Action Items Amendment 2026

Article 4 of the SGA Bylaws; Legislation of the Senate

Current Language

Proposed Language

Article 4, Section 1 4.1.2 LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEES OF THE SENATE 4.1.2.1 STANDING LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEES 4.1.2.1.1 Standing Legislative Committees of the Senate shall be established in these Bylaws and shall exist in perpetuity. 4.1.2.1.2 Standing Legislative Committees of the Senate shall be established to address the general business of the Senate and to recommend to the Senate the adoption or rejection of legislation. 4.1.2.1.3 The number of members of Standing Legislative Committees shall be at the discretion of the President of the Senate when sorting Senators into committees, but shall allow for the efficient functioning of the committees. 4.1.2.1.3.1 The Committee on Finance and Committee on Student Organizations shall each have at least 14 members. 4.1.2.1.4 The following Standing Legislative Committees of the Senate shall be established: 4.1.3.3.2 EVENTS AND INITIATIVES 4.1.3.3.2.1 There are two routes for initiatives that require the public use of SGA’s name to be approved: 4.1.3.3.2.1.1 In order to work on events and initiatives, caucuses can present their initiative to a GBM (to ensure awareness within the Senate). 4.1.3.3.3.1.1.1 Any relevant legislative committees can comment / provide feedback. 4.1.3.3.3.1.1.2 A simple majority vote within the Senate can approve the event/initiative. 4.1.3.3.3.1.2.1 A committee simple majority vote can approve said initiative/event. 4.2.3.4.1 During the first reading of legislation, the legislation is briefly explained and the Senate votes to send the legislation to the Committee. 4.2.3.4.2 During the first reading, debate may take place but cannot extend past 10 minutes. Debate during the first reading should focus on the purpose of the bill, major issues for the committee to discuss, and any overarching ideas of the bill, not small details. Nevertheless, topics of debate are not restricted by this clause. 4.2.3.5 Once legislation is referred to a Committee of the Senate, the Committee shall deliberate and vote upon a recommendation to the Senate for the legislation’s adoption or rejection. The Committee will then prepare a report containing the Committee’s recommendation, majority and minority opinions of the Committee, and a description of any amendments made in Committee. 4.2.3.8.1.1 For ceremonial purposes, the introducer(s) and co-sponsors shall have the right to sign the legislation as well

4.1.2.1.4 Initiatives born in committees must be documented and presented to a GBM by the author / senators working on the initiative, and those initiatives must have proposed action items and deadlines. Each action item must have a deadline by which the action item must be completed, with the only exception being that of sickness or physical inability to do so. If feedback from any party isn’t given to an action item before its deadline, the Senator holds the right to continue forward with their action item, without waiting for the feedback. The Senator(s) in charge of the initiative will present updates of their legislation at every GBM following each deadline of their proposed action items. Once an action item is completed, the Senator(s) may strike through, but not remove, the action item on the piece of legislature. 4.1.2.1.5 The author / Senator(s) must provide an update about their initiative’s action items at the GBM following the action item deadline. The Senate holds the right to ask about updates to an initiative each week if the Senator(s) heading the initiative fails to present an update about their action items after the proposed deadline. 4.1.2.1.6 The following Standing Legislative Committees of the Senate shall be established: 4.1.3.3.2.1.1 In order to work on events and initiatives, caucuses can present their initiative to a GBM. Caucuses must document their initiatives, which must have proposed action items and deadlines that will be shared with the Senate (to ensure awareness within the Senate). Each action item must have a deadline by which the action item must be completed, with the only exception being that of sickness or physical inability to do so. If feedback from any party isn’t given to an action item before its deadline, the Senator holds the right to continue forward with their action item, without waiting for the feedback. Once an action item is completed, the caucus may strike through, but not remove, the action item on the initiative document. 4.1.3.3.3.1.1.1 Any relevant legislative committees can comment / provide feedback, including suggesting new action items. 4.1.3.3.3.1.2.1 A committee simple majority vote can approve said initiative/event, and the caucus must provide updates on their initiative(s) after the deadline of each action item. 4.2.3.4.1 During the first reading of legislation, the legislation is briefly explained and the Senate votes to send the legislation to the Committee. 4.2.3.4.2 During the first reading, the legislation must also include action items, which must be a detailed account of what follow-up steps will be taken following the approval of the legislation. Each action item must have a deadline by which the action item must be completed, with the only exception being that of sickness or physical inability to do so. If feedback from any party isn’t given to an action item before its deadline, the Senator holds the right to continue forward with their action item, without waiting for the feedback. Once an action item is completed, the Senator may strike through, but not remove, the action item on the piece of legislation. 4.2.3.4.3 During the first reading, debate may take place but cannot extend past 10 minutes. Debate during the first reading should focus on the purpose of the bill, major issues for the committee to discuss, any overarching ideas of the bill, and action items of the bill and their deadlines, not small details. Nevertheless, topics of debate are not restricted by this clause. 4.2.3.5 Once legislation is referred to a Committee of the Senate, the Committee shall deliberate and vote upon a recommendation to the Senate for the legislation’s adoption or rejection. Upon adoption, the Committee may also suggest new action items, and the author of the legislator may decide whether to include them, and must include proposed deadlines for them. The Committee will then prepare a report containing the Committee’s recommendation, majority and minority opinions of the Committee, and a description of any amendments made in Committee, as well as the suggestion of new action items. 4.2.3.8.1.1 For ceremonial purposes, the introducer(s) and co-sponsors shall have the right to sign the legislation as well. 4.2.3.8.1.2 If the Senate votes to adopt the legislation, the introducer holds themself accountable to accomplish their proposed action items. Each action item must have a deadline by which the action item must be completed, with the only exception being that of sickness or physical inability to do so. The author of the legislation will present updates of their legislation at every GBM following the deadline of each of their proposed action items. The Senate holds the right to ask about updates about the legislation if the Senator fails to present an update about their action items after the proposed deadline. Once an action item is completed, the Senator(s) may strike through, but not remove, the action item on the piece of legislation.