Quick Finder:QUORUM
ROLL CALL
MAJORITY
Quorum
A majority of the current membership of the assembly constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business unless a higher number is required by the state constitution, law, or legislative rule. Assembly Rule 30 (2) and Joint Rule 11 (1). Less than a quorum may adjourn or order a call of the assembly; Wis. Con. IV-7.
Three-fifths of the members elected (60 representatives) is the quorum for passage of "fiscal bills"; Wis. Con. VIII-8. Consequently, the minimum majority for approval of "fiscal bills" is 31 representatives.
A "fiscal bill" is any bill which: 1) imposes, continues or renews a tax; 2) creates a state debt or charge; 3) makes, continues or renews an appropriation of public or trust money; or 4) releases, discharges or commutes a claim or demand of the state; Wis. Con. VIII-8.
Roll Call
The assembly may decide any question by a voice vote unless a roll call is ordered by the presiding officer or at the request of a member with 15 seconds (Assembly Rules 71 (1) and 76 (3)), or is required by the state constitution, law, or legislative rule (Assembly Rule 76 (2)). A roll call vote, with the ayes and noes entered in the journal, is required for any assembly decision that needs a special quorum or a special majority for final determination. In addition, roll call votes are required for:
Adjournment or recess under call; Assembly Rule 86 (3).
Appeal from ruling of presiding officer; Assembly Rule 62 (7).
Conference committee report, vote to approve; Joint Rule 3 (1)(c).
Election by the legislature; Wis. Con. IV-30 and Assembly Rule 1.
Ending debate by motion; Assembly Rule 71 (1).
Raise a call of the assembly; Assembly Rules 86 (3) and 87.
Ratify amendment to U.S. constitution; Joint Rule 58 (2).
Majority
The assembly may decide any question by a majority of a quorum unless a higher vote total is required for final approval by the state constitution, law, or legislative rule. Assembly Rule 76 (1) and Joint Rule 12 (1).
Three-fourths of all the members elected to both houses:
Increased retirement fund benefits, approval of bill to grant; Wis. Con. IV-26 (3).
Two-thirds of all the members elected (66 representatives):
Expulsion of an elected representative; Wis. Con. IV-8.
Removal of justice or judge by address; Wis. Con. VII-13.
Two-thirds of members present
:
Conduct during debate, exception; Assembly Rule 59.
Impeachment; Wis. Con. VII-1.
Suspend a legislative rule; Assembly Rule 90.
Veto, passage notwithstanding governor's objections; Wis. Con. V-10.
Withdraw a bill from committee, exception; Assembly Rule 15 (3).
Majority of all the members elected (50 representatives):
Bonded indebtedness, authorizing; Wis. Con. VIII-7.
Confirmation of gubernatorial appointment 51m (2).
Constitutional amendment, approval on first or 2nd consideration; Wis. Con. XII-1 and Joint Rule 12 (2)(f).
Debt for extraordinary expenditures; Wis. Con. VIII-6.
Lieutenant governor, confirmation 51m (2).
Majority of current assembly membership:
Assembly rule, adopt or change; Assembly Rule 89.
Joint rule, rescind or change; Joint Rule 96 (1).
Lifting a call of the assembly; Assembly Rule 87 (2).
Majority of three-fifths of all the members elected (see Quorum):
Any "fiscal bill", vote on passage; Wis. Con. VIII-8.
Less than majority:
Adjourn; Assembly Rule 30 (3) and Wis. Con. IV-7.
Call of the assembly; Assembly Rule 30 (3) and Wis. Con. IV-7.
Roll call ordered, one-sixth of those present; Wis. Con. IV-20.
Majority of current assembly membership:
Assembly rule, adopt or change; Assembly Rule
89.
Joint rule, rescind or change; Joint Rule
96 (1).
Lifting a call of the assembly; Assembly Rule
87 (2).
Majority of three-fifths of all the members elected (see Quorum):
Any fiscal bill, vote on passage; Wis. Con. VIII-8.
Majority of members present and voting:
Authorization to use cellular telephone in chamber; Assembly Rule
26 (6)(b) 3. to
5.
Special order established by resolution: reconsideration, advance bill to 3rd reading, message to senate; Assembly Rule
33 (4).
Special or extraordinary session: reconsideration, advance bill to 3rd reading, message to senate; Assembly Rule
93 (6),
(7).
Special order scheduled by rules committee resolution: advance bill to 3rd reading, message to senate; Assembly Rule
33 (4).
