[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 28 (Wednesday, February 13, 2019)]
[House]
[Pages H1572-H1576]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     PUBLICATION OF COMMITTEE RULES


   RULES OF THE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES FOR THE 116TH CONGRESS


                                U.S. House of Representatives,

                                Washington, DC, February 13, 2019.
     Hon. Nancy Pelosi,
     Speaker of the House, House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Madam Speaker: Pursuant to Rule XI, Clause 2(a)(2) of 
     the Rules of the House of Representatives, I respectfully 
     submit the rules of the 116th Congress for the Committee on 
     Natural Resources for publication in the Congressional 
     Record. The Committee adopted these rules by voice vote, with 
     a quorum being present, at our organizational meeting on 
     Wednesday, January 30th, 2019.
           Sincerely,
                                                 Raul M. Grijalva,
                         Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources.

                Rule 1. Rules of the House; Vice Chairs

       (a) Applicability of House Rules.
       (1) The Rules of the House of Representatives, so far as 
     they are applicable, are the rules of the Committee on 
     Natural Resources (hereinafter in these rules referred to as 
     the ``Committee'') and its Subcommittees.
       (2) Each Subcommittee is part of the Committee and is 
     subject to the authority, direction and rules of the 
     Committee. References in these rules to ``Committee'' and 
     ``Chair'' shall apply to each Subcommittee and its Chair 
     wherever applicable.
       (3) House Rule XI is incorporated and made a part of the 
     rules of the Committee to the extent applicable.
       (b) Vice Chair.--Unless inconsistent with other rules, the 
     Chair shall designate a Vice Chair of the Committee and 
     appoint Vice Chairs of the Subcommittees. If the Chair of the 
     Committee or Subcommittee is not present at any meeting of 
     the Committee or Subcommittee, as the case may be, the Vice 
     Chair shall preside. If the Vice Chair is not present, the 
     Ranking Member of the Majority party on the Committee or 
     Subcommittee who is present, or the Chair's designee, shall 
     preside at that meeting.

                      Rule 2. Meetings in General

       (a) Scheduled Meetings.--The Committee shall meet at 10 
     a.m. the first Wednesday of each month when the House is in 
     session if so noticed by the Chair under Committee Rule 3(a). 
     The Committee shall also meet at the call of the Chair 
     subject to advance notice to all Members of the Committee. 
     Special meetings shall be called and convened by the Chair as 
     provided in clause 2(c)(1) of House Rule XI. Any Committee 
     meeting or hearing that conflicts with a party caucus, 
     conference, or similar party meeting shall be rescheduled at 
     the discretion of the Chair, in consultation with the Ranking 
     Minority Member. 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.
       (b) 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) and clause 2(k) 
     of House Rule XI.
       (c) 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 clauses 2(a)(1) and 4 of House 
     Rule XI. The provisions of clause 4(f) of House Rule XI are 
     specifically made part of these rules by reference. To the 
     maximum extent practicable, the Committee shall provide audio 
     and visual coverage of each hearing or meeting for the 
     transaction of business in a manner that allows the public to 
     easily listen to and view the proceedings, and maintain the 
     recordings of such coverage in a manner that is easily 
     accessible to the public. Operation and use of any Committee 
     internet broadcast system shall be fair, and nonpartisan, and 
     in accordance with clause 4(b) of House Rule XI and all other 
     applicable rules of the Committee and the House.
       (d) Oversight Plan.--No later than March 1 of the first 
     session of each Congress, the Committee shall prepare and 
     submit its oversight plan for that Congress in accordance 
     with clause 2(d) of House Rule X.

