07-R082
2007 -- S 147 SUBSTITUTE A AS AMENDED
Enacted 03/01/07
S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N
ADOPTING THE RULES OF
THE SENATE
Introduced By: Senator
Daniel P. Connors
Date Introduced: January
24, 2007
It is enacted
by the General Assembly as follows:
RESOLVED,
That the following rules be and the same are hereby adopted as the rules of
this
senate for the years 2005 and 2006 2007 and 2008.
RULES
OF THE SENATE
SECTION 1
DEFINITIONS
As
used in these rules, the following terms are defined as follows:
1.1
"Bill" shall include any act, resolve, resolution or petition
which comes before the
senate
for consideration.
1.2
"Day" as used in these rules is intended and shall be
construed to mean one full
legislative
day of the same session. In no event shall one (1) calendar day be construed as
two (2)
legislative
days.
1.3
"Public bill" shall include all bills except:
(i)
those which pertain to a particular city or town;
(ii)
those which relate to an individual's pension and retirement;
(iii)
those which pertain to restoration of corporation charters, and to amendments
to
authorized
holdings by nonprofit organizations of a charitable, civic, library or like
nature;
(iv)
resolutions memorializing congress, or of congratulations, or expressing
sympathy or
condolences,
and all resolutions requesting the several departments of state government to
grant
some
privilege, consideration or relief.
1.4
"Prime sponsor" shall be that senator whose signature first
appears upon the bill.
1.5
"President Pro Tempore" is the person elected to that position
under the provisions of
section
22-3-10 of the general laws, who presides over the senate in the absence of the
president
of the
senate.
1.6
"Majority Deputy President Pro Tempore" is the person
appointed by the president of
the
senate, who shall preside over the senate in the absence of the president of
the senate and the
president
pro tempore. The senate shall elect a majority deputy president pro tempore
from
among
the senators who are members of the majority political party represented in the
senate.
1.7
"Minority Deputy President Pro Tempore" is the person
appointed by the senate
minority
leader, who shall preside over the senate in the absence of the president of
the senate,
president
pro tempore, and the majority deputy president pro tempore. The senate shall
elect a
minority
deputy president pro tempore from among the senators who are members of a
minority
political
party represented in the senate.
1.8
"Reading Clerk" is the person elected to that position under
provisions of section 22-
3-2 of
the general laws who shall, at the direction of the presiding officer, read to
the chamber
any communication
to the senate, resolution, bill or other document and who shall, at the
direction
of the presiding officer, except for section 4.4 hereof, date the bills and
other documents
before
the senate, date recording thereon the action taken and/or the disposition
thereof. The
reading
clerk also shall, at the direction of the senate, amend any bill and transmit
any bill to the
house of
representatives and perform such other duties as may from time to time be
prescribed by
the
president of the senate.
1.9
"Secretary of the Senate" is the person elected to that
position under provisions of
section
22-3-2 of the general laws who shall, at the direction of the presiding
officer, record the
proceedings
of the senate in a journal, signing said journal as secretary of the senate,
and who
shall,
upon their referral, deliver bills and other documents to their respective
committees, hold
and
maintain in good order any bill assigned to the calendar or the consent
calendar, and transmit
any bill
or document to the governor. The secretary of the senate also shall perform
those duties
prescribed
in other sections hereof and those which may from time to time be prescribed by
the
president
of the senate.
1.10
“The rise of the senate” occurs upon the conclusion of senate floor
business and the
exact
time varies by the amount of business to be conducted on a particular
legislative day.
SECTION
2
PRESIDING
OFFICER
2.1
Presiding Officer.
The
president of the senate shall, unless absent from the chamber, be the presiding
officer
of the
sessions of the senate. In the absence of the president from the chair, the
president pro
tempore
shall preside over the senate. In the absence of both the president and the
president pro
tempore,
the majority deputy president pro tempore shall preside over the senate. In the
absence
of the
president, the president pro tempore, and the majority deputy president pro
tempore, the
minority
deputy president pro tempore shall preside over the senate. In case of a
vacancy in the
offices
of president, president pro tempore and both deputy presidents pro tempore, or
in case all
said
officers are absent at the hour to which the senate stands adjourned, the
reading clerk shall
call the
senate to order, and shall preside until a president pro tempore is elected,
which election
shall be
the first order of business. In the absence of the president, president pro
tempore, both
deputy
presidents pro tempore and the reading clerk, less than a quorum may elect a
president pro
tempore,
who shall declare a lack of quorum and continue the session until the next day.
2.2
Duties of the Presiding Officer.
The
presiding officer shall preserve order and decorum in and about the senate
chamber
during
the senate session in order to prevent interference with the senate's business
and
deliberations.
The presiding officer may speak in preference to the senators, shall decide all
questions
of order without debate and shall declare all votes. The assignment of bills to
committee
shall be at the discretion of the president of the senate subject to rule 4.5;
provided,
however,
that the president of the senate may delegate such authority to the majority
leader of the
senate.
2.3
Appealing the Ruling of Presiding Officer.
Any
senator may appeal the ruling of the presiding officer by rising as soon as the
ruling
is made,
even though another has the floor and, without waiting to be recognized by the
chair,
stating,
"I appeal the ruling of the chair," and upon such appeal being
seconded, the presiding
officer
shall immediately and without debate put the question, "Shall the ruling
of the chair be
sustained?",
which question shall be decided by majority vote of the senators present and
voting.
Once
sustained, the ruling shall not be subject to another appeal on the same point.
SECTION
3
ORDER OF
BUSINESS ON THE SENATE FLOOR
3.1
Commencement of Daily Session.
The
presiding officer shall take the chair each day at the hour to which the senate
shall
have
adjourned, call the senators to order, and record attendance by electronic roll
call. Upon late
arrival,
at any time prior to the adjournment of the senate a senator may report his or
her presence
to the
secretary of the senate who shall record the senator's attendance in the
journal.
3.2
Reading the Journal.
The
reading clerk of the senate shall, at the commencement of the session of each
day,
read the
proceedings of the previous day, unless such reading is dispensed with by a
majority of
the
senators present and voting.
3.3
Daily Business.
After the reading of the proceedings of the previous day the order of business
shall be as
follows:
(1) Introduction of guests
(2) Communications
(2) (3) Reports of
committees
(3) (4) Introduction and
reference of new business
(4) (5) Unfinished
business
(5) (6) Consideration of
house transmittals
(6) (7) Consent calendar
(7) (8) Calendar
(8) (9) Introduction of
guests
(9) (10) Personal
privilege
(10) (11) Unanimous
consent
(11) (12) Daily
adjournment
3.4
Final Adjournment.
The
last order of business of the senate shall be the vote in conformity with the
resolution
of final
adjournment which must be carried by a majority vote of the senators present
and voting.
