House Rule XII - Receipt and referral of measures and matters

Rule XII for the 111th Congress
Messages 1. Messages received from the Senate, or from the President, shall be entered  on  the  Journal  and  published  in  the  Congressional    Record    of    the    proceedings of that day. Referral 2. (a) The  Speaker  shall  refer  each  bill,  resolution,  or  other  matter  that  relates   to   a   subject   listed   under   a  standing  committee  named  in  clause  1  of rule X in accordance with the provisions of this clause. 2.The Speaker  shall  refer  matters  under paragraph (a) in such manner as  to  ensure  to  the  maximum  extent  feasible that each committee that has jurisdiction under clause 1 of rule X over  the subject matter of a provision thereof may consider such provision and report to the House  thereon. Precedents, rulings,  or  procedures  in  effect  before  the   Ninety-Fourth   Congress   shall   be  applied  to  referrals  under  this  clause  only  to  the  extent  that  they  will  contribute  to  the   achievement  of  the  objectives of this clause. 3.In carrying out paragraphs (a) and 2.with  respect  to  the  referral  of  a  matter, the Speaker--   1.shall  designate  a  committee  of  primary   jurisdiction   (except   where  the Speaker determines that extraordinary  circumstances  justify  review  by   more   than   one   committee   as  though primary);   2.may  refer  the  matter  to  one  or  more  additional  committees  for  consideration   in   sequence,   either   initially  or  after  the  matter  has  been  reported   by   the   committee   of   primary jurisdiction;   3.may refer portions of the matter  reflecting  different  subjects  and  jurisdictions to one or more additional  committees;   4.may  refer  the  matter  to  a  special,  ad  hoc  committee  appointed  by  the Speaker with the approval of the  House, and including members of the  committees  of  jurisdiction,  for  the  specific  purpose  of  considering  that  matter  and  reporting  to  the  House  thereon;   5.may subject a referral to appropriate time limitations; and   6.may  make  such  other  provision  as may be considered appropriate. 4.A bill  for  the  payment  or  adjudication of a private claim against the  Government  may  not  be  referred  to  a  committee  other  than  the   Committee  on  Foreign  Affairs  or  the  Committee  on the Judiciary, except by unanimous  consent. Petitions, memorials, and private bills 3. If a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner  has  a  petition,  memorial,   or    private   bill   to   present,   the  Member,  Delegate,  or  Resident  Commissioner shall sign it, deliver it to the  Clerk, and may specify the reference or  disposition  to  be  made  thereof. Such petition, memorial, or private bill (except when judged by the Speaker to be obscene  or  insulting)  shall  be  entered  on  the  Journal  with  the  name  of  the  Member,  Delegate,  or  Resident  Commissioner  presenting  it  and  shall  be  printed in the Congressional Record. 4. A private bill or private resolution (including  an omnibus claim or pension  bill),  or  amendment  thereto,  may  not  be  received  or  considered  in the House  if it authorizes or directs--  1.the payment of money for property damages, for personal injuries or  death  for  which  suit  may  be  instituted  under  the  Tort  Claims  Procedure   provided   in   title   28,   United  States  Code,  or  for  a  pension  (other  than  to  carry  out  a  provision  of  law  or treaty stipulation);   2.the   construction   of   a   bridge  across a navigable stream; or   3.the  correction  of  a  military  or  naval record. Prohibition on commemorations 5. (a)  A   bill   or   resolution,   or   an  amendment thereto, may not be introduced  or  considered  in  the  House  if  it  establishes or expresses a commemoration. (b) In  this  clause  the  term  commemoration   means   a   remembrance,  celebration, or recognition for any purpose through the designation of a specified period of time. Excluded matters 6. A petition, memorial, bill, or resolution excluded under this rule shall be returned  to  the  Member,  Delegate,  or  Resident  Commissioner  from  whom  it  was received. A petition or private bill that  has  been  inappropriately  referred  may,  by  direction  of  the  committee  having possession of it, be properly referred  in  the  manner  originally  presented. An erroneous reference of a petition or  private  bill  under  this  clause  does  not  confer  jurisdiction  on  a  committee to consider or report it. Sponsorship 7. (a) Bills, memorials, petitions, and  resolutions,  endorsed  with  the  names  of Members, Delegates, or the Resident  Commissioner  introducing  them,  may  be  delivered  to  the  Speaker  to  be  referred. The titles  and  references  of  all  bills, memorials, petitions, resolutions,  and   other   documents   referred   under  this  rule  shall  be  entered  on  the  Journal  and  printed  in  the  Congressional  Record. An erroneous reference may be corrected  by  the  House  in  accordance  with  rule  X  on  any  day  immediately  after  the  Pledge  of  Allegiance  to  the  Flag by unanimous consent or motion. Such a motion shall be privileged if offered by  direction  of  a  committee  to  which the bill has been erroneously referred  or  by  direction  of  a  committee  claiming  jurisdiction  and  shall  be  decided without debate. (b)(1) The primary sponsor of a public bill or public resolution may name cosponsors. The  name   of   a   cosponsor  added after the initial printing of a bill  or  resolution  shall  appear  in  the  next  printing of the bill or resolution on the  written request of the primary sponsor. Such a  request  may  be  submitted  to  the Speaker at any time until the last  committee  authorized  to  consider  and  report  the  bill  or  resolution  reports  it  to  the  House  or  is  discharged  from  its  consideration. 2.The name of a cosponsor of a bill or resolution may be deleted by unanimous consent. The Speaker may entertain such  a  request  only  by  the  Member,   Delegate,   or   Resident   Commissioner  whose  name  is  to  be  deleted   or  by  the  primary  sponsor  of  the  bill  or  resolution, and only until the last committee  authorized  to  consider  and  report the bill or resolution reports it to  the  House  or  is  discharged  from  its  consideration. The Speaker  may  not  entertain a request to delete the name  of the primary sponsor of a bill or resolution. A deletion shall be indicated by date in the next printing of the bill or  resolution. 3.The addition  or  deletion  of  the  name of a cosponsor of a bill or resolution  shall  be  entered  on  the  Journal  and    printed    in    the    Congressional  Record of that day. 4.A bill  or  resolution  shall  be  reprinted  on  the  written  request  of  the  primary  sponsor. Such a  request  may  be submitted to the Speaker only when  20.or more cosponsors have been added  since  the  last  printing  of  the  bill  or  resolution. 5.When a bill or resolution is introduced by  request,  those  words  shall  be  entered  on  the  Journal  and  printed  in the Congressional Record. Executive communications 8. Estimates of appropriations and all other communications from the executive departments intended for the consideration  of  any  committees  of  the  House shall be addressed to the Speaker for referral as provided in clause 2 of  rule XIV.

