Procedural. Gut and Replace Amendments.

What is happening? In Hawaii’s Legislature, a gut and replace amendment was a means to move legislation along more quickly when the process was slowing passage. In Hawaii, the League of Women voters sued, and the HI Super Court declared the amendments unconstitutional.

Why is this important? The Court found these amendments played fast and loose with germaneness.

How will this be important? California uses gut and replace amendments but has a voter approved required 72 hour layout for last minute amendments. 13 states, including Texas require that amendments relate to the bill’s original purpose. The long and short of it is that people are paying attention to amendments and rules.

Route Fifty | Legislators Return to Session No Longer Able to Use Shortcut for Passing Bills