ORIGIN & FUNCTIONS

The Constitution of 1776 (sec. 24) provided that each house was to ". . . settle its own rules of proceeding." In November 1795, the House of Delegates established a committee "to report such rules as are proper to be observed during this session." The Committee came to be known as the Rules Committee. In 1966, it was renamed the Rules and Organization Committee and, in 1968, reorganized as the Rules, Organization, and Executive Nominations Committee. The Committee received its present name in 1969.

The Rules and Executive Nominations Committee considers proposals concerning the rules, organization, and procedures of the House and the General Assembly. The Committee reviews legislation introduced after the bill introduction deadline, and decides on re-referral of those bills to other standing committees for consideration. In addition, the Committee examines gubernatorial nominations requiring House confirmation and reports its recommendations. Twenty-three delegates serve on this committee.