Messages
1. Messages received from the Senate, or from the President, shall be entered on the Journal and published in the Congressional Record of the proceedings of that day.

Referral
2. (a) The Speaker shall refer each bill, resolution, or other matter that relates to a subject listed under a standing committee named in clause 1 of rule X in accordance with the provisions of this clause.


 * (b) The Speaker shall refer matters under paragraph (a) in such manner as to ensure to the maximum extent feasible that each committee that has jurisdiction under clause 1 of rule X over the subject matter of a provision thereof may consider such provision and report to the House thereon. Precedents, rulings, or procedures in effect before the Ninety-Fourth Congress shall be applied to referrals under this clause only to the extent that they will contribute to the achievement of the objectives of this clause.
 * (c) In carrying out paragraphs (a) and (b) with respect to the referral of a matter, the Speaker—
 * (1) shall designate a committee of primary jurisdiction (except where he determines that extraordinary circumstances justify review by more than one committee as though primary);
 * (2) may refer the matter to one or more additional committees for consideration in sequence, either initially or after the matter has been reported by the committee of primary jurisdiction;
 * (3) may refer portions of the matter reflecting different subjects and jurisdictions to one or more additional committees;
 * (4) may refer the matter to a special, ad hoc committee appointed by the Speaker with the approval of the House, and including members of the committees of jurisdiction, for the specific purpose of considering that matter and reporting to the House thereon;
 * (5) may subject a referral to appropriate time limitations; and
 * (6) may make such other provision as may be considered appropriate.
 * (d) A bill for the payment or adjudication of a private claim against the Government may not be referred to a committee other than the Committee on Foreign Affairs or the Committee on the Judiciary, except by unanimous consent.

