2015 -- H 6339

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2015

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

AMENDING THE RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE YEARS

2015 AND 2016

     Introduced By: Representatives McLaughlin, and MacBeth

     Date Introduced: June 24, 2015

     Referred To: House Rules

     RESOLVED, that Rule 33 of the rules adopted by the House of Representatives for the

years 2015 and 2016 in 2015 H 5258, Substitute A be amended as follows:

     (33)(a) No member shall speak or vote, unless within the bar of the House and at his or

her seat, except as hereinafter provided. Every member who shall be in his or her seat or in the

House Chamber when the question is put, shall give his or her vote, unless prior thereto the

Speaker shall have excused him or her in accordance with the provisions of the Code of Ethics

statute (RIGL 36-14-6). Members must file a written request for recusal and the journal shall

reflect such recusal with the letter "R." No member may vote for another member, nor activate

another member's voting machine except by the express direction of that member who is present

in the House chamber. No one may occupy the vacant seat of a member.

     (b) When a violation of Rule 33(a) in regard to voting is alleged in writing by a member,

the Speaker may refer said written allegation to the House Rules Committee to investigate, hold

hearings, ascertain the facts and report its findings and recommendation to the House, which may

then take appropriate action including but not limited to expulsion as authorized by Article 6,

Section 7 of the Constitution of the State.

     (c) The electronic voting machine of any member not present when the quorum is called

shall remain locked until the member has notified the reading clerk of his or her presence. Upon

late arrival but prior to adjournment, a member may report his or her presence to the reading clerk

which shall be recorded in the journal.

     (d) Any member who leaves the floor before adjournment for the remainder of that day's

session shall report to the reading clerk prior to his or her departure. The reading clerk will then

lock the electronic voting machine of that member.

     (e) With the approval of the Speaker, a member who is not physically present in the State

House, due to extenuating circumstances, including, but not limited to, a death in his or her

immediate family, wedding of a member of his or her immediate family, or illness, shall be

allowed to cast a prior written proxy ballot on all House questions.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

AMENDING THE RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE YEARS

2015 AND 2016

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     This Resolution would amend the Rules of the House of Representatives by allowing a

representative, with the approval of the Speaker, to cast a vote by proxy when he or she is absent

from the chambers due to extenuating circumstances.

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