Rule 197 a (new) – paragraphs 1 to 7 (new)
Rule 197a Public hearings on a citizens’ initiative 1. The Vice-President of Parliament responsible for citizens’ initiatives shall, on behalf of the President, liaise with citizens, representative associations and civil society on matters relating to citizens’ initiatives. 2. The Conference of Committee Chairs shall coordinate the public hearings referred to in Article 11 of Regulation (EU) No 211/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the citizens’ initiative. It shall liaise with the Commission and, where necessary, with other EU institutions and bodies, to ensure that public hearings are organised and conducted under appropriate and uniform conditions. When the Conference of Committee Chairs considers a matter relating to public hearings, it shall invite the Vice- President of Parliament responsible for matters relating to citizens’ initiatives to take part in its proceedings in an advisory capacity. 3. When the Commission has published a citizens’ initiative in the relevant register pursuant to Article 10(1)(a) of Regulation (EU) No 211/2011, the Chair of the Conference of Committee Chairs: (a) shall ascertain whether the Commission has received the organisers at an appropriate level in accordance with Article 10(1)(b) of the Regulation; (b) shall establish, after consulting the Conference of Committee Chairs, which committee is responsible for organising the public hearing; (c) may, at the request of the chair of the committee responsible for matters relating to petitions, authorise members of the bureau and coordinators of that committee to take part in organising the public hearing; (d) shall ensure that the Commission is properly involved in organising the public hearing and that it is represented in the appropriate form and at as high a level as possible at the hearing; and (e) shall, in agreement with the chair of the committee responsible, determine an appropriate date for the public hearing within three months of the submission of the initiative to the Commission, in accordance with Article 9 of Regulation (EU) No 211/2011. 4. Rule 23(9) shall not apply to such public hearings. 5. If the conditions laid down in Rule 50 or Rule 51 are met, those provisions shall apply mutatis mutandis. In that event, the Conference of Committee Chairs may invite the Vice-President of Parliament responsible for matters relating to citizens’ initiatives to chair the public hearing. 6. The committee responsible shall organise the public hearing at Parliament, if appropriate together with such other EU institutions and bodies as may wish to participate. The committee responsible shall invite the organisers of the citizens’ initiative, or a representative delegation thereof, to present the initiative at the hearing and shall afford them the opportunity to give a detailed explanation of the proposals being put forward. Any Member wishing to attend the public hearing may do so. The Vice-President of Parliament responsible for matters relating to citizens’ initiatives may deliver an address at the start of the public hearing. 7. Subject to prior authorisation from the Vice-President of Parliament responsible for matters relating to citizens’ initiatives, the travel and subsistence expenses incurred by representatives as a result of attending public hearings to which they have been invited may be reimbursed subject to the rules adopted by the Bureau and in accordance with the arrangements agreed with the Commission.