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Rhode Island Senate Bill S0152

Rhode Island 2023 Regular Session

Rhode Island Senate Bill S0152 Compare Versions

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99 S TATE OF RHODE IS LAND
1010 IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
1111 JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023
1212 ____________
1313
1414 S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N
1515 ADOPTING THE RULES OF THE SENATE FOR YEARS 2023-2024
16-Introduced By: Senators McKenney, Ruggerio, Pearson, Goodwin, and Gallo
16+Introduced By: Senators Ruggerio, and Pearson
1717 Date Introduced: February 01, 2023
1818 Referred To: Senate Rules, Government Ethics and Oversight
1919
2020
2121 RESOLVED, That the following rules be and the same are hereby adopted as the rules of 1
2222 the Senate for the years 2023-2024. 2
2323 SECTION 1. 3
2424 DEFINITIONS 4
2525 As used in these rules, the following terms are defined as follows: 5
2626 1.1 "Bill" shall include any act, resolve, resolution or petition which comes before the 6
2727 senate for consideration. 7
2828 1.2 "Calendar Day" is that period of twenty-four (24) hours between 12:00 a.m. and 8
2929 12:00 midnight. 9
3030 1.3 "Day" as used in these rules is intended and shall be construed to mean one full 10
3131 legislative day of the same session. 11
3232 1.4 "Deputy President Pro Tempore" is a member of the senate elected to that position, 12
3333 who may preside over the senate in the absence of the president of the senate and the president 13
3434 pro tempore. 14
3535 1.5 "Legislative Day" is a period of time which begins when the senate meets after an 15
3636 adjournment and ends when the senate next adjourns. A legislative day is not defined by, or 16
3737 confined to, a calendar day. 17
38-1.6 "Limited-Directed Proxy" means a singular vote on a piece of legislation or matter 18
39-before the senate conducted in accordance with rule 8.13. 19
38+1.6 "Limited Directed Proxy" means a singular vote on a piece of legislation or matter 18
39+before the senate conducted in accordance with rule 10.7-1. 19
4040 1.61.7 "President" is a member of the senate elected to that position, by roll call vote, on 20
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4444 the first day of session in odd numbered years, or upon a vacancy due to the death, resignation or 1
4545 removal of the senator serving in that capacity. The president shall preside over the senate in 2
4646 accordance with these Rules. 3
4747 1.71.8 "President Pro Tempore" is a member of the senate elected to that position, who 4
4848 presides over the senate in the absence of the president of the senate. 5
4949 1.81.9 "Prime Sponsor" shall be that senator whose signature first appears upon the bill. 6
5050 1.91.10 "Public Bill" shall include all bills except: those which pertain to a particular 7
5151 city or town; those which relate to an individual's pension and retirement; those which pertain to 8
5252 restoration of corporation charters, and to amendments to authorized holdings by nonprofit 9
5353 organizations of a charitable, civic, library or like nature; resolutions memorializing congress, or 10
5454 of congratulations, or expressing sympathy of condolences, and all resolutions requesting the 11
5555 several departments of state government to grant some privilege, consideration or relief. 12
5656 1.101.11 "Reading Clerk" is the person elected to that position under provisions of 13
5757 section 22-3-2 of the general laws who shall, at the direction of the presiding officer, read to the 14
5858 chamber any communication to the senate, resolution, bill or other document and who shall, at the 15
5959 direction of the presiding officer, date the bills and other documents before the senate, date 16
6060 recording thereon the action taken and/or the disposition thereof. The reading clerk also shall, at 17
6161 the direction of the senate, amend any bill and transmit any bill to the house of representatives 18
6262 and perform such other duties as may from time to time be prescribed by the president of the 19
6363 senate. 20
6464 1.111.12 "Secretary of the Senate" is the person elected to that position under 21
6565 provisions of section 22-3-2 of the general laws who shall, at the direction of the presiding 22
6666 officer, record the proceedings of the senate in a journal, signing said journal as secretary of the 23
6767 senate, and who shall, upon their referral, deliver bills and other documents to their respective 24
6868 committees, hold and maintain in good order any bill assigned to the calendar or the consent 25
6969 calendar, and transmit any bill or document to the governor. The secretary of the senate also shall 26
7070 perform those duties prescribed in other sections hereof and those which may from time to time 27
7171 be prescribed by the president of the senate. 28
7272 1.121.13 "The Rise of the Senate" occurs upon the conclusion of senate floor business 29
7373 and the exact time varies by the amount of business to be conducted on a particular legislative 30
7474 day. 31
7575 1.131.14 "The Senate Chamber" or "Chamber" shall include the floor, the corridor 32
7676 behind the floor, the cloak room and the senate lounge. 33
7777 1.141.15 "Vote" or "Majority Vote" as used herein shall mean a majority of members 34
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8181 present and voting unless specifically stated otherwise. 1
8282 SECTION 2. 2
8383 PRESIDING OFFICER 3
8484 2.1 Presiding Officer. 4
8585 The president of the senate shall, unless absent from the chamber, be the presiding officer 5
8686 of the sessions of the senate. In the absence of the president from the chair, the president pro 6
8787 tempore shall preside over the senate. The president may appoint a member of the senate to 7
8888 temporarily preside over the senate, but in no event shall such appointment continue beyond the 8
8989 legislative day on which it is made. In case of a vacancy in the offices of president, president pro 9
9090 tempore and the deputy president pro tempore, or in case all said officers are absent at the hour to 10
9191 which the senate stands adjourned, the reading clerk shall call the senate to order, and shall 11
9292 preside until a president pro tempore is elected, which election shall be the first order of business. 12
9393 2.2 Duties of the Presiding Officer. 13
9494 The presiding officer shall preserve order and decorum in and about the senate chamber 14
9595 during the senate session in order to prevent interference with the senate's business and 15
9696 deliberations. The presiding officer may speak in preference to the senators, shall decide all 16
9797 questions of order without debate and shall declare all votes. The assignment of bills to 17
9898 committee shall be at the discretion of the president of the senate subject to section 4.4; provided, 18
9999 however, that the president of the senate may delegate such authority to the majority leader of the 19
100100 senate. 20
101101 2.3 Appealing the Ruling of Presiding Officer. 21
102102 Any senator may appeal the ruling of the presiding officer by rising as soon as the ruling 22
103103 is made, even though another has the floor and, without waiting to be recognized by the chair, 23
104104 stating, "I appeal the ruling of the chair," and upon such appeal being seconded, the presiding 24
105105 officer shall immediately and without debate put the question, "Shall the ruling of the chair be 25
106106 sustained?", which question shall be decided by majority vote of the senators present and voting. 26
107107 Once sustained, the ruling shall not be subject to another appeal on the same point. 27
108108 SECTION 3. 28
109109 ORDER OF BUSINESS ON THE SENATE FLOOR 29
110110 3.1 Commencement of Daily Session. 30
111111 The presiding officer shall take the chair at the hour to which the senate shall have 31
112112 convened, call the senators to order, and record attendance by electronic roll call. A quorum shall 32
113113 consist of a majority of the members elected. Upon late arrival, at any time prior to the 33
114114 adjournment of the senate, a senator may report his or her presence to the secretary of the senate 34
115115
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118118 who shall record the senator's attendance in the journal. 1
119119 3.2 Reading the Journal. 2
120120 The reading clerk of the senate shall, at the commencement of the session of each 3
121121 legislative day, read the proceedings of the previous legislative day, unless such reading is 4
122122 dispensed with by a majority of the senators present and voting. 5
123123 3.3 Daily Business. 6
124124 After the reading of the proceedings of the previous legislative day the order of business 7
125125 shall be as follows unless otherwise ordered by the President of the Senate: 8
126126 (1) Introduction of guests 9
127127 (2) Communications 10
128128 (3) Reports of committees 11
129129 (4) Introduction and reference of new business 12
130130 (5) Unfinished business 13
131131 (6) Consideration of house transmittals 14
132132 (7) Consent calendar 15
133133 (8) Calendar 16
134134 (9) Introduction of guests 17
135135 (10) Personal privilege 18
136136 (11) Address of important matters 19
137137 (12) Daily adjournment 20
138138 3.4 Final Adjournment. 21
139139 The last order of business of the annual session of the senate shall be the vote in 22
140140 conformity with the resolution of final adjournment or recess which must be carried by a majority 23
141141 vote of the senators present and voting. 24
142142 3.5 Time for Sessions. 25
143143 Unless otherwise provided for by agreement of president of the senate, the majority 26
144144 leader and minority leader, sessions of the senate shall convene at 4:00 p.m. All sessions must 27
145145 adjourn at or before 11:00 p.m. 28
146146 SECTION 4. 29
147147 ACTS AND RESOLUTIONS 30
148148 4.1 Form of Bills. 31
149149 Every bill offered which is intended to amend any part or parts of an existing statute, any 32
150150 part or parts intended to be stricken shall be contained in the bill and by appropriate mechanical 33
151151 mark, struck through. All new matter contained in the bill shall be underlined, underscored or 34
152152
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155155 printed in italics so that the new matter shall be easily discerned. If the bill contains all new 1
156156 matter constituting a totally new law or a totally new section, and the bill itself so indicates, no 2
