[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 23 (Monday, February 8, 2021)]
[House]
[Pages H473-H478]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     PUBLICATION OF COMMITTEE RULES


  RULES OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THE 
                             117th CONGRESS

         Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, House of 
           Representatives,
                                 Washington, DC, February 8, 2021.
     Hon. Nancy Pelosi,
     Speaker,
     House of Representatives.
       Dear Madam Speaker: Pursuant to Rule XI, Clause 2(a) of the 
     Rules of the House of Representatives, I respectfully submit 
     the rules of the 117th Congress for the Committee on 
     Transportation and Infrastructure for publication in the 
     Congressional Record. The Committee adopted these rules by 
     voice vote, with a quorum being present, at our 
     organizational meeting on Thursday, February 4, 2021.
           Sincerely,
                                                 Peter A. DeFazio,
                                                            Chair.


                       RULE I. GENERAL PROVISIONS

       (a) Applicability of House Rules.--
       (1) In General.--The Rules of the House are the rules of 
     the Committee and its subcommittees so far as applicable, 
     except that a motion to recess from day to day, and a motion 
     to dispense with the first reading (in full) of a bill or 
     resolution, if printed copies are available, are non-
     debatable privileged motions in the Committee and its 
     subcommittees.
       (2) Subcommittees.--Each subcommittee is part of the 
     Committee, and is subject to the authority and direction of 
     the Committee and its rules so far as applicable.
       (3) Incorporation of House Rule on Committee Procedure.--
     Rule XI of the Rules of the House, which pertains entirely to 
     Committee procedure, is incorporated and made a part of the 
     rules of the Committee to the extent applicable. Pursuant to 
     clause 2(a)(3) of Rule XI of the Rules of the House, the 
     Chair of the Committee is authorized to offer a motion under 
     clause 1 of Rule XXII of the Rules of the House whenever the 
     Chair considers it appropriate.
       (b) Publication of Rules.--Pursuant to clause 2(a) of Rule 
     XI of the Rules of the House, the Committee's rules shall be 
     publicly available in electronic form and published in the 
     Congressional Record not later than 60 days after the Chair 
     is elected in each odd-numbered year.
       (c) Vice Chair.--The Chair shall appoint a vice chair of 
     the Committee and of each subcommittee. 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 shall preside at that meeting.


           RULE II. REGULAR, ADDITIONAL, AND SPECIAL MEETINGS

       (a) Regular Meetings.--Regular meetings of the Committee 
     shall be held on the last Wednesday of every month to 
     transact its business unless such day is a holiday, or the 
     House is in recess or is adjourned, in which case the Chair 
     shall determine the regular meeting day of the Committee for 
     that

[[Page H474]]

     month. A regular meeting of the Committee may be dispensed 
     with if, in the judgment of the Chair, there is no need for 
     the meeting. This paragraph shall not apply to meetings of 
     any subcommittee.
       (b) Additional Meetings.--The Chair may call and convene, 
     if the Chair considers necessary, additional meetings of the 
     Committee for the consideration of any bill or resolution 
     pending before the Committee or for the conduct of other 
     committee business. The Committee shall meet for such purpose 
     pursuant to the call of the Chair.
       (c) Special Meetings.--If at least three members of the 
     Committee desire that a special meeting of the Committee be 
     called by the Chair, those members may file with the Clerk of 
     the Committee their written request to the Chair for that 
     special meeting. Such request shall specify the measure or 
     matter to be considered. Immediately upon the filing of the 
     request, the Clerk of the Committee shall notify the Chair of 
     the filing of the request. If, within 3 calendar days after 
     the filing of the request, the Chair 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 with the Clerk their written notice 
     that a special meeting of the Committee will be held, 
     specifying the date and hour thereof, and the measure or 
     matter to be considered at that special meeting. The 
     Committee shall meet on that date and hour. Immediately upon 
     the filing of the notice, the Clerk of the Committee shall 
     notify all members of the Committee that such meeting will be 
     held and inform them of its date and hour and the measure or 
     matter to be considered; and only the measure or matter 
     specified in that notice may be considered at that special 
     meeting. Such notice shall also be made publicly available in 
     electronic form and shall be deemed to satisfy paragraph 
     (d)(1).
       (d) Notice.--
       (1) Minimum Notice Period.--Pursuant to clause 2(g)(3) of 
     Rule XI of the Rules of the House, the Chair shall make a 
     public announcement of the date, place, and subject matter of 
     a Committee or subcommittee meeting, which may not commence 
     earlier than the third calendar day (excluding Saturdays, 
     Sundays, or legal holidays except when the House is in 
     session on such a day) on which members have notice thereof.
       (2) Changes in Meeting Times.--A meeting may commence 
     sooner than announced if the Chair, with concurrence of the 
     ranking minority member, determines there is good cause to 
     begin the meeting sooner or the Committee or subcommittee so 
     determines by majority vote, a quorum being present for the 
     transaction of business. The Chair shall make a public 
     announcement of the meeting time change at the earliest 
     possible opportunity.
       (3) Notification of Daily Digest Clerk.--The Clerk of the 
     Committee shall notify the Daily Digest Clerk of the 
     Congressional Record promptly and make publicly available in 
     electronic form a time change for a Committee or subcommittee 
     meeting made under this paragraph.
       (e) Prohibition on Sitting During Joint Session.--The 
     Committee may not sit during a joint session of the House and 
     Senate or during a recess when a joint meeting of the House 
     and Senate is in progress.


