House Committee Markup: Preparation

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Markups provide Members on a committee an opportunity to change parts of a bill prior to its
consideration by the full House. A number of administrative, procedural, and substantive steps
must be undertaken in preparation for a markup, and other steps could or should be undertaken.
Generally, the markup should be strategically planned to minimize controversy, provide Members
with political dividends, and position the committee for future action.
The information provided here is not comprehensive, nor is every item needed in every case.
Rather, this report is intended as a guide for various tasks that could be accomplished by
committee staff in order to prepare a smooth committee markup. Some of the tasks are required
by House rules or individual committee rules. Others are a matter of practice. Some of the
preparatory work is handled primarily by majority committee staff (such as the administrative
tasks), while other tasks are done independently by committee staff of both parties. Also, personal
staff of committee members often prepare specialized packets for their Members to use in the
committee markup.
The following checklist, one of a series on legislative process, is generally applicable in full
committee markup, although much of it also applies to a subcommittee markup.

Informational Preparation.........................................................................................................1
Political Preparation..................................................................................................................1
Chairman’s Preparation.............................................................................................................1
Procedural Preparation..............................................................................................................2
Administrative Preparation.......................................................................................................2
Author Contact Information............................................................................................................2

arkups provide Members on a committee an opportunity to change parts of a bill prior
to its consideration by the full House. A number of administrative, procedural, and
substantive steps must be undertaken in preparation for a markup, and other steps could M

or should be undertaken. Generally, the markup should be strategically planned to minimize
controversy, provide Members with political dividends, and position the committee for future
action.
The information provided here is not comprehensive, nor is every item needed in every case.
Rather, this report is intended as a guide for various tasks that could be accomplished by
committee staff in order to prepare a smooth committee markup. Some of the tasks are required
by House rules or individual committee rules. Others are a matter of practice. Some of the
preparatory work is handled primarily by majority committee staff (such as the administrative
tasks), while other tasks are done independently by committee staff of both parties. Also, personal
staff of committee members often prepare specialized packets for their Members to use in the
committee markup.
The following checklist, one of a series on legislative process, is generally applicable in full
committee markup, although much of it also applies to a subcommittee markup.
• Compile background material for Members on the committee, including a
summary of the measure to be marked up and summaries of hearing testimony.
Packets also usually include information provided by the subcommittee,
including details of subcommittee action.
• Hold briefings for legislative assistants of committee members prior to the
committee meeting to review the bill, discuss possible amendments, and provide
opportunities for questions. These briefings can be held for one party only or
both parties together.
• Prepare advocacy material and talking points on possible amendments and the
measure to be marked up.
• Work with “key constituents” and advocacy groups
• Discuss with the administration, if desirable, and Senate sponsors
• Develop plan to work with the press
• Meet with chairman to review markup vehicle and potential amendments
• Draft opening statement
• Draft procedural script and have available scripts for motions that may be used
• Meet with members of party to discuss procedural and political strategy prior to
markup

• Comply with committee rules’ notification requirements
• Compile amendment roster
• Prepare script for possible procedural motions and determine Member to make
such motions
• Determine Member schedules to ensure attendance at markup and determine
where they can be reached if their presence is needed in the committee. (Each
party does this for its own Members. Quorum requirements differ among
committees, although a majority must be physically present to report a measure
from committee.)
• Reserve committee room
• Set up room, including identifying reserved seating, filling water pitchers, and
getting ice
• Schedule Capitol Police
• Schedule official reporter
• Schedule legislative counsel
• Notify administration, especially if a representative is to be present; determine if
the representative will be at the witness table or in the audience
• Duplicate appropriate copies of markup materials for Members
• Distribute markup packets both prior to the markup and in the session. (Some
committees have majority staff do this for all Members; others provide the
information to the minority staff so that they can distribute to their Members)
• Prepare voting sheets
• Determine dais staff and witness-table staff, and prepare name placards
• Distribute official notification; when this must be provided, and what information
must be included, is determined by individual committee rules.
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