Committee on Rules

Date: December 5, 2007
Time: 2:00 pm
Room: H-313, The Capitol

MARKUP

Committee Action: H. Res. 836 was ordered reported favorably by voice vote (H.Rpt. 110-437) on December 5, 2007.

Purpose: Granting the authority provided under clause 4(c)(3) of rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives to the Committee on Education and Labor for purposes of its investigation into the deaths of 9 individuals that occurred at the Crandall Canyon Mine near Huntington, Utah.

Major Provisions:

Grants investigative authority, provided under clause 4(c)(3) of rule X, to the Education and Labor Committee;
Authority is limited to the investigation into the deaths of nine individuals that occurred at the Crandall Canyon Mine;
This investigation includes events that may have led to those deaths, the administration of relevant laws by government agencies, including the Department of Labor and the Mine Safety and Heath Administration, and other related matters;
Through the application of clause 4(c)(3), it allows the Education and Labor Committee to adopt a rule authorizing and regulating the taking of depositions by a member or counsel to the committee;
Pursuant to clause 4(c)(3), the Education and Labor Committee is authorized to subpoena a witness to appear for a deposition;
Clause 4(c)(3) also allows those depositions to be taken under oath, ensures equitable treatment for members and staff of the Education and Labor Committee with respect to notice and participation, and ensures that the deposition remains in discovery until the Education and Labor Committee votes it into evidence.

Bill History : H. Res. 836 was introduced by Chairman Miller (D-CA) on December 4, 2007, and referred to the Rules Committee. The Rules Committee scheduled an original jurisdiction meeting to consider the resolution on December 5, 2007.

Rules Request: As privileged matter, H. Res. 836 does not require a rule before consideration by the full House.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON RULES