               RULE III. MEETINGS AND HEARINGS GENERALLY

       (a) Minimum Period for Availability of Committee Markup 
     Text.--Pursuant to clause 2(g)(4) of Rule XI of the Rules of 
     the House, the Chair shall make publicly available, in 
     electronic form, the text of any legislation to be marked up 
     at least 24 hours prior to the commencement of a meeting for 
     the markup of legislation, or at the time of a meeting 
     announcement under paragraph (d)(2) of Committee Rule II if 
     made within 24 hours before such meeting.
       (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) of Rule XI of 
     the Rules of the House.
       (c) Meetings to Begin Promptly.--Each meeting or hearing of 
     the Committee shall begin promptly at the time so stipulated 
     in the public announcement of the meeting or hearing.
       (d) Addressing the Committee.--Except as provided under 
     paragraph (e) of Committee Rule IV, a Committee member may 
     address the Committee or a subcommittee on any bill, motion, 
     or other matter under consideration--
       (1) only when recognized by the Chair for that purpose; and
       (2) only for 5 minutes, or for a period of time designated 
     by the Chair with concurrence of the ranking minority member, 
     until such time as each member of the Committee or 
     subcommittee who so desires has had an opportunity to address 
     the Committee or subcommittee.
       A member's remarks shall be limited to the subject matter 
     under consideration. The Chair shall enforce this paragraph.
       (e) Participation of Members in Subcommittee Meetings and 
     Hearings.--All members of the Committee who are not members 
     of a particular subcommittee may, by unanimous consent of the 
     members of such subcommittee, participate in any subcommittee 
     meeting or hearing. However, a member who is not a member of 
     the subcommittee may not vote on any matter before the 
     subcommittee, be counted for purposes of establishing a 
     quorum, or raise points of order.
       (f) Member Day Hearing.--Pursuant to section 3(a) of House 
     Resolution 8, the Committee shall hold a hearing at which it 
     receives testimony from members, delegates, and the Resident 
     Commissioner on proposed legislation within the Committee's 
     jurisdiction during the first session of the 117th Congress.
       (g) Broadcasting.--Whenever a meeting for the transaction 
     of business, including the markup of legislation, or a 
     hearing is open to the public, that meeting or hearing shall 
     be open to coverage by television, radio, and still 
     photography in accordance with clause 4 of Rule XI of the 
     Rules of the House. Operation and use of any Committee 
     internet broadcast system shall be fair and nonpartisan and 
     in accordance with clause 4(b) of Rule XI of the Rules of the 
     House and all other applicable rules of the Committee and the 
     House. Further, pursuant to clause 2(e)(5) of Rule XI of the 
     Rules of the House, the Committee shall provide audio and 
     video 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. The Committee shall also 
     maintain the recordings of such coverage in a manner that is 
     easily accessible to the public.
       (h) Access to the Dais and Lounges.--Access to the hearing 
     rooms' daises and to the lounges adjacent to the Committee 
     hearing rooms shall be limited to Members of Congress and 
     employees of Congress during a meeting or hearing of the 
     Committee unless specifically permitted by the Chair or 
     ranking minority member.
       (i) Use of Cellular Telephones.--During a hearing, mark-up, 
     or other meeting of the Committee, ringing or audible sounds 
     or conversational use of cellular telephones or other 
     electronic devices is prohibited in the Committee room.
       (j) Availability of Text of Amendments in Electronic 
     Form.--Pursuant to clause 2(e) of Rule XI of the Rules of the 
     House, not later than 24 hours after the adoption of any 
     amendment, or 48 hours after the disposition or withdrawal of 
     any other amendment, to a measure or matter considered by the 
     Committee, the Chair shall cause the text of the amendment to 
     be made publicly available in electronic form.


