Robert's Parliamentary Practice/Chapter 9
CHAPTER IX.
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES.
[Fourth Drill, Chapter X, should be read in connection with this chapter.]
The preparation of its report by a committee has been explained in a previous chapter. If there is a special time provided in the order of business for hearing reports of committees, when that time arrives the president should call for these reports. Otherwise, as soon after the report is ready as he can obtain the floor while no question is pending, the chairman of the committee states that the committee is ready to report.
(a) In the case of a resolution referred to a committee, the report may be made by the chairman orally in a form similar to this: "The committee to which was referred the resolution on reports it back [or directs me to report it back] with the recommendation that it be adopted [or rejected, or, mentioning whatever the committee recommends]. If the committee recommends the adoption or the rejection of the resolution, no motion is made, but the presiding officer states the question on the questions referred to the committee. If the report is adverse, then the chairman modifies the statement thus: "The question is on adopting the resolution, the recommendation of the committee to the contrary notwithstanding." In case the committee recommends that the resolution be amended, its chairman moves the adoption of the amendment or amendments, and the presiding officer states the question on amending the resolution. If the resolution when referred to the committee had an amendment pending, the question is stated on this amendment first, and then on the committee's amendments, and then on the resolution.
(b) In case of a committee to consider a subject and report recommendations, the committee's report should be in writing and in a form similar to this: "The committee which was appointed to investigate and to make recommendations, submits the following report:" Then follows the report closing with, "In conclusion the committee recommends the adoption of the following resolution:
" 'Resolved, That . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .'
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In very important matters the report should be signed by all the members who concur in it. In other cases it may be signed by the chairman alone, provided he is authorized by a vote of the committee to do so. The report is not usually dated. When the chairman reports he should move the adoption of the resolutions. If he neglects this duty any member may make the motion; or the chair may state the question on the adoption without any motion, since the mere submission of the resolutions is practically a motion that they be adopted. Since the committee consists of more than one person, it is not necessary that the motion to adopt be seconded. When the chair has stated the question on adopting the resolutions they are open to debate and amendment exactly as if they had been offered by a member. In case the committee makes recommendations and neglects to submit resolutions to carry them out, the recommendations should all be repeated at the close of the report and the committee's chairman should move their adoption. If this motion is adopted the recommendations become the recommendations of the assembly the same as if it had originated them. It is seldom that a report should contain recommendations without resolutions to carry them out.
(c) In case the committee reports merely facts or opinions without recommendations, no motion is made nor is a vote taken for the adoption of the report, but as soon as the report is read the presiding officer announces the next business in order.
When the report is made, it is handed to the chairman if in writing and the committee is automatically discharged. While a resolution or any subject is in the hands of a committee it cannot be considered in the assembly, nor can any motion be adopted relating to the subject so referred excepting a motion to instruct the committee or to discharge it. [See page 79.] Before the committee has actually commenced its work, the vote on the motion to commit may be reconsidered, the same as any other vote.
Standing Committees. Committees appointed to take certain action or to consider and report upon certain subjects are called special or select committees, and as stated above exist until their duty is performed or they are discharged. There are also committees of a permanent nature appointed to take charge of certain departments of work. These are called standing committees. When a standing committee reports on work referred to it, it is automatically discharged from the further consideration of that subject but the committee continues to exist, its personnel, however, being changed by new elections or appointments as prescribed in the by-laws.
Practice Work.
(1) When should a committee's report be made?
(2) Assume that a committee reports on a resolution referred to it: How does the committee's chairman introduce the report? What does the chairman of the assembly do if the report recommends the adoption of the resolution? What does he say it the report is adverse?
(3) The case as in No. 2: If the resolution had amendments when referred, and the committee recommends further amendments, what is the procedure?
(4) Assume that a committee considers a subject and reports recommendations: Give a proper introduction, and a proper closing for the report. Who should sign it? Who should move the adoption of it?
(5) Suppose a case with no recommendations: What is the procedure?
(6) What is done with the written report after it is read? What prohibition is put upon the assembly while a matter is in the committee's hands?
(7) Why is a two-thirds vote required to discharge a committee? [See p. 79.]
(8) How does a standing committee differ from a special committee?