Petitions, memorials, and private bills
3. If a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner has a petition, memorial, or private bill to present, he shall endorse his name, deliver it to the Clerk, and may specify the reference or disposition to be made thereof. Such petition, memorial, or private bill (except when judged by the Speaker to be obscene or insulting) shall be entered on the Journal with the name of the Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner presenting it and shall be printed in the Congressional Record

4. A private bill or private resolution (including an omnibus claim or pension bill), or amendment thereto, may not be received or considered in the House if it authorizes or directs—


 * (a) the payment of money for property damages, for personal injuries or death for which suit may be instituted under the Tort Claims Procedure provided in title 28, United States Code, or for a pension (other than to carry out a provision of law or treaty stipulation);
 * (b) the construction of a bridge across a navigable stream; or
 * (c) the correction of a military or naval record.

Prohibition on commemorations
5. (a) A bill or resolution, or an amendment thereto, may not be introduced or considered in the House if it establishes or expresses a commemoration.


 * (b) In this clause the term ‘‘commemoration’’ means a remembrance, celebration, or recognition for any purpose through the designation of a specified period of time.

Excluded matters
6. A petition, memorial, bill, or resolution excluded under this rule shall be returned to the Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner from whom it was received. A petition or private bill that has been inappropriately referred may, by direction of the committee having possession of it, be properly referred in the manner originally presented. An erroneous reference of a petition or private bill under this clause does not confer jurisdiction on a committee to consider or report it.

Sponsorship
7. (a) Bills, memorials, petitions, and resolutions, endorsed with the names of Members, Delegates, or the Resident Commissioner introducing them, may be delivered to the Speaker to be referred. The titles and references of all bills, memorials, petitions, resolutions, and other documents referred under this rule shall be entered on the Journal and printed in the Congressional Record. An erroneous reference may be corrected by the House in accordance with rule X on any day immediately after the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by unanimous consent or motion. Such a motion shall be privileged if offered by direction of a committee to which the bill has been erroneously referred or by direction of a committee claiming jurisdiction and shall be decided without debate.


 * (b)(1) The primary sponsor of a public bill or public resolution may name cosponsors. The name of a cosponsor added after the initial printing of a bill or resolution shall appear in the next printing of the bill or resolution on the written request of the primary sponsor. Such a request may be submitted to the Speaker at any time until the last committee authorized to consider and report the bill or resolution reports it to the House or is discharged from its consideration.
 * (2) The name of a cosponsor of a bill or resolution may be deleted by unanimous consent. The Speaker may entertain such a request only by the Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner whose name is to be deleted or by the primary sponsor of the bill or resolution, and only until the last committee authorized to consider and report the bill or resolution reports it to the House or is discharged from its consideration. The Speaker may not entertain a request to delete the name of the primary sponsor of a bill or resolution. A deletion shall be indicated by date in the next printing of the bill or resolution.
 * (3) The addition or deletion of the name of a cosponsor of a bill or resolution shall be entered on the Journal and printed in the Congressional Record of that day.
 * (4) A bill or resolution shall be re-printed on the written request of the primary sponsor. Such a request may be submitted to the Speaker only when 20 or more cosponsors have been added since the last printing of the bill or resolution.
 * (5) When a bill or resolution is intro-duced ‘‘by request,’’ those words shall be entered on the Journal and printed in the Congressional Record.

Executive communications
8. Estimates of appropriations and all other communications from the executive departments intended for the consideration of any committees of the House shall be addressed to the Speaker for referral as provided in clause 2 of rule XIV.

Messages
1. Messages received from the Senate, or from the President, shall be entered on the Journal and published in the Congressional Record of the proceedings of that day.

Referral
2. (a) The Speaker shall refer each bill, resolution, or other matter that relates to a subject listed under a standing committee named in clause 1 of rule X in accordance with the provisions of this clause.


 * (b) The Speaker shall refer matters under paragraph (a) in such manner as to ensure to the maximum extent feasible that each committee that has jurisdiction under clause 1 of rule X over the subject matter of a provision thereof may consider such provision and report to the House thereon. Precedents, rulings, or procedures in effect before the Ninety-Fourth Congress shall be applied to referrals under this clause only to the extent that they will contribute to the achievement of the objectives of this clause.


