Mason's Manual 2020 Edition

The 2030 Mason's Manual Commission was created in July 2022 by ASLCS President Brad Young, clerk of the Ohio House. The commission had two main goals:

1. Develop parliamentary procedure training materials.
2. Create the 2030 edition of Mason's.

The 2030 commission has held five meetings so far in its term.

Membership

During its 10-year existence, the ASLCS members listed below served on the commission:

• Josh Babel, deputy chief clerk, Arizona House (2022-present)
• Yolanda Dixon, secretary, Louisiana Senate (2022-present)
• Michelle Fontenot, chief clerk, Louisiana House (2023-present)
• Susan Furlong, chief clerk, Nevada Assembly (2022-present)
• Bo Hoover, senior assistant clerk, West Virginia House (2022-2023)
• Russell Humphrey, chief clerk, Tennessee Senate (2022-present)
• Sabrina Lewellen, assistant secretary, Arkansas Senate (2022-present)
• Bernadette McNulty, chief assistant secretary, California Senate (2022-present)
• Jen Novak, secretary, Idaho Senate (2023-present)
• Margaret O'Brien, deputy secretary, Michigan Senate (2022-present)
• Tara Perkinson, chief deputy clerk, Virginia Senate (2022-present)
• Michael Queensland, chief clerk, Wisconsin Senate (2022-23)
• Obie Rutledge, secretary, Oregon Senate (2022-present)
• Paul Smith, clerk, New Hampshire House (2022-present)
• Jennifer Storie, secretary, Utah Senate (2022-23)
• Jeff Takacs, clerk, Florida House (2022-present)
• John Treadwell, clerk, Alabama House (2024-present)
• BetsyAnn Wrask, clerk, Vermont House (2022-present)
• Joyce Wright, chief clerk to the secretary, Alabama Senate (2022-present)

The 2020 Mason's Manual Commission was created in June 2011 by ASLCS President Robert Marchant, chief clerk of the Wisconsin Senate. The 2020 Mason's Manual Commission had two main goals:

1. Develop parliamentary procedure training materials.
2. Create the 2020 edition of Mason's.

The 2020 Mason's Manual Commission held 27 meetings during its term. The 2020 List of Changes provides a summary of the changes that the commission made to the 2010 edition of Mason's Manual to create the 2020 edition. The 2020 Mason's Manual Commission dissolved in October 2020.

Membership

During its 10-year existence, 25 ASLCS members served on the commission:

• Bonnie Alexander, Idaho House (2011-16)
• David Byerman, secretary, Nevada Senate (2011-14)
• Joseph Carleton, secretary, Maine Senate (2012)
• Liz Clark, secretary, Alaska Senate (2011-20)
• Laura Clemens, clerk, Ohio House (2011)
• Claire Clift, secretary, Nevada Senate (2016-20)
• Ann Cornwell, secretary, Arkansas Senate (2011-2020)
• Yolanda Dixon, secretary, Louisiana Senate (2011-20)
• Jim Drake, chief clerk, Arizona House (2015-20)
• Susan Furlong, chief clerk, Nevada Assembly (2011-20)
• Robert Haney, chief clerk, Texas House (2018-20)
• Russell Humphrey, chief clerk, Tennessee Senate (2011-20)
• Susan Kannarr, chief clerk, Kansas House (2017-20)
• Ramona Kenady Line, chief clerk, Oregon House (2011-14)
• Joel Kintsel, parliamentarian/administrator, Oklahoma House (2013-17)
• William MaGill, clerk, Vermont House (2011-20)
• Robert Marchant, chief clerk, Wisconsin Senate (2011)
• Steven Marshall, assistant secretary, Vermont Senate (2012-20)
• Megan Martin, secretary, Pennsylvania Senate (2013-20)
• Bernadette McNulty, deputy secretary, California Senate (2014-20)
• Tara Perkinson, deputy clerk, Virginia Senate (2011-20)
• Paul Smith, clerk, New Hampshire House (2020)
• Alfred Speer, clerk, Louisiana House (2011-19)
• Denise Weeks, principal clerk, North Carolina House (2011-17)
• Joyce Wright, chief clerk to the secretary, Alabama Senate (2011-20)

The 2010 Mason's Manual Commission was created in December 2002 by ASLCS President Ann Cornwell, secretary of the Arkansas Senate; its members were appointed in February 2003.

Initially, three subcommittees were created to perform most of the revision work. The Legal Citation Review Subcommittee was responsible for the review of existing legal citations and new case law. The Internal Integrity and Layout Subcommittee reviewed existing parliamentary manual citations and created a new index. The Substantive Review Subcommittee searched parliamentary manuals and legislative rules for supplemental material and reviewed the existing text for inconsistencies. Later in the revision cycle, a fourth subcommittee was formed to assist with the final review and editing of manual drafts.

The 2010 Mason's Manual Commission held 22 meetings during its term. The final report of the 2010 Commission provides more detail about the work of the commission and its subcommittees. The 2010 List of Changes provides a summary of the changes that the commission made to the 2000 edition of Mason's Manual to create the 2010 edition. The 2010 commission was dissolved on Sept. 7, 2010, at the ASLCS Professional Development Seminar in Milwaukee, Wis.

