(1)The senate and the house of representatives
shall each have the power to adopt rules or joint rules, or both, for the orderly
conduct of their affairs and to preserve and protect the health, safety, and welfare
of their members, officers, and employees in the performance of their official
duties, as well as that of the general public in connection therewith, and to preserve
and protect property and records under the jurisdiction of the general assembly or
either house thereof, consistent with public convenience, the public's rights of
freedom of expression and to peaceably assemble and petition government, and
the established democratic concepts of the openness of the legislative process.
(1.5) Repealed.
(2)In lieu of or in addition to the adoption of such rules, the senate
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(1) The senate and the house of representatives
shall each have the power to adopt rules or joint rules, or both, for the orderly
conduct of their affairs and to preserve and protect the health, safety, and welfare
of their members, officers, and employees in the performance of their official
duties, as well as that of the general public in connection therewith, and to preserve
and protect property and records under the jurisdiction of the general assembly or
either house thereof, consistent with public convenience, the public's rights of
freedom of expression and to peaceably assemble and petition government, and
the established democratic concepts of the openness of the legislative process.
(1.5) Repealed.
(2) In lieu of or in addition to the adoption of such rules, the senate and the
house of representatives may each, by rule, authorize its presiding officer to
promulgate regulations for any or all such purposes.
(3) Rules or regulations may be adopted with respect to the following
matters, among others, without limitation by reason of such specification:
(a) Regulating admission to the legislative chambers, galleries, lobbies,
offices, and other areas of the buildings wherein they are located which provide
access thereto;
(b) Limiting the size of groups of persons permitted within such areas, for
reasons of health and safety and in case of fire or other emergency;
(c) Prohibiting or restricting the bringing of signs, banners, placards, or other
display materials into any such areas, or possessing them therein, without proper
authorization;
(d) Prohibiting or restricting the bringing of radio or television equipment,
recording equipment, sound-making or amplifying equipment, and photographic
equipment into any such areas, or possessing them therein, without proper
authorization;
(e) Prohibiting or restricting the bringing of packages, bags, baggage, or
briefcases into any such areas, or possessing them therein, without proper
authorization;
(f) Establishing rules of conduct for visitors to the galleries;
(g) Authorizing the clearing of the public from the chambers, lobbies, and
galleries or from any room in which a public legislative hearing or meeting is being
conducted in the event of any disturbance therein which disrupts legislative
proceedings or endangers any member, officer, or employee of the general
assembly or the general public, or where reasonable grounds exist for believing
that such a disturbance or danger may occur; except that duly accredited
representatives of the news media not participating in any such disturbance shall
be permitted to remain therein. The closing of such areas to the public shall
continue only so long as necessary to avoid disruption of the legislative
proceedings or to preserve and protect the safety of the members, officers, or
employees of the general assembly or the general public.
(h) Authorizing the construction of safety barriers and other protective
measures for the galleries and other areas under the jurisdiction of the general
assembly and the acquisition of security equipment, all within the funds made
available therefor;
(i) Protecting the records and property of the general assembly from
unlawful damage or destruction;
(j) Any and all other matters which may be necessary or appropriate to the
orderly conduct of the affairs of the general assembly and the protection of the
health, safety, and welfare of the members, officers, and employees of the general
assembly and the general public in connection therewith.
(4) In lieu of or in addition to the adoption of separate rules, the senate and
the house of representatives may adopt joint rules applicable to both houses.
(5) In lieu of or in addition to the promulgation of separate regulations, the
senate and the house of representatives may promulgate joint regulations
applicable to both houses.
(6) All such rules of the senate and the house of representatives or either
house and regulations of the senate and the house of representatives shall be filed
in the offices of the clerks thereof, and a copy of such rules and regulations shall
be made available to any person upon request, without charge.
(7) Such rules and regulations shall have the force and effect of law. Any
person who willfully violates any such rule or regulation commits a petty offense.