FOR THE INFORMATION OF THE NEWLY ELECTED

MEMBER.

In the compilation of the following, it has been the intention to present in concise and convenient form, for ready reference, a mass of information regarding legislative work and procedure, which could be obtained by one not familiar with such matter only after long and diligent study or years of experience. Even the old and trained legislator is often at a loss to readily recall many technical points in connection with his duties in the General Assembly, and it is in the hope of supplying, at least in a measure, a handy reference in such cases that the following has been written.

Very serious error is liable to occur through lack of familiarity with these matters, and the new member especially finds his time so much occupied with the active work of the session that it is next to impossible for him to look up and familiarize himself with the technicalities pertaining to the work of legislation, even should he have ready access to all documents and records required, which is not by any means always the case. In such emergencies, it is hoped that this will be found especially helpful.

By its careful perusal, the new member will be equipped to take an active part in the proceedings of the assembly from the time it is first called to order, and the information it contains will enable him to readily formulate plans for action and to execute them with the least possible delay. The rules of organization, the positions to be filled in both houses, the routine of measures introduced, the effect of the various motions provided for in the rules, the work of committees and the privileges of the floor are all outlined, together with much other information of a character which, it is hoped, will greatly facilitate the work of the session.

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

TIME OF MEETING.

The constitution of Colorado provides that the general assembly shall convene in regular session every two years, on the first Wednesday in January of each year ending with an uneven figure. The Fourteenth General Assembly will convene on January 7, 1903, at noon.

The general assembly is composed of 100 members, thirty-five of whom belong to the senate and sixty-five to the house of representatives. The former are elected by districts and the latter by counties. Senators serve for a term of four years and representatives for a term of two years.

The term of office of all members of the general assembly begins on the first Wednesday in December of the year of their election.

At 12 o'clock noon, of the day of the meeting of the general assembly, the chief clerk or secretary of the next preceding session, or in case of his absence, some person holding a certificate issued by the secretary of state, under the authority of the state canvassing board, as a member, shall call the house to which he belongs to order, and the persons present holding certificates issued by the secretary of state as members thereof, and whose names are on the list or roll furnished, as provided by law, by the secretary of state, shall elect a clerk for the time being.

The secretary of state has in readiness a communication for each house, containing a list of members holding certificates of election. After the certified

lists have been read by the respective clerks, the work of organization is at once begun, the members so certified being privileged to participate in the proceedings until unseated by contest or impeachment.

Each body is constituted the sole judge of its own membership.

A majority of all members elected to either house constitute a quorum.

ORDER OF BUSINESS.

The usual hour for beginning a day's session is 10 o'clock in the morning, and if the roll call reveals the fact that a quorum is lacking, the names of the members present shall be recorded in the journal, and the sergeant at arms may be instructed to bring in the absent members. In case no quorum is obtained, an adjournment may be taken from day to day.

Upon opening a session in the senate, after prayer by the chaplain, roll call and reading of the journal, the order of business is usually as follows: 1-Presentation of petitions and memorials.

2-Introduction of resolutions.

3-Introduction of bills and first reading by title.

4-Reports of standing committees.

5-Reports of special committees.

6-Consideration of resolutions.

7-Second reading of bills.

8-Third reading of bills.

9-Messages received and read.

10-Communications from state officers.

11-Messages from the governor.

12-General orders.

This order of business may be modified, changed or altered at any time by a majority vote of members present and voting. The same rule applies to the order of business in the house.

The order of business in the house is as follows:

1-Presentation of petitions and memorials.

2-Reports of standing committees.

3-Reports of special committees.

4-Messages from the governor.

5-Communications from state officers.

6-Messages from the senate.

7-(1) Introduction of resolutions. (2) Consideration of resolutions.

10-Second reading of bills and general orders.

Neither house can adjourn for a period longer than three days, without first having obtained consent of the other.

ORGANIZING THE HOUSE.

The house of representatives is called to order by the chief clerk of the last preceding session, if he be present. If not, any person claiming to be elected a member may call the house to order. Whereupon those present claiming seats in the house shall elect a clerk for the time being.

A member is then chosen by the sitting members to act as temporary speaker, and the house is ready for the transaction of business, under such rules as the house may order, usually the rules of the last preceding house.

The first motion in order is for the selection of a committee on credentials; to whom is referred the certified list of members presented by the secretary of state. A recess is then usually taken, pending the committee's report. This committee does not consider nor pass upon any contests, but merely reports upon the regularity and sufficiency of the credentials presented by the secretary of state.

Upon the adoption of the report of the committee on credentials, the members so reported receive the oath of office from some one authorized by law to administer an oath, by custom, one of the justices of the supreme court.

The first permanent officer elected in the house is the speaker. Nominations are made and the roll is called, each member announcing his choice as his name is spoken. A majority vote of all members voting is sufficient to elect. The speaker is then sworn in as an officer of the house.

Next in order is the election of a chief clerk, an assistant chief clerk, sergeant at arms and minor officers, in regular order as provided by the rules, each being sworn in by the speaker, before entering upon the discharge of his duties.