157157 underlining, underscoring or italics shall be required. Every bill containing a commission to 3
158158 which appointments shall be made shall be indicated in the title of such bill. 4
159159 No bill without a body or substantive content shall be introduced at any time, nor shall a 5
160160 substitute bill be accepted which is not consistent with the title and substance of the original bill. 6
161161 All bills introduced on behalf of any general officer, branch, department or division of 7
162162 state government shall state on the face sheet thereof with the title of the general officer or the 8
163163 name of the branch, department or division on whose behalf the bill is introduced. 9
164164 A prime sponsor may withdraw a bill or resolution previously introduced at any time 10
165165 prior to its consideration by a committee, upon written request to the secretary of the senate. 11
166166 Other than the prime sponsor of a bill, a senator may elect in writing to the secretary of 12
167167 the senate to have his or her name disassociated from the bill and the secretary of the senate shall 13
168168 immediately notify the committee clerk to which the bill is assigned. 14
169169 All bills shall be processed through legislative council. 15
170170 4.2 Explanation of Bills. 16
171171 There shall be attached to each bill a brief explanation thereof and the explanation of 17
172172 such bill shall indicate the proposed changes, and/or the statute or existing law which such bill 18
173173 purports to amend. 19
174174 4.3 Copies of Bills. 20
175175 Each bill introduced shall be accompanied by not less than eight (8) copies thereof, with 21
176176 said copies delivered by the secretary of the senate to the office of the president of the senate for 22
177177 subsequent distribution as determined by the president of the senate. Nothing in this section shall 23
178178 prevent a senator from obtaining a preliminary draft of legislation for his or her review prior to 24
179179 introduction. 25
180180 4.4 Filing with Secretary of the Senate 26
181181 All senators desiring to introduce a bill shall file the bill with the secretary of the senate 27
182182 not later than the time at which the presiding officer calls the senate to order. The secretary of the 28
183183 senate shall transmit to the office of the president of the senate all bills on the legislative day of 29
184184 their introduction. On the day of introduction, the president shall, upon adjournment, assign bills 30
185185 to committee. The secretary of the senate shall cause all bills introduced to be published in the 31
186186 senate journal for that legislative day. Any senator may object to the committee assignment of 32
187187 any bill on the first or second legislative day following the bill's introduction. Upon objection 33
188188 being made, the presiding officer shall assign the bill to the committee requested by the senator 34
189189
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192192 making the objection; provided, however, that if another senator objects to any assignment or 1
193193 proposed assignment of the bill, then the presiding officer shall call for a vote of the senate on 2
194194 any motion for assignment which has been made and seconded, such motion requiring a majority 3
195195 vote of those Senators present and voting for assignment to a particular committee. First reading 4
196196 of all such bills and resolutions shall be by acceptance of the bill and the committee assignment. 5
197197 4.5 Deadline for Introductions. 6
198198 No public bill shall be introduced in the senate after the second Thursday in February of 7
199-each session Thursday preceding the winter recess of each session, except with the consent of the 8
200-President of the Senate. Except as otherwise expressly directed by the president of the senate, all 9
201-requests for the preparation of public bills shall be submitted to the offices of Legislative Council 10
202-no later than the close of business on the Friday next preceding the bill-introduction deadline set 11
203-forth herein. 12
204-4.6 Omnibus Claims Against the State. 13
205-Claims against the state in the amount of one thousand dollars ($1,000) or less shall not 14
206-be presented in bill or resolution form, but shall be submitted to the clerk of the joint committee 15
207-on accounts and claims in writing upon a form approved by the chairperson of the joint 16
208-committee on accounts and claims. Any claims approved by the joint committee shall be 17
209-submitted in the form of an omnibus bill which will be placed upon the consent calendar. 18
210-4.7 Resolutions of Congratulations and Condolences. 19
211-Notwithstanding any other provisions of these rules, all resolutions of congratulations or 20
212-expressing sympathy or condolences except with respect to former and present members of the 21
213-general assembly, general officers, members of the judiciary and elected state or federal officials, 22
214-shall be placed on the consent calendar, unless otherwise ordered by the president of the senate. 23
215-Said resolution of congratulations and condolences shall not require concurrent action; upon 24
216-passage, shall be forthwith transmitted to the secretary of state, and an appropriate notice of the 25
217-action of the senate thereon shall be forwarded, as requested in the resolution, by the secretary of 26
218-state. One formal resolution may include all the expressions of sympathy or congratulations of the 27
219-several senators. 28
220-4.8 Enactment of Laws. 29
221-The concurrence of the two houses in the same session shall be necessary for the 30
222-enactment of all bills except for senate resolutions. 31
223-4.9 Electronic Availability of Public Bills--Requirements. 32
224-4.9-1 Public Bills. 33
225-No public bill shall be considered upon its merits unless it has been electronically 34
199+each session, except with the consent of the President of the Senate. Except as otherwise 8
200+expressly directed by the president of the senate, all requests for the preparation of public bills 9
201+shall be submitted to the offices of Legislative Council no later than the close of business on the 10
202+Friday next preceding the bill-introduction deadline set forth herein. 11
203+4.6 Omnibus Claims Against the State. 12
204+Claims against the state in the amount of one thousand dollars ($1,000) or less shall not 13
205+be presented in bill or resolution form, but shall be submitted to the clerk of the joint committee 14
206+on accounts and claims in writing upon a form approved by the chairperson of the joint 15
207+committee on accounts and claims. Any claims approved by the joint committee shall be 16
208+submitted in the form of an omnibus bill which will be placed upon the consent calendar. 17
209+4.7 Resolutions of Congratulations and Condolences. 18
210+Notwithstanding any other provisions of these rules, all resolutions of congratulations or 19
211+expressing sympathy or condolences except with respect to former and present members of the 20
212+general assembly, general officers, members of the judiciary and elected state or federal officials, 21
213+shall be placed on the consent calendar, unless otherwise ordered by the president of the senate. 22
214+Said resolution of congratulations and condolences shall not require concurrent action; upon 23
215+passage, shall be forthwith transmitted to the secretary of state, and an appropriate notice of the 24
216+action of the senate thereon shall be forwarded, as requested in the resolution, by the secretary of 25
217+state. One formal resolution may include all the expressions of sympathy or congratulations of the 26
218+several senators. 27
219+4.8 Enactment of Laws. 28
220+The concurrence of the two houses in the same session shall be necessary for the 29
221+enactment of all bills except for senate resolutions. 30
222+4.9 Electronic Availability of Public Bills--Requirements. 31
223+4.9-1 Public Bills. 32
224+No public bill shall be considered upon its merits unless it has been electronically 33
225+available to the members at least two (2) calendar days prior to its consideration on the merits, 34
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229-available to the members at least two (2) calendar days prior to its consideration on the merits, 1
230-except any public bill passed by the senate and amended by the house, provided that the amended 2
231-public bill shall be electronically available to the senators before consideration. 3
232-4.9-2 Committee Amendments. 4
233-Except by majority vote, no public bill amended in a committee of the senate shall be 5
234-considered upon the senate floor unless it has been electronically available to the senators. 6
235-4.9-3 Materially Altered Bills. 7
236-Whenever a committee shall have determined to report a bill which has been materially 8
237-altered by the committee, the committee chair shall forthwith provide for printing and electronic 9
238-reproduction of the same. In the event that a bill is not deemed to have been materially altered, 10
239-which determination shall be made by the committee chair, a bill shall be printed only upon the 11
240-request of the president of the senate, the majority leader or the minority leader. Nothing in these 12
241-rules shall preclude the committee chair, with a majority of the committee, to change an act to a 13
242-resolution or a resolution to an act on a substitute bill. 14
243-4.10 Copies of Bills and Voting Records. 15
244-The secretary of the senate shall retain in the files of the senate as many copies of each 16
245-bill as the secretary of the senate deems necessary and the voting records on each question. 17
246-4.11 Requests for Funding of Community Service Objectives. 18
247-Requests for the funding of community service objectives grants shall not be presented in 19
248-bill or resolution form, but shall be submitted to the senate fiscal advisor in writing upon a form 20
249-approved by the chairperson of the senate committee on finance. 21
250-4.12 Death or Resignation of a Member. 22
251-In the event that any member or member-elect shall die or resign after filing and before 23
252-consideration by committee, the death or resignation of said member or member-elect shall 24
253-constitute automatic withdrawal of said bill or resolution and automatic withdrawal of the number 25
254-of said bill or resolution and said number shall not be used again during the legislative session; 26
255-provided, however, that where a bill or resolution shall have had more than one sponsor, said bill 27
