Interim study on bolstering public participation in the session/legislature

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jonathan Karlen

Proposes an interim study to identify barriers to public participation in the Legislature and recommend changes to rules, outreach, and accessibility.

(S) Died in Standing Committee

#legislature #interimstudies

Overview / Purpose

HJ 38 is a joint resolution proposing an interim study on ways to bolster public participation in the legislative session and the Legislature’s processes. As a joint resolution establishing a study (rather than a statute creating enforceable law), its primary purpose is to have the Legislature examine barriers to public engagement and consider changes to rules, practices, technology, outreach, or physical access to increase meaningful participation.

Key provisions (based on bill type and available record)

The bill text is not provided in the file you supplied. Typically, a resolution of this type would do one or more of the following:
- Direct a standing legislative committee (here, the House referred it to State Administration and the Senate to Legislative Administration) to conduct an interim study during the legislative interim.
- Define the study scope (e.g., access to hearings, remote testimony, notice and scheduling, translation/interpretation, ADA access, outreach to underrepresented groups, use of technology and social media).
- Require public hearings, stakeholder outreach, and collection of data or examples from other jurisdictions.
- Require a final report with findings and recommendations — often to be delivered to the Legislature before the next regular session.

Because the bill text is not included in the record summary, the exact scope, membership, deadlines, and reporting requirements cannot be confirmed here.

Who would be affected

The Legislature and legislative committee staff (who would conduct the study)

Members of the public and stakeholder groups (who could be invited to participate in hearings or provide input)

Advocacy organizations, local governments, and agencies that interact with the Legislature (possible participants or subjects of recommendations)

Indirectly, future bill drafters and legislative processes if recommendations are adopted

Legislative history / procedural status

Introduced: January 24, 2025

House actions: Public hearing (1/24), Favorable report and placed on House calendar, committee actions (State Administration: hearing 4/1; committee passed 4/8), 2nd reading passed 4/17, 3rd reading passed 4/18, transmitted to Senate.

Senate actions: First reading and referral to Senate Legislative Administration (4/18), Senate hearing (4/23), tabled in committee (4/24).

Final status: (S) Died in Standing Committee — May 22, 2025. The resolution did not reach final enactment.

Related: LC 4369 is listed as replaced by this resolution.

Potential impact

If enacted as envisioned, HJ 38 would likely produce a report identifying concrete barriers to public participation and recommending rule or administrative changes (e.g., expanded remote testimony, improved notice, increased translation/ADA services, schedule adjustments, or technology investments). Those recommendations could inform rule changes or future legislation to make the Legislature more accessible. Because HJ 38 died in committee, no study was completed under this resolution and no formal recommendations were produced.

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