3.5
Time for Sessions.
Unless
otherwise provided for by agreement of president of the senate, the majority
leader
and minority leader, sessions of the senate shall convene at 4:00 p.m. All
sessions must
adjourn
at or before 11:00 p.m.
SECTION
4
ACTS AND
RESOLUTIONS
4.1
Form of Bills.
Every
bill offered which is intended to amend any part or parts of an existing
statute, any
part or
parts intended to be stricken shall be contained in the bill and by appropriate
mechanical
mark,
struck through. All new matter contained in the bill shall be underlined,
underscored or
printed
in italics so that the new matter shall be easily discerned. If the bill
contains all new
matter
constituting a totally new law or a totally new section, and the bill itself so
indicates, no
underlining,
underscoring or italics shall be required. Every bill containing a commission
to
which
appointments shall be made shall be indicated in the title of such bill.
No
bill without a body or substantive content shall be introduced at any time, nor
shall a
substitute
bill be accepted which is not consistent with the title and substance of the
original bill.
All
bills introduced on behalf of any general officer, branch, department or
division of
state
government shall be stamped on the face sheet thereof with the title of the
general officer or
the name
of the branch, department or division on whose behalf the bill is introduced.
A
prime sponsor may withdraw a bill or resolution previously introduced at any
time
prior
to its consideration by a committee, upon written request to the secretary of
the senate.
Other than the prime sponsor of a bill, a senator may elect in writing to the
secretary of
the
senate to have his/her name disassociated from the bill and the secretary of
the senate shall
immediately
notify the committee clerk to which the bill is assigned.
All bills shall be processed through legislative council.
4.2
Explanation of Bills.
There
shall be attached to each bill a brief explanation thereof and the explanation
of
such
bill shall indicate the proposed changes, and/or the statute or existing law
which such bill
purports
to amend.
4.3
Copies of Bills.
Each
bill introduced shall be accompanied by not less than eight (8) copies thereof,
with
said
copies delivered by the secretary of the senate to the office of the president
of the senate for
subsequent
distribution as determined by the president of the senate. Nothing in this
section shall
prevent
a senator from obtaining a preliminary draft of legislation for his/her review
prior to
introduction.
4.4
Prefiling.
A
bill may be filed by any senator or senator-elect by registered mail or in
person with
the
secretary of the senate at any time from November 15 to the day prior to the
commencement
of the
regular annual session. The secretary of the senate shall immediately date and
number such
bill,
present the bill to the president of the senate for the purposes of assigning
it to committee,
order it
printed, as required by section 4.11 hereof, and make said bill available for
first reading
on the
second day of the succeeding session.
4.5
Filing with Secretary of the Senate.
All
senators desiring to introduce a bill shall file the bill with the secretary of
the senate
not
later than the time at which the presiding officer calls the senate to order.
The secretary of the
senate
shall transmit to the office of the president of the senate all bills on the
day of their
introduction.
On the day of introduction, the president shall, upon adjournment, assign bills
to
committee.
The secretary of the senate shall cause all bills introduced to be published in
the
senate
journal for that day. Any senator may object to the committee assignment of any
bill on the
first or
second legislative day following the bill's introduction. Upon objection being
made, the
presiding
officer shall assign the bill to the committee requested by the senator making
the
objection;
provided, however, that if another senator objects to any assignment or
proposed
assignment
of the bill, then the presiding officer shall call for a vote of the senate on
any motion
for
assignment which has been made and seconded, such motion requiring a majority
vote of
those
Senators present and voting for assignment to a particular committee. First
reading of all
such bills
and resolutions shall be by acceptance of the bill and the committee
assignment.
4.6
Deadline for Introductions.
No public bill shall be introduced in the senate after February 10, 2005
February 8, 2007
for the
year 2005 2007 and February 9, 2006 February 7, 2008
for the year 2006 2008, except by
consent
of a majority of the senators present and voting. Except as otherwise expressly
directed
by the
president of the senate, all requests for the preparation of public bills shall
be submitted to
the
offices of Legislative Council no later than the close of business on the
Friday next preceding
the
bill-introduction deadline set forth herein.
4.7
Omnibus Claims Against the State and Forfeitures of Charters.
(a) Claims against the state in the amount of one thousand dollars ($1,000) or
less shall
not be
presented in bill or resolution form, but shall be submitted to the clerk of
the joint
committee
on accounts and claims in writing upon a form approved by the chairperson of
the
joint
committee on accounts and claims. Any claims approved by the joint committee
shall be
submitted
in the form of an omnibus bill which will be placed upon the consent calendar.
(b) All acts seeking to vacate the forfeiture of a charter previously granted
under the laws
of this
state shall be placed upon the consent calendar.
4.8
Resolutions of Congratulations and Condolences.
Notwithstanding
any other provisions of these rules, all resolutions of congratulations or
expressing
sympathy or condolences except with respect to former and present members of
the
general
assembly, general officers, members of the judiciary and elected state or
federal officials,
shall be
in order for introduction and consideration on the last legislative day of each
week,
unless
otherwise ordered by the president of the senate. Said resolution of
congratulations and
condolences
shall not require concurrent action; upon passage, shall be forthwith
transmitted to
the
secretary of state, and an appropriate notice of the action of the senate
thereon shall be
forwarded,
as requested in the resolution, by the secretary of state. One formal
resolution may
include
all the expressions of sympathy or congratulations of the several senators.
4.9
Enactment of Laws.
The
concurrence of the two houses in the same session shall be necessary for the
enactment
of all bills except for senate resolutions.
4.10
Printing Requirements.
4.10-1
Public Bills.
No
public bill shall be considered upon its merits unless it has been
electronically
available
to the members at least two (2) days prior to its consideration on the merits,
except any
public
bill passed by the senate and amended by the house, provided that the amended
public bill
shall be
electronically available to the senators before consideration.
4.10-2
Committee Amendments.
No
public bill amended in a committee of the senate shall be considered upon the
senate
floor
unless it has been electronically available to the senators.
4.10-3
Materially Altered Bills.
Whenever
a committee shall have determined to report a bill which has been materially
altered
by the committee, the committee chair shall forthwith provide for printing and
electronic
reproduction
of the same. In the event that a bill is not deemed to have been materially
altered,
which
determination shall be made by the committee chair, a bill shall be printed
only upon the
request
of the president of the senate, the majority leader or the minority leader.
Nothing in these
rules
shall preclude the committee chair, with a majority of the committee, to change
an act to a
resolution
or a resolution to an act on a substitute bill.
4.11
Copies of Bills and Voting Records.
The
secretary of the senate shall retain in the files of the senate as many copies
of each
bill as
the secretary of the senate deems necessary and the voting records on each
question.
