The House Resolution proposed by Representative Kleppner of Burlington seeks to amend the House Rules to streamline the legislative process for municipal charter and merger bills. Currently, these bills are typically referred to the Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs, which also handles various other significant matters. By allowing these bills to be read three times without referral to a committee, the resolution aims to facilitate a more efficient and timely consideration of local governance issues, thereby enabling the committee to focus on its broader responsibilities.

The proposed amendment, designated as Rule 45a, stipulates that municipal charter and merger bills will be placed on the legislative calendar for five days before being considered for a vote, bypassing the committee review process unless the Speaker or a member requests it. Additionally, the Office of Legislative Counsel will prepare a memorandum for each bill, summarizing its contents and addressing any legal or technical concerns. This change is intended to enhance local autonomy in governance matters while ensuring that legislative oversight is maintained through the memorandum process.