[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 43 (Tuesday, March 7, 2023)]
[House]
[Pages H1142-H1146]
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 118TH CONGRESS

                                         House of Representatives,


                               Committee on Natural Resources,

                                    Washington, DC, March 7, 2023.
     Hon. Kevin McCarthy,
     Speaker, House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Speaker: Pursuant to clause 2(a)(2) of House of 
     Representatives Rule XI, I submit the rules of the Committee 
     on Natural Resources for the 118th Congress for publication 
     in the Congressional Record. The rules were adopted by a 
     quorum of the Committee at its organizational meeting on 
     February 1, 2023.
           Sincerely,
                                                  Bruce Westerman,
                                                         Chairman.


                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 audio and visual recordings 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) Authorization and Oversight Plan.--No later than March 
     1 of the first session of each Congress, the Committee shall 
     prepare and submit its authorization and 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), and except that the Chair may extend this time 
     period equally for the majority and minority party for the 
     purpose of Members questioning a witness who requires an 
     interpreter. 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. 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 under Committee 
     Rule 4(d); 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 XI. 
     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 Director of Legislative Operations or their 
     designee to note the names of all Members present within the 
     15-minute period.
       (f) Participation of Members in Committee and 
     Subcommittees.
       (1) 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.
       (2) Any Member of the House who is not a Member of the 
     Committee may sit with the full Committee or any Subcommittee 
     during any meeting or hearing, and by unanimous consent of 
     the Members of the Committee or Subcommittee may participate 
     in such meeting or hearing. Unless otherwise provided by 
     unanimous consent, such participation includes but is not 
     limited to the right to seek recognition, to submit materials 
     for the record as described in Committee Rule 3(o), and to 
     introduce a constituent witness as described in Committee 
     Rule 4(f)(1). However, a Member of the House who is not a 
     Member of the Committee may not vote on any matter, be 
     counted for purposes of establishing a quorum, raise points 
     of order, or offer motions.
       (g) Proxies.--No vote in the Committee or its Subcommittees 
     may be cast by proxy.
       (h) Recorded Votes.--Recorded 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 Recorded Votes.
       (1) Subject to paragraph (2), the Chair may, after 
     consultation with the Ranking Minority Member, postpone 
     further proceedings when a recorded vote is ordered on the 
     question of approving any measure or matter or

[[Page H1143]]

     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 or 
     electronic copies are available and have been properly 
     circulated by the Director of Legislative Operations or their 
     designee, 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. These 
     requirements may be waived by a majority vote of the 
     Committee at the time of consideration of the measure or 
     recommendation.
       (l) 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.
       (m) Cellular Telephones and other Electronic Devices.--
     During a meeting or hearing 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 Director of Legislative Operations or their 
     designee 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 (including a Member participating as provided in 
     Committee Rule 3(f)) 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 Director of Legislative Operations or their 
     designee, at least two business days before the day of their 
     appearance, a written statement of their proposed testimony, 
     including to the extent practicable English translations of 
     any portions not in English. 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. Any witness appearing before the Committee shall 
     remain available for questioning by the Committee, 
     unless excused by the Chair. In addition, a witness 
     appearing in a nongovernmental capacity shall file such 
     disclosure materials required by clause 2(g)(5) of House 
     Rule XI. Any witness appearing in a nongovernmental 
     capacity shall also disclose any current or pending 
     litigation that involves the Federal 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. Disclosure materials may be signed 
     electronically.
       (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.
       (1) The Chair of the Committee may authorize and issue a 
     subpoena under clause 2(m) of House Rule XI.
       (2) The Committee may authorize and issue a subpoena under 
     clause 2(m) of House Rule XI if authorized by a majority of 
     the Members voting.
       (3) Subpoenas shall be signed only by the Chair of the 
     Committee. Subpoenas may be served by any person designated 
     by the Chair.
       (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. Such Statements shall be 
     limited to five minutes in length. If a witness scheduled to 
     testify at any hearing of the Committee is a constituent of a 
     Member of the Committee (including a Member participating 
     under Committee Rule 3(f)), 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. Subject to the approval of the Chair 
     and the Ranking Minority Member, staff may make necessary 
     technical and conforming changes to measures that the 
     Committee has authorized to be reported favorably.
       (b) Filing.--A report on a measure that 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