256-or resolution and number shall not be withdrawn and the member whose name appears second on 28
257-said bill or resolution shall become the prime sponsor. 29
258-4.13 Limitation on Number of Bills Introduced. 30
259-No Senator shall introduce more than twenty-five (25) public bills during the annual 31
260-session except with the permission of the President of the Senate. 32
261-SECTION 5. 33
262-COMMITTEES 34
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229+except any public bill passed by the senate and amended by the house, provided that the amended 1
230+public bill shall be electronically available to the senators before consideration. 2
231+4.9-2 Committee Amendments. 3
232+Except by majority vote, no public bill amended in a committee of the senate shall be 4
233+considered upon the senate floor unless it has been electronically available to the senators. 5
234+4.9-3 Materially Altered Bills. 6
235+Whenever a committee shall have determined to report a bill which has been materially 7
236+altered by the committee, the committee chair shall forthwith provide for printing and electronic 8
237+reproduction of the same. In the event that a bill is not deemed to have been materially altered, 9
238+which determination shall be made by the committee chair, a bill shall be printed only upon the 10
239+request of the president of the senate, the majority leader or the minority leader. Nothing in these 11
240+rules shall preclude the committee chair, with a majority of the committee, to change an act to a 12
241+resolution or a resolution to an act on a substitute bill. 13
242+4.10 Copies of Bills and Voting Records. 14
243+The secretary of the senate shall retain in the files of the senate as many copies of each 15
244+bill as the secretary of the senate deems necessary and the voting records on each question. 16
245+4.11 Requests for Funding of Community Service Objectives. 17
246+Requests for the funding of community service objectives grants shall not be presented in 18
247+bill or resolution form, but shall be submitted to the senate fiscal advisor in writing upon a form 19
248+approved by the chairperson of the senate committee on finance. 20
249+4.12 Death or Resignation of a Member. 21
250+In the event that any member or member-elect shall die or resign after filing and before 22
251+consideration by committee, the death or resignation of said member or member-elect shall 23
252+constitute automatic withdrawal of said bill or resolution and automatic withdrawal of the number 24
253+of said bill or resolution and said number shall not be used again during the legislative session; 25
254+provided, however, that where a bill or resolution shall have had more than one sponsor, said bill 26
255+or resolution and number shall not be withdrawn and the member whose name appears second on 27
256+said bill or resolution shall become the prime sponsor. 28
257+4.13 Limitation on Number of Bills Introduced. 29
258+No Senator shall introduce more than twenty-five (25) public bills during the annual 30
259+session except with the permission of the President of the Senate. 31
260+SECTION 5. 32
261+COMMITTEES 33
262+5.1 Standing Committees. 34
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266-5.1 Standing Committees. 1
267-The senate shall have the following standing committees: 2
268-1. Committee on Judiciary 3
269-2. Committee on Finance 4
270-3. Committee on Housing and Municipal Government 5
271-4. Committee on Labor 6
272-5. Committee on Special Legislation and Veterans’ Affairs 7
273-6. Committee on Health and Human Services 8
274-7. Committee on Education 9
275-8. Committee on Commerce 10
276-9. Committee on Environment and Agriculture 11
277-10. Committee on Rules, Government Ethics and Oversight 12
278-5.1-1 Committee on Judiciary. 13
279-It shall be the duty of the committee on judiciary to consider the appointments of the 14
280-governor referred to it by the senate which require the advice and consent of the senate and all 15
281-legislation and matters which affect the penal code, judicial system, ethics, open meetings, access 16
282-to public records and election laws of the state, to maintain oversight over the application, 17
283-execution and operation of the laws within its jurisdiction, expulsion of a member and to consider 18
284-such other matters as may be referred to it by the senate. In the matters of judicial appointments, 19
285-expulsion of a member and those public hearings designated by the committee chair, all 20
286-testimony shall be under oath and preserved by stenographic record which shall be transcribed 21
287-upon the order of the chair. 22
288-5.1-2 Committee on Finance. 23
289-It shall be the duty of the committee on finance to consider the appointments of the 24
290-governor referred to it by the senate which require the advice and consent of the senate and all 25
291-legislation and matters relative to revenue, appropriations and taxes, to inquire into the state of 26
292-the public debt, to report from time to time its opinion thereon and such propositions relative 27
293-thereto as it shall deem expedient, to maintain oversight over the application, execution and 28
294-operation of the laws within its jurisdiction and to consider such other matters as may be referred 29
295-to it by the senate. The chair of the committee shall be authorized to appoint as many sub- 30
296-committees as he or she deems necessary, including, but not limited to, a sub-committee on 31
297-veterans affairs. 32
298-5.1-3 Committee on Housing and Municipal Government. 33
299-It shall be the duty of the committee on housing and municipal government to consider 34
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266+The senate shall have the following standing committees: 1
267+1. Committee on Judiciary 2
268+2. Committee on Finance 3
269+3. Committee on Housing and Municipal Government 4
270+4. Committee on Labor 5
271+5. Committee on Special Legislation and Veterans’ Affairs 6
272+6. Committee on Health and Human Services 7
273+7. Committee on Education 8
274+8. Committee on Commerce 9
275+9. Committee on Environment and Agriculture 10
276+10. Committee on Rules, Government Ethics and Oversight 11
277+5.1-1 Committee on Judiciary. 12
278+It shall be the duty of the committee on judiciary to consider the appointments of the 13
279+governor referred to it by the senate which require the advice and consent of the senate and all 14
280+legislation and matters which affect the penal code, judicial system, ethics, open meetings, access 15
281+to public records and election laws of the state, to maintain oversight over the application, 16
282+execution and operation of the laws within its jurisdiction, expulsion of a member and to consider 17
283+such other matters as may be referred to it by the senate. In the matters of judicial appointments, 18
284+expulsion of a member and those public hearings designated by the committee chair, all 19
285+testimony shall be under oath and preserved by stenographic record which shall be transcribed 20
286+upon the order of the chair. 21
287+5.1-2 Committee on Finance. 22
288+It shall be the duty of the committee on finance to consider the appointments of the 23
289+governor referred to it by the senate which require the advice and consent of the senate and all 24
290+legislation and matters relative to revenue, appropriations and taxes, to inquire into the state of 25
291+the public debt, to report from time to time its opinion thereon and such propositions relative 26
292+thereto as it shall deem expedient, to maintain oversight over the application, execution and 27
293+operation of the laws within its jurisdiction and to consider such other matters as may be referred 28
294+to it by the senate. The chair of the committee shall be authorized to appoint as many sub- 29
295+committees as he or she deems necessary, including, but not limited to, a sub-committee on 30
296+veterans affairs. 31
297+5.1-3 Committee on Housing and Municipal Government. 32
298+It shall be the duty of the committee on housing and municipal government to consider 33
299+the appointments of the governor referred to it by the senate which require the advice and consent 34
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303-the appointments of the governor referred to it by the senate which require the advice and consent 1
304-of the senate and all legislation and matters affecting housing, municipal government, 2
305-transportation, to maintain oversight over the application, execution and operation of the laws 3
306-within its jurisdiction and to consider such other matters as may be referred to it by the senate. 4
307-5.1-4 Committee on Labor. 5
308-It shall be the duty of the committee on labor to consider the appointments of the 6
309-governor referred to it by the senate which require the advice and consent of the senate and all 7
310-legislation and matters relating to the workers' compensation and labor laws of the state, to 8
311-maintain oversight over the application, execution and operation of the laws within its jurisdiction 9
312-and to consider such other matters as may be referred to it by the senate. 10
313-5.1-5 Committee on Special Legislation and Veterans’ Affairs. 11
314-It shall be the duty of the committee on special legislation and veterans’ affairs to 12
315-consider the appointments of the governor referred to it by the senate which require the advice 13
316-and consent of the senate and all legislation and matters relating to constitutional amendments, 14
317-liquor laws, gaming issues, license plates, veterans’ affairs, domestic animals, commissions and 15
318-resolutions, to maintain oversight over the application, execution and operation of the laws within 16
319-its jurisdiction and to consider such other matters as may be referred to it by the senate. 17
320-5.1-6 Committee on Health and Human Services. 18
321-It shall be the duty of the committee on health and human services to consider the 19
322-appointments of the governor referred to it by the senate which require the advice and consent of 20
323-the senate and to consider all reports of the departments of health, of human services, of 21
324-behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals, of children, youth and families, 22
325-and of elderly affairs; to consider all legislation and matters expanding or defining further areas 23
326-of responsibility of the foregoing and to consider all legislation and matters relative to public 24
327-health and welfare; health care and human service access and quality; health and human service 25