           Rule 3. Meeting and Hearing Procedures in General

       (a) Notice and Information for Members and the Public.
       (1) The Chair shall publicly announce the date, place and 
     subject matter of a Committee hearing or meeting in 
     accordance with clause 2(g)(3) of House Rule XI.
       (2) A hearing or meeting may begin sooner if the Chair, 
     with the concurrence of the Ranking Minority Member, 
     determines that there is good cause to begin the meeting or 
     hearing sooner, or if the Committee so determines by majority 
     vote. In these cases, the Chair shall publicly announce the 
     meeting or hearing at the earliest possible time. The 
     Committee shall promptly notify the Daily Digest Clerk of the 
     Congressional Record and shall promptly make publicly 
     available in electronic form the appropriate information as 
     soon as possible after the public announcement is made.
       (3) To the extent practicable, a background memorandum 
     prepared by the Majority staff summarizing the major 
     provisions of any bill being considered by the Committee, 
     including the need for the bill and its effect on current 
     law, will be available for the Members of the Committee and 
     the public no later than 48 hours before the meeting.
       (b) Public Availability of Markup Text.--At least 24 hours 
     prior to the markup of any legislation (or at the time of an 
     announcement under paragraph (a)(2) above made within 24 
     hours before such meeting), the Chair shall cause the text of 
     such legislation to be made publicly available in electronic 
     form.
       (c) Meetings and Hearings to Begin Promptly.--Each meeting 
     or hearing of the Committee shall begin promptly at the time 
     stipulated in the public announcement of the meeting or 
     hearing.
       (d) Addressing the Committee.--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 only when recognized by the Chair for that 
     purpose. The time a Member may address the Committee or 
     Subcommittee for any purpose or to question a witness shall 
     be limited to five minutes, except as provided in Committee 
     Rule 4(f). Members shall limit remarks to the subject matter 
     under consideration.
       (e) Quorums.
       (1) A majority of the Members of the Committee shall 
     constitute a quorum for the reporting of any measure or 
     recommendation, the authorizing of a subpoena, the closing of 
     any meeting or hearing to the public under clause 2(g)(1), 
     clause 2(g)(2)(A) and clause 2(k)(5)(B) of House Rule XI, and 
     the releasing of executive session materials under clause 
     2(k)(7) of House Rule X. Testimony and evidence may be 
     received at any hearing at which there are at least two 
     Members of the Committee present. For the purpose of 
     transacting all other business of the Committee, one-third of 
     the Members shall constitute a quorum.
       (2) When a call of the roll is required to ascertain the 
     presence of a quorum, the offices of all Members shall be 
     notified and the Members shall have not less than 15 minutes 
     to prove their attendance. The Chair shall have the 
     discretion to waive this requirement when a quorum is 
     actually present or whenever a quorum is secured and may 
     direct the relevant Committee staff to note the names of all 
     Members present within the 15-minute period.
       (f) Participation of Members in Committee and 
     Subcommittees.--Any Member of the Committee may sit with any 
     Subcommittee during any meeting or hearing, and by unanimous 
     consent of the Members of the Subcommittee, may participate 
     in such meeting or hearing. However, a Member who is not a 
     Member of the Subcommittee may not vote on any matter before 
     the Subcommittee, be counted for purposes of establishing a 
     quorum, or raise points of order.
       (g) Proxies.--No vote in the Committee or its Subcommittees 
     may be cast by proxy.
       (h) Record Votes.--Record votes shall be ordered on the 
     demand of one-fifth of the Members present, or by any Member 
     in the apparent absence of a quorum.
       (i) Postponed Record Votes.
       (1) Subject to paragraph (2), the Chair may, after 
     consultation with the Ranking Minority Member, postpone 
     further proceedings when a record vote is ordered on the 
     question of approving any measure or matter or adopting an 
     amendment. The Chair shall resume proceedings on a postponed 
     request at any time after reasonable notice, but no later 
     than the next meeting day.
       (2) Notwithstanding any intervening order for the previous 
     question, when proceedings resume on a postponed question 
     under paragraph (1), an underlying proposition shall remain 
     subject to further debate or amendment to the same extent as 
     when the question was postponed.
       (3) This rule shall apply to Subcommittee proceedings.
       (j) Privileged Motions.--A motion to recess from day to 
     day, a motion to recess subject to the call of the Chair 
     (within 24 hours), and a motion to dispense with the first 
     reading (in full) of a bill or resolution if printed copies 
     are available, are nondebatable motions of high privilege.
       (k) Layover and Copy of Bill.--No measure or recommendation 
     reported by a Subcommittee shall be considered by the 
     Committee until two calendar days from the time of 
     Subcommittee action. No bill shall be considered by the 
     Committee unless a copy has been delivered to the office of 
     each Member of the Committee requesting a copy.

[[Page H1573]]