[[Page H1144]]

     adopted by the {Committee on Natural Resources} 
     {Subcommittee} and therefore may not 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 Federal 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.
       (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, Wildlife and Fisheries

       (1) Generation and marketing of electric power from Federal 
     water projects by Federally chartered or Federal regional 
     power marketing authorities.
       (2) 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.
       (3) Compacts relating to the use and apportionment of 
     interstate waters, water rights, and major interbasin water 
     or power movement programs.
       (4) All measures and matters pertaining to irrigation and 
     reclamation projects and other water resources development 
     and recycling programs, including policies and procedures.
       (5) Indian water rights and settlements.
       (6) Activities and programs of the Water Resources and 
     Ecosystem Mission Areas or their successors within the U.S. 
     Geological Survey.
       (7) The Endangered Species Act.
       (8) 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.
       (9) All matters pertaining to the protection of coastal and 
     marine environments, estuarine protection, and coastal 
     barriers.
       (10) Oceanography.
       (ll) Ocean engineering, including materials, technology, 
     and systems.
       (12) Marine sanctuaries.
       (13) U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea.
       (14) All matters regarding Antarctica within the 
     Committee's jurisdiction.
       (15) Sea Grant programs and marine extension services.
       (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) Coastal zone management.
       (18) Wildlife resources, including research, restoration, 
     and conservation.
       (19) 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.
       (20) 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 and Ecosystem Mission Areas or their successors.
       (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, helium, 
     and hydrogen.
       (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) Rights-of-way over public lands for energy-related 
     transmission.
       (18) All matters relating to mineral withdrawals on public 
     lands and public forest lands.
       (19) General and continuing oversight and investigative 
     authority over activities, policies, and programs within the 
     jurisdiction of the Subcommittee.

               Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs

       (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 that 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) All matters regarding insular areas of the United 
     States.
       (7) All measures or matters regarding the Freely Associated 
     States.
       (8) 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) 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.
       (3) All other measures and matters retained by the Full 
     Committee, including those retained under Committee Rule 
     6(e).
       (4) 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

[[Page H1145]]

     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 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's 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 toward 
     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 Recorcls.--All Committee records shal1 
     be kept separate and distinct from the office records of 
     individual Committee Members serving as Chairs or Ranking 
     Minority Members. These records shal1 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 that 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 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 that 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.--As 
     required by the Rules of the House of Representatives, the 
     Chair shall cause to be made available publicly in electronic 
     form the following:
       (l) a record of the votes on any question on which a 
     recorded vote is taken.
       (2) copies of all amendments adopted, voted down, or 
     withdrawn.
       (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 clause 2(g)(5) of House 
     Rule XI, with appropriate redactions to protect the privacy 
     of the witness.


                 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 that 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

[[Page H1146]]

     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.


                  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.


                     RULE 15. DEPOSITION AUTHORITY

       The Regulations for the Use of Deposition Authority as 
     issued by the Committee on Rules pursuant to H. Res. 5 
     titled--Adopting the Rules of the House of Representatives 
     for the One Hundred Eighteenth Congress, and for other 
     purposes--are incorporated by reference and shall be 
     considered the rules of the Committee.


                    RULE 16. FORUMS AND ROUNDTABLES

       (a) Generally.--At the beginning of each forum or 
     roundtable hosted by the Committee, the Member convening the 
     forum or roundtable shall make the following statement: 
     ``This event is not an official hearing or meeting of the 
     House Committee on Natural Resources. Documents produced to 
     support this forum may not necessarily reflect the views of 
     the Committee or its Members.''
       (b) Disclaimer.--All documents generated for the purpose of 
     a Committee forum or roundtable shall contain the following 
     disclaimer on the cover of the document: ``This document has 
     not been officially adopted by the {Committee on Natural 
     Resources} {Subcommittee} and therefore may not necessarily 
     reflect the views of its Members.''


                RULE 17. MEMBER DAY HEARING REQUIREMENT

       To the extent required by House Rules, the Committee or 
     each Subcommittee thereof (other than the Subcommittee on 
     Oversight and Investigations) shall hold a hearing at which 
     it receives testimony from Members, Delegates, and the 
     Resident Commissioner on proposed legislation within its 
     jurisdiction.

                          ____________________