328-professional standards of practice, and facility standards of care; to maintain oversight over the 26
329-application, execution and operation of the laws within its jurisdiction; and to consider such other 27
330-matters as may be referred to it by the senate. 28
331-5.1-7 Committee on Education. 29
332-It shall be the duty of the committee on education to consider the appointments of the 30
333-governor referred to it by the senate which require the advice and consent of the senate and all 31
334-legislation and matters relating to student performance, governance, programming, teacher 32
335-preparation and planning, as well as the work and operation of all state agencies regarding all 33
336-levels of education, make findings, and recommend policy initiatives and other actions to the 34
302+LC001264 - Page 9 of 31
303+of the senate and all legislation and matters affecting housing, municipal government, 1
304+transportation, to maintain oversight over the application, execution and operation of the laws 2
305+within its jurisdiction and to consider such other matters as may be referred to it by the senate. 3
306+5.1-4 Committee on Labor. 4
307+It shall be the duty of the committee on labor to consider the appointments of the 5
308+governor referred to it by the senate which require the advice and consent of the senate and all 6
309+legislation and matters relating to the workers' compensation and labor laws of the state, to 7
310+maintain oversight over the application, execution and operation of the laws within its jurisdiction 8
311+and to consider such other matters as may be referred to it by the senate. 9
312+5.1-5 Committee on Special Legislation and Veterans’ Affairs. 10
313+It shall be the duty of the committee on special legislation and veterans’ affairs to 11
314+consider the appointments of the governor referred to it by the senate which require the advice 12
315+and consent of the senate and all legislation and matters relating to constitutional amendments, 13
316+liquor laws, gaming issues, license plates, veterans’ affairs, domestic animals, commissions and 14
317+resolutions, to maintain oversight over the application, execution and operation of the laws within 15
318+its jurisdiction and to consider such other matters as may be referred to it by the senate. 16
319+5.1-6 Committee on Health and Human Services. 17
320+It shall be the duty of the committee on health and human services to consider the 18
321+appointments of the governor referred to it by the senate which require the advice and consent of 19
322+the senate and to consider all reports of the departments of health, of human services, of 20
323+behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals, of children, youth and families, 21
324+and of elderly affairs; to consider all legislation and matters expanding or defining further areas 22
325+of responsibility of the foregoing and to consider all legislation and matters relative to public 23
326+health and welfare; health care and human service access and quality; health and human service 24
327+professional standards of practice, and facility standards of care; to maintain oversight over the 25
328+application, execution and operation of the laws within its jurisdiction; and to consider such other 26
329+matters as may be referred to it by the senate. 27
330+5.1-7 Committee on Education. 28
331+It shall be the duty of the committee on education to consider the appointments of the 29
332+governor referred to it by the senate which require the advice and consent of the senate and all 30
333+legislation and matters relating to student performance, governance, programming, teacher 31
334+preparation and planning, as well as the work and operation of all state agencies regarding all 32
335+levels of education, make findings, and recommend policy initiatives and other actions to the 33
336+general assembly. The committee shall also exercise oversight in relation to the implementation 34
337337
338338
339-LC001264/SUB A - Page 10 of 31
340-general assembly. The committee shall also exercise oversight in relation to the implementation 1
341-of all legislation and grants of authority relating to all levels of public education in the state by all 2
342-agencies, state and local, charged and empowered by the general assembly in relating to all levels 3
343-of public education, to maintain oversight over the application, execution and operation of the 4
344-laws within its jurisdiction and to consider such other matters as may be referred to it by the 5
345-senate. 6
346-5.1-8 Committee on Commerce. 7
347-It shall be the duty of the committee on commerce to consider the appointments of the 8
348-governor referred to it by the senate which require the advice and consent of the senate and all 9
349-legislation and matters relating to financial institutions, business regulation, property and casualty 10
350-insurance, technology and telecommunications, for profit as well as not-for-profit business 11
351-entities, to maintain oversight over the application, execution and operation of the laws within its 12
352-jurisdiction and to consider such other matters as may be referred to it by the senate. 13
353-5.1-9 Committee on Environment and Agriculture. 14
354-It shall be the duty of the committee on environment and agriculture to consider the 15
355-appointments of the governor referred to it by the senate which require the advice and consent of 16
356-the senate and all legislation and matters relating to the conservation of the air, land, water, plant, 17
357-animal, mineral and other natural resources of the state, and to adopt all means necessary and 18
358-proper by law to protect the natural environment of the people of the state by providing adequate 19
359-resource planning for the control and regulation of the use of the natural resources of the state and 20
360-for the preservation, regeneration, and restoration of the natural environment of the state, to 21
361-maintain oversight over the application, execution and operation of the laws within its jurisdiction 22
362-and to consider such other matters as may be referred to it by the senate. 23
363-5.1-10 Committee on Rules, Government Ethics and Oversight 24
364-It shall be the duty of the committee on rules, government ethics and oversight consider 25
365-the appointments of the governor referred to it by the senate which require the advice and consent 26
366-of the senate, and (1) Consider all matters relating to the rules of the senate; (2) to ensure that the 27
367-members of the Senate and its staff, through education, monitoring and disseminating the 28
368-opinions of the Rhode Island Ethics Commission, adhere to the highest standards of ethical 29
369-conduct, respect the public trust and the rights of all persons, be open, accountable and 30
370-responsive, avoid the appearance of impropriety, and not use their position for private gain or 31
371-advantage; (3) to monitor and evaluate past, current and prospective performance of public bodies 32
372-and statutory entities, including quasi-public agencies that exercise executive governmental 33
373-functions (except public bodies and statutory entities of the legislative and judiciary branches of 34
339+LC001264 - Page 10 of 31
340+of all legislation and grants of authority relating to all levels of public education in the state by all 1
341+agencies, state and local, charged and empowered by the general assembly in relating to all levels 2
342+of public education, to maintain oversight over the application, execution and operation of the 3
343+laws within its jurisdiction and to consider such other matters as may be referred to it by the 4
344+senate. 5
345+5.1-8 Committee on Commerce. 6
346+It shall be the duty of the committee on commerce to consider the appointments of the 7
347+governor referred to it by the senate which require the advice and consent of the senate and all 8
348+legislation and matters relating to financial institutions, business regulation, property and casualty 9
349+insurance, technology and telecommunications, for profit as well as not-for-profit business 10
350+entities, to maintain oversight over the application, execution and operation of the laws within its 11
351+jurisdiction and to consider such other matters as may be referred to it by the senate. 12
352+5.1-9 Committee on Environment and Agriculture. 13
353+It shall be the duty of the committee on environment and agriculture to consider the 14
354+appointments of the governor referred to it by the senate which require the advice and consent of 15
355+the senate and all legislation and matters relating to the conservation of the air, land, water, plant, 16
356+animal, mineral and other natural resources of the state, and to adopt all means necessary and 17
357+proper by law to protect the natural environment of the people of the state by providing adequate 18
358+resource planning for the control and regulation of the use of the natural resources of the state and 19
359+for the preservation, regeneration, and restoration of the natural environment of the state, to 20
360+maintain oversight over the application, execution and operation of the laws within its jurisdiction 21
361+and to consider such other matters as may be referred to it by the senate. 22
362+5.1-10 Committee on Rules, Government Ethics and Oversight 23
363+It shall be the duty of the committee on rules, government ethics and oversight consider 24
364+the appointments of the governor referred to it by the senate which require the advice and consent 25
365+of the senate, and (1) Consider all matters relating to the rules of the senate; (2) to ensure that the 26
366+members of the Senate and its staff, through education, monitoring and disseminating the 27
367+opinions of the Rhode Island Ethics Commission, adhere to the highest standards of ethical 28
368+conduct, respect the public trust and the rights of all persons, be open, accountable and 29
369+responsive, avoid the appearance of impropriety, and not use their position for private gain or 30
370+advantage; (3) to monitor and evaluate past, current and prospective performance of public bodies 31
371+and statutory entities, including quasi-public agencies that exercise executive governmental 32
372+functions (except public bodies and statutory entities of the legislative and judiciary branches of 33
373+the state) and any other public or private person, including any agencies, partnerships, corporation 34
374374
375375
376-LC001264/SUB A - Page 11 of 31
377-the state) and any other public or private person, including any agencies, partnerships, corporation 1