     These requirements may be waived by a majority vote of the 
     Committee at the time of consideration of the measure or 
     recommendation.
       (1) Access to Dais and Conference Room.--Access to the 
     hearing rooms' daises (and to the conference rooms adjacent 
     to the Committee hearing rooms) shall be limited to Members 
     of Congress and employees of the Committee during a meeting 
     or hearing of the Committee, except that Committee Members' 
     personal staff may be present on the daises if their 
     employing Member is the author of a bill or amendment under 
     consideration by the Committee, but only during the time that 
     the bill or amendment is under active consideration by the 
     Committee. Access to the conference rooms adjacent to the 
     Committee hearing rooms shall be limited to Members of 
     Congress and employees of Congress during a meeting or 
     hearing of the Committee.
       (m) Cellular Telephones and other Electronic Devices.--
     During a meeting of the Committee, ringing or audible sounds 
     or conversational use of cellular telephones or other 
     electronic devices is prohibited on the Committee dais or in 
     the Committee hearing rooms.
       (n) Motion to go to Conference with the Senate.--The Chair 
     may offer a motion under clause 1 of House Rule XXII whenever 
     the Chair considers it appropriate.
       (o) Materials for Record.--Other than witness questions for 
     the hearing record, materials must be submitted within 10 
     business days following the last day of the hearing or 
     meeting. Witness questions for the hearing record must be 
     submitted to the relevant Full Committee staff or 
     Subcommittee Clerk within 3 business days following the last 
     day of the hearing. The materials submitted must address the 
     subject matter of the hearing or meeting. Only a Member of 
     the Committee or an invited witness may submit materials for 
     inclusion in the hearing or meeting record.

                       Rule 4. Hearing Procedures

       (a) Written Statement; Oral Testimony.--Witnesses who are 
     to appear before the Committee or a Subcommittee shall file 
     with the relevant Full Committee staff or Subcommittee Clerk, 
     at least two business days before the day of their 
     appearance, a written statement of their proposed testimony. 
     Witnesses shall limit their oral presentation to a five-
     minute summary of the written statement, unless the Chair, in 
     consultation with the Ranking Minority Member, extends this 
     time period. Subject to the approval of the Committee, the 
     Chair may waive oral testimony of any witness who has 
     submitted written testimony for the record.
       In addition, a witness appearing in a nongovernmental 
     capacity shall include a curriculum vitae and a disclosure of 
     any Federal grants or contracts, or contracts or payments 
     originating with a foreign government, received during the 
     current calendar year or either of the previous two calendar 
     years by the witness or by the entity represented by the 
     witness and related to the subject matter of the hearing. The 
     disclosure shall include the amount and source of each 
     Federal grant (or subgrant thereof) or contract (or 
     subcontract thereof) related to the subject matter of the 
     hearing and the amount and country of origin of any payment 
     or contract related to the subject matter of the hearing 
     originating with a foreign government. Failure to comply with 
     these disclosure requirements may result in the exclusion of 
     the written testimony from the hearing record and/or the 
     barring of an oral presentation of the testimony.
       (b) 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 Chair by a majority of 
     those Minority Members before the completion of the hearing, 
     to call witnesses selected by the Minority to testify with 
     respect to that measure or matter during at least one day of 
     hearings thereon.
       (c) Information for Members.--After announcement of a 
     hearing, the Committee shall make available as soon as 
     practicable to all Members of the Committee a tentative 
     witness list and to the extent practicable the Majority staff 
     shall make publicly available a memorandum explaining the 
     subject matter of the hearing (including relevant legislative 
     reports and other necessary material). In addition, the Chair 
     shall make available to the Members of the Committee any 
     official reports from departments and agencies on the subject 
     matter as they are received.
       (d) Subpoenas.--The Committee or a Subcommittee may 
     authorize and issue a subpoena under clause 2(m) of House 
     Rule XI if authorized by a majority of the Members voting. In 
     addition, the Chair of the Committee may authorize and issue 
     subpoenas during any period of time in which the House of 
     Representatives has adjourned for more than three days and, 
     as soon as practicable, the Chair shall notify all Members of 
     the Committee of such action. Subpoenas shall be signed only 
     by the Chair of the Committee, or any Member of the Committee 
     authorized by the Committee, and may be served by any person 
     designated by the Chair or Member.
       (e) Oaths.--The Chair of the Committee, the Chairs of the 
     Subcommittees or any Member designated by the Chair may 
     administer oaths to any witness before the Committee. All 
     witnesses appearing in hearings may be administered the 
     following oath by the Chair or his designee prior to 
     receiving the testimony: ``Do you solemnly swear or affirm, 
     under penalty of law, that the testimony that you are about 
     to give is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the 
     truth, so help you God?''
       (f) Opening Statements; Questioning of Witnesses.
       (1) Opening statements may be made by the Chair and the 
     Ranking Member or their designee. If a witness scheduled to 
     testify at any hearing of the Committee is a constituent of a 
     Member of the Committee, that Member may be recognized for up 
     to 30 seconds to briefly introduce the witness at the 
     hearing.
       (2) The questioning of witnesses in Committee and 
     Subcommittee hearings may be initiated by the Chair, followed 
     by the Ranking Minority Member and all other Members 
     alternating between the Majority and Minority parties. In 
     recognizing Members to question witnesses, the Chair shall 
     take into consideration the ratio of the Majority to Minority 
     Members present and shall establish the order of recognition 
     for questioning in a manner so as not to disadvantage the 
     Members of the Majority or the Members of the Minority. A 
     motion is in order to allow designated Majority and Minority 
     party Members to question a witness for a specified period to 
     be equally divided between the Majority and Minority parties. 
     This period shall not exceed one hour in the aggregate.
       (g) Claims of Privilege.--Claims of common-law privileges 
     made by witnesses in hearings, or by interviewees or 
     deponents in investigations or inquiries, are applicable only 
     at the discretion of the Chair, subject to appeal to the 
     Committee.