4.12 Requests for Funding of Community Service Objectives.
Requests for the funding of community service objectives grants shall not be
presented in
bill or
resolution form, but shall be submitted to the senate fiscal advisor in writing
upon a form
approved
by the chairperson of the senate committee on finance.
4.13 Death of a member.
In the event that any member or member-elect shall die after filing and
before
consideration
by committee, the death of said member or member-elect shall constitute
automatic
withdrawal
of said bill or resolution and automatic withdrawal of the number of said bill
or
resolution
and said number shall not be used again during the legislative session;
provided,
however,
that where a bill or resolution shall have had more than one sponsor, said bill
or
resolution
and number shall not be withdrawn and the member whose name appears second on
said
bill or resolution shall become the prime sponsor.
SECTION
5
COMMITTEES
5.1
Standing Committees.
The
senate shall have, from and after the adoption of these rules, the following
standing
committees:
5.1-1
Committee on Judiciary.
It
shall be the duty of the committee on judiciary to consider the appointments of
the
governor
referred to it by the senate which require the advice and consent of the senate
and all
legislation
and matters which affect the penal code, judicial system, ethics, open
meetings, access
to
public records and election laws of
the state, and to consider such other matters as may be
referred
to it by the senate. In the matters of judicial appointments and those public
hearings
designated
by the committee chair, all testimony shall be under oath and preserved by
stenographic
record which shall be transcribed upon the order of the chair.
5.1-2
Committee on Finance.
It
shall be the duty of the committee on finance to consider the appointments of
the
governor
referred to it by the senate which require the advice and consent of the senate
and all
legislation
and matters relative to veterans affairs, revenue, appropriations and taxes, to
inquire
into the
state of the public debt, to report from time to time its opinion thereon and
such
propositions
relative thereto as it shall deem expedient, and to consider such other matters
as may
be
referred to it by the senate. The chair of the committee shall be authorized to
appoint as many
sub-committees
as he or she deems necessary, including, but not limited to, a sub-committee on
veterans
affairs.
5.1-3
Committee on Commerce, Housing and Municipal Government.
It
shall be the duty of the committee on commerce, housing and municipal
government to
consider
the appointments of the governor referred to it by the senate which require the
advice
and
consent of the senate and all legislation and matters affecting commerce,
profit as well as not-
for-profit
business corporations, housing,
municipal government, transportation and to consider
such
other matters as may be referred to it by the senate.
5.1-4
Committee on Labor.
It
shall be the duty of the committee on labor to consider the appointments of the
governor
referred to it by the senate which require the advice and consent of the senate
and all
legislation
and matters relating to the workers' compensation and labor laws of the state
and to
consider
such other matters as may be referred to it by the senate.
5.1-5
Committee on Constitutional and Gaming Regulatory Issues.
It
shall be the duty of the committee on constitutional and gaming regulatory
issues to
consider
the appointments of the governor referred to it by the senate which require the
advice
and
consent of the senate and all legislation and matters relating to constitutional
amendments,
liquor
laws, gaming issues, license plates, domestic animals, commissions and
resolutions, and to
consider
such other matters as may be referred to it by the senate.
5.1-6
Committee on Health and Human Services.
It
shall be the duty of the committee on health and human services to consider the
appointments
of the governor referred to it by the senate which require the advice and
consent of
the
senate and to consider all reports of the departments of health, of human services,
of mental
health,
retardation and hospitals, of children and their families, and of elderly
affairs; to consider
all
legislation and matters expanding or defining further areas of responsibility
of the foregoing
and to
consider all legislation and matters relative to public health and welfare;
health care and
human
service access and quality; health and human service professional standards of
practice,
and
facility standards of care; and to consider such other matters as may be referred
to it by the
senate.
5.1-7
Committee on Education.
It
shall be the duty of the committee on education to consider the appointments of
the
governor
referred to it by the senate which require the advice and consent of the senate
and all
legislation
and matters relating to student performance, governance, programming, teacher
preparation
and planning, as well as the work and operation of all state agencies regarding
all
levels
of education, make findings, and recommend policy initiatives and other actions
to the
general
assembly. The commission shall also exercise oversight in relation to the
implementation
of all
legislation and grants of authority relating to all levels of public education
in the state by all
agencies,
state and local, charged and empowered by the general assembly in relating to
all levels
of
public education and to consider such other matters as may be referred to it by
the senate.
5.1-8
Committee on Financial Services, Technology and Regulatory Issues
Corporations.
It
shall be the duty of the committee on financial services, technology and
regulatory
issues corporations to consider the appointments of
the governor referred to it by the senate which
require
the advice and consent of the senate and all legislation and matters relating
to financial
institutions,
business regulation, property and casualty insurance, technology and
telecommunications,
for profit as well as not-for-profit business entities, and to consider
such
other
matters as may be referred to it by the senate.
5.1-9
Committee on Environment and Agriculture.
It
shall be the duty of the committee on environment and agriculture to consider
the
appointments
of the governor referred to it by the senate which require the advice and consent
of
the
senate and all legislation and matters relating to the conservation of the air,
land, water, plant,
animal,
mineral and other natural resources of the state, and to adopt all means
necessary and
proper
by law to protect the natural environment of the people of the state by
providing adequate
resource
planning for the control and regulation of the use of the natural resources of
the state and
for the
preservation, regeneration, and restoration of the natural environment of the
state and to
consider
such other matters as may be referred to it by the senate.
5.1-10
Committee on Government Oversight.
It
shall be the duty of the committee on government oversight to consider the
appointments
of the governor referred to it by the senate which require the advice and
consent of
the
senate, and (1) to monitor and evaluate past, current and prospective
performance of public
bodies
and statutory entities, including quasi-public agencies that exercise executive
governmental
functions (except public bodies and statutory entities of the legislative and
judiciary
branches
of the state) and any other public or private person, including any agencies,
partnerships,
corporation or business entity insofar as such person is acting on behalf of
and/or in
place of
any public agency; (2) to consider all legislation and matters pertaining to
past, current
and
prospective performance of the governmental functions of such public bodies,
statutory
entities,
including quasi-public agencies, and public or private persons; (3) (2) to consider the
organization,
reorganization, creation or termination of such public bodies, statutory
entities,
including
quasi-public agencies and public or private persons; (4) (3) to
review and consider the
reports
of the auditor general; (5) (4) to report its opinion and/or
recommendation of legislation or
action
regarding the foregoing matters; (6) (5) to consider legislation
that is designed to ensure
the probity
of public affairs, including, but not limited to, ethics, open meetings and
access to
public
records any bill referred to it by
the senate, including, but not limited to any act, resolve,
resolution
or petition; and (7) (6)
to consider such other matters that are referred to it by the
senate.
