House Republican leaders said Jan. 11 that they considered closing the majority party’s caucuses during the current session but decided against pursuing the idea, which would require a rule change.

Caucuses, which have been open to the public since the 1990s, are gatherings of one party’s lawmakers in either the House or the Senate. The meetings are used to discuss legislation, strategy and procedural matters.

The Legislature generally follows the state open meeting law’s principles, closing caucuses only for such limited purposes as picking leaders or considering other personnel matters.

House Speaker Jim Weiers, R-10, said the idea of closing caucuses was dropped but he had felt that closing at least some caucuses would foster frank discussions.

“Sometimes there’s things that need to be said outside the ears of the press as far as letting off steam,” Mr. Weiers said. “Honesty seems to flow a little bit when the caucus is closed.”

House Majority Whip Gary Pierce, R-19, said, “For the most part, sense prevailed. We can get everything done in open caucus.”

A House Democratic leader, Rep. Linda Lopez of Tucson, said she opposes closing caucuses and had urged Mr. Weiers against closing Republican caucuses.

The subject was raised during the Senate Republican majority’s caucus Jan. 11 when Sen. Carolyn Allen, R-8, said the House was rumored to be making that change.

Senate President Ken Bennett, R-1, said closing caucuses would not be “the right or correct thing to do.”

Sen. John Huppenthal, R-20, said he saw no advantage to closing caucuses, but suggested that Senate rules allow a caucus to bar the public in an extraordinary situation.

A staff attorney said a majority vote by the entire Senate would be needed to change or suspend the current rule requiring open caucuses. —