                      RULE IV. HEARING PROCEDURES

       (a) Announcement of Hearing.--
       (1) Minimum notice period.--Pursuant to clause 2(g)(3) of 
     Rule XI of the Rules of the House, the Chair shall make a 
     public announcement of the date, place, and subject matter of 
     a Committee or subcommittee hearing, which may not commence 
     earlier than the one week after such notice.
       (2) Changes in hearing times.--A hearing may commence 
     sooner than announced if the Chair, with concurrence of the 
     ranking minority member, determines there is good cause to 
     begin the hearing sooner or the Committee so determines by 
     majority vote, a quorum being present for the transaction of 
     business. The Chair shall make a public announcement of the 
     hearing time change at the earliest possible opportunity.
       (3) Notification of Daily Digest Clerk.--The Clerk of the 
     Committee shall notify the Daily Digest Clerk of the 
     Congressional Record promptly and make publicly available in 
     electronic form a time change for a Committee or subcommittee 
     hearing made under this paragraph.
       (b) Written Statement of Proposed Testimony; Oral 
     Statement.--
       (1) Filing of statement.--So far as practicable, each 
     witness who is to appear before the Committee or a 
     subcommittee shall file with the Clerk of the Committee or 
     subcommittee, at least 2 working days before the day of the 
     witness' appearance, a written statement of proposed 
     testimony. The Chair, with the concurrence of the ranking 
     minority member, may take the following actions for failure 
     to comply with this requirement: (A) exclude such witness' 
     written testimony from the hearing record; (B) bar such 
     witness' oral presentation of the testimony; or (C) both (A) 
     and (B). Each witness' oral presentation shall be limited to 
     a summary of the written statement.
       (2) Truth in testimony information.--Pursuant to clause 
     2(g)(5) of Rule XI of the Rules of the House, in the case of 
     a witness appearing in a nongovernmental capacity, a written 
     statement of proposed testimony shall include a curriculum 
     vitae, a disclosure of any Federal grants or contracts, or 
     payments originating with a foreign government, received 
     during the past 36 months by the witness or by an entity 
     represented by the witness and related to the subject matter 
     of the hearing, and a disclosure of whether the witness is a 
     fiduciary (including but not limited to, a director, officer, 
     advisor, or resident agent) of any organization or entity 
     that has an interest in the subject matter of the hearing.
       (3) Availability of information in electronic form.--
     Statements filed under this paragraph, with appropriate 
     redactions to protect the privacy of the witness, shall be 
     made publicly available in electronic form 24 hours before 
     the witness appears, to the extent practicable, but not later 
     than one day after the witness appears.
       (c) Minority Witnesses.--When any hearing is conducted by 
     the Committee or any subcommittee upon any measure or matter, 
     the minority party members on the Committee or subcommittee 
     shall be entitled, upon request to the Chair by a majority of 
     those minority members before the completion of such hearing, 
     to call witnesses selected by

[[Page H475]]