5.1-11
Committee on Senate Rules.
It
shall be the duty of the committee on senate rules to consider all matters
relating to the
rules of
the senate.
5.2
Committee Membership.
Each
of the standing committees of the senate shall consist of the president of the
senate
and the
majority and minority leaders of the senate, ex officio, with voting rights,
and senators to
be
appointed by the president of the senate, each to serve until January 2,
2007 January 6, 2009.
Provided,
however, that the president of the senate may change the committee assignment
of a
member
with the member's consent; and provided, further, however, that each senator
other than
the
president and the majority and minority leaders, shall serve as a member of one
of the
following
standing committees: committee on commerce, housing and municipal
government;
committee
on financial services, technology and regulatory issues; corporations;
committee on
finance;
committee on the judiciary.
5.3
Vacancies on Committees.
All
vacancies occurring in any committee of the senate shall be filled by the
president of
the
senate.
5.4
Officers of Committees.
The
president of the senate shall appoint from the membership of each committee a
chair,
vice
chair and secretary and such other committee officers as the president of the
senate deems
appropriate.
5.5
Select Committees.
The
senate may, from time to time, by resolution, provide for the establishment of
select
committees
upon such subjects as it may deem proper, and upon the adoption of such
resolution,
the
president of the senate shall appoint the chair and members thereof, and shall
provide for
minority
party representation. Any committee created pursuant to this rule shall be
deemed a
standing
committee for all purposes of law, including the applicability of section
22-6-2.1 of the
general
laws.
5.6
Referral to Committee.
No
bill shall be considered or acted upon by the senate unless the same has been
considered
by, reported, or recalled from a committee thereof, or from a joint committee,
except
as
otherwise provided in these rules. All acts seeking to vacate the forfeiture of
a charter
previously
granted under the laws of this state shall not be referred to committee but
rather
directly
assigned to the calendar.
5.7
Committees of Conference.
There
shall be appointed from time to time committees of conference to which are
referred
matters of difference with the house with respect to bills or resolutions. Such
committees
shall be
appointed by the speaker and the president of the senate, and shall be
comprised of five
(5)
members from the house and five (5) members from the senate. At least one (1)
member in
each
chamber shall be a member of the minority party. When possible, one (1) member
shall be
the
prime sponsor of the bill or resolution being considered before the committee
of conference
and one (1)
member shall be from the committee that shall have considered the bill or
resolution.
The
committee may propose any changes within the scope of the bill or resolution,
but any action,
including
changes, taken by committee shall be by a majority vote of the members of each
chamber
on the committee. The committee report shall be made to both chambers at the
same
time.
Each chamber shall vote to accept or reject the report. A vote by either
chamber to accept
the
report of the committee shall be the final action by that chamber on the bill
or resolution. If
both
chambers vote to accept the report of the committee, the bill is passed or the
resolution
adopted
as of the time the last chamber votes to accept the report. If either chamber
rejects the
report
of the committee, the bill or resolution is defeated and the second chamber
shall not be
required
to consider the committee report. The report of the committee may be accepted
or
rejected,
but it may not be amended. The committee report shall contain the following
information:
the bill number and title, the members of the committee, the action of the
committee,
and the
signature of the members of the committee accepting or rejecting the report.
The
conferees shall confine themselves to the differences which exist within bills
or
resolutions
between the house and senate. The presentation of reports of committees of
conference
shall be in order after having been signed by a majority of the members of the
committee
of each chamber. Consideration of a report of a committee of conference by the
senate
shall be in order when it has been made electronically available to all members
and listed
on the
calendar for the required period of time according to these rules.
SECTION
6
PROCEEDINGS IN COMMITTEE
6.1
Time for Committee Meetings.
The
president of the senate, in consultation with the chairs, shall establish
regular days
and
times for the meetings of all standing committees. The committee chair may call
such other
meetings
as may be required to conduct the business of the committee.
6.2
Committee Agenda -- Posting.
At
least forty-eight (48) hours before any standing committee meeting, a committee
agenda containing
the number, title and a short explanation of the bill to be considered must be
placed
on the bulletin boards provided for such agenda. The rule shall not apply to
bills
previously
passed by the senate and amended by the house. There shall be at least two (2)
bulletin
boards
for such posting, at least one (1) of which shall be for the public's use and
shall be under
the
control of and situated at the main entrance to the state library. There shall
also be at least one
(1)
bulletin board for the exclusive use of the senators which shall be situated in
a convenient
location.
6.3
Convening of Meeting.
The
chair of the committee or, in the chair's absence, the vice chair, shall call
all regular
sessions
of the committee, set agenda and proceed with the order of business.
6.4
Public Participation.
6.4-1
Open Meetings.
Every
standing committee meeting, except executive sessions, shall be open to the
public
during
the consideration of all matters coming before it. At such open meetings,
persons other
than
members of the committee may testify at the discretion of the committee chair.
6.4-2
Executive Sessions.
Any
standing committee may be called into executive session by the chair or upon
motion
of one of the committee members if the matter under consideration is deemed by
the chair
to
comply with those provisions of the "Open Meetings" law (chapter
42-46) which provides for
closed
meetings; provided, however, when the chair of any standing committee calls the
committee
into executive session, the majority of those members present in the executive
session
may vote
not to meet in executive session after having heard the reasons for such
executive
session
but no other votes shall be permitted in executive sessions. The chair of the
committee
which
may be called into executive session shall provide a general description to the
public of the
reason
for calling such committee into executive session.
6.4-3
Public Hearings.
In
the discretion of the chair, public hearings may be advertised in newspapers,
stenographic
records kept and hearings held at locations other than the state house. The
purpose
of the
public hearing shall be to solicit the comments of the public on the matter
being
considered.
At the public hearing all persons shall be permitted to testify; provided,
however, the
committee
chair may limit the amount of time allotted to speakers except that the prime
sponsor
shall
not have a time limit to speak and shall upon request be the first speaker at
the hearing.
After
the public hearing has been held for a reasonable period and if there are still
persons
wishing
to speak, the committee chair may continue the hearing until another date.
6.5
Hearing and Consideration of Bills.
(a)
Upon a written request by the prime sponsor of any public bill received by the
secretary
of the senate before the closing of the next legislative day after the deadline
for
introduction
as specified in section 4.6 that a committee hearing be held with respect to
such bill,
the
committee chair shall schedule a committee hearing within eight (8) days of
such request
unless a
later date is agreed to by the prime sponsor. "Received" as used
herein shall mean receipt
in hand
by the secretary of the senate or his/her designee. The secretary shall note
the date and
time of
receipt on the request and such notation shall be dispositive. The committee
chair may
consider
hearings on related matters. The committee shall consider said bill not more
than eight
(8) days
after the committee hearing, unless a later date is agreed to by the prime
sponsor. If the
committee
does not consider the bill then the committee shall be discharged of its
responsibility
to
consider such bill and such bill shall be placed on the senate calendar
pursuant to section 7.6
hereof.