Membership

During its seven-year existence, 20 ASLCS members served on the 2010 commission:

• Dave Avant, administrative assistant, Alabama Senate (2003-10)
• Diane Bell, assistant clerk, Florida House (2003-10)
• Joe Blough, administrative programs officer, Oklahoma House (2003-04)
• Laura Clemens, clerk, Ohio House (2003-10)
• Claire Clift, secretary, Nevada Senate (2005-10)
• Ann Cornwell, secretary, Arkansas Senate (2003-10)
• Mark Corrigan, secretary, Pennsylvania Senate (2003-05)
• Jeff Finch, deputy clerk, Virginia House (2003-10)
• Russell Humphrey, chief clerk, Tennessee Senate (2007-10)
• Ramona Kenady, chief clerk, Oregon House (2006-10)
• Millie MacFarland, clerk, Maine House (2003-10)
• Don Milne, clerk, Vermont House (2003-10)
• Norman Moore, chief clerk, Arizona House (2003-09)
• Pat O'Donnell, clerk, Nebraska Legislature (2003-10)
• John Phelps, clerk, Florida House (2003-06)
• Susan Schaar, clerk, Virginia Senate (2003-04)
• Patsy Spaw, secretary, Texas Senate (2004-10)
• Alfred "Butch" Speer, clerk, Louisiana House (2003-10)
• Karen Wadsworth, clerk, New Hampshire House (2003-10)
• Denise Weeks, principal clerk, North Carolina House (2003-10)

The Mason's Manual Revision Commission was created in 1984. When first formed, the commission was a continuous body. The Mason's Manual Revision Commission was responsible for the 1989 and 2000 editions of Mason's Manual.

1989 Edition

The Revision Commission originally thought that its first revision would take a year or less, so it began going through the 1979 edition section by section. The commission soon realized that significant changes were needed. Subcommittees were created and assigned sections of the book to review. The full commission voted on the text changes recommended by each subcommittee. The commission also conducted an exhaustive search for new cases that might apply to legislative procedure and updated those that Paul Mason had cited.

Some of the major changes made to the 1979 edition of Mason's Manual to create the 1989 edition included the following:

• Earlier editions of the manual included rules for state and local legislative bodies, administrative bodies and private associations. The Revision Commission decided that the manual should focus on state legislative procedures, so it deleted almost all provisions applicable to administrative and local legislative bodies and private associations. Some provisions were retained but adapted for state legislatures.
• The Revision Commission recognized the evolving relationship between the legislative and executive branches of state government. Provisions were added that describe legislative authority to delegate rule-making power to administrative agencies, to review agency regulations and to oversee the operations of the executive branch.
• Changes were made to recognize new constitutional and statutory provisions that allow legislatures to call themselves into special session.
• Language was added clarifying the authority of legislative committees to conduct public hearings, gather information and work on proposed legislation during the interim between sessions.
• The language about the appointment-and removal-of committee officers and members was strengthened.
• Limitations on the procedure concerning disagreements between the houses that may lead to a conference committee were imposed.
• Amendments to bills and resolutions must be submitted in writing.
• Presiding officers were given more power to decide questions of germaneness and who is entitled to the floor.
• Legislative custom takes precedence over an adopted parliamentary authority, such as Mason's Manual.
• The sections on privilege of members from arrest were revised in accordance with judicial developments.
• The term "chief clerk" was changed to "chief legislative officer."
• The Revision Commission attempted to make the manual "gender-neutral."

2000 Edition

Subcommittees were created and assigned sections of the book to review. The full commission voted on the text changes recommended by each subcommittee. The commission searched for and reviewed cases that applied to legislative procedure and that had occurred after the publication of the 1989 edition. The 2000 List of Changes summarized the changes made to the 1989 edition of Mason's Manual to create the 2000 edition.

After the 2000 edition was published, there was a serious discussion about the commission and its future. During the 2001 NCSL Annual Meeting in San Antonio, Texas, the Revision Commission met and adopted a proposed standing order, which it submitted to the ASLCS Executive Committee. On Aug. 14, 2001, the ASLCS Executive Committee adopted an amended version of the standing order. The new standing order dissolved the Revision Commission, effective Aug. 15, 2001.

Membership

During its 18-year tenure, 29 ASLCS members served on the Revision Commission.

• Stephen Arias, chief clerk, New Mexico House (1992-2001)
• Hogan Brown, assistant secretary, South Carolina Senate (1993-2001)
• Joe Brown, secretary, Florida Senate (1984-93)
• Edward Burdick, chief clerk, Minnesota House (1984-2001)
• Grace Collins, principal clerk, North Carolina House (1984-93)
• Mark R. Corrigan, secretary, Pennsylvania Senate (1984-2001)
• Patrick Flahaven, secretary, Minnesota Senate (1983-2001)
• Gregory Gray, clerk, West Virginia House (1984-2001)
• Janet Jones, chief clerk, Kansas House (1993-2001)
• William Kandler, secretary, Michigan Senate (1984-86)
• Ramona Kenady, chief clerk, Oregon House (1992-2001)
• Betty King, secretary, Texas Senate (1984-2001)
• Mouryne Landing, chief clerk, Nevada Assembly (1984-95)
• McDowell Lee, secretary, Alabama Senate (1991-2001)
• Joseph Mayo, clerk, Maine House (1994-2001)
• Clyde W. McCullough Jr., chief clerk, Tennessee Senate (1984-2001)
• Patrick O'Donnell, clerk, Nebraska Legislature (1984-2001)
• Carole Peterson, chief clerk, Utah House (1993-95)
• John B. Phelps, clerk, Florida House (1984-2001)
• Robert Picher, clerk, Vermont House (1984-93)
• Jane Richards, chief clerk, Arizona House (1984-93)
• Susan Schaar, clerk, Virginia Senate (1994-2001)
• Donald J. Schneider, chief clerk, Wisconsin Senate (1984-2001)
• Alfred Speer, clerk, Louisiana House (1992-2001)
• Janice Thomas, secretary, Nevada Senate (1995-2001)
• Karen Wadsworth, clerk, New Hampshire House (1994-2001)
• Larry Warden, chief clerk, Oklahoma House (1993-2001)
• Denise Weeks, principal clerk, North Carolina House (1995-2001)
• Kenneth Wright, secretary, Illinois Senate (1984-86)