     the minority to testify with respect to that measure or 
     matter during at least one day of hearing thereon.
       (d) Summary of Subject Matter.--Upon announcement of a 
     hearing, to the extent practicable, the Committee shall make 
     available immediately to all members of the Committee a 
     concise summary of the subject matter (including legislative 
     reports and other material) under consideration. In addition, 
     upon announcement of a hearing and subsequently as they are 
     received, the Chair shall make available to the members of 
     the Committee any official reports from departments and 
     agencies on such matter.
       (e) Opening Statements; Questioning of Witnesses.--
       (1) Opening statements.--
       (A) Chair and ranking member.--At a hearing of the Full 
     Committee, the Chair and ranking minority member of the 
     Committee shall each be entitled to present an oral opening 
     statement of five minutes. At a hearing of a subcommittee, 
     the Chair and ranking minority member of the Committee and 
     the Chair and ranking minority member of the subcommittee 
     shall each be entitled to present an opening statement for 
     five minutes.
       (B) Other members.--At a hearing of the Full Committee or a 
     subcommittee, other members of the Committee or subcommittee, 
     as appropriate, may submit written opening statements for the 
     record. The Chair presiding over the hearing may permit oral 
     opening statements by other members of the Committee or 
     subcommittee, as appropriate, with the concurrence of the 
     ranking minority member.
       (2) Questioning of witnesses.--The questioning of witnesses 
     in Committee and subcommittee hearings shall 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 in this 
     fashion, 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 such a manner as 
     not to disadvantage the members of the majority nor the 
     members of the minority. The Chair may accomplish this by 
     recognizing two majority members for each minority member 
     recognized.
       (f) Procedures for Questions.--
       (1) In general.--A Committee member may question a witness 
     at a hearing--
       (A) only when recognized by the Chair for that purpose; and
       (B) subject to subparagraphs (2) and (3), only for 5 
     minutes until such time as each member of the Committee or 
     subcommittee who so desires has had an opportunity to 
     question the witness.
       A member's remarks shall be limited to the subject matter 
     under consideration. The Chair shall enforce this 
     subparagraph.
       (2) Extended questioning of witnesses by members.--The 
     Chair of the Committee or a subcommittee, with the 
     concurrence of the ranking minority member, or the Committee 
     or subcommittee by motion, may permit a specified number of 
     its members to question a witness for longer than 5 minutes. 
     The time for extended questioning of a witness under this 
     subdivision shall be equal for the majority party and 
     minority party and may not exceed one hour in the aggregate.
       (3) Extended questioning of witnesses by staff.--The Chair 
     of the Committee or a subcommittee, with the concurrence of 
     the ranking minority member, or the Committee or subcommittee 
     by motion, may permit Committee staff for its majority and 
     minority party members to question a witness for equal 
     specified periods. The time for extended questioning of a 
     witness under this subdivision shall be equal for the 
     majority party and minority party and may not exceed one hour 
     in the aggregate.
       (4) Right to question witnesses following extended 
     questioning.--Nothing in subparagraph (2) or (3) affects the 
     right of a member (other than a member designated under 
     subparagraph (2)) to question a witness for 5 minutes in 
     accordance with subparagraph (1)(B) after the questioning 
     permitted under subparagraph (2) or (3).
       (g) Additional Hearing Procedures.--Clause 2(k) of Rule XI 
     of the Rules of the House (relating to additional rules for 
     hearings) applies to hearings of the Committee and its 
     subcommittees.


