All committee business on a bill is required to be conducted in open meetings. No official action or vote may be taken except in a meeting that is open to the public. The house rules permit a house committee or subcommittee to meet: (1) in a public hearing where testimony is heard and where official action may be taken on bills, resolutions, or other matters; (2) in a formal meeting where the members may discuss and take official action without hearing public testimony; or (3) in a work session for discussion of matters before the committee without taking formal action. The senate rules do not provide for different types of meetings but do specify that a public hearing must be held on a bill before it can be reported from committee. Testimony may be heard and official action may be taken at any meeting of a senate committee or subcommittee.

A house committee or subcommittee holding a public hearing during a legislative session must post notice of the hearing at least five calendar days before the hearing during a regular session and at least 24 hours before the hearing during a special session unless the house posting rules have been suspended by a vote of the members on the house floor, in which case an announcement of the hearing may be made on the house floor. If a house committee or subcommittee is convening for a formal meeting or a work session, written notice must be posted and transmitted to each member of the committee two hours in advance of the meeting, or an announcement must be filed with the journal clerk and read in the house while the house is in session. A senate committee or subcommittee must post notice of a meeting at least 24 hours before the meeting.