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).