 * (c) In carrying out paragraphs (a) and (b) with respect to the referral of a matter, the Speaker_


 * (1) shall designate a committee of primary jurisdiction (except where he determines that extraordinary circumstances justify review by more than one committee as though primary);


 * (2) may refer the matter to one or more additional committees for consideration in sequence, either initially or after the matter has been reported by the committee of primary jurisdiction;


 * (3) may refer portions of the matter reflecting different subjects and jurisdictions to one or more additional committees;


 * (4) may refer the matter to a special, ad hoc committee appointed by the Speaker with the approval of the House, and including members of the committees of jurisdiction, for the specific purpose of considering that matter and reporting to the House thereon;


 * (5) may subject a referral to appropriate time limitations; and


 * (6) may make such other provision as may be considered appropriate.


 * (d) A bill for the payment or adjudication of a private claim against the Government may not be referred to a committee other than the Committee on International Relations or the Committee on the Judiciary, except by unanimous consent.

Petitions, memorials, and private bills
3. If a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner has a petition, memorial, or private bill to present, he shall endorse his name, deliver it to the Clerk, and may specify the reference or disposition to be made thereof. Such petition, memorial, or private bill (except when judged by the Speaker to be obscene or insulting) shall be entered on the Journal with the name of the Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner presenting it and shall be printed in the Congressional Record.

4. A private bill or private resolution (including an omnibus claim or pension bill), or amendment thereto, may not be received or considered in the House if it authorizes or directs_


 * (a) the payment of money for property damages, for personal injuries or death for which suit may be instituted under the Tort Claims Procedure provided in title 28, United States Code, or for a pension (other than to carry out a provision of law or treaty stipulation);


 * (b) the construction of a bridge across a navigable stream; or


 * (c) the correction of a military or naval record.

Prohibition on commemorations
5. (a) A bill or resolution, or an amendment thereto, may not be introduced or considered in the House if it establishes or expresses a commemoration.


 * (b) In this clause the term “commemoration” means a remembrance, celebration, or recognition for any purpose through the designation of a specified period of time.

Excluded matters
6. A petition, memorial, bill, or resolution excluded under this rule shall be returned to the Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner from whom it was received. A petition or private bill that has been inappropriately referred may, by direction of the committee having possession of it, be properly referred in the manner originally presented. An erroneous reference of a petition or private bill under this clause does not confer jurisdiction on a committee to consider or report it.

Sponsorship
7. (a) All other bills, memorials, petitions, and resolutions, endorsed with the names of Members, Delegates, or the Resident Commissioner introducing them, may be delivered to the Speaker to be referred. The titles and references of all bills, memorials, petitions, resolutions, and other documents referred under this rule shall be entered on the Journal and printed in the Congressional Record. An erroneous reference may be corrected by the House in accordance with rule X on any day immediately after the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by unanimous consent or motion. Such a motion shall be privileged if offered by direction of a committee to which the bill has been erroneously referred or by direction of a committee claiming jurisdiction and shall be decided without debate.


 * (b)(1) The primary sponsor of a public bill or public resolution may name cosponsors. The name of a cosponsor added after the initial printing of a bill or resolution shall appear in the next printing of the bill or resolution on the written request of the primary sponsor. Such a request may be submitted to the Speaker at any time until the last committee authorized to consider and report the bill or resolution reports it to the House or is discharged from its consideration.


 * (2) The name of a cosponsor of a bill or resolution may be deleted by unanimous consent. The Speaker may entertain such a request only by the Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner whose name is to be deleted or by the primary sponsor of the bill or resolution, and only until the last committee authorized to consider and report the bill or resolution reports it to the House or is discharged from its consideration. The Speaker may not entertain a request to delete the name of the primary sponsor of a bill or resolution. A deletion shall be indicated by date in the next printing of the bill or resolution.


 * (3) The addition or deletion of the name of a cosponsor of a bill or resolution shall be entered on the Journal and printed in the Congressional Record of that day.


 * (4) A bill or resolution shall be reprinted on the written request of the primary sponsor. Such a request may be submitted to the Speaker only when 20 or more cosponsors have been added since the last printing of the bill or resolution.


 * (5) When a bill or resolution is introduced “by request,” those words shall be entered on the Journal and printed in the Congressional Record.

Executive communications
8. Estimates of appropriations and all other communications from the executive departments intended for the consideration of any committees of the House shall be addressed to the Speaker for referral as provided in clause 2 of rule XIV.

Resources

 * Rules of the 109th House of Representatives
 * "Rule XII," U.S. House of Representatives - Committee on Rules, 2005.