    RULE V. PROCEDURES FOR REPORTING BILLS, RESOLUTIONS, AND REPORTS

       (a) Filing of Reports.--
       (1) In general.--The Chair of the Committee shall report 
     promptly to the House any measure or matter approved by the 
     Committee and take necessary steps to bring the measure or 
     matter to a vote.
       (2) Requests for reporting.--The report of the Committee on 
     a measure or matter which has been approved by the Committee 
     shall be filed within 7 calendar days (exclusive of days on 
     which the House is not in session) after the day on which 
     there has been filed with the Clerk of the Committee a 
     written request, signed by a majority of the members of the 
     Committee, for the reporting of that measure or matter. Upon 
     the filing of any such request, the Clerk of the Committee 
     shall transmit immediately to the Chair of the Committee 
     notice of the filing of that request.
       (b) Quorum; Record Votes.--
       (1) Quorum.--Pursuant to clause 2(h)(1) of Rule XI of the 
     Rules of the House, a measure or recommendation may not be 
     reported from the Committee unless a majority of the 
     Committee is actually present.
       (2) Record votes.--Pursuant to clause 3(b) of Rule XIII of 
     the Rules of the House, with respect to each record vote on a 
     motion to report a measure or matter of a public nature, and 
     on any amendment offered to the measure or matter, the total 
     number of votes cast for and against, and the names of 
     members voting for and against, shall be included in the 
     Committee report on the measure or matter.
       (c) Required Matters.--The report of the Committee on a 
     measure or matter which has been approved by the Committee 
     shall include the items required to be included by the rules 
     and orders of the House applicable in the One Hundred 
     Seventeenth Congress.
       (d) Additional Views.--If, at the time of approval of any 
     measure or matter by the Committee, any member of the 
     Committee gives notice of intention to file 
     supplemental, minority, additional, or dissenting views, 
     all members shall be entitled to not less than two 
     additional calendar days after the day of such notice 
     (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays) in 
     which to file such written and signed views in accordance 
     with clause 2(1) of Rule XI of the Rules of the House.
       (e) Activities Report.--
       (1) In General.--Not later than January 2 of each odd 
     numbered year, the Committee shall submit to the House a 
     report on the activities of the Committee.
       (2) Contents.--The report shall include--
       (A) separate sections summarizing the legislative and 
     oversight activities of the Committee under Rules X and XI of 
     the Rules of the House during the Congress;
       (B) a summary of the oversight plan submitted by the 
     Committee under clause 2(d) of Rule X of the Rules of the 
     House;
       (C) a summary of the actions taken and recommendations made 
     with respect to the oversight plan specified in subdivision 
     (B);
       (D) a summary of any additional oversight activities 
     undertaken by the Committee and any recommendations made or 
     actions taken thereon; and
       (E) a delineation of any hearings held pursuant to clauses 
     2(n), (o), or (p) of Rule XI of the Rules of the House.
       (3) Filing.--After an adjournment sine die of the last 
     regular session of a Congress, or after December 15 of an 
     even numbered year, whichever occurs first, the Chair may 
     file the report described in subparagraph (1) with the Clerk 
     of the House at any time and without approval of the 
     Committee, provided that--
       (A) a copy of the report has been available to each member 
     of the Committee for at least seven calendar days; and
       (B) the report includes any supplemental, minority, 
     additional, or dissenting views submitted by a member of the 
     Committee.
       (f) Other Committee Materials.--
       (1) In general.--All Committee and subcommittee prints, 
     reports, documents, or other materials, not otherwise 
     provided for under this rule, that purport to express 
     publicly the views of the Committee or any of its 
     subcommittees or members of the Committee or its 
     subcommittees shall be approved by the Committee or the 
     subcommittee prior to printing and distribution and any 
     member shall be given an opportunity to have views included 
     as part of such material prior to printing, release, and 
     distribution in accordance with paragraph (d) of this rule.
       (2) Documents containing views other than member views.--A 
     Committee or subcommittee document containing views other 
     than those of members of the Committee or subcommittee shall 
     not be published without approval of the Committee or 
     subcommittee.
       (3) Disclaimer.--All Committee or subcommittee reports 
     printed pursuant to legislative study or investigation and 
     not approved by a majority vote of the Committee or 
     subcommittee, as appropriate, shall contain the following 
     disclaimer on the cover of such report: ``This report has not 
     been officially adopted by the Committee on Transportation 
     and Infrastructure (or pertinent subcommittee thereof) and 
     may not therefore necessarily reflect the views of its 
     members.''.
       (4) Compilations of laws.--To the maximum extent 
     practicable, the Committee shall publish a compilation of 
     laws under the jurisdiction of each subcommittee.
       (g) Availability of publications.--Pursuant to clause 
     2(e)(4) of Rule XI of the Rules of the House, the Committee 
     shall make its publications available in electronic form to 
     the maximum extent feasible.


        RULE VI. QUORUMS AND RECORD VOTES; POSTPONEMENT OF VOTES

       (a) Working Quorum.--One-third of the members of the 
     Committee or a subcommittee shall constitute a quorum for 
     taking any action other than the closing of a meeting 
     pursuant to clauses 2(g) and 2(k)(5) of Rule XI of the Rules 
     of the House, the authorizing of a subpoena pursuant to 
     paragraph (d) of Committee Rule XII, the reporting of a 
     measure or recommendation pursuant to paragraph (b)(1) of 
     Committee Rule V, and the actions described in paragraphs 
     (b), (c) and (d) of this rule.
       (b) Quorum for Reporting.--A majority of the members of the 
     Committee or a subcommittee shall constitute a quorum for the 
     reporting of a measure or recommendation.
       (c) Approval of Certain Matters.--A majority of the members 
     of the Committee or a subcommittee shall constitute a quorum 
     for approval of a resolution concerning any of the following 
     actions:
       (1) A prospectus for construction, alteration, purchase or 
     acquisition of a public

[[Page H476]]