                  Rule 5. Filing of Committee Reports

       (a) Duty of Chair.--Whenever the Committee authorizes the 
     favorable reporting of a measure from the Committee, the 
     Chair or the Chair's designee shall report the same to the 
     House of Representatives and shall take all steps necessary 
     to secure its passage without any additional authority 
     needing to be set forth in the motion to report each 
     individual measure. In appropriate cases, the authority set 
     forth in this rule shall extend to moving in accordance with 
     the Rules of the House of Representatives that the House be 
     resolved into the Committee of the Whole House on the State 
     of the Union for the consideration of the measure; and to 
     moving in accordance with the Rules of the House of 
     Representatives for the disposition of a Senate measure that 
     is substantially the same as the House measure as reported.
       (b) Filing.--A report on a measure which has been approved 
     by the Committee shall be filed within seven calendar days 
     (exclusive of days on which the House of Representatives is 
     not in session) after the day on which there has been filed 
     with the relevant Full Committee staff a written request, 
     signed by a majority of the Members of the Committee, for the 
     reporting of that measure. Upon the filing with the relevant 
     Full Committee staff of this request, the staff shall 
     transmit immediately to the Chair notice of the filing of 
     that request.
       (c) Supplemental, Additional, Dissenting or Minority 
     Views.--Any Member may, if notice is given by any Member at 
     the time a measure or matter is approved by the Committee, 
     file supplemental, additional, dissenting or minority views. 
     These views must be in writing and signed by each Member 
     joining therein and be filed with the Committee Chief Counsel 
     not less than two additional calendar days (excluding 
     Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays except when the House 
     is in session on those days) of the time the bill or 
     resolution is approved by the Committee. This paragraph shall 
     not preclude the filing of any supplemental report on any 
     measure or matter that may be required for the correction of 
     any technical error in a previous report made by the 
     Committee on that bill or resolution.
       (d) Review by Members.--Each Member of the Committee shall 
     be given an opportunity to review each proposed Committee 
     report before it is filed with the Clerk of the House of 
     Representatives. Nothing in this paragraph extends the time 
     allowed for filing supplemental, additional, dissenting or 
     minority views under paragraph (c).
       (e) Disclaimer.--All Committee or Subcommittee reports 
     printed and not approved by a majority vote of the Committee 
     or Subcommittee, as appropriate, shall contain the following 
     disclaimer on the cover of the report: ``This report has not 
     been officially adopted by the {Committee on Natural 
     Resources} {Subcommittee} and may not therefore necessarily 
     reflect the views of its Members.''

 Rule 6. Establishment of Subcommittees; Full Committee Jurisdiction; 
                             Bill Referrals

       (a) Subcommittees.--There shall be five standing 
     Subcommittees of the Committee, with the following 
     jurisdiction and responsibilities:


       Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands

       (1) Measures and matters related to the National Park 
     System and its units, including Federal reserved water 
     rights.
       (2) The National Wilderness Preservation System.
       (3) Wild and Scenic Rivers System, National Trails System, 
     national heritage areas and other national units established 
     for protection, conservation, preservation or recreational 
     development, other than coastal barriers.