378-or business entity insofar as such person is acting on behalf of and/or in place of any public 2
379-agency; (4) to consider the organization, reorganization, creation or termination of such public 3
380-bodies, statutory entities, including quasi-public agencies and public or private persons; (5) to 4
381-review and consider the reports of the auditor general; (6) to report its opinion and/or 5
382-recommendation of legislation or action regarding the foregoing matters; (7) to consider any bill 6
383-referred to it by the senate, including, but not limited to any act, resolve, resolution or petition; 7
384-and (8) to consider such other matters that are referred to it by the senate. 8
385-5.2 Committee Membership. 9
386-Each of the standing committees of the senate shall consist of the president of the senate, 10
387-ex officio with voting rights, and the majority and minority leaders of the senate, ex officio, with 11
388-voting rights, and senators appointed by the president of the senate, each to serve until January 3, 12
389-2023 January 7, 2025. Provided, however, that the president of the senate may change the 13
390-committee assignment of a member without the member's consent, for cause only; and provided 14
391-further, however, that each senator other than the president and the majority and minority leaders, 15
392-shall serve as a member of one of the following standing committees: committee on health and 16
393-human services; committee on commerce; committee on finance; committee on the judiciary. In 17
394-addition to the committees appointed by the president of the senate, the majority and minority 18
395-whips of the senate shall serve ex officio, with voting rights on all standing committees of the 19
396-senate. 20
397-5.3 Vacancies on Committees. 21
398-All vacancies occurring in any committee of the senate shall be filled by the president of 22
399-the senate. 23
400-5.4 Officers of Committees. 24
401-The president of the senate shall appoint from the membership of each committee a chair, 25
402-vice chair and secretary and such other committee officers as the president of the senate deems 26
403-appropriate. 27
404-5.5 Select Committees. 28
405-The senate may, from time to time, by resolution, provide for the establishment of select 29
406-committees upon such subjects as it may deem proper, and upon the adoption of such resolution, 30
407-the president of the senate shall appoint the chair and members thereof, and shall provide for 31
408-minority party representation. Any committee created pursuant to this rule shall be deemed a 32
409-standing committee for all purposes of law, including the applicability of section 22-6-2.1 of the 33
410-general laws. 34
376+LC001264 - Page 11 of 31
377+or business entity insofar as such person is acting on behalf of and/or in place of any public 1
378+agency; (4) to consider the organization, reorganization, creation or termination of such public 2
379+bodies, statutory entities, including quasi-public agencies and public or private persons; (5) to 3
380+review and consider the reports of the auditor general; (6) to report its opinion and/or 4
381+recommendation of legislation or action regarding the foregoing matters; (7) to consider any bill 5
382+referred to it by the senate, including, but not limited to any act, resolve, resolution or petition; 6
383+and (8) to consider such other matters that are referred to it by the senate. 7
384+5.2 Committee Membership. 8
385+Each of the standing committees of the senate shall consist of the president of the senate, 9
386+ex officio with voting rights, and the majority and minority leaders of the senate, ex officio, with 10
387+voting rights, and senators appointed by the president of the senate, each to serve until January 3, 11
388+2023 January 7, 2025. Provided, however, that the president of the senate may change the 12
389+committee assignment of a member without the member's consent, for cause only; and provided 13
390+further, however, that each senator other than the president and the majority and minority leaders, 14
391+shall serve as a member of one of the following standing committees: committee on health and 15
392+human services; committee on commerce; committee on finance; committee on the judiciary. In 16
393+addition to the committees appointed by the president of the senate, the majority and minority 17
394+whips of the senate shall serve ex officio, with voting rights on all standing committees of the 18
395+senate. 19
396+5.3 Vacancies on Committees. 20
397+All vacancies occurring in any committee of the senate shall be filled by the president of 21
398+the senate. 22
399+5.4 Officers of Committees. 23
400+The president of the senate shall appoint from the membership of each committee a chair, 24
401+vice chair and secretary and such other committee officers as the president of the senate deems 25
402+appropriate. 26
403+5.5 Select Committees. 27
404+The senate may, from time to time, by resolution, provide for the establishment of select 28
405+committees upon such subjects as it may deem proper, and upon the adoption of such resolution, 29
406+the president of the senate shall appoint the chair and members thereof, and shall provide for 30
407+minority party representation. Any committee created pursuant to this rule shall be deemed a 31
408+standing committee for all purposes of law, including the applicability of section 22-6-2.1 of the 32
409+general laws. 33
410+5.6 Referral to Committee. 34
411411
412412
413-LC001264/SUB A - Page 12 of 31
414-5.6 Referral to Committee. 1
415-No bill shall be considered or acted upon by the senate unless the same has been 2
416-considered by, reported, or recalled from a committee thereof, or from a joint committee, except 3
417-as otherwise provided in these rules. All acts seeking to vacate the forfeiture of a charter 4
418-previously granted under the laws of this state shall not be referred to committee but rather 5
419-directly assigned to the calendar. 6
420-5.7 Committees of Conference. 7
421-There shall be appointed from time to time committees of conference to which are 8
422-referred matters of difference with the house with respect to bills or resolutions. Such committees 9
423-shall be appointed by the speaker and the president of the senate, and shall be comprised of five 10
424-(5) members from the house and five (5) members from the senate. At least one (1) member in 11
425-each chamber shall be a member of the minority party. When possible, one (1) member shall be 12
426-the prime sponsor of the bill or resolution being considered before the committee of conference 13
427-and one (1) member shall be from the committee that shall have considered the bill or resolution. 14
428-The committee may propose any changes within the scope of the bill or resolution, but any action, 15
429-including changes, taken by committee shall be by a majority vote of the members of each 16
430-chamber on the committee. The committee report shall be made to both chambers at the same 17
431-time. Each chamber shall vote to accept or reject the report. A vote by either chamber to accept 18
432-the report of the committee shall be the final action by that chamber on the bill or resolution. If 19
433-both chambers vote to accept the report of the committee, the bill is passed or the resolution 20
434-adopted as of the time the last chamber votes to accept the report. If either chamber rejects the 21
435-report of the committee, the bill or resolution is defeated and the second chamber shall not be 22
436-required to consider the committee report. The report of the committee may be accepted or 23
437-rejected, but it may not be amended. The committee report shall contain the following 24
438-information: the bill number and title, the members of the committee, the action of the committee, 25
439-and the signature of the members of the committee accepting or rejecting the report. 26
440-The conferees shall confine themselves to the differences which exist within bills or 27
441-resolutions between the house and senate. The presentation of reports of committees of 28
442-conference shall be in order after having been signed by a majority of the members of the 29
443-committee of each chamber. Consideration of a report of a committee of conference by the senate 30
444-shall be in order when it has been made electronically available to all members and listed on the 31
445-calendar for the required period of time according to these rules. 32
446-5.8 Oaths Administered in Committee. 33
447-In the discretion of the chair, any witness may, before testifying, be required to declare 34
413+LC001264 - Page 12 of 31
414+No bill shall be considered or acted upon by the senate unless the same has been 1
415+considered by, reported, or recalled from a committee thereof, or from a joint committee, except 2
416+as otherwise provided in these rules. All acts seeking to vacate the forfeiture of a charter 3
417+previously granted under the laws of this state shall not be referred to committee but rather 4
418+directly assigned to the calendar. 5
419+5.7 Committees of Conference. 6
420+There shall be appointed from time to time committees of conference to which are 7
421+referred matters of difference with the house with respect to bills or resolutions. Such committees 8
422+shall be appointed by the speaker and the president of the senate, and shall be comprised of five 9
423+(5) members from the house and five (5) members from the senate. At least one (1) member in 10
424+each chamber shall be a member of the minority party. When possible, one (1) member shall be 11
425+the prime sponsor of the bill or resolution being considered before the committee of conference 12
426+and one (1) member shall be from the committee that shall have considered the bill or resolution. 13
427+The committee may propose any changes within the scope of the bill or resolution, but any action, 14
428+including changes, taken by committee shall be by a majority vote of the members of each 15
429+chamber on the committee. The committee report shall be made to both chambers at the same 16
430+time. Each chamber shall vote to accept or reject the report. A vote by either chamber to accept 17
431+the report of the committee shall be the final action by that chamber on the bill or resolution. If 18
432+both chambers vote to accept the report of the committee, the bill is passed or the resolution 19
433+adopted as of the time the last chamber votes to accept the report. If either chamber rejects the 20