     building or the lease of space as required by section 3307 of 
     title 40, United States Code.
       (2) Survey investigation of a proposed project for 
     navigation, flood control, and other purposes by the Corps of 
     Engineers (section 4 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of March 
     4, 1913, 33 U.S.C. 542).
       (3) Construction of a water resources development project 
     by the Corps of Engineers with an estimated Federal cost not 
     exceeding $15,000,000 (section 201 of the Flood Control Act 
     of 1965).
       (4) Deletion of water quality storage in a Federal 
     reservoir project where the benefits attributable to water 
     quality are 15 percent or more but not greater than 25 
     percent of the total project benefits (section 65 of the 
     Water Resources Development Act of 1974).
       (5) Authorization of a Natural Resources Conservation 
     Service watershed project involving any single structure of 
     more than 4,000 acre feet of total capacity (section 2 of 
     P.L. 566, 83rd Congress).
       (d) Quorum for Taking Testimony.--Two members of the 
     Committee or subcommittee shall constitute a quorum for the 
     purpose of taking testimony and receiving evidence.
       (e) Record Votes.--A record vote may be demanded by one-
     fifth of the members present.
       (f) Postponement of Votes.--
       (1) In general.--In accordance with clause 2(h)(4) of Rule 
     XI of the Rules of the House, the Chair of the Committee or a 
     subcommittee, after consultation with the ranking minority 
     member of the Committee or subcommittee, may--
       (A) postpone further proceedings when a record vote is 
     ordered on the question of approving a measure or matter or 
     on adopting an amendment; and
       (B) resume proceedings on a postponed question at any time 
     after reasonable notice.
       (2) Resumption of proceedings.--When proceedings resume on 
     a postponed question, notwithstanding any intervening order 
     for the previous question, an underlying proposition shall 
     remain subject to further debate or amendment to the same 
     extent as when the question was postponed.
       (g) Availability of Record Votes in Electronic Form.--
     Pursuant to clause 2(e)(1)(B)(i) of Rule XI of the Rules of 
     the House, the Chair shall make the result of any record vote 
     publicly available in electronic form within 48 hours of such 
     record vote.


    RULE VII. ESTABLISHMENT OF SUBCOMMITTEES; SIZE AND PARTY RATIOS

       (a) Establishment.--There shall be six standing 
     subcommittees. These subcommittees, with the following sizes 
     (including delegates) and majority/minority ratios, are:
       (1) Subcommittee on Aviation (39 Members: 21 Majority and 
     18 Minority).
       (2) Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation 
     (15 Members: 8 Majority and 7 Minority).
       (3) Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, 
     and Emergency Management (15 Members: 8 Majority and 7 
     Minority).
       (4) Subcommittee on Highways and Transit (58 Members: 31 
     Majority and 27 Minority).
       (5) Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous 
     Materials (33 Members: 18 Majority and 15 Minority).
       (6) Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment (28 
     Members: 15 Majority and 13 Minority).
       (b) Ex Officio Members.--The Chair and ranking minority 
     member of the Committee shall serve as ex officio voting 
     members on each subcommittee.
       (c) Ratios.--On each subcommittee there shall be a ratio of 
     majority party members to minority party members which shall 
     be no less favorable to the majority party than the ratio for 
     the Full Committee. In calculating the ratio of majority 
     party members to minority party members, there shall be 
     included the ex officio members of the subcommittees.


             RULE VIII. POWERS AND DUTIES OF SUBCOMMITTEES

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


           RULE IX. REFERRAL OF LEGISLATION TO SUBCOMMITTEES

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


                  RULE X. RECOMMENDATION OF CONFEREES

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


                           RULE XI. OVERSIGHT

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


 RULE XII. POWER TO SIT AND ACT; POWER TO CONDUCT INVESTIGATION OATHS; 
                             SUBPOENA POWER

       (a) Authority To Sit and Act.--For the purpose of carrying 
     out any of its functions and duties under Rules X and XI of 
     the Rules of the House, the Committee and each of its 
     subcommittees, is authorized (subject to paragraph (d)(1))--
       (1) to sit and act at such times and places within the 
     United States whether the House is in session, has recessed, 
     or has adjourned and to hold such hearings; and
       (2) to require, by subpoena or otherwise, the attendance 
     and testimony of such witness and the production of such 
     books, records, correspondence, memorandums, papers, and 
     documents, as it deems necessary.
       (b) Authority To Conduct Investigations.--
       (1) In general.--The Committee is authorized at any time to 
     conduct such investigations and studies as it may consider 
     necessary or appropriate in the exercise of its 
     responsibilities under Rule X of the Rules of the House and 
     (subject to the adoption of expense resolutions as required 
     by Rule X, clause 6 of the Rules of the House) to incur 
     expenses (including travel expenses) in connection therewith.
       (2) Major investigations by subcommittees.--A subcommittee 
     may not begin, major investigation without approval of a 
     majority of such subcommittee.
       (c) Oaths.--The Chair, or any member designated by the 
     Chair, may administer oaths to any witness.

