H. Res. 965 — what changed
Authorizing remote voting by proxy in the House of Representatives and providing for official remote committee proceedings during a public health emergency due to a novel coronavirus, and for other purposes.
From Introduced in House to Reported in House. 2 sections amended between Introduced in House and Reported in House.
Section 1 Authorization of remote voting by proxy during public health emergency due to novel coronavirus
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Authorization— Notwithstanding rule III, at any time after the Speaker or the Speaker’s designee is notified by the Sergeant-at-Arms, in consultation with the Attending Physician, that a public health emergency due to a novel coronavirus is in effect, the Speaker or the Speaker’s designee, in consultation with the minority leader Minority Leader or the minority leader’s Minority Leader’s designee, may designate a period (hereafter in this resolution referred to as a “covered period”) during which a Member who is designated by another Member as a proxy in accordance with section 2 may cast the vote of such other Member or record the presence of such other Member in the House.
Length of covered period—
In general— Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3), a covered period shall terminate 45 days after the Speaker or the Speaker’s designee designates such period.
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Extension— If, during a covered period, the Speaker or the Speaker’s designee receives further notification from the Sergeant-at-Arms, in consultation with the Attending Physician, that the public health emergency due to a novel coronavirus remains in effect, the Speaker or the Speaker’s designee, in consultation with the minority leader Minority Leader or the minority leader’s Minority Leader’s designee, may extend the covered period for an additional 45 days.
Early termination— If, during a covered period, the Speaker or the Speaker’s designee receives further notification by the Sergeant-at-Arms, in consultation with the Attending Physician, that the public health emergency due to a novel coronavirus is no longer in effect, the Speaker or the Speaker’s designee shall terminate the covered period.
Sec. 2 Process for designation of proxies
In general—
Designation by signed letter— In order for a Member to designate another Member as a proxy for purposes of section 1, the Member shall submit to the Clerk a signed letter (which may be in electronic form) specifying by name the Member who is designated for such purposes.
Alteration or revocation of designation—
In general— At any time after submitting a letter to designate a proxy under paragraph (1), a Member may submit to the Clerk a signed letter (which may be in electronic form) altering or revoking the designation.
Automatic revocation upon casting of vote or recording of presence— If during a covered period, a Member who has designated another Member as a proxy under this section casts the Member’s own vote or records the Member’s own presence in the House, the Member shall be considered to have revoked the designation of any proxy under this subsection with respect to such covered period.
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Notification— Upon receipt of a letter submitted by a Member pursuant to paragraphs (1) or (2), the Clerk shall notify the Speaker, the majority leader, the minority leader, Minority Leader, and the other Member or Members involved of the designation, alteration, or revocation.
Limitation— A Member may not be designated as a proxy under this section for more than 10 Members concurrently.
Maintenance and availability of list of designations— The Clerk shall maintain an updated list of the designations, alterations, and revocations submitted or in effect under subsection (a), and shall make such list publicly available in electronic form and available during any vote conducted pursuant to section 3.