HI HR176

Authorizes the Speaker of the House to expend funds appropriated for legislative expenses of the Twenty-eighth Legislature during the interim between 2016 and 2017 regular sessions.

Empowers the Speaker to contract, hire, or employ personnel and provide additional employment to House employees and officers to meet post-session work demands, including approving employment prior to the 2017 session.

Grants the Speaker authority to establish and approve actions of standing, interim, and special committees, including authorizing meetings, hearings, issuing subpoenas, and approving committee expenditures.

Requires committees to submit full reports of activities, findings, and recommendations to the Speaker periodically and to the Legislature within ten days after the 2017 session convenes.

Authorizes the Speaker to approve the House Journal for any legislative day as of the 60th session day, with all authority effective through January 18, 2017.