[[Page H477]]

       (d) Issuance of Subpoenas.--
       (1) In general.--A subpoena may be issued by the Committee 
     or subcommittee under paragraph (a)(2) in the conduct of any 
     investigations or activity or series of investigations or 
     activities, only when authorized by a majority of the members 
     voting, a majority being present. Such authorized subpoenas 
     shall be signed by the Chair of the Committee or by any 
     member designated by the Committee. If a specific request for 
     a subpoena has not been previously rejected by either the 
     Committee or subcommittee, the Chair of the Committee, after 
     consultation with the ranking minority member of the 
     Committee, may authorize and issue a subpoena under paragraph 
     (a)(2) in the conduct of any investigation or activity or 
     series of investigations or activities, and such subpoena 
     shall for all purposes be deemed a subpoena issued by the 
     Committee. As soon as practicable after a subpoena is issued 
     under this rule, the Chair shall notify all members of the 
     Committee of such action.
       (2) Enforcement.--Compliance with any subpoena issued by 
     the Committee or subcommittee under paragraph (a)(2) may be 
     enforced only as authorized or directed by the House.
       (e) Expenses of Subpoenaed Witnesses.--Each witness who has 
     been subpoenaed, upon the completion of the witness' 
     testimony before the Committee or any subcommittee, may 
     report to the offices of the Committee, and there sign 
     appropriate vouchers for travel allowances and attendance 
     fees. If hearings are held in cities other than Washington, 
     D.C., the witness may contact the counsel of the Committee, 
     or the witness' representative, before leaving the hearing 
     room.
       (f) Deposition Authority.--Pursuant to section 3(b) of 
     House Resolution 8 and subject to the regulations issued by 
     the Chair of the Committee on Rules and printed in the 
     Congressional Record, the Chair of the Committee, upon 
     consultation with the ranking minority member, may order the 
     taking of depositions, including pursuant to a subpoena, by a 
     member or counsel of such committee subject to regulations 
     issued by the Chair of the Committee on Rules.


    RULE XIII. REVIEW OF CONTINUING PROGRAMS; BUDGET ACT PROVISIONS

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


                           RULE XIV. RECORDS

       (a) Keeping of Records.--The Committee shall keep a 
     complete record of all Committee action which shall include--
       (1) in the case of any meeting or hearing transcripts, a 
     substantially verbatim account of remarks actually made 
     during the proceedings, subject only to technical, 
     grammatical, and typographical corrections authorized by the 
     person making the remarks involved; and
       (2) a record of the votes on any question on which a record 
     vote is taken.
       (b) Public Inspection.--Pursuant to clause 2(e) of Rule XI 
     of the Rules of the House, the result of each such record 
     vote shall be made publicly available by the Committee in 
     electronic form within 48 hours of such record vote. 
     Information so available shall include a description of the 
     amendment, motion, order, or other proposition and the name 
     of each member voting for and each member voting against such 
     amendment, motion, order, or proposition, and the names of 
     those members present but not voting.
       (c) Property of the House.--All Committee records 
     (including hearings, data, charts, and files) shall be kept 
     separate and distinct from the congressional office records 
     of the member serving as Chair of the Committee; and such 
     records shall be the property of the House and all members of 
     the House shall have access thereto.
       (d) Availability of Archived Records.--The records of the 
     Committee at the National Archives and Records Administration 
     shall be made available for public use in accordance with 
     Rule VII of the Rules of the House. The Chair shall notify 
     the ranking minority member of the Committee of any decision, 
     pursuant to clause 3(b)(3) or clause 4(b) of such rule, to 
     withhold a record otherwise available, and the matter shall 
     be presented to the Committee for a determination on written 
     request of any member of the Committee.
       (e) Authority To Print.--The Committee is authorized to 
     have printed and bound testimony and other data presented at 
     hearings held by the Committee. All costs of stenographic 
     services and transcripts in connection with any meeting or 
     hearing of the Committee shall be paid as provided in clause 
     1(c) of Rule XI of the Rules of the House.


                       RULE XV. COMMITTEE BUDGETS

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


                       RULE XVI. COMMITTEE STAFF

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


                 RULE XVII. TRAVEL OF MEMBERS AND STAFF

       (a) Approval.--Consistent with the primary expense 
     resolution and such additional expense resolutions as may 
     have been approved, the provisions of this rule shall govern 
     travel of Committee members and staff. Travel to be 
     reimbursed from funds set aside for the Committee for any 
     member or any staff member shall be paid only upon the prior 
     authorization of the Chair. Travel shall be authorized by the 
     Chair for any member and any staff member in connection with 
     the attendance of hearings conducted by the Committee or any 
     subcommittee and meetings, conferences, and investigations 
     which involve activities or subject matter under the general 
     jurisdiction of the Committee. Before such authorization is 
     given there shall be submitted to the Chair in writing the 
     following:
       (1) The purpose of the travel;
       (2) The dates during which the travel is to be made and the 
     date or dates of the event for which the travel is being 
     made;
       (3) The location of the event for which the travel is to be 
     made; and
       (4) The names of members and staff seeking authorization.
       (b) Subcommittee Travel.--In the case of travel of members 
     and staff of a subcommittee to hearings, meetings, 
     conferences, and investigations involving activities or 
     subject matter under the legislative assignment of such 
     subcommittee, prior authorization must be obtained from the 
     subcommittee chair and the Chair. Such prior

