Commission committee reports recommended statutory changes to membership and quorum; legislation delayed by session limits

Barry Irwin, who chaired a commission working group on membership and quorum rules, told commissioners the panel recommended statutory clarifications intended to ease chronic quorum difficulties and to remove references to organizations that no longer exist.

Irwin said the committee found inconsistent language on designees in the statute and suggested rewriting sections that define membership and quorum so the commission can reliably convene. "Part of our problem was a couple of the organizations that were part of the commission no longer exist," Irwin said. He told the body the recommendations are ready but require legislation and could not be introduced during the current fiscal session because legislators are limited in the number of general bills they may carry.

Why it matters: Commission membership and quorum rules determine whether the body can act on its statutory responsibilities. Commissioners said resolving the statutory language would reduce administrative friction and help the commission schedule meetings and business across the year.

Irwin said the group will aim to introduce the changes during the next regular (general) session when legislators have more bill slots available. The commission expressed support for advancing the recommendations and asked staff to coordinate drafting and future filing.