[[Page H1574]]

       (4) Military parks and battlefields, national cemeteries 
     administered by the Secretary of the Interior, parks in and 
     within the vicinity of the District of Columbia and the 
     erection of monuments to the memory of individuals.
       (5) Federal and non-Federal outdoor recreation plans, 
     programs and administration including the Land and Water 
     Conservation Fund Act of 1965 and the Outdoor Recreation Act 
     of 1963.
       (6) Preservation of prehistoric ruins and objects of 
     interest on the public domain and other historic preservation 
     programs and activities, including national monuments, 
     historic sites and programs for international cooperation in 
     the field of historic preservation.
       (7) Matters concerning the following agencies and programs: 
     Urban Parks and Recreation Recovery Program, Historic 
     American Buildings Survey, Historic American Engineering 
     Record, and U.S. Holocaust Memorial.
       (8) Public lands generally, including measures or matters 
     relating to entry, easements, withdrawals, grazing and 
     Federal reserved water rights.
       (9) Forfeiture of land grants and alien ownership, 
     including alien ownership of mineral lands.
       (10) Cooperative efforts to encourage, enhance and improve 
     international programs for the protection of the environment 
     and the conservation of natural resources otherwise within 
     the jurisdiction of the Subcommittee.
       (11) Forest reservations, including management thereof, 
     created from the public domain.
       (12) Public forest lands generally, including measures or 
     matters related to entry, easements, withdrawals, grazing and 
     Federal reserved water rights.
       (13) General and continuing oversight and investigative 
     authority over activities, policies and programs within the 
     jurisdiction of the Subcommittee.


              Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife

       (1) All measures and matters concerning water resources 
     planning conducted pursuant to the Water Resources Planning 
     Act, water resource research and development programs and 
     saline water research and development.
       (2) Compacts relating to the use and apportionment of 
     interstate waters, water rights and major interbasin water or 
     power movement programs.
       (3) All measures and matters pertaining to irrigation and 
     reclamation projects and other water resources development 
     and recycling programs, including policies and procedures.
       (4) Indian water rights and settlements.
       (5) Activities and programs of the Water Resources Division 
     or its successor within the U.S. Geological Survey.
       (6) The Endangered Species Act.
       (7) Fisheries management and fisheries research generally, 
     including the management of all commercial and recreational 
     fisheries (including the reauthorization of the Magnuson 
     Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act), 
     interjurisdictional fisheries, international fisheries 
     agreements, aquaculture, seafood safety, and fisheries 
     promotion.
       (8) All matters pertaining to the protection of coastal and 
     marine environments, estuarine protection, and coastal 
     barriers.
       (9) Oceanography.
       (10) Ocean engineering, including materials, technology and 
     systems.
       (11) Marine sanctuaries.
       (12) U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea.
       (13) All matters regarding Antarctica within the 
     Committee's jurisdiction.
       (14) Sea Grant programs and marine extension services.
       (15) Cooperative efforts to encourage, enhance and improve 
     international programs for the protection of the environment 
     and the conservation of natural resources otherwise within 
     the jurisdiction of the Subcommittee.
       (16) Coastal zone management.
       (17) Wildlife resources, including research, restoration, 
     and conservation.
       (18) Measures and matters related to the U.S. Fish and 
     Wildlife Service, including ecological services, fish and 
     aquatic conservation, international affairs, migratory birds, 
     national wildlife refuge system, wildlife and sport fish 
     restoration, and the Lacey Act.
       (19) General and continuing oversight and investigative 
     authority over activities, policies and programs within the 
     jurisdiction of the Subcommittee.


              Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources

       (1) Planning for and development of energy from solar and 
     wind resources on land belonging to the United States, 
     including the outer Continental Shelf.
       (2) All matters and measures affecting geothermal 
     resources.
       (3) Marine hydrokinetic energy development on the outer 
     Continental Shelf.
       (4) All matters related to the leasing, development, and 
     conservation of fossil fuel resources belonging to the United 
     States, including on the outer Continental Shelf and land 
     where the surface is owned by entities other than the United 
     States, including decommissioning of relevant facilities and 
     reclamation of affected areas.
       (5) Mitigation of energy and mining related impacts on 
     Federal lands and resources.
       (6) Terrestrial and geological sequestration of carbon 
     dioxide, except for matters involving implementation of land 
     or forestry management strategies.
       (7) All measures and matters concerning the Office of 
     Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement.
       (8) All measures and matters concerning the U.S. Geological 
     Survey, except for the activities and programs of the Water 
     Resources Division or its successor.
       (9) Collection and management of energy and mineral 
     revenues.
       (10) Mining interests generally, including all matters 
     involving mining regulation and enforcement, including the 
     reclamation of mined lands, the environmental effects of 
     mining, mineral land laws and claims, long-range mineral 
     programs, and seabed mining.
       (11) Conservation of United States uranium supply.
       (12) Geospatial data collection and management, except for 
     nautical charts (or data collected by the National Oceanic 
     and Atmospheric Administration).
       (13) Helium supply and management of the Federal helium 
     program.
       (14) Rights-of-way over public lands for pipeline 
     transportation of oil, natural gas, carbon dioxide, and 
     helium.
       (15) Measures and matters concerning the transportation of 
     natural gas from or within Alaska and disposition of oil 
     transported by the trans-Alaska oil pipeline.
       (16) Cooperative efforts to encourage, enhance and improve 
     international programs for the protection of the environment 
     and the conservation of natural resources otherwise within 
     the jurisdiction of the Subcommittee.
       (17) Generation and marketing of electric power from 
     Federal water projects by Federally chartered or Federal 
     regional power marketing authorities.
       (18) Rights-of-way over public lands for energy-related 
     transmission.
       (19) General and continuing oversight and investigative 
     authority over activities, policies and programs within the 
     jurisdiction of the Subcommittee.


        Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States

       (1) All matters related to the Federal trust responsibility 
     to Native Americans and the sovereignty of Native Americans.
       (2) Measures relating to the welfare of Native Americans, 
     including management of Indian lands in general and special 
     measures relating to claims which are paid out of Indian 
     funds.
       (3) All matters regarding Native Alaskans.
       (4) All matters regarding the relations of the United 
     States with Native Americans and Native American tribes, 
     including special oversight functions under House Rule X.
       (5) All matters regarding Native Hawaiians.
       (6) General and continuing oversight and investigative 
     authority over activities, policies and programs within the 
     jurisdiction of the Subcommittee.


              Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations

       (1) Primary and general oversight and investigative 
     authority on all activities, policies and programs within the 
     jurisdiction of the Committee under House Rule X.
       (b) Full Committee.--The following measures and matters 
     shall be retained at the Full Committee:
       (1) Environmental and habitat measures of general 
     applicability, including the National Environmental Policy 
     Act.
       (2) All matters regarding insular areas of the United 
     States.
       (3) All measures or matters regarding the Freely Associated 
     States.
       (4) Cooperative efforts to encourage, enhance and improve 
     international programs for the protection of the environment 
     and the conservation of natural resources otherwise within 
     the jurisdiction of the Full Committee.
       (5) All other measures and matters retained by the Full 
     Committee, including those retained under Committee Rule 
     6(e).
       (6) General and continuing oversight and investigative 
     authority over activities, policies and programs within the 
     jurisdiction of the Full Committee.
       (c) Ex-officio Members.--The Chair and Ranking Minority 
     Member of the Committee may serve as ex-officio Members of 
     each standing Subcommittee to which the Chair or the Ranking 
     Minority Member have not been assigned. Ex-officio Members 
     shall have the right to fully participate in Subcommittee 
     activities but may not vote and may not be counted in 
     establishing a quorum.
       (d) Powers and Duties of Subcommittees.--Each Subcommittee 
     is authorized to meet, hold hearings, receive evidence and 
     report to the Committee on all matters within its 
     jurisdiction. Each Subcommittee shall review and study on a 
     continuing basis the application, administration, execution 
     and effectiveness of those statutes, or parts of statutes, 
     the subject matter of which is within that Subcommittee's 
     jurisdiction; and the organization, operation, and 
     regulations of any Federal agency or entity having 
     responsibilities in or for the administration of such 
     statutes, to determine whether these statutes are being 
     implemented and carried out in accordance with the intent of 
     Congress. Each Subcommittee shall review and study any 
     conditions or circumstances indicating the need for enacting 
     new or supplemental legislation within the jurisdiction of 
     the Subcommittee. Each Subcommittee shall

[[Page H1575]]

     have general and continuing oversight and investigative 
     authority over activities, policies and programs within the 
     jurisdiction of the Subcommittee.
       (e) Referral to Subcommittees; Recall.
       (1) Except as provided in paragraph
       (2) and for those measures or matters retained at the Full 
     Committee, every legislative measure or other matter referred 
     to the Committee shall be referred to the maximum extent 
     possible to the Subcommittee of jurisdiction within two weeks 
     of the date of its referral to the Committee. If any measure 
     or matter is within or affects the jurisdiction of one or 
     more Subcommittees, the Chair may refer that measure or 
     matter simultaneously to two or more Subcommittees for 
     concurrent consideration or for consideration in sequence 
     subject to appropriate time limits, or divide the matter into 
     two or more parts and refer each part to a Subcommittee.
       (2) The Chair, with the approval of a majority of the 
     Majority Members of the Committee, may refer a legislative 
     measure or other matter to a select or special Subcommittee. 
     A legislative measure or other matter referred by the Chair 
     to a Subcommittee may be recalled from the Subcommittee for 
     direct consideration by the Full Committee, or for referral 
     to another Subcommittee, provided Members of the Committee 
     receive one week written notice of the recall and a majority 
     of the Members of the Committee do not object. In addition, a 
     legislative measure or other matter referred by the Chair to 
     a Subcommittee may be recalled from the Subcommittee at any 
     time by majority vote of the Committee for direct 
     consideration by the Full Committee or for referral to 
     another Subcommittee.
       (f) Consultation.--Each Subcommittee Chair shall consult 
     with the Chair of the Full Committee prior to setting dates 
     for Subcommittee meetings and hearings with a view towards 
     avoiding whenever possible conflicting Committee and 
     Subcommittee meetings and hearings.
       (g) Vacancy.--A vacancy in the membership of a Subcommittee 
     shall not affect the power of the remaining Members to 
     execute the functions of the Subcommittee.