Consideration by a committee shall be interpreted to mean any one of the
following
actions:
recommendation of passage, recommendation of passage as amended, transfer to
another
committee,
indefinite postponement, hold for further study or defeat of the bill.
(b)
Provided further, the minority leader may request in writing within twenty-four
(24)
hours
after the deadline for introductions specified in section 4.6 a hearing on any
senate bill in
committee.
(c)
In the event a request is made pursuant to this rule at a time less than
sixteen (16) days
before
the deadline for committee consideration set forth in section 6.9, then such
request shall
not be
proper and shall be automatically denied.
6.6
Quorum.
A
committee shall not vote upon any bill in the absence of a quorum which shall
consist
of a
majority of the committee's membership; provided, however, that at the
discretion of the
chair, less
than a quorum may conduct any hearing including public hearings.
6.7
Minority Representation.
When
there is no minority member present and the committee is to consider a bill,
the
committee
chair shall notify the office of the minority leader that there is no senator
from the
minority
present. Unless waived by the minority leader, the committee shall not conduct
business
for a
reasonable time or until a senator from the minority is present.
6.8
Committee Votes.
All
votes in committee on public bills shall be a recorded roll call vote. The vote
upon all
motions
or bills not considered a "public bill" shall, upon the request of
any member of the
committee,
be a recorded roll call vote. Otherwise all votes shall be put by yeas and
nays.
Committee
chairs shall submit all bills approved by committee to the floor forthwith,
with a
record
of the committee vote.
6.9
Deadline for Consideration.
After
April 14, 2005 April 12, 2007 for the year 2005 2007
and April 13, 2006 April 10,
2008 for the year 2006 2008, committees
shall consider only those public bills which have been
acted
upon and transmitted to the senate by the house of representatives; provided,
however, that
the president
of the senate may request a senate committee to immediately consider a senate
bill
then in
committee and said bill shall be considered by the committee.
6.10
Discharge from Committee.
No
bill shall be taken or called from any such committee, or the committee
discharged
from the
consideration thereof, except:
(a)
By a two-thirds (2/3) recorded vote of all the members elected to the senate by
a
petition
in writing signed by a majority of all persons elected to the senate and distributed
to each
senator
before the vote, or
(b)
Any senator may present a petition, in writing, to discharge a committee from
further
consideration
of a bill which has been in the possession of the committee for sixteen (16)
days
without
having been considered, but only one petition on a particular bill may be
presented during
the
course of a session. Prior to presenting the petition, the senator must
introduce a resolution of
intent
to discharge such committee. Such resolution of intent shall contain the bill
number and the
committee
to be discharged. The presiding officer shall cause the resolution of intent to
be printed
in the
journal of the senate. The petition shall be placed in the custody of the
presiding officer
who shall
arrange some convenient place for the signatures of the senators to be placed
thereon in
the
presence of the reading clerk during the hours in which the senate is in
session. A signature
may be
withdrawn by a senator at any time before the petition shall become effective.
On
the first day of each week, there shall be printed in the journal of the senate
the
petitions
pending under these rules, together with the signatures thereto; provided,
however, that
as soon
as a majority of all the senators elected to the senate shall have affixed
their signatures to
any such
petition to discharge a committee under this rule, the presiding officer shall
cause notice
thereof
to be given to chair and clerk of the committee to which such bill was
referred, and such
notice
shall, thereupon, automatically discharge the committee from further
consideration of the
bill and
the bill shall be placed upon the calendar in accordance with section 7.6
hereof.
(c)
Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to change the deadline for
consideration
as specified in section 6.9.
6.11
Compelling Committee Action.
If
a committee to which a bill has been referred fails to consider such bill
within sixteen
(16)
days of its introduction or transmittal, the prime sponsor of such bill, or
four (4) committee
members,
may, in writing, request the chair of the committee, through the presiding
officer of the
senate,
that such bill be considered. The request shall be printed in the journal of
the senate. The
committee
shall consider such bill at its first meeting held at least two (2) days after
such request
is made.
If the committee does not consider the bill within eight (8) days of receipt of
the request
then the
committee shall be discharged of its responsibility to consider such bill and
such bill
shall be
placed on the senate calendar pursuant to section 7.6 hereof. Consideration by
a
committee
shall be interpreted to mean any one of the following actions: recommendation
of
passage,
recommendation of passage as amended, transfer to another committee, indefinite
postponement,
hold for further study or defeat of the bill. Nothing contained in this section
shall
be
construed to change the deadline for consideration as specified in section 6.9.
6.12
Defeat of a Bill.
Once
a bill is defeated in committee, the same shall not be acted upon or considered
again
during the same legislative year.
6.13
Indefinite Postponement.
Whenever
any bill is postponed indefinitely in committee, the same shall not be acted
upon or
considered again during the same legislative year.
6.14
Transfer of Bills.
In
the event the chair of any standing committee determines that any bill then
pending
before
the committee would more properly be pending before another standing committee
of the
senate,
the chair shall transfer such bill to such other standing committee as is
deemed appropriate
during
the reports of committees.
6.15
Committee Records.
All
recorded votes of committees, all written testimony submitted to a committee,
and the
transcripts
of any recorded testimony shall be retained by the clerk of each committee,
shall
constitute
public records, and shall be available for inspection to any senator and to any
person
upon
request. All committee votes, transcripts and testimony shall be transmitted to
the secretary
of state
pursuant to state law and senate policy following final adjournment in even
numbered
years.
6.16
Attribution of Bills.
Upon
presentation of testimony before a committee, the prime sponsor of the bill
shall
provide
to the committee the name of any individual, group or organization responsible
for the
substantive
basis or text of the bill.
SECTION
7
PROCEEDINGS ON THE SENATE FLOOR
7.1
Right to the Floor.
No
senator shall address another except through the presiding officer. A senator
shall rise
to put a
question, may state it or read a paper sitting. When any senator wishes to
speak or to
deliver
any matter to the senate, the senator shall press his or her recognition
control and the
presiding
officer shall recognize the senator who so requests recognition and the order
of
recognition
shall be determined by the presiding officer. The senator so recognized shall
not be
interrupted
while speaking except by a call to order or a motion to suspend section 3.5.
The
senator
shall then immediately be seated unless permitted by the senate to proceed,
which shall be
determined
upon motion without debate. No senator shall speak more than twice on the same
question
without leave of the senate which shall be determined without debate, nor more
than
once
until the other senators who have not spoken shall speak if they so desire, provided,
however
that a
senator may yield his or her right to the floor to another senator.