ORGANIZING THE SENATE.

The senate is called to order by the secretary of the last preceding senate, acting as temporary secretary. In the event of his absence, the same proceedings are had as in the preliminary organization of the house. A committee on credentials is then selected, and the membership is ascertained and installed exactly as in the house.

The senate then proceeds to the election of a president pro tempore, as chief officer to act in absence of the lieutenant governor throughout the session. Then follows the election of secretary, assistant secretary and other officers, in regular order, as prescribed by statute. The latter receive the oath of office from their presiding officer.

NOTIFYING THE GOVERNOR.

As soon as each body is organized, resolutions are adopted appointing a special committee, whose mission it is to inform the opposite body of its readiness to proceed with the regular order of business. A concurrent resolution, usually originating in the senate, is next adopted, appointing a joint

committee of two senators and three representatives to notify the governor that the general assembly is organized for the transaction of business, and ready to receive such communications as he may desire to submit. This means, in substance, that the legislature is ready to receive the message of the retiring governor.

CONTESTED ELECTIONS.

In case the election of any member is contested, no action is taken in either house until after the appointment of the standing committees, when the contests are referred to the committee on elections. The member holding a certificate of election is recognized until otherwise ordered by the body to which he claims membership.

The evidence in all contests is heard by the committee on elections, and the report of that committee is made a special order for consideration. The decision is final.

STANDING COMMITTEES.

An important step incident to the organization of either branch of the general assembly is the selection of standing committees. These committees are appointed as soon as may be after the election of officers.

SENATE COMMITTEES.

In the senate, a special committee of three is usually named by resolution to make up the list of standing committees, which list is submitted to the body for final action.

The standing committees of the senate are as follows:

Judiciary; revision; finance; banking and insurance; railroads and corporations; education and educational institutions; mines and mining; agriculture and irrigation; stock; state affairs and public lands; county affairs; state institutions and public buildings; fish, forestry and game; military affairs; privileges and elections; printing; enrollment; engrossment; labor; supplies and expenditures; rules; and usually one or more special standing committees.

HOUSE COMMITTEES.

In the house of representatives, the committees consist of from nine to thirteen members each, according to importance, except the committees on engrossment, rules, and minor committees, which usually have only five members each.

The standing committees of the house are as follows:

Finance, ways and means; judiciary; appropriations and expenditures; mines and mining; public land; stock; agriculture and irrigation; education; public buildings; elections and appointments; state affairs and reapportionment; corporations and railroads; fees and salaries; state institutions; penitentiary; counties and county lines; Indian and military affairs; roads and bridges; federal relations; printing; engrossment; enrollment; rules; fish, forestry and game; insurance and banking; house expenses; revision and constitution; temperance, medical affairs and public health; labor; towns and cities; state canals and reservoirs; mercantile and manufacturing interests; Denver city charter; constitutional amendments.

Unlike the senate, the house does not select its standing committees by special committee. The speaker has full power to name the members and to designate the chairman of all committees.

The following standing committees have thirteen members: Corporations and railroads; agriculture and irrigation; mines and mining; state institutions; Denver city charter.

The following standing committees have eleven members: Judiciary; appropriations and expenditures.

The following standing committees have five members: ment; and enrollment.

All other standing committees have nine members each.

Rules; engross

RULES AND PROCEDURE.

Each house is empowered to make its own rules, and it is the duty of each standing committee on rules to immediately consider the subject. From session to session but few changes are made in the rules governing either body. Immediately upon assembling, it is the practice to pass a resolution to work under the rules of the preceding body until the report of the committee on rules is adopted.

Roberts Rules of Order has been adopted as a guide in both houses.

The revision committee in either house has no power to amend a bill, but only to revise grammatically or in construction, and to discover and remedy any constitutional conflicts, repetitions or mistakes.

COMMITTEE REGULATIONS.

No committees are permitted to sit during legislative sessions, except by unanimous consent.

In the senate, committees are required to report bills without unnecessary delay, and in case of adverse report shall explain the reasons in full. Adverse reports are laid over for one day before action can be taken thereon.

In the house, committees are required to report within four days upon matters referred to them, unless otherwise ordered.

All petitions, memorials, etc., must be returned with bills to which they

relate.

The usual time for reporting on bills is at the morning session, but the committees on revision, engrossment, enrollment and printing may report at any time.

LEGISLATIVE EXPENDITURES.

Each house has a committee on expenditures, whose duty it is to pass upon bills for supplies required for members, officers and committees. All requisitions for stationery, documents and other supplies are made through such committee, and no bills are audited or paid by the state unless certified to by the chairman of this committee.

No regular rule has been established in reference to supplying members with postage stamps. In certain instances, the chief clerk of the house or the secretary of the senate has been authorized to draw on the secretary of state for a limited supply for official purposes, but usually members supply their own postage.

COMPENSATION OF MEMBERS.

Employes receive no mileage.

The limit of the session is ninety days.

Vouchers can usually be had every fifteen days.