House Resolution 4

(By Delegate Hanshaw (Mr. Speaker))

[Introduced January 12, 2022.]

H. R. 4 -- “Amending House Rule 138, relating to news correspondents and reporters.”

            Resolved by the House of Delegates:

            That House Rule 138 be amended to read as follows:

“News Correspondents and Reporters

 (a) Any person accorded the privilege of the press gallery or press table must be a professional journalist employed at a recognized media outlet, or of a recognized press association, who is not engaged in any department of state government, or in any other business, including lobbying or advocacy for or against any matter pending before the Legislature Seating or access to the designated press tables, galleries or seating areas shall be on a first come first served basis or on any such rotation agreed upon among members of the press.

(b) All applications for admission to the press gallery or press table must be made to the Speaker or any such representative he or she may appoint. Such applications shall state the name and location of the media organization and be signed by the applicant Temporary one-day passes for admittance may be granted by the Speaker or his or her designee as needed. The Speaker or the representative he or she appoints shall reserve the right to refuse the issuance of or to revoke media credentials at his or her discretion, in accordance with the published guidelines for media.

(c) The Speaker or his or her designee(s) shall verify statements made in such application, and if the application is approved, they shall issue a correspondent's card.

(d) The correspondents shall not visit the members in their seats during the session of the House, and shall abide by such rules and regulations as may be adopted by the House or any of its committees. Failure or refusal to abide by such rules may result in revocation of press credentials.

(e) The card issued by the Speaker must be presented when required by any Sergeant-at-Arms, Doorkeeper or other employee of the House. It shall not be transferable. The transfer or loan of such card to anyone shall be followed by its cancellation and the withdrawal of all its privileges from the correspondent so offending.

(f) The gallery, press tables or seating areas allotted to journalists shall be designated by the Speaker or chair of the committee using the Chamber or committee rooms. These areas will be reserved for the exclusive use of the press, and persons not holding correspondents' cards shall not be entitled to admission thereto. (HR1, Reg. Sess., 2021; HR4, Reg. Sess., 2022)

Effect of the 2021 amendment.  Made numerous updates to the rule.

               Effect of the 2022 amendment.  Added the last sentence in paragraph (b).