General Rules on Motions Who can move a motion? 4.3.1.3.3.1 All motions, pursuant with Roberts Rules of Order, superseded by the Procedural Rules, Bylaws, and Constitution, may be made by Senators.
- Any Senator can make any motion that is allowed by Robert’s Rules, the Senate Rules, the Bylaws, and the Constitution.
4.3.1.3.3.2. Non-Senator members of SGA may only make a motion to address the Senate pursuant to Procedural Rules, Points of Order, Questions, Points of Parliamentary Inquiry, or questions of personal privilege.
- Exec branch may make motions to address the Senate, points of order, points of information, or points of personal privilege.
What does a motion need to continue? Most motions will require a “second” and some threshold (simple majority, 2/3rds majority, 3/4ths majority, or unanimous consent) to pass.
Discussion on a motion Two types of debate are permitted:
- Q&A – Requires definitive time for when the motion will expire and definitive speaking time for how long members can speak.
- Moderated Caucus – Requires a definitive time for when the motion will expire, but not a definitive speaking time. The Chair decides how long a member may speak for.
Discussion in first reading may not extend past 10 minutes.
Voting on a motion
- Abstentions may be used at an individual Senator’s discretion HOWEVER, they should only be used in the rare case of a direct conflict of interest
- “All in favor?” → if in favor of the motion, say aye
- “All against?” → if against the motion, say nay
- “Any abstentions?” → if abstaining, say abstain
Non-Debatable Motions
- Lay on the table (halt consideration of a topic so the group can move to more urgent business)
- Close debate (end ongoing discussion and stop any new amendments)
- Call for Orders of the Day (demand a return to official, pre-scheduled agenda)
- Division of the Assembly (ask for a visual or standing recount when a voice vote is unclear)
Motions
Legislative Motions:
All Stages:
- Motion to amend
- Motion to suspend indefinitely
- Motion to postpone to [ specific date ]
- Motion to vote / end / close debate
- Non-debateable motion
- Motion for Q&A (specify motion expiry time, speaking time)
- Ex. “Motion for a 5 minute Q&A with 1 minute speaking time”
- Motion for Moderated Caucus (specify motion expiry time)
- Ex. “Motion for a 10 minute moderated caucus”
- Motion to change voting method (specify desired voting method)
- Only requires a second to pass
First Reading-Specific:
- Motion to refer to [ Committee Name ] Committee
- Sends bill for committee review. Ex. “Motion to Refer to Internal Affairs, Motion to Refer to Finance”
- Motion to discharge
- Moves bill to second reading immediately. Requires 2/3rds vote.
Second Reading-Specific:
- Motion to pass
Committee Review-Specific:
- Motion to amend
- Motion to pass with positive / negative / no recommendation.
Related to the Agenda/Meeting:
- Motion to amend the agenda
- Can only be done before approving the agenda
- Motion to approve the agenda
- Motion for a recess (specify time)
- Motion to adjourn
- Motion to reconsider / reopen
- If a previous motion/action was made in mistake, or new facts have been discovered since. Use with discretion.
Interruptions/Points:
- Point of Information
- Get/give information about business
- Parliamentary Inquiry
- Get information about rules.
- Point of Personal Privilege
- Can’t hear, see, safety, etc.
- Point of Order
- Breach or explanation of the rules.