AR3: Resolution Text

LRB-0615/3

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2015 - 2016 LEGISLATURE

2015 Assembly RESOLUTION 3

January 7, 2015 - Introduced by Representatives Vos, Steineke and August.

AR3,1,3 To amend assembly rule 24 (1) and assembly rule 52 (1); and to create assembly rule 55m, assembly rule 71m and assembly rule 95 (53m); relating to: the assembly rules.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

This resolution makes the following changes to the assembly rules:

Scheduling time limits for floor debate

The resolution provides that before the Committee on Rules establishes a calendar for any session day, the majority leader and the minority leader must meet to adopt reasonable recommendations for time limits and schedules for floor debate on all proposals on the proposed calendar for that day. If the majority leader and the minority leader reach agreement, the Committee on Rules must include the time limits and schedules for floor debate in the recommendations on the calendar for that day. The schedules and time limits must be announced by the presiding officer before floor consideration of the proposals.

Voting immediately; time limits on debate

The resolution creates an alternative procedure for ending debate in the assembly, which may be used only if time limits for floor debate on a proposal established by the majority leader and the minority leader or by a privileged resolution have expired. Under this new procedure, when a proposal is under consideration a member may move that all pending amendments and substitute amendments be tabled en masse. The motion is not debatable and if carried by a majority debate is ended on the question then before the assembly and the assembly must move immediately to the main question without debate on any pending amendments and substitute amendments. A motion that carries under this procedure prohibits the offering of new amendments or substitute amendments to the proposal. In addition, a motion to table the proposal to which the main question relates is not in order after a motion under this procedure has been made.

Definition of partisan caucus

The resolution creates a definition of "partisan caucus" that is identical to the one in the senate rules. A partisan caucus is defined as "a conference convened by 2 or more members of a political party to discuss business related to the organization or agenda of that party within the legislature or to discuss any matter pending in or proposed for introduction in the legislature. To facilitate bipartisan leadership meetings, a partisan caucus may also include a conference convened by the members of the elected leadership of one political party with the members of the elected leadership of another political party."

Membership of Committee on Rules

The resolution gives the speaker two additional majority party appointments to the Committee on Rules.

AR3,2,1 Resolved by the assembly, That:

AR3,1 Section 1. Assembly rule 24 (1) is amended to read:

AR3,2,7 Assembly Rule 24 (1) The committee on rules consists of the speaker, speaker pro tempore, majority leader, assistant majority leader, majority caucus chairperson, minority leader, assistant minority leader, minority caucus chairperson, and 2 4 members from the majority party and 2 members from the minority party appointed by the speaker.

AR3,2 Section 2. Assembly rule 52 (1) is amended to read:

AR3,2,11 Assembly Rule 52 (1) Amendments to proposals may be offered after introduction of and preceding a decision on the proposal at the end of the 2nd reading stage, and as authorized by rule 73 (9).

AR3,3 Section 3. Assembly rule 55m is created to read:

AR3,3,6 Assembly Rule 55m. Scheduling time limits for floor debate. (1) Before the committee on rules establishes a calendar for any session day, the majority leader and the minority leader shall meet to adopt reasonable recommendations for time limits and schedules for floor debate on all proposals on the proposed calendar for that day. If the majority leader and the minority leader reach agreement, the committee on rules shall include the time limits and schedules for floor debate in the recommendations on the calendar for that day. The schedules and time limits shall be announced by the presiding officer before floor consideration of the proposals.

AR3,3,8 (2) The presiding officer shall ensure that time limits and schedules established under sub. (1) are strictly enforced.

AR3,4 Section 4. Assembly rule 71m is created to read:

AR3,3,19 Assembly Rule 71m. Voting immediately; time limit on debate. (1) When a proposal is under consideration a member may move that all pending amendments and substitute amendments be tabled en masse. The motion is not debatable and if carried by a majority debate is ended on the question then before the assembly and the assembly shall move immediately to the main question pending before the assembly without debate on any pending amendments and substitute amendments. A motion that carries under this subsection prohibits the offering of other amendments or substitute amendments to the proposal to which the main question relates. A motion to table the proposal to which the main question relates is not in order after a motion under this subsection has been made.

AR3,3,22 (2) The procedure under this section for ending debate on a proposal is an alternative to the procedure under rule 71 and may be used only if the time limits established under rule 55m (1) or in any privileged resolution have expired.

AR3,5 Section 5. Assembly rule 95 (53m) is created to read:

AR3,4,5 Assembly Rule 95 (53m) Partisan caucus: A conference convened by 2 or more members of a political party to discuss business related to the organization or agenda of that party within the legislature or to discuss any matter pending in or proposed for introduction in the legislature. To facilitate bipartisan leadership meetings, a partisan caucus may also include a conference convened by the members of the elected leadership of one political party with the members of the elected leadership of another political party.

AR3,4,6 (End)