– House of Initial Action PDF
– Download PDF of Legislative Committees
Legislative Committees
Are responsible for examining proposed resolutions and legislation that address important matters affecting our Church and its members. Each committee is assigned specific resolutions based on their topic area of expertise, and they carefully review, discuss, and amend the proposed resolutions. Legislative Committees are required to hold hearings before taking any action. (See House of Deputies Rules of Order Rule VIII)
1. Rules of Order
Reviews and proposes Resolutions to revise the rules that govern the House.
2. Constitution & Canons
Receives and proposes Resolutions that would amend the Constitution or Canons.
3. Governance & Structure
Receives and proposes Resolutions that address the governance and structure of the Church, including General Convention, Executive Council, and the Anglican Communion.
4. World Mission
Receives and proposes Resolutions on mission personnel, world mission strategy, and covenant relationships with other Anglican Provinces or bodies.
5. Racial Truth-Telling, Reckoning & Healing
Receives and proposes Resolutions on racial justice, reconciliation, and healing.
6. Social Justice & International Policy
Receives and proposes Resolutions on social justice issues in The Episcopal Church’s dioceses beyond the United States, and the international peace and justice work of the Church, including engagement with the Anglican Communion.
7. Social Justice & United States Policy
Receives and proposes Resolutions on social justice issues facing the United States.
8. Congregational Vitality & Data-Driven Initiatives
Receives and proposes Resolutions on the health, development, and redevelopment of dioceses, congregations, and faith communities.
9. Evangelism & Future Church
Receives and proposes Resolutions on evangelism and church planting including strategies to strengthen the Church’s communication of the Gospel.
10. Prayer Book, Liturgy & Music
Receives and proposes Resolutions on the Book of Common Prayer, liturgy, and music of this Church.
11. Formation & Discipleship
Receives and proposes Resolutions on discipleship, Christian formation, and education for all the baptized.
12. Agencies & Boards
Receives and proposes Resolutions on the purpose, scope, structure, and work of the agencies and boards of The Episcopal Church including, but not limited to, the Church Pension Fund, Episcopal Relief & Development, The Archives of The Episcopal Church, Episcopal Church Women, United Thank Offering, Board for Transition Ministry, Forward Movement, General Theological Seminary, and General Board of Examining Chaplains.
13. Stewardship & Socially Responsible Investing
Receives and proposes Resolutions on stewardship and socially responsible investing.
14. Ecumenical & Interreligious Relations
Receives and proposes Resolutions on relations between this Church and other Churches outside the Anglican Communion, this Church and other religions, interchurch cooperation and unity, and interreligious dialogue and action.
15. Environmental Stewardship & Care of Creation
Receives and proposes Resolutions on environmental stewardship and the care of creation.
16. Safety, Wellness & Mental Health
Receives and proposes Resolutions on creating, cultivating, and sustaining safe environments, overall wellness for individuals and communities, as well as mental health.
17. Accessibility & Inclusion
Receives and proposes Resolutions on the accessibility and inclusion of all of God’s people in our dioceses, congregations, structures, and faith communities.
18. Title IV Disciplinary Canons
Receives and proposes Resolutions on the Title IV disciplinary Canons and procedures.
19. Title III Ministry
Receives and proposes Resolutions on ordained and lay ministry especially, but not limited to, Title III Canons.
20. Confirmation of the Election of the Presiding Bishop (House of Deputies only)
Makes recommendation to the House of Deputies to confirm or not confirm the House of Bishop’s choice of the presiding bishop as per Canon 1.2.1(f).
Special Legislative Committees
The President may designate Special Committees for the work of the House of Deputies at or between sessions of the General Convention. Members of Special Committees need not be Deputies. The president of the House of Deputies may appoint deputies, alternate deputies, or others with pertinent expertise. Special Legislative Committees are not required to hold hearings before taking any action. (See House of Deputies Rules of Order Rule X)
21. Dispatch of Business
Proposes the agenda for the House, determines the Calendar of the Day, proposes Special Orders of Business, and schedules elections.
22. Certification of Minutes
Reviews the Minutes of the previous legislative day, corrects the Minutes, and reports on their completion to the House.
23. Privilege & Courtesy
Receives and proposes Resolutions that commend individuals or organizations and proposes Resolutions that express the House’s appreciation for groups or persons.
24. Credentials (House of Deputies only)
Registers Deputies and reports on the number of voting members in the House of Deputies at each session and acts as tellers for elections.
Other Committees
The President may designate other Committees for the work of the House of Deputies at General Convention. Members of other Committees need not be Deputies. The president of the House of Deputies may appoint deputies, alternate deputies, or others with pertinent expertise. (See House of Deputies Rules of Order Rule IX)
25. Resolution Review (House of Deputies only)
Reviews all Resolutions submitted prior to General Convention to ensure they are consistent with the polity of this Church, that they are in the form required by the Canons, and to assess if there are funding implications. The review process continues during General Convention.
