House Secretariat Clarifies Committee Meeting Rules After MP Complaints
The House of Representatives Secretariat has clarified new standardized meeting guidelines for all 35 standing committees after MPs raised concerns about inconsistent operations. The guidelines, approved by the House Speaker, aim to align committee procedures with the Constitution and reduce disputes, not to hinder committee work. The Secretariat emphasized that committee chairs retain authority to call special meetings and that the rules merely codify existing practices.
The House of Representatives Secretariat released a news document explaining the issue of the "House Speaker" issuing meeting regulations for standing committees to ensure a unified approach in accordance with the Constitution and regulations, insisting there is no intention to make the work of committees difficult or delayed.
On November 3, 2026, at Parliament, reporters stated that the House Secretariat had issued a news document on the operational guidelines for standing committees of the House of Representatives. It specified that after receiving complaints from MPs regarding the performance of duties by standing committees, the House Speaker brought the matter for joint discussion at a meeting of the House Speaker and standing committee chairs on October 21. The meeting assigned the Secretariat's legal department to draft operational guidelines for standing committees to ensure all 35 committees operate under the same standards, consistent with constitutional provisions and related laws.
The House Secretariat, through its three committee bureaus — Committee Bureau 1, Committee Bureau 2, and Committee Bureau 3, which serve as secretariats for all committees — proposed operational guidelines, and the House Speaker approved them. As the news appeared and drew public comment, the Secretariat wishes to clarify:
1. The guidelines do not limit the powers of committee chairs but merely clarify legal provisions for practical clarity, reducing disputes among committee members to ensure each committee's work proceeds smoothly. 2. Committee meeting scheduling has traditionally followed committee resolutions. At the first meeting, committees set regular meeting days, such as every Wednesday morning or Thursday morning. Committee chairs may call special meetings when necessary, such as after a prolonged recess. 3. Regarding meeting agendas, since meeting regulations do not specify committee agendas in detail, practice has established four agenda items: 1) Matters the chair informs the meeting; 2) Approval of previous minutes; 3) Matters for consideration; 4) Other matters.
In the consideration, study, or conduct of various committee tasks under Section 129 of the Constitution, committees may...