434+report of the committee, the bill or resolution is defeated and the second chamber shall not be 21
435+required to consider the committee report. The report of the committee may be accepted or 22
436+rejected, but it may not be amended. The committee report shall contain the following 23
437+information: the bill number and title, the members of the committee, the action of the committee, 24
438+and the signature of the members of the committee accepting or rejecting the report. 25
439+The conferees shall confine themselves to the differences which exist within bills or 26
440+resolutions between the house and senate. The presentation of reports of committees of 27
441+conference shall be in order after having been signed by a majority of the members of the 28
442+committee of each chamber. Consideration of a report of a committee of conference by the senate 29
443+shall be in order when it has been made electronically available to all members and listed on the 30
444+calendar for the required period of time according to these rules. 31
445+5.8 Oaths Administered in Committee. 32
446+In the discretion of the chair, any witness may, before testifying, be required to declare 33
447+that they will testify truthfully, by oath or affirmation. 34
448448
449449
450-LC001264/SUB A - Page 13 of 31
451-that they will testify truthfully, by oath or affirmation. 1
452-SECTION 6. 2
453-PROCEEDINGS IN COMMITTEE 3
454-6.1 Time for Committee Meetings. 4
455-The president of the senate, in consultation with the chairs, shall establish regular 5
456-calendar days and times for the meetings of all standing committees. The committee chair may 6
457-call such other meetings as may be required to conduct the business of the committee. 7
458-6.2 Committee Agenda – Posting. 8
459-At least forty-eight (48) hours before any standing committee meeting, a committee 9
460-agenda containing the number, title and a short explanation of each bill to be considered will be 10
461-placed on the official general assembly website, as well as on a bulletin or electronic board of 11
462-which shall be for the public's use and shall be situated at the main entrance to the state library 12
463-and the legislative data bulletin board. The rule shall not apply to bills previously passed by the 13
464-senate and amended by the house. 14
465-6.3 Convening of Meeting. 15
466-The chair of the committee or, in the chair's absence, the vice chair, shall call all regular 16
467-sessions of the committee, set agenda and proceed with the order of business. 17
468-6.4 Public Participation. 18
469-6.4-1 Open Meetings. 19
470-Every standing committee meeting, except executive sessions, shall be open to the public 20
471-during the consideration of all matters coming before it. At such open meetings, persons other 21
472-than members of the committee may testify at the discretion of the committee chair on any matter 22
473-posted for a hearing. Any matter posted for consideration only shall not be open for public 23
474-testimony. 24
475-6.4-2 Executive Sessions. 25
476-Any standing committee may be called into executive session by the chair or upon 26
477-motion of one of the committee members if the matter under consideration is deemed by the chair 27
478-to comply with those provisions of the "Open Meetings" law (chapter 42-46) which provides for 28
479-closed meetings; provided, however, when the chair of any standing committee calls the 29
480-committee into executive session, the majority of those members present in the executive session 30
481-may vote not to meet in executive session after having heard the reasons for such executive 31
482-session but no other votes shall be permitted in executive sessions. The chair of the committee 32
483-which may be called into executive session shall provide a general description to the public of the 33
484-reason for calling such committee into executive session. 34
450+LC001264 - Page 13 of 31
451+SECTION 6. 1
452+PROCEEDINGS IN COMMITTEE 2
453+6.1 Time for Committee Meetings. 3
454+The president of the senate, in consultation with the chairs, shall establish regular 4
455+calendar days and times for the meetings of all standing committees. The committee chair may 5
456+call such other meetings as may be required to conduct the business of the committee. 6
457+6.2 Committee Agenda – Posting. 7
458+At least forty-eight (48) hours before any standing committee meeting, a committee 8
459+agenda containing the number, title and a short explanation of each bill to be considered will be 9
460+placed on the official general assembly website, as well as on a bulletin or electronic board of 10
461+which shall be for the public's use and shall be situated at the main entrance to the state library 11
462+and the legislative data bulletin board. The rule shall not apply to bills previously passed by the 12
463+senate and amended by the house. 13
464+6.3 Convening of Meeting. 14
465+The chair of the committee or, in the chair's absence, the vice chair, shall call all regular 15
466+sessions of the committee, set agenda and proceed with the order of business. 16
467+6.4 Public Participation. 17
468+6.4-1 Open Meetings. 18
469+Every standing committee meeting, except executive sessions, shall be open to the public 19
470+during the consideration of all matters coming before it. At such open meetings, persons other 20
471+than members of the committee may testify at the discretion of the committee chair on any matter 21
472+posted for a hearing. Any matter posted for consideration only shall not be open for public 22
473+testimony. 23
474+6.4-2 Executive Sessions. 24
475+Any standing committee may be called into executive session by the chair or upon 25
476+motion of one of the committee members if the matter under consideration is deemed by the chair 26
477+to comply with those provisions of the "Open Meetings" law (chapter 42-46) which provides for 27
478+closed meetings; provided, however, when the chair of any standing committee calls the 28
479+committee into executive session, the majority of those members present in the executive session 29
480+may vote not to meet in executive session after having heard the reasons for such executive 30
481+session but no other votes shall be permitted in executive sessions. The chair of the committee 31
482+which may be called into executive session shall provide a general description to the public of the 32
483+reason for calling such committee into executive session. 33
484+6.4-3 Public Hearings. 34
485485
486486
487-LC001264/SUB A - Page 14 of 31
488-6.4-3 Public Hearings. 1
489-In the discretion of the chair, public hearings may be advertised in newspapers, 2
490-stenographic records kept and hearings held at locations other than the state house. The purpose 3
491-of the public hearing shall be to solicit the comments of the public on the matter being 4
492-considered. At the public hearing all persons shall be permitted to testify; provided, however, the 5
493-committee chair may limit the amount of time allotted to speakers except that the prime sponsor 6
494-shall not have a time limit to speak and shall upon request be the first speaker at the hearing. 7
495-After the public hearing has been held for a reasonable period and if there are still persons 8
496-wishing to speak, the committee chair may continue the hearing until another date. 9
497-6.5 Hearing and Consideration of Bills. 10
498-Upon a written request by the prime sponsor of any public bill received by the secretary 11
499-of the senate before the closing of the next legislative day after the deadline for introduction as 12
500-specified in section 4.5 that a committee hearing be held with respect to such bill, the committee 13
501-chair shall schedule a committee hearing within eight (8) legislative days of such request unless a 14
502-later date is agreed to by the prime sponsor. "Received" as used herein shall mean receipt in hand 15
503-by the secretary of the senate or his or her designee. The secretary shall note the date and time of 16
504-receipt on the request and such notation shall be dispositive. On the same day, the sponsor shall 17
505-hand deliver copies of the request to the president of the senate and to the committee chair or their 18
506-designees. The committee shall consider said bill not more than eight (8) legislative days after the 19
507-committee hearing, unless a later date is agreed to by the prime sponsor. If the committee does 20
508-not consider the bill then the committee shall be discharged of its responsibility to consider such 21
509-bill and such bill shall be placed on the senate calendar pursuant to section 7.6 hereof. 22
510-Consideration by a committee shall mean any one of the following actions: recommendation of 23
511-passage, recommendation of passage as amended, transfer to another committee, indefinite 24
512-postponement, hold for further study or defeat of the bill. Provided further, the minority leader 25
513-may request in writing within twenty-four (24) hours after the deadline for introductions specified 26
514-in section 4.5 a hearing on any senate bill in committee. In the event a request is made pursuant to 27
515-this rule at a time less than sixteen (16) days before the deadline for committee consideration set 28
516-forth in section 6.9, then such request shall not be proper and shall be automatically denied. 29
517-6.6 Quorum. 30
518-A committee shall not vote upon any bill in the absence of a quorum which shall consist 31
519-of a majority of the committee's members; provided, however, that at the discretion of the chair, 32
520-less than a quorum may conduct any hearing including public hearings. 33
521-6.7 Minority Representation. 34
487+LC001264 - Page 14 of 31
488+In the discretion of the chair, public hearings may be advertised in newspapers, 1
489+stenographic records kept and hearings held at locations other than the state house. The purpose 2
490+of the public hearing shall be to solicit the comments of the public on the matter being 3
491+considered. At the public hearing all persons shall be permitted to testify; provided, however, the 4
492+committee chair may limit the amount of time allotted to speakers except that the prime sponsor 5
493+shall not have a time limit to speak and shall upon request be the first speaker at the hearing. 6
494+After the public hearing has been held for a reasonable period and if there are still persons 7
495+wishing to speak, the committee chair may continue the hearing until another date. 8
496+6.5 Hearing and Consideration of Bills. 9