7.2
Personal Privilege.
Only
at the time provided for in section 3.3, a senator may claim the floor to
address the
senate
on personal privilege. Personal privilege shall include the right to reply to
criticism, or to
discuss
anything clearly derogatory to the member or which reflects upon his or her
character that
appears
in the press or other public medium but shall not include the right to discuss
favorable
references
to the senator, nor to reply to generalized criticism of the senate which does
not refer
to him
or to her specifically, nor to attack another member of the senate personally.
Whether a
member's
remarks constitute personal privilege shall be determined by the presiding
officer.
7.3
Unanimous Consent.
Only
at the time provided for in section 3.3, a senator may request unanimous
consent of
the
senators present to address the senate on a topic or matter of importance to
the welfare of the
state. A
senator granted the right to so address the senate may be interrupted at any
time by
another
senator who wishes to object to the first senator's right to continue to
address the senate
and upon
such objection the first senator's right to address the senate shall terminate.
7.4
Language.
No
senator shall use profane, insulting, or abusive language in the course of
public debate
in the
senate chamber, or in testimony before any committee of the general assembly.
7.5
Priority of Business.
All
questions relating to priority of business to be acted upon shall be decided by
the
presiding
officer without debate.
7.6
Calendar.
There
shall be a calendar kept by the secretary of the senate upon which shall be placed
the
bills reported by all committees, and all other matters ordered placed thereon
by the senate.
Matters
on the calendar shall be arranged by the secretary of the senate in numerical
order by
committee
unless otherwise ordered by the president of the senate in agreement with the
majority
leader
and the minority leader. Such calendar shall be electronically available to all
members of
the
senate. Except as provided in section 7.13, and during consideration of the
calendar, no other
business
shall intervene except to receive a message communication from the house or a
motion
to
suspend section 3.5.
All
business on the calendar not disposed of at the time of adjournment shall be
first in
order on
the calendar the next day. No matter of business on the calendar shall be
considered
upon its
merits unless it has been on such calendar at least two (2) days; except that
the president
of the
senate may order a bill placed on the calendar for more than two (2) days;
provided,
however,
a bill passed by the senate and amended by the house of representatives may be
considered
by the senate without being on the calendar for two (2) days if the
requirements of
section
4.10-1 have been met.
7.7
Consent Calendar.
Notwithstanding
the provisions of section 7.6, the secretary of the senate shall also
maintain
a separate calendar, designated as the consent calendar, upon which shall be
placed all
bills
which are not public bills. Matters on the consent calendar shall be in order
for disposal on
each day
and shall include all such matters reported or referred thereto from the
previous day.
Such
consent calendar shall be posted in the chamber of the senate. All matters on
the consent
calendar
shall be disposed by a single motion except such matters as may be objected to
by any
single
senator, which said matter or matters shall be held over on the regular
calendar for the next
day.
7.8
Reports of Joint Committees.
No
bill reported by or forwarded on the recommendation of a joint committee of the
two
houses
shall be in order for concurrence by the senate if it shall appear that the
members of such
joint
committee on the part of the senate, if in attendance on the general assembly,
shall not have
been
notified or present when the subject was acted on by such joint committee. No
report shall
be acted
on in the senate from any joint committee unless as subscribed by a senator who
is a
member
of said committee. Any report from a joint committee shall be made on the floor
of the
senate
by a member of said committee, notwithstanding that said member may not have
concurred
in the report and said report shall be held on the desk unless ordered placed
on the
calendar
pursuant to section 7.6 by the president of the senate or by a majority vote of
the senate.
7.9
Messages from the House.
When
a message is received from the house of representatives, transmitting any
papers,
the
secretary of the senate shall transmit to the office of the president of the
senate all house
transmittals
received on that day. The president of the senate shall assign house
transmittals to
committees
upon adjournment of the senate. The secretary of the senate shall cause all
house
transmittals
to be published in the senate journal for the day such transmittals are
received. Any
senator
may object to the committee assignment for any transmittal received during the
previous
legislative
day. Upon objection being made, the presiding officer shall assign the
transmittal to
the
committee requested by the senator making the objection, provided, however,
that if another
senator
objects to any assignment or proposed assignment of the transmittal, then the
presiding
officer
shall call for a vote of the senate on any motion for assignment which has been
made and
seconded,
such motion requiring a majority vote of those senators present and voting for
assignment
to a particular committee.
During
the time for consideration of house transmittals, a senator may move for
immediate
consideration of a house transmittal, received by the secretary of the senate
on the
previous
legislative day. If there is no objection to the motion, it is deemed to be
approved, but if
there is
objection to the motion for immediate consideration, the presiding officer
shall submit the
motion
to a vote of the senate, such motion for immediate consideration shall require
the votes of
two-thirds
(2/3) of those senators present and voting, for approval.
7.10
Amendments.
No
senator may amend from the floor any bill pending before the senate unless such
amendment
be submitted, electronically or in writing, with sufficient copies signed by
the
proponent,
and read to the body; provided, however, that no amendment to the annual budget
bill
making
appropriations for the support of the state may be offered, except with the
agreement of
two-thirds
(2/3) of the members present, unless copies thereof shall have been filed with
the
secretary
of the senate no later than 12:00 o'clock noon on the legislative day preceding
the
legislative
day on which the budget bill shall be in order for consideration.
7.11
Votes in Concurrence.
Whenever
any bill shall come before the senate for concurrence, and be concurred in
without
amendments, or nonconcurred with, the secretary of the senate may announce the
concurrence
or nonconcurrence to the other house with the title of the bill or paper, but
the
original
bill concurred in by the senate without amendments or non-concurred with, shall
not be
transmitted
to the other house.
7.12
Motions.
No
motion shall be debated until it has been seconded. For the purpose of recorded
votes
only the
first second shall be recorded. A motion may be withdrawn by the mover at any
time
before a
decision or a motion to amend, except a motion to reconsider, which shall not
be
withdrawn
after the time has elapsed within which it could be originally made.
7.13
Interruption of Debate.
When
a question is under debate, no motion shall be received except to suspend
section
3.5, to
adjourn, to recommit, for the previous question, to close debate, to fix a time
for closing
debate,
to take a recess, to lay on the table, to take from the table, to transmit, to
postpone
indefinitely,
to change calendar arrangement, or to amend, and any motion or
resolution the
purpose
of which is to take any bill or any other matter from committees of the senate
or to
discharge
a committee from the consideration thereof, which several motions shall have
precedence
in the order in which they are here arranged and shall be decided by majority
vote
without
debate.
7.14
Adjournment.
