Rules of Procedure U.S House of Representative Committee of the Judiciary

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY
RULES OF PROCEDURE
ONE HUNDRED FIFTEENTH CONGRESS ADOPTED JANUARY 24, 2017

MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE ONE HUNDRED FIFTEENTH CONGRESS

BOB GOODLATTE, Virginia, Chairman

F. JAMES SENSENBRENNER, JR., Wisconsin
LAMAR S. SMITH, Texas
STEVE CHABOT, Ohio
DARRELL E. ISSA, California
STEVE KING, Iowa
TRENT FRANKS, Arizona
LOUIE GOHMERT, Texas
JIM JORDAN, Ohio
TED POE, Texas
JASON CHAFFETZ, Utah
TOM MARINO, Pennsylvania
TREY GOWDY, South Carolina
RAU´ L LABRADOR, Idaho
BLAKE FARENTHOLD, Texas
DOUG COLLINS, Georgia
RON DESANTIS, Florida
KEN BUCK, Colorado
JOHN RATCLIFFE, Texas
MIKE BISHOP, Michigan
MARTHA ROBY, Alabama
MATT GAETZ, Florida
MIKE JOHNSON, Louisiana
ANDY BIGGS, Arizona
JOHN CONYERS, JR., Michigan, Ranking Member
JERROLD NADLER, New York
ZOE LOFGREN, California
SHEILA JACKSON LEE, Texas
STEVE COHEN, Tennessee
HENRY C. ‘‘HANK’’ JOHNSON, JR., Georgia
JUDY CHU, California
TED DEUTCH, Florida
LUIS V. GUTIERREZ, Illinois
KAREN BASS, California
CEDRIC RICHMOND, Louisiana
HAKEEM JEFFRIES, New York
DAVID N. CICILLINE, Rhode Island
ERIC SWALWELL, California
TED LIEU, California
JAMIE RASKIN, Maryland
PRAMILA JAYAPAL, Washington

RULES OF PROCEDURE

Rule I. The Rules of the House of Representatives are the rules of the Committee on the Judiciary and its Subcommittees with the following specific additions thereto.

Rule II. Committee Meetings

(a) The regular meeting day of the Committee on the Judiciary for the conduct of its business shall be on Wednesday of each week while the House is in session.

(b) Additional meetings may be called by the Chairman and a regular meeting of the Committee may be dispensed with when, in the judgment of the Chairman, there is no need therefor.

(c) The Chairman shall furnish each Member of the Committee or Subcommittee with the date, place, and a list of bills and subjects to be considered at a Committee or Subcommittee meeting, which may not commence earlier than the third day on which Members have notice thereof (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays when the House is not in session).

(d) At least 48 hours prior to the commencement of a meeting
for the markup of legislation, the text of such legislation
shall be made publicly available in electronic form.

(e) In an emergency that does not reasonably allow for the notice as requirements in (c) and (d), the Chairman may waive the notice requirements with the concurrence of the Ranking Minority Member.

(f) To the maximum extent practicable, amendments to a measure or matter shall be submitted in writing or electronically to the designee of both the Chairman and Ranking Member at least 24 hours prior to the consideration of the measure or matter. The Chairman may use his discretion to give priority to amendments submitted in advance.

(g) Committee and Subcommittee meetings for the transaction of business, i.e. meetings other than those held for the purpose of taking testimony, shall be open to the public except when the Committee or Subcommittee determines by majority vote to close the meeting because disclosure of matters to be considered would endanger national security, would compromise sensitive law enforcement information, or would tend to defame, degrade or incriminate any person or otherwise would violate any law or rule of the House.

(h) Every motion made to the Committee and entertained by
the Chairman shall be reduced to writing upon demand of
any Member, and a copy made available to each Member present.

(i) For purposes of taking any action at a meeting of the full
Committee or any Subcommittee thereof for which a majority
is not required, a quorum shall be constituted by the presence
of not less than one-third of the Members of the Committee or Subcommittee, respectively.