          Rule 7. Task Forces, Special or Select Subcommittees

       (a) Appointment.--The Chair of the Committee is authorized, 
     after consultation with the Ranking Minority Member, to 
     appoint Task Forces, or special or select Subcommittees, to 
     carry out the duties and functions of the Committee.
       (b) Ex-officio Members.--The Chair and Ranking Minority 
     Member of the Committee may serve as ex-officio Members of 
     each Task Force, or special or select Subcommittee if they 
     are not otherwise Members. Ex-officio Members shall have the 
     right to fully participate in activities but may not vote and 
     may not be counted in establishing a quorum.
       (c) Party Ratios.--The ratio of Majority Members to 
     Minority Members, excluding ex-officio Members, on each Task 
     Force, special or select Subcommittee shall be as close as 
     practicable to the ratio on the Full Committee.
       (d) Temporary Resignation.-- Members can temporarily resign 
     their position on a Subcommittee to serve on a Task Force, 
     special or select Subcommittee without prejudice to the 
     Member's seniority on the Subcommittee.
       (e) Chair and Ranking Minority Member.--The Chair of any 
     Task Force, or special or select Subcommittee shall be 
     appointed by the Chair of the Committee. The Ranking Minority 
     Member shall select a Ranking Minority Member for each Task 
     Force, or standing, special or select Subcommittee.

                  Rule 8. Recommendation of Conferees

       Whenever it becomes necessary to appoint conferees on a 
     particular measure, the Chair shall recommend to the Speaker 
     as conferees those Majority Members primarily responsible for 
     the measure. Similarly, the Ranking Member shall recommend to 
     the Minority Leader as conferees those Minority Members 
     primarily responsible for the measure. The ratio of Majority 
     Members to Minority Members recommended for conferences shall 
     be no greater than the ratio on the Committee.

                       Rule 9. Committee Records

       (a) Segregation of Records.--All Committee records shall be 
     kept separate and distinct from the office records of 
     individual Committee Members serving as Chairs or Ranking 
     Minority Members. These records shall be the property of the 
     House and all Members shall have access to them in accordance 
     with clause 2(e)(2) of House Rule XI.
       (b) Availability.--The Committee shall make available to 
     the public for review at reasonable times in the Committee 
     office transcripts of public meetings and hearings, except 
     those that are unrevised or unedited and intended solely for 
     the use of the Committee.
       (c) Archived Records.--Records of the Committee which are 
     deposited with the National Archives shall be made available 
     for public use pursuant to House Rule VII. The Chair shall 
     notify the Ranking Minority Member of any decision, pursuant 
     to clause 3(b)(3) or clause 4(b) of House Rule VII, to 
     withhold, or to provide a time, schedule or condition for 
     availability of any record otherwise available. At the 
     written request of any Member of the Committee, the matter 
     shall be presented to the Committee for a determination and 
     shall be subject to the same notice and quorum requirements 
     for the conduct of business under Committee Rule 3.
       (d) Records of Closed Meetings.--Notwithstanding the other 
     provisions of this rule, no records of Committee meetings or 
     hearings which were closed to the public pursuant to the 
     Rules of the House of Representatives shall be released to 
     the public unless the Committee votes to release those 
     records in accordance with the procedure used to close the 
     Committee meeting.
       (e) Classified Materials.--All classified materials shall 
     be maintained in an appropriately secured location and shall 
     be released only to authorized persons for review, who shall 
     not remove the material from the Committee offices without 
     the written permission of the Chair.
       (f) Committee Information Available for the Public.--In 
     addition to any other requirement of these rules or the Rules 
     of the House of Representatives, the Chair shall cause to be 
     made available publicly in electronic form the following:
       (1) a record of the votes on any question on which a 
     recorded vote is taken which shall be posted no later than 24 
     hours after the vote is taken that shall include:
       (i) a copy of the amendment or a detailed description of 
     the motion, order or other proposition; and
       (ii) the name of each Member voting for and each Member 
     voting against such amendment, motion, order, or proposition, 
     the names of those Members voting present, and the names of 
     any Member not present.
       (2) copies of all amendments adopted in Committee by voice 
     vote or unanimous consent within 24 hours of the adoption of 
     the amendment.
       (3) the rules of the Committee, once adopted, and any 
     amendments thereto, in accordance with clause 2(a)(2) of 
     House Rule XI.
       (4) the statements required under the second sentence of 
     clause 2(g)(5) of House Rule XI, with appropriate redactions 
     to protect the privacy of the witness, which shall be posted 
     no later than one day after the witness appears before the 
     Committee.