When
time for meeting of the senate shall have been previously fixed, a motion to
adjourn
and a motion to suspend section 3.5 shall always be in order. The senate shall
not be
adjourned
except by affirmative vote of a majority of the senators present and voting.
7.15
Lay on the Table.
When
an amendment proposed to any pending measure be laid on the table, it shall not
carry
with it, or prejudice such measure.
7.16
Dividing Questions.
A
question that is susceptible of division shall, at the request of the majority,
be divided
and put
separately upon the propositions of which it is compounded.
7.17
Non-Germane Amendments.
No
motion or proposition of a subject different from that under consideration
shall be
admitted
under color of amendment.
7.18
Reconsideration.
When
any vote is passed any senator recorded voting with the prevailing side may by
motion
made on the same day move to reconsider it on the same or next day of the same
session;
when a
bill is reconsidered it shall not be reconsidered again during the session.
Bills and other
papers
in reference to which any senator has a right to move reconsideration, shall,
unless
otherwise
ordered, remain in the possession of the secretary of the senate until the
right of
reconsideration
has expired. The privilege to reconsider granted by this rule may be suspended
by
a
majority vote of the senators present and voting.
7.19
Printed Material.
If
the reading of any printed or written paper be objected to, the matter shall be
determined
by a majority vote of the senate without debate.
7.20
Recommittal.
No
motion to recommit shall be entertained by the presiding officer as to any bill
which
is placed
on the calendar as the result of section 6.10 until every senator desiring to
be heard has
been
recognized, notwithstanding the provisions of section 7.13.
7.21
Immediate Consideration.
During
the time for introduction and reference of new business, as provided in section
3.3, a
senator may introduce a bill and move for immediate consideration of the bill
at that time.
If there
is no objection to the motion, it is deemed to be approved, but if there is
objection to the
motion
for immediate consideration, the presiding officer shall submit the motion to a
vote of the
senate;
such motion for immediate consideration shall require the votes of two-thirds
(2/3) of
those
senators present and voting, for approval. If the bill is not available electronically
to all
members
of the senate at the time of the request for immediate consideration, then a
hard copy of
the bill
shall be made available to any senator upon request.
7.22
Questions During Debate.
A
senator, while speaking after recognition by the chair, may, upon request of a
senator,
yield
to him or her temporarily without thereby relinquishing his or her prior right
to the floor
and, thereafter,
may terminate such interruption and resume speaking at any time; provided,
however,
that it shall not be in order for a senator to rise and request that a senator,
other than the
one
with the right to the floor, yield to a question. Furthermore, it shall not be
in order for a
senator,
with the right to the floor, to ask another senator to yield to a question,
unless such
senator
has previously spoken during the debate on the matter. All questions and
responses shall
be
directed through the chair and presiding officer shall not be interrupted when
speaking.
SECTION
8
VOTING ON THE SENATE FLOOR
8.1
Method of Voting.
The
electronic roll of the senate shall be called upon any vote pertaining to a
public bill
and on
any other vote at the request of any senator present; otherwise, votes shall be
put by yeas
and
nays. In naming sums or numbers, and fixing times, the largest sum or longest
time shall be
put
first.
8.2
Voting Machine Inoperative.
In
the event the machine is not to be used to record a vote or is not operating
properly, all
votes
and other determinations may be taken as required by senate rules, either by
voice vote,
division
vote or by calling the roll alphabetically and recording the yeas and nays. If
a senator's
voting
device is out of order, the senator shall rise and announce it to the presiding
officer and
cast his
or her vote orally prior to the declaration of the result of the vote.
8.3
Who May Vote.
Any
member who is present in the senate chamber must vote. Any senator who is not
in
the
chamber at such time, but who returns before the machine is locked, shall be
permitted to
vote.
8.4
Control of Electronic Voting System.
The
electronic voting system shall be under the control of the presiding officer
and shall
be
operated by such personnel as the president of the senate so designates.
8.5
Conducting a Vote.
At
a reasonable time, prior to any vote being taken, the presiding officer shall
announce
that a vote
is about to be taken. When any senator other than the president of the senate
is
presiding,
such senator may direct either the Secretary of the Senate or the reading clerk
to cast
his or
her vote at his or her voting station, but at no other time may a senator
designate any other
person
to cast his or her vote. Until the completion of the voting, no senator shall
be recognized,
and no
other business shall be transacted. When sufficient time has elapsed for each
senator to
vote
prior to locking the machine, the presiding officer shall ask if any member
present desires to
vote or
change his or her vote. The presiding officer shall then order the machine
locked and
activate
the recording process. The voting machine shall remain locked between all votes.
8.6
Announcing the Tally.
When
the vote is completely recorded, the Secretary of the Senate shall advise the
presiding
officer of the result; and the presiding officer shall announce the result to
the senate and
the
result shall be recorded in the journal.
8.7
Changing a Vote.
No
vote may be changed after the system has been locked and the vote recorded
except
that,
after a vote has been recorded, any senator may, by a majority vote of the
senate, request that
his or
her vote be changed, provided that such change be effected on the same day as
his or her
original
vote.
8.8
Recording Votes.
8.8-1
On any recorded vote, no senator shall be recorded as having voted unless he or
she
has
been recorded or recognized as being present prior to the conduct of said vote.
8.8-2
Upon request, on any non-recorded vote, any senator shall have his or her vote
recorded
so that it shall appear in the journal of the senate.
8.9
Voting for Another.
No
senator may vote for another senator; nor may any person cast a vote for a
senator,
except
as otherwise provided in section 8.5. A senator who voted for another senator
may be
punished
in a manner the senate determines. A person voting for a senator, when not
authorized
by
section 8.5, is barred from the floor of the senate and may be further punished
as the senate
determines.
8.10
Explanation of Vote.
No
explanation of any vote will be permitted during the voting or after a vote has
been
cast.
8.11
Statement of the Question.
After
the question has been put, but before the system is locked, any senator may
call for
a
statement of the question.
8.12
No Interruption.
While
the presiding officer is putting the question, or the vote is being recorded,
no
senator
shall speak or leave his or her place.
SECTION
9
PROCEEDINGS
ON NOMINATIONS
9.1
Delivery
Nominations
shall be delivered to the Secretary of the Senate, or his designee, at the
Office
of the Secretary for presentation to the Senate.
9.2.
Presentation to the Senate.
When
a nomination shall be presented to the Senate for advice and consent, it shall,
unless
otherwise ordered, be referred to the appropriate committee or committees and a
copy of
the
nomination shall be delivered to the senator within whose district the nominee
resides. Except
as
set forth herein, nominations shall follow the same course and be subject to
the same
procedures
as bills introduced pursuant to Rules of the Senate.
9.3
Questions Presented.
