Senate

senate rules SENATE RULES

* Under Senate Rule 94 (3) (a), a pamphlet of this type will be printed within one week following the adoption of any resolution making significant changes in the senate rules.

The senate rules were last readopted by 1979 Senate Resolution 2 on January 3, 1979. Subsequent changes, enacted by 1979 Senate Resolutions 3 and 4, 1981 Senate Resolutions 2, 19, 22, and 27, 1983 Senate Resolutions 4, 9, 11, and 13, 1985 Senate Resolutions 2 and 6, 1987 Senate Resolutions 2, 3, and 6, 1989 Senate Resolutions 2 and 3, 1991 Senate Resolution 2, 1993 Senate Resolutions 2, 3, and 7, 1995 Senate Resolution 2, 1997 Senate Resolution 2, 1999 Senate Resolution 2, 2001 Senate Resolution 2, 2003 Senate Resolution 3, 2003 Senate Resolution 21, 2005 Senate Resolution 2, 2007 Senate Resolution 2, and 2009 Senate Resolution 2 are recorded in the notes following the affected rules.

As last affected by 2011 Senate Resolution 2
Adopted January 3, 2011

Chapter 1: Officers — Election and Duties

President; president pro tempore Rule 1

Presiding officer and committee on senate organization Rule 1m

Substitute president Rule 2

Duties of president pro tempore and majority leader Rule 3

Voting by presiding officer Rule 3m

Duties of president and presiding officer Rule 4

Chief clerk Rule 5

Sergeant at arms Rule 6

Chapter 2: Order and Decorum

Presiding officer to preserve order; appeal Rule 7

Conduct while sitting in session Rule 8

Who may be admitted to the floor; recording proceedings; listing of visitors Rule 11

Privileges of senate to contestants for seats Rule 12

Disturbance in lobby Rule 13

Conduct of individuals in the gallery Rule 13m

Chapter 3: Order of Business

Hour for meeting Rule 14

Roll call, quorum Rule 15

Leave of absence Rule 16

Order of business Rule 17

Daily calendar Rule 18

Committee of the whole Rule 19

Standing committees of senate Rule 20

Committees of conference Rule 20m

Special committees Rule 21

Advice and consent of the senate Rule 22

Committee not to be absent Rule 23

Committee quorum; subcommittees Rule 24

Business in committees; notice of meeting Rule 25

Schedule of committee activities Rule 26

Committee reports Rule 27

Minority reports Rule 28

Chapter 4: Proposals — Procedure

Copies of proposals Rule 29

Filing of proposals Rule 30

Clerical corrections to proposals Rule 31

Reference to proposals and other matters Rule 32

Introduction or offering of new proposals; admissibility of identical proposals; admissibility of resolutions in special session Rule 33

Proposals to be on file one day before action Rule 34

Three separate readings Rule 35

First reading; reference to committee Rule 36

Second reading; ordering to a 3rd reading Rule 37

Third reading; question Rule 38

Minimum special quorum Rule 39

Proposal amended on 3rd reading to be reengrossed Rule 40

Rereference in order; withdrawing from committee Rule 41

Messaging to the assembly; proposals held duringreconsideration period Rule 42

Enrolling bills and joint resolutions Rule 43

Signing of documents Rule 44

Presentation to the governor Rule 44m

Offering of privileged resolution Rule 45

Presentation, introduction, and offering of proposals and other matters Rule 46

Chapter 5: Amendments — Form and Procedure

When amendments may be considered Rule 47

Reading of amendments Rule 48

Offering amendments Rule 49

Substitute amendments and amendments must be germane Rule 50

Amendment in the 3rd degree prohibited Rule 51

Committee amendments; speaking on amendment Rule 53

Order of action Rule 55

Chapter 6: General Procedure — Order in Debate

Recognition; debate Rule 56

Presiding officer to name first speaker Rule 57

Member out of order Rule 58

How members may speak Rule 59

Personal privilege Rule 60

Special privilege Rule 61

Stating motions Rule 62

Motions in order during debate Rule 63

Motion to adjourn always in order Rule 64

Laying on table Rule 65

Motion to postpone Rule 66

Motion to reconsider Rule 67

Questions to be decided without debate and not placed on table Rule 68

Privileged motion or resolution Rule 69

Division of question Rule 70

Putting question Rule 71

Ayes and noes Rule 72

Every member to vote Rule 73

Missed roll calls Rule 73m

Explanation of vote not allowed Rule 74

Recording position of absent member Rule 75

Chapter 7: Limiting Debate