(j)(1) Subject to subparagraph (2), the Chairman may postpone
further proceedings when a record vote is ordered on the
question of approving any measure or matter or adopting
an amendment. The Chairman may resume proceedings
on a postponed request at any time.
(2) In exercising postponement authority under subparagraph
(1), the Chairman shall take all reasonable steps necessary
to notify Members on the resumption of proceedings
on any postponed record vote.
(3) 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.
(k) Transcripts of markups shall be recorded and may be published
in the same manner as hearings before the Committee.
(l) Without further action of the Committee, the Chairman is
directed to offer a motion under clause 1 of rule XXII of the
Rules of the House of Representatives whenever the Chairman
considers it appropriate.

Rule III. Hearings

(a) The Committee Chairman or any Subcommittee Chairman
shall make public announcement of the date, place, and subject
matter of any hearing to be conducted by it on any measure
or matter at least one week before the commencement
of that hearing. If the Chairman of the Committee, or Subcommittee,
with the concurrence of the Ranking Minority
Member, determines there is good cause to begin the hearing
sooner, or if the Committee or Subcommittee so determines
by majority vote, a quorum being present for the
transaction of business, the Chairman or Subcommittee
Chairman shall make the announcement at the earliest possible date.

(b) Committee and Subcommittee hearings shall be open to the
public except when the Committee or Subcommittee determines
by majority vote to close the meeting because disclosure
of matters to be considered would endanger national
security, would compromise sensitive law enforcement information,
or would tend to defame, degrade or incriminate any
person or otherwise would violate any law or rule of the
House.

(c) For purposes of taking testimony and receiving evidence
before the Committee or any Subcommittee, a quorum shall
be constituted by the presence of two Members.

(d) In the course of any hearing each Member shall be allowed
five minutes for the interrogation of a witness until such
time as each Member who so desires has had an opportunity
to question the witness.

(e) The transcripts of those hearings conducted by the Committee
which are decided to be printed shall be published
in verbatim form, with the material requested for the record
inserted at that place requested, or at the end of the record,
as appropriate. Individuals, including Members of Congress,
whose comments are to be published as part of a Committee
document shall be given the opportunity to verify the accuracy
of the transcription in advance of publication. Any requests
by those Members, staff or witnesses to correct any
errors other than errors in the transcription, or disputed errors
in transcription, shall be appended to the record, and
the appropriate place where the change is requested will be
footnoted. Prior to approval by the Chairman of hearings
conducted jointly with another congressional Committee, a
memorandum of understanding shall be prepared which incorporates
an agreement for the publication of the verbatim transcript.

Rule IV. Subpoenas

(a) A subpoena may be authorized and issued by the Chairman,
in accordance with clause 2(m) of rule XI of the House of
Representatives, in the conduct of any investigation or activity
or series of investigations or activities within the jurisdiction
of the Committee, following consultation with the Ranking Minority Member.

(b) In addition, a subpoena may be authorized and issued by
the Committee or its Subcommittees in accordance with
clause 2(m) of rule XI of the House of Representatives, in
the conduct of any investigation or activity or series of investigations
or activities, when authorized by a majority of the
Members voting, a majority of the Committee or Sub-
committee being present. Authorized subpoenas shall be
signed by the Chairman or by any Member designated by
the Committee.

(c) At least two business days before issuing any subpoena pursuant to subsection (a), the Chair shall consult with the Ranking Member regarding the authorization and issuance
of such subpoena, and the Chair shall provide a full copy of the proposed subpoena, including any proposed document schedule, at that time.

(d) The requirements of subsection (c) may be waived in the event of an emergency that does not reasonably allow for advance written notice.

Rule V. Broadcasting

Whenever a hearing or meeting conducted by the Committee or any Subcommittee is open to the public, those proceedings shall be open to coverage by television, radio and still photography subject to the requirements of clause 4 of Rule XI of the Rules of the House of Representatives.

Rule VI. Standing Subcommittees

(a) The full Committee shall have jurisdiction over: copyright, and other such matters as determined by the Chairman, and relevant oversight.

(b) There shall be five standing Subcommittees of the
Committee on the Judiciary, with jurisdictions as follows:
The Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice
shall have jurisdiction over the following subject matters:
constitutional amendments, constitutional rights, Federal
civil rights, claims against the United States, non-immigration
private claims bills, ethics in government, tort liability,
including medical malpractice and product liability, legal
reform generally, other appropriate matters as referred by
the Chairman, and relevant oversight.

The Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the
Internet shall have jurisdiction over the following subject
matters: Administration of U.S. Courts, Federal Rules of
Evidence, Civil and Appellate Procedure, judicial ethics,
patent and trademark law, information technology, other
appropriate matters as referred to by the Chairman, and
relevant oversight.

The Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security,
and Investigations shall have jurisdiction over the following
subject matters: Federal Criminal Code, drug enforcement,
sentencing, parole and pardons, internal and homeland se-
curity, Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, prisons, criminal
law enforcement, and other appropriate matters as referred
by the Chairman, and relevant oversight.

The Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security
shall have jurisdiction over the following subject matters:
immigration and naturalization, border security, admission
of refugees, treaties, conventions and international agreements,
Federal charters of incorporation, private immigration
bills, non-border immigration enforcement, other appropriate
matters as referred by the Chairman, and relevant oversight.

The Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform, Commercial and
Antitrust Law shall have jurisdiction over the following subject
matters: bankruptcy and commercial law, bankruptcy
judgeships, administrative law, independent counsel, state
taxation affecting interstate commerce, interstate compacts,
antitrust matters, other appropriate matters as referred by
the Chairman, and relevant oversight.

(c) The Chairman of the Committee and Ranking Minority
Member thereof shall be ex officio Members, but not voting
Members, of each Subcommittee to which such Chairman or
Ranking Minority Member has not been assigned by resolution
of the Committee. Ex officio Members shall not be
counted as present for purposes of constituting a quorum at
any hearing or meeting of such Subcommittee.

Rule VII. Powers and Duties of Subcommittees

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 chairmen shall set dates for hearings and meetings of their respective Subcommittees
after consultation with the Chairman and other Subcommittee chairmen with a view toward avoiding simultaneous scheduling of full Committee and Subcommittee meetings or hearings whenever possible.

Rule VIII. Non-Legislative Reports

No report of the Committee or Subcommittee which does not
accompany a measure or matter for consideration by the House
shall be published unless all Members of the Committee or Subcommittee
issuing the report shall have been apprised of such report
and given the opportunity to give notice of intention to file
supplemental, additional, or dissenting views as part of the report.
In no case shall the time in which to file such views be less than
three calendar days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays
when the House is not in session).

Rule IX. Committee Records

The records of the Committee at the National Archives and
Records Administration shall be made available for public use according
to the Rules of the House. The Chairman shall notify the
Ranking Minority Member of any decision to withhold a record
otherwise available, and the matter shall be presented to the Committee
for a determination on the written request of any Member of the Committee.

Rule X. Official Committee Website

(a) The Chairman shall maintain an official website on behalf
of the Committee for the purpose of furthering the Committee’s
legislative and oversight responsibilities, including
communicating information about the Committee’s activities
to Committee Members and other Members of the House.

(b) The Chairman shall make the record of the votes on any
question on which a record vote is demanded in the full
Committee available on the Committee’s official website not
later than 48 hours after such vote is taken. Such record
shall identify or describe the amendment, motion, order, or
other proposition, the name of each Member voting for and
each Member voting against such amendment, motion,
order, or proposition, and the names of the Members voting present.

(c) Not later than 24 hours after the adoption of any amendment to a measure or matter considered by the Committee or its Subcommittees, the Chairman shall make the text of
each such amendment publicly available in electronic form.

(d) Not later than 3 days after the conclusion of a Committee meeting, the transcript of such meeting and the text of all amendments offered shall be made available on the Committee website.

(e) The Ranking Member is authorized to maintain a similar official website on behalf of the Committee Minority for the same purpose, including communicating information about the activities of the Minority to Committee Members and other Members of the House.

COMMITTEE DOCUMENTS

Judiciary Committee Rules of Procedure
Oversight Plan for the 115h Congress.pdf
Rules of Procedure and Statement of Policy for Private Immigration Bills
Rules of Procedure for Private Claims Bills
House Judiciary FY 2016 Budget Views and Estimates
Judiciary FY 2017 Budget Views & Estimates

PROCEDURAL DOCUMENTS

Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure
Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedures
Federal Rules of Civil Procedure
Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure
Federal Rules of Evidence