House Committee Markup: Preparation

March 13, 2007 (98-168)

Contents

Summary

Markups provide Members on a committee an opportunity to change parts of a bill prior to its consideration by the full House. A number of administrative, procedural, and substantive steps must be undertaken in preparation for a markup, and other steps could or should be undertaken. Generally, the markup should be strategically planned to minimize controversy, provide Members with political dividends, and position the committee for future action.

The information provided here is not comprehensive, nor is every item needed in every case. Rather, this report is intended as a guide for various tasks that could be accomplished by committee staff in order to prepare a smooth committee markup. Some of the tasks are required by House rules or individual committee rules. Others are a matter of practice. Some of the preparatory work is handled primarily by majority committee staff (such as the administrative tasks), while other tasks are done independently by committee staff of both parties. Also, personal staff of committee members often prepare specialized packets for their Members to use in the committee markup.

The following checklist, one of a series on legislative process, is generally applicable in full committee markup, although much of it also applies to a subcommittee markup.


House Committee Markup: Preparation

Markups provide Members on a committee an opportunity to change parts of a bill prior to its consideration by the full House. A number of administrative, procedural, and substantive steps must be undertaken in preparation for a markup, and other steps could or should be undertaken. Generally, the markup should be strategically planned to minimize controversy, provide Members with political dividends, and position the committee for future action.

The information provided here is not comprehensive, nor is every item needed in every case. Rather, this report is intended as a guide for various tasks that could be accomplished by committee staff in order to prepare a smooth committee markup. Some of the tasks are required by House rules or individual committee rules. Others are a matter of practice. Some of the preparatory work is handled primarily by majority committee staff (such as the administrative tasks), while other tasks are done independently by committee staff of both parties. Also, personal staff of committee members often prepare specialized packets for their Members to use in the committee markup.

The following checklist, one of a series on legislative process, is generally applicable in full committee markup, although much of it also applies to a subcommittee markup.

Informational Preparation

Political Preparation

Chairman's Preparation

Procedural Preparation

Administrative Preparation