497+Upon a written request by the prime sponsor of any public bill received by the secretary 10
498+of the senate before the closing of the next legislative day after the deadline for introduction as 11
499+specified in section 4.5 that a committee hearing be held with respect to such bill, the committee 12
500+chair shall schedule a committee hearing within eight (8) legislative days of such request unless a 13
501+later date is agreed to by the prime sponsor. "Received" as used herein shall mean receipt in hand 14
502+by the secretary of the senate or his or her designee. The secretary shall note the date and time of 15
503+receipt on the request and such notation shall be dispositive. On the same day, the sponsor shall 16
504+hand deliver copies of the request to the president of the senate and to the committee chair or their 17
505+designees. The committee shall consider said bill not more than eight (8) legislative days after the 18
506+committee hearing, unless a later date is agreed to by the prime sponsor. If the committee does 19
507+not consider the bill then the committee shall be discharged of its responsibility to consider such 20
508+bill and such bill shall be placed on the senate calendar pursuant to section 7.6 hereof. 21
509+Consideration by a committee shall mean any one of the following actions: recommendation of 22
510+passage, recommendation of passage as amended, transfer to another committee, indefinite 23
511+postponement, hold for further study or defeat of the bill. Provided further, the minority leader 24
512+may request in writing within twenty-four (24) hours after the deadline for introductions specified 25
513+in section 4.5 a hearing on any senate bill in committee. In the event a request is made pursuant to 26
514+this rule at a time less than sixteen (16) days before the deadline for committee consideration set 27
515+forth in section 6.9, then such request shall not be proper and shall be automatically denied. 28
516+6.6 Quorum. 29
517+A committee shall not vote upon any bill in the absence of a quorum which shall consist 30
518+of a majority of the committee's members; provided, however, that at the discretion of the chair, 31
519+less than a quorum may conduct any hearing including public hearings. 32
520+6.7 Minority Representation. 33
521+When there is no minority member present and the committee is to consider a bill, the 34
522522
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525-When there is no minority member present and the committee is to consider a bill, the 1
526-committee chair shall notify the office of the minority leader. Unless waived by the minority 2
527-leader, the committee shall not conduct business for a reasonable time not to exceed fifteen (15) 3
528-minutes or until a minority member of the committee is present. Once a minority member is 4
529-present, his or her subsequent absence will not require further notice to the minority leader. For 5
530-purposes of this rule, an independent senator shall be considered to be a minority member. 6
531-6.8 Committee Votes. 7
532-All votes in committee on public bills shall be a recorded roll call vote. The vote upon all 8
533-motions or bills not considered a "public bill" shall, upon the request of any member of the 9
534-committee, be a recorded roll call vote. Otherwise all votes shall be put by yeas and nays. 10
535-Committee chairs shall submit all bills approved by committee to the floor forthwith, with a 11
536-record of the committee vote. 12
537-6.9 Deadline for Consideration. 13
538-After the Thursday preceding the spring recess week of each session, committees shall 14
539-consider only those public bills which have been acted upon and transmitted to the senate by the 15
540-house of representatives; provided, however, that the president of the senate may request a senate 16
541-committee to immediately consider a senate bill then in committee and said bill shall be 17
542-considered by the committee. 18
543-6.10 Discharge from Committee. 19
544-No bill shall be taken or called from any such committee, or the committee discharged 20
545-from the consideration thereof, except: 21
546-Any senator may present a petition, in writing, to discharge a committee from further 22
547-consideration of a bill which has been in the possession of the committee for thirty (30) 23
548-legislative days without having been considered, but only one petition on a particular bill may be 24
549-presented during the course of a session. Prior to presenting the petition, the senator must 25
550-introduce a resolution of intent to discharge such committee. Such resolution of intent shall 26
551-contain the bill number and the committee to be discharged. The presiding officer shall cause the 27
552-resolution of intent to be printed in the journal of the senate. The petition shall be placed in the 28
553-custody of the secretary of the senate who shall arrange some convenient place for the signatures 29
554-of the senators to be placed thereon in the presence of the reading clerk during the hours in which 30
555-the senate is in session. A signature may be withdrawn by a senator at any time before the petition 31
556-shall become effective. 32
557-On the first day of each week, there shall be printed in the journal of the senate the 33
558-petitions pending under these rules, together with the signatures thereto; provided, however, that 34
524+LC001264 - Page 15 of 31
525+committee chair shall notify the office of the minority leader. Unless waived by the minority 1
526+leader, the committee shall not conduct business for a reasonable time not to exceed fifteen (15) 2
527+minutes or until a minority member of the committee is present. Once a minority member is 3
528+present, his or her subsequent absence will not require further notice to the minority leader. For 4
529+purposes of this rule, an independent senator shall be considered to be a minority member. 5
530+6.8 Committee Votes. 6
531+All votes in committee on public bills shall be a recorded roll call vote. The vote upon all 7
532+motions or bills not considered a "public bill" shall, upon the request of any member of the 8
533+committee, be a recorded roll call vote. Otherwise all votes shall be put by yeas and nays. 9
534+Committee chairs shall submit all bills approved by committee to the floor forthwith, with a 10
535+record of the committee vote. 11
536+6.9 Deadline for Consideration. 12
537+After the Thursday preceding the spring recess week of each session, committees shall 13
538+consider only those public bills which have been acted upon and transmitted to the senate by the 14
539+house of representatives; provided, however, that the president of the senate may request a senate 15
540+committee to immediately consider a senate bill then in committee and said bill shall be 16
541+considered by the committee. 17
542+6.10 Discharge from Committee. 18
543+No bill shall be taken or called from any such committee, or the committee discharged 19
544+from the consideration thereof, except: 20
545+Any senator may present a petition, in writing, to discharge a committee from further 21
546+consideration of a bill which has been in the possession of the committee for thirty (30) 22
547+legislative days without having been considered, but only one petition on a particular bill may be 23
548+presented during the course of a session. Prior to presenting the petition, the senator must 24
549+introduce a resolution of intent to discharge such committee. Such resolution of intent shall 25
550+contain the bill number and the committee to be discharged. The presiding officer shall cause the 26
551+resolution of intent to be printed in the journal of the senate. The petition shall be placed in the 27
552+custody of the secretary of the senate who shall arrange some convenient place for the signatures 28
553+of the senators to be placed thereon in the presence of the reading clerk during the hours in which 29
554+the senate is in session. A signature may be withdrawn by a senator at any time before the petition 30
555+shall become effective. 31
556+On the first day of each week, there shall be printed in the journal of the senate the 32
557+petitions pending under these rules, together with the signatures thereto; provided, however, that 33
558+as soon as a majority of all the senators elected to the senate shall have affixed their signatures to 34
559559
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562-as soon as a majority of all the senators elected to the senate shall have affixed their signatures to 1
563-any such petition to discharge a committee under this rule, the presiding officer shall cause notice 2
564-thereof to be given to chair and clerk of the committee to which such bill was referred, and such 3
565-notice shall, thereupon, automatically discharge the committee from further consideration of the 4
566-bill and the bill shall be placed upon the calendar in accordance with section 7.6 hereof. 5
567-Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to change the deadline for 6
568-consideration as specified in section 6.9. 7
569-6.11 Compelling Committee Action. 8
570-If a committee to which a bill has been referred fails to consider such bill within sixteen 9
571-(16) legislative days of its referral, the prime sponsor of such bill, or a majority of the appointed 10
572-members, but not less than four (4) committee members, may, in writing, request the chair of the 11
573-committee, through the presiding officer of the senate, that such bill be considered. The request 12
574-shall be printed in the journal of the senate. The committee shall consider such bill at its first 13
575-meeting held at least three (3) legislative days after such request is made. If the committee does 14
576-not consider the bill within nine (9) legislative days of receipt of the request then the committee 15
577-shall be discharged of its responsibility to consider such bill and such bill shall be placed on the 16
578-senate calendar pursuant to section 7.6 hereof. Consideration by a committee shall be interpreted 17
579-to mean any one of the following actions: recommendation of passage, recommendation of 18
580-passage as amended, transfer to another committee, indefinite postponement, hold for further 19
581-study or defeat of the bill. Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to change the 20
582-deadline for consideration as specified in section 6.9. 21
583-6.12 Defeat of a Bill. 22
584-Once a bill is defeated in committee, the same shall not be acted upon or considered 23
585-again during the same legislative year. 24
586-6.13 Indefinite Postponement. 25