                 Rule 10. Committee Budget and Expenses

       (a) Budget At the beginning of each Congress, after 
     consultation with the Chair of each Subcommittee and the 
     Ranking Minority Member, the Chair shall present to the 
     Committee for its approval a budget covering the funding 
     required for staff, travel, and miscellaneous expenses.
       (b) Expense Resolution.--Upon approval by the Committee of 
     each budget, the Chair, acting pursuant to clause 6 of House 
     Rule X, shall prepare and introduce in the House a supporting 
     expense resolution, and take all action necessary to bring 
     about its approval by the Committee on House Administration 
     and by the House of Representatives.
       (c) Amendments.--The Chair shall report to the Committee 
     any amendments to each expense resolution and any related 
     changes in the budget.
       (d) Additional Expenses.--Authorization for the payment of 
     additional or unforeseen Committee expenses may be procured 
     by one or more additional expense resolutions processed in 
     the same manner as set out under this rule.
       (e) Monthly Reports.--Copies of each monthly report 
     prepared by the Chair for the Committee on House 
     Administration which shows expenditures made during the 
     reporting period and cumulative for the year, anticipated 
     expenditures for the projected Committee program, and 
     detailed information on travel, shall be available to each 
     Member.

                        Rule 11. Committee Staff

       (a) Rules and Policies.--Committee staff are subject to the 
     provisions of clause 9 of House Rule X, as well as any 
     written personnel policies the Committee may from time to 
     time adopt.
       (b) Majority and Nonpartisan Staff.--The Chair shall 
     appoint, determine the remuneration of, and may remove, the 
     legislative and administrative employees of the Committee not 
     assigned to the Minority. The legislative and administrative 
     staff of the Committee not assigned to the Minority shall be 
     under the general supervision and direction of the Chair, who 
     shall establish and assign the duties and responsibilities of 
     Committee staff and delegate any authority the Chair 
     determines appropriate.
       (c) Minority Staff.--The Ranking Minority Member of the 
     Committee shall appoint, determine the remuneration of, and 
     may remove, the legislative and administrative staff assigned 
     to the Minority within the budget approved for those 
     purposes. The legislative and administrative staff assigned 
     to the Minority shall be under the general supervision and 
     direction of the Ranking Minority Member of the Committee who 
     may delegate any authority the Ranking Member determines 
     appropriate.
       (d) Availability.--The skills and services of all Committee 
     staff shall be available to all Members of the Committee.

                       Rule 12. Committee Travel

       In addition to any written travel policies the Committee 
     may from time to time adopt, all travel of Members and staff 
     of the Committee or its Subcommittees to hearings, meetings, 
     conferences and investigations, including all foreign travel, 
     must be authorized by the Full Committee Chair prior to any 
     public notice of the travel and prior to the actual travel. 
     In the case of Minority staff, all travel shall first be 
     approved by the Ranking Minority Member. Funds authorized for 
     the Committee under clauses 6 and 7 of House Rule X are for 
     expenses incurred in the Committee's activities within the 
     United States.

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                  Rule 13. Changes to Committee Rules

       The rules of the Committee may be modified, amended, or 
     repealed by a majority vote of the Committee provided that 
     written notice of the proposed change has been provided to 
     each Member of the Committee prior to the meeting date on 
     which the changes are to be discussed and voted on consistent 
     with Committee Rule 3(a). A change to the rules of the 
     Committee shall be published in the Congressional Record no 
     later than 30 days after its approval and made publicly 
     available in electronic form.

                       Rule 14. Other Procedures

       The Chair may establish procedures and take actions as may 
     be necessary to carry out the rules of the Committee or to 
     facilitate the effective administration of the Committee, in 
     accordance with the rules of the Committee and the Rules of 
     the House of Representatives.

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