The
final question on every nomination shall be, "Will the Senate advise and
consent to
this
nomination?" which question shall not be put on the same day on which the
nomination is
received,
nor on the day on which it may be reported by a committee. Provided, however,
that
this
provision may be waived by vote of a majority of the Senate.
9.4
Effect of Non-action.
Nominations
neither confirmed nor rejected during the annual session at which they are
made shall
not be acted upon at any succeeding session unless renewed by the appointing
authority;
and if the Senate shall adjourn or recess for a period in excess of thirty (30)
days, all
nominations
pending and not finally acted upon at the time of such adjournment or recess
shall be
returned
by the Secretary of the Senate to the appointing authority, and shall not again
be
considered
unless they shall again be made to the Senate by the appointing authority.
9.5
Withdrawal of Nominations.
Nominations
may be withdrawn by the appointing authority at any time prior to final
action
thereon by the Senate.
SECTION
9 10
MISCELLANEOUS
9
10.1 Legislative Aides.
The
president of the senate may appoint and prescribe the duties and terms of a
parliamentarian
and one head page and as many assistant pages, doorkeepers and legislative
aides
as the
president of the senate shall deem necessary; and any or all of them may be
removed at the
pleasure
of the president of the senate.
9
10.2 Absence of a Quorum.
When
there shall be seven (7) or more senators, but less than a quorum of the senate
present,
a majority of the senators present may direct the presiding officer to compel
the
attendance
of absent senators in accordance with law.
9
10.3 Amendment and Suspension of Rules.
No
rule shall be repealed, suspended or amended, or the operation thereof
temporarily
suspended
except by two-thirds (2/3) of the members present and voting.
9
10.4 Access to the Senate Floor.
9
10.4-1 Lobbying.
Lobbying
on the floor of the senate while the senate is in session is prohibited; and no
lobbyist
shall be admitted to the floor of the senate while the senate is in session;
provided,
however,
that the president may make special admission to the floor for persons who, by
reason
of
disability, are unable to gain access to the senate gallery.
9
10.4-2 Credentials Required.
Except
as provided in Rule 10.4-1, current and former general officers of the state; judges
of the
supreme, superior, family, district, and workers' compensation courts
and administrative
adjudication
courts; the traffic tribunal;
current and former senators; current and former members
of the
house of representatives; employees of the senate, the house of representatives
and
agencies
of the general assembly; the executive counsel and the chief administrative
assistant to
the
governor or their designees; the librarian of the state library;
representatives of the news
media;
and other persons as may be permitted by the president of the senate and
subject to such
limitations
and regulations as the president of the senate may from time to time prescribe.
In no
event
shall any person be permitted to be seated on the floor without permission of
the president
of the
senate, the majority leader and/or the minority leader.
9
10.4-3 Senators' Seats.
The
seat of each senator shall be assigned by the president of the senate, and in
no event
shall
any other person be permitted to occupy such assigned seat.
9
10.4-4 Sheriff's Duties.
It
shall be the duty of the sheriff, or the sheriff's deputies in attendance in
the senate, or in
their
absence, a member of the capitol police department, to see that rules 910.4-1,
910.4-2,
910.4-3, 910.4-5
and 910.4-9 are enforced, and that all senate entrances and exits
are kept
completely
clear and open to passage to and from the chamber.
9
10.4-5 Gallery.
When
the normal seating accommodations for visitors in the gallery have been filled,
no
additional
seats shall be installed, and no persons shall be thereafter admitted to the
gallery of the
senate
while in session except to fill vacancies.
9
10.5 Confidentiality of Drafting.
At
the request of any senator or senate attorney to the director of the
legislative council,
an entry
into the word processing system may be made confidential so that the entry
shall be
accessible
only to the senator or senate attorney making such request or his or her
designee. An
entry
may be a bill, letter, memorandum or any other document.
9
10.6 Misuse of Rules.
If
it appears that the rules are being used as a tactic to impede senate business,
the
presiding
officer may make a decision to that effect and put the matter before the senate
and a
majority
vote of the senators present shall sustain with finality the rule of the
presiding officer.
9
10.7 Extraordinary and Special Session.
In
the event of the calling of an extraordinary session of the general assembly by
the
governor,
or a reconvened session by the speaker of the house and the president of the
senate,
said
session shall be conducted pursuant to the foregoing rules; provided, however,
that rules
4.11-1,
6.2, 7.6 and 7.8 are not applicable to any such session; and, provided further,
that any bill,
act or
resolution for consideration of which the session is called shall have been
provided to the
members
at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to the consideration of the senate.
9
10.8 Robert's Rules.
Robert's
Rules of Order shall govern procedure on the senate floor and in the committees
of the
senate in all cases in which they are not inconsistent with these rules or with
any joint rules
of the
senate and house.
9
10.9 Use of Facilities.
The
senate locker room, lounge and corridor adjacent to them shall be for the
exclusive
use of
the senators and their guests.
9
10.10 Decorum.
No
senator shall use profane, insulting or abusive language or act in any manner
that
interferes
with the orderly conduct of the session of the senate.
9
10.11 Smoking Prohibited.
Smoking
shall be prohibited in all senate areas including, but not limited to: the
chamber,
gallery,
lounge, committee rooms, offices, restrooms or hallways. The presiding officer
shall
enforce
this rule.
9
10.12 Consumption of Food and Alcoholic Beverages.
The
consumption of food and alcoholic beverages shall be prohibited in the senate
chamber.
9
10.13 Appropriate Attire Required.
All
persons on the floor of the senate while the senate is in session shall be
properly
dressed,
and the presiding officer shall enforce this rule by appropriate means.
9
10.14 Electronic Devices.
During
sessions cell phones shall not be used on the floor of the senate or in
committee
hearing
rooms when committee meetings are in session. Further, pagers may be used only
on the
silent/vibrate
mode.
9
10.15 Photographic Equipment.
During
sessions, photographic equipment shall not be used on the floor of the senate
or in
committee
hearing rooms when committee meetings are in session unless he or she has the
permission
of the president of the senate or the senate committee chair. This
section shall not
apply to
properly credentialed representatives of the news media.
10.16
Display of Posters, Signs, and Banners on the Floor.
No
placard, sign, poster, banner, chart or other visual aid of similar nature shall
be
displayed
on the floor of the Senate or used in debate at any time when the Senate is in
session
without
the consent of the presiding officer. Any decision of the presiding officer
under this rule
may
be appealed to the body.
10.17
Display of Posters, Signs, and Banners Prohibited in the Gallery.
No
placard, sign, poster, banner, chart or visual aid of similar nature shall be
displayed in
the
gallery at any time when the Senate is in session. The presiding officer shall
order any such
object
so displayed to be removed.
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LC01024/SUB A/2
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