587-Whenever any bill is postponed indefinitely in committee, the same shall not be acted 26
588-upon or considered again during the same legislative year. 27
589-6.14 Transfer of Bills. 28
590-In the event the chair of any standing committee determines that any bill then pending 29
591-before the committee would more properly be pending before another standing committee of the 30
592-senate, the chair shall transfer such bill to such other standing committee as is deemed appropriate 31
593-during the reports of committees. 32
594-6.15 Committee Records. 33
595-All recorded votes of committees, all written testimony submitted to a committee, and the 34
561+LC001264 - Page 16 of 31
562+any such petition to discharge a committee under this rule, the presiding officer shall cause notice 1
563+thereof to be given to chair and clerk of the committee to which such bill was referred, and such 2
564+notice shall, thereupon, automatically discharge the committee from further consideration of the 3
565+bill and the bill shall be placed upon the calendar in accordance with section 7.6 hereof. 4
566+Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to change the deadline for 5
567+consideration as specified in section 6.9. 6
568+6.11 Compelling Committee Action. 7
569+If a committee to which a bill has been referred fails to consider such bill within sixteen 8
570+(16) legislative days of its referral, the prime sponsor of such bill, or a majority of the appointed 9
571+members, but not less than four (4) committee members, may, in writing, request the chair of the 10
572+committee, through the presiding officer of the senate, that such bill be considered. The request 11
573+shall be printed in the journal of the senate. The committee shall consider such bill at its first 12
574+meeting held at least three (3) legislative days after such request is made. If the committee does 13
575+not consider the bill within nine (9) legislative days of receipt of the request then the committee 14
576+shall be discharged of its responsibility to consider such bill and such bill shall be placed on the 15
577+senate calendar pursuant to section 7.6 hereof. Consideration by a committee shall be interpreted 16
578+to mean any one of the following actions: recommendation of passage, recommendation of 17
579+passage as amended, transfer to another committee, indefinite postponement, hold for further 18
580+study or defeat of the bill. Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to change the 19
581+deadline for consideration as specified in section 6.9. 20
582+6.12 Defeat of a Bill. 21
583+Once a bill is defeated in committee, the same shall not be acted upon or considered 22
584+again during the same legislative year. 23
585+6.13 Indefinite Postponement. 24
586+Whenever any bill is postponed indefinitely in committee, the same shall not be acted 25
587+upon or considered again during the same legislative year. 26
588+6.14 Transfer of Bills. 27
589+In the event the chair of any standing committee determines that any bill then pending 28
590+before the committee would more properly be pending before another standing committee of the 29
591+senate, the chair shall transfer such bill to such other standing committee as is deemed appropriate 30
592+during the reports of committees. 31
593+6.15 Committee Records. 32
594+All recorded votes of committees, all written testimony submitted to a committee, and the 33
595+transcripts of any recorded testimony shall be retained by the clerk of each committee, shall 34
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599-transcripts of any recorded testimony shall be retained by the clerk of each committee, shall 1
600-constitute public records, and shall be available for inspection to any senator and to any person 2
601-upon request. All committee votes, transcripts and testimony shall be transmitted to the secretary 3
602-of state pursuant to state law and senate policy following final adjournment in even numbered 4
603-years. 5
604-6.16 Attribution of Bills. 6
605-Upon presentation of testimony before a committee, the prime sponsor of the bill shall 7
606-provide to the committee the name of any individual, group or organization responsible for the 8
607-substantive basis or text of the bill. 9
608-6.17 Companion Bills. 10
609-Any house bill, identical to a senate bill previously heard in committee, may be 11
610-considered without further hearing. 12
611-6.18 Substitute Bills. 13
612-Any proposed substitute bill, or a substitute of a bill held by a committee, shall be posted 14
613-at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to consideration. Such postings will be placed on the official 15
614-general assembly website, as well as on the legislative data bulletin board and on a bulletin or 16
615-electronic board of which shall be for the public's use and shall be situated at the main entrance to 17
616-the state library. The electronic posting shall be considered the official date of the posting. In the 18
617-event that the electronic posting is inoperable, then the official posting shall be the legislative data 19
618-bulletin board. The chair may waive this twenty-four (24) hour posting requirement, for 20
619-amendments technical, grammatical, or not substantive or substantial in nature. This section shall 21
620-not apply to the annual state budget bill. 22
621-SECTION 7. 23
622-PROCEEDINGS ON THE SENATE FLOOR 24
623-7.1 Right to the Floor. 25
624-No senator shall address another except through the presiding officer. A senator shall rise 26
625-to put a question, may state it or read a paper sitting. When any senator wishes to speak or to 27
626-deliver any matter to the senate, the senator shall press his or her recognition control and the 28
627-presiding officer shall recognize the senator who so requests recognition and the order of 29
628-recognition shall be determined by the presiding officer. The senator so recognized shall not be 30
629-interrupted while speaking except by a call to order or a motion to suspend section 3.5. The 31
630-senator shall then immediately be seated unless permitted by the senate to proceed, which shall be 32
631-determined upon motion without debate. No senator, exclusive of the majority and minority 33
632-leaders, the prime sponsor or floor manager, or the chair of the committee from which the bill or 34
598+LC001264 - Page 17 of 31
599+constitute public records, and shall be available for inspection to any senator and to any person 1
600+upon request. All committee votes, transcripts and testimony shall be transmitted to the secretary 2
601+of state pursuant to state law and senate policy following final adjournment in even numbered 3
602+years. 4
603+6.16 Attribution of Bills. 5
604+Upon presentation of testimony before a committee, the prime sponsor of the bill shall 6
605+provide to the committee the name of any individual, group or organization responsible for the 7
606+substantive basis or text of the bill. 8
607+6.17 Companion Bills. 9
608+Any house bill, identical to a senate bill previously heard in committee, may be 10
609+considered without further hearing. 11
610+6.18 Substitute Bills. 12
611+Any proposed substitute bill, or a substitute of a bill held by a committee, shall be posted 13
612+at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to consideration. Such postings will be placed on the official 14
613+general assembly website, as well as on the legislative data bulletin board and on a bulletin or 15
614+electronic board of which shall be for the public's use and shall be situated at the main entrance to 16
615+the state library. The electronic posting shall be considered the official date of the posting. In the 17
616+event that the electronic posting is inoperable, then the official posting shall be the legislative data 18
617+bulletin board. The chair may waive this twenty-four (24) hour posting requirement, for 19
618+amendments technical, grammatical, or not substantive or substantial in nature. This section shall 20
619+not apply to the annual state budget bill. 21
620+SECTION 7. 22
621+PROCEEDINGS ON THE SENATE FLOOR 23
622+7.1 Right to the Floor. 24
623+No senator shall address another except through the presiding officer. A senator shall rise 25
624+to put a question, may state it or read a paper sitting. When any senator wishes to speak or to 26
625+deliver any matter to the senate, the senator shall press his or her recognition control and the 27
626+presiding officer shall recognize the senator who so requests recognition and the order of 28
627+recognition shall be determined by the presiding officer. The senator so recognized shall not be 29
628+interrupted while speaking except by a call to order or a motion to suspend section 3.5. The 30
629+senator shall then immediately be seated unless permitted by the senate to proceed, which shall be 31
630+determined upon motion without debate. No senator, exclusive of the majority and minority 32
631+leaders, the prime sponsor or floor manager, or the chair of the committee from which the bill or 33
632+resolution was reported, shall speak more than twice to the same question without leave of the 34
633633
634634
635-LC001264/SUB A - Page 18 of 31
636-resolution was reported, shall speak more than twice to the same question without leave of the 1
637-senate, which shall be determined without debate; nor more than once until every member 2
638-choosing to speak shall have spoken; nor for longer than five (5) minutes without the leave of the 3
639-senate, which shall be determined without debate. A senator may yield his or her right to the floor 4
640-to another senator. 5
641-7.2 Personal Privilege. 6
642-Only at the time provided for in section 3.3, a senator may claim the floor to address the 7
643-senate on personal privilege. Personal privilege shall include the right to reply to criticism, or to 8
644-discuss anything clearly derogatory to the member or which reflects upon his or her character that 9
645-appears in the press or other public medium but shall not include the right to discuss favorable 10
646-references to the senator, nor to reply to generalized criticism of the senate which does not refer 11
647-to him or to her specifically, nor to attack another member of the senate personally. Whether a 12
648-member's remarks constitute personal privilege shall be determined by the presiding officer. 13
649-7.3 Addressing the Senate on Important Matters. 14
650-Only at the time provided for in section 3.3, a senator may request unanimous consent of 15
651-the senators present to