[[Page H478]]

     authorization shall be given by the Chair only upon the 
     representation by the chair of such subcommittee in writing 
     setting forth those items enumerated in subparagraphs (1), 
     (2), (3), and (4) of paragraph (a) and that there has been 
     compliance where applicable with Committee Rule IV.
       (c) Travel Outside the United States.--
       (1) In general.--In the case of travel outside the United 
     States of members and staff of the Committee or subcommittee 
     for the purpose of conducting hearings, investigations, 
     studies, or attending meetings and conferences involving 
     activities or subject matter under the legislative assignment 
     of the Committee or pertinent subcommittee, prior 
     authorization must be obtained from the Chair, or, in the 
     case of a subcommittee from the subcommittee chair and the 
     Chair. Before such authorization is given there shall be 
     submitted to the Chair, in writing, a request for such 
     authorization. Each request, which shall be filed in a manner 
     that allows for a reasonable period of time for review before 
     such travel is scheduled to begin, shall include the 
     following:
       (A) The purpose of the travel;
       (B) The dates during which the travel will occur;
       (C) The names of the countries to be visited and the length 
     of time to be spent in each;
       (D) An agenda of anticipated activities for each country 
     for which travel is authorized together with a description of 
     the purpose to be served and the areas of Committee 
     jurisdiction involved; and
       (E) The names of members and staff for whom authorization 
     is sought.
       (2) Initiation of requests.--Requests for travel outside 
     the United States may be initiated by the Chair or a 
     subcommittee chair (except that individuals may submit a 
     request to the Chair for the purpose of attending a 
     conference or meeting) and shall be limited to members and 
     permanent employees of the Committee.
       (d) Reports by Members and Staff.--Within 15 legislative 
     days from the conclusion of any hearing, investigation, 
     study, meeting, or conference for which travel has been 
     authorized pursuant to this rule, each member and staff 
     member involved in such travel shall submit a written report 
     to the Chair covering the activities and other pertinent 
     observations or information gained as a result of such 
     travel.
       (e) Applicability of Laws, Rules, Policies.--Members and 
     staff of the Committee performing authorized travel on 
     official business shall be governed by applicable laws, 
     resolutions, or regulations of the House and of the 
     Committees on House Administration and Ethics pertaining to 
     such travel, and by the travel policy of the Committee.


                      RULE XVIII. COMMITTEE PANELS

       (a) Designation.--In accordance with clause 5(b)(2)(C) of 
     Rule X of the Rules of the House, the Chair of the Committee, 
     with the concurrence of the ranking minority member, may 
     designate a panel of the Committee consisting of members of 
     the Committee to inquire into and take testimony on a matter 
     or matters that fall within the jurisdiction of more than one 
     subcommittee and to report to the Committee.
       (b) Duration.--No panel designated under paragraph (a) 
     shall continue in existence for more than six months after 
     the date of the designation.
       (c) Party Ratios and Appointment.--The ratio of majority 
     members to minority members on a panel designated under 
     paragraph (a) shall be as close as practicable to the ratio 
     of the Full Committee. All majority members of the panels 
     shall be appointed by the Chair of the Committee, and all 
     minority members shall be appointed by the ranking minority 
     member of the Committee. The Chair of the Committee shall 
     choose one of the majority members so appointed to serve as 
     Chair of the panel. The ranking minority member of the 
     Committee shall similarly choose the ranking minority member 
     of the panel.
       (d) Ex Officio Members.--The Chair and ranking minority 
     member of the Committee may serve as ex officio members of a 
     panel designated under paragraph (a). The Chair and ranking 
     minority member are authorized to vote on matters that arise 
     before the panel and shall be counted to satisfy the quorum 
     requirement for any purpose.
       (e) Jurisdiction.--No panel designated under paragraph (a) 
     shall have legislative jurisdiction.
       (f) Applicability of Committee Rules.--A panel designated 
     under paragraph (a) shall be subject to all Committee Rules 
     herein.

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