[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 24 (Wednesday, February 10, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S1436]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                RULES OF THE COMMITTEE ON SMALL BUSINESS

 Mr. BOND. Mr. President, Senate Standing Rule XXVI requires 
each committee to adopt rules to govern the procedures of the Committee 
and to publish those rules in the Congressional Record not later than 
March 1 of the first year of each Congress. On February 5, 1999, the 
Committee on Small Business held a business meeting during which the 
members of the Committee unanimously adopted rules to govern the 
procedures of the Committee. Consistent with Standing Rule XXVI, today 
I am submitting for printing in the Congressional Record a copy of the 
Rules of the Senate Committee on Small Business.
  The rules follow:

                Rules of the Committee on Small Business

           (As adopted in executive session February 5, 1999)


                                1. general

       All applicable provisions of the Standing Rules of the 
     Senate and of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946, as 
     amended, shall govern the Committee.


                          2. meeting and quorums

       (a) The regular meeting day of the Committee shall be the 
     first Wednesday of each month unless otherwise directed by 
     the Chairman. All other meetings may be called by the 
     Chairman as he deems necessary, on 3 days notice where 
     practicable. If at least three Members of the Committee 
     desire the Chairman to call a special meeting, they may file 
     in the office of the Committee a written request therefor, 
     addressed to the Chairman. Immediately thereafter, the Clerk 
     of the Committee shall notify the Chairman of such request. 
     If within 3 calendar days after the filing of such request, 
     the Chairman fails to call the requested special meeting, 
     which is to be held within 7 calendar days after the filing 
     of such request, a majority of the Committee Members may file 
     in the Office of the Committee their written notice that a 
     special Committee meeting will be held, specifying the date, 
     hour and place thereof, and the Committee shall meet at that 
     time and place. Immediately upon the filing of such notice, 
     the Clerk of the Committee shall notify all Committee Members 
     that such special meeting will be held and inform them of its 
     date, hour and place. If the Chairman is not present at any 
     regular, additional or special meeting, the Ranking Majority 
     Member present shall preside.
       (b)(1) A majority of the Members of the Committee shall 
     constitute a quorum for reporting any legislative measure or 
     nomination.
       (2) One-third of the Members of the Committee shall 
     constitute a quorum for the transaction of routine business, 
     provided that one Minority Member is present. The term 
     ``routine business'' includes, but is not limited to, the 
     consideration of legislation pending before the Committee and 
     any amendments thereto, and voting on such amendments. 132 
     Congressional Record Sec. 3231 (daily edition March 21, 1986)
       (3) In hearings, whether in public or closed session, a 
     quorum for the asking of testimony, including sworn 
     testimony, shall consist of one Member of the Committee.
       (c) Proxies will be permitted in voting upon the business 
     of the Committee by Members who are unable to be present. To 
     be valid, proxies must be signed and assign the right to vote 
     to one of the Members who will be present. Proxies shall in 
     no case be counted for establishing a quorum.
       (d) It shall not be in order for the Committee to consider 
     any amendment in the first degree proposed to any measure 
     under consideration by the Committee unless thirty written 
     copies of such amendment have been delivered to the office of 
     the Committee at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. This 
     subsection may be waived by the Chairman or by a majority 
     vote of the members of the Committee.


                               3. hearings

       (a)(1) The Chairman of the Committee may initiate a hearing 
     of the Committee on his authority or upon his approval of a 
     request by any Member of the Committee. Written notice of all 
     hearings shall be given, as far in advance as practicable, to 
     Members of the Committee.
       (2) Hearings of the Committee shall not be scheduled 
     outside the District of Columbia unless specifically 
     authorized by the Chairman and the Ranking Minority Member 
     or by consent of a majority of the Committee. Such consent 
     may be given informally, without a meeting.
       (b)(1) Any Member of the Committee shall be empowered to 
     administer the oath of any witness testifying as to fact if a 
     quorum be present as specified in Rule 2(b).
       (2) Interrogation of witnesses at hearings shall be 
     conducted on behalf of the Committee by Members of the 
     Committee or such Committee staff as is authorized by the 
     Chairman or Ranking Minority Member.
       (3) Witnesses appearing before the Committee shall file 
     with the Clerk of the Committee a written statement of the 
     prepared testimony at least two business days in advance of 
     the hearing at which the witness is to appear unless this 
     requirement is waived by the Chairman and the Ranking 
     Minority Member.
       (c) Witnesses may be subpoenaed by the Chairman with the 
     agreement of the Ranking Minority Member or by consent of a 
     majority of the Members of the Committee. Such consent may be 
     given informally, without a meeting. Subpoenas shall be 
     issued by the Chairman or by any Member of the Committee 
     designated by him. A subpoena for the attendance of a witness 
     shall state briefly the purpose of the hearing and the matter 
     or matters to which the witness is expected to testify. A 
     subpoena for the production of memoranda, documents and 
     records shall identify the papers required to be produced 
     with as much particularity as is practicable.
       (d) Any witness summoned to a public or closed hearing may 
     be accompanied by counsel of his own choosing, who shall be 
     permitted while the witness is testifying to advise him of 
     his legal rights.
       (e) No confidential testimony taken, or confidential 
     material presented to the Committee, or any report of the 
     proceedings of a closed hearing, or confidential testimony or 
     material submitted voluntarily or pursuant to a subpoena, 
     shall be made public, either in whole or in part or by way of 
     summary, unless authorized by a majority of the Members of 
     the Committee.


                             4. subcommittees

       The Committee shall not have standing subcommittees.


                          5. Amendment of rules

       The foregoing rules may be added to, modified or amended; 
     provided, however, that not less than a majority of the 
     entire Membership so determine at a regular meeting with due 
     notice, or at a meeting specifically called for that 
     purpose.

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