is being made;
       (iii) The location of the event for which the official 
     travel is to be made; and
       (iv) The names of members and committee staff seeking 
     authorization.
       (2) In the case of official travel of members and staff of 
     a subcommittee to hearings, meetings, conferences, facility 
     inspections and investigations involving activities or 
     subject matter under the jurisdiction of such subcommittee to 
     be paid for out of funds allocated to the committee, prior 
     authorization must be obtained from the subcommittee chairman 
     and the full committee chairman. Such prior authorization 
     shall be given by the chairman only upon the representation 
     by the applicable subcommittee chairman in writing setting 
     forth those items enumerated in clause (1).
       (3) Within 60 days of the conclusion of any official travel 
     authorized under this rule, there shall be submitted to the 
     committee chairman a written report covering the information 
     gained as a result of the hearing, meeting, conference, 
     facility inspection or investigation attended pursuant to 
     such official travel.
       (4) Local currencies owned by the United States shall be 
     made available to the committee and its employees engaged in 
     carrying out their official duties outside the United States, 
     its territories or possessions. No appropriated funds shall 
     be expended for the purpose of defraying expenses of members 
     of the committee or its employees in any country where local 
     currencies are available for this purpose; and the following 
     conditions shall apply with respect to their use of such 
     currencies;
       (i) No Member or employee of the committee shall receive or 
     expend local currencies for subsistence in any country at a 
     rate in excess of the maximum per diem rate set forth in 
     applicable Federal law; and
       (ii) Each Member or employee of the committee shall make an 
     itemized report to the chairman within 60 days following the 
     completion of travel showing the dates each country was 
     visited, the amount of per diem furnished, the cost of 
     transportation furnished, and any funds expended for any 
     other official purpose, and shall summarize in these 
     categories the total foreign currencies and appropriated 
     funds expended. All such

[[Page H571]]

     individual reports shall be filed by the chairman with the 
     Committee on House Administration and shall be open to public 
     inspection.

                        XII. AMENDMENT OF RULES

        These rules may be amended by a majority vote of the 
     committee. A proposed change in these rules shall not be 
     considered by the committee as provided in clause 2 of House 
     rule XI, unless written notice of the proposed change has 
     been provided to each committee Member 2 legislative days in 
     advance of the date on which the matter is to be considered. 
     Any such change in the rules of the committee shall be 
     published in the Congressional Record within 30 calendar days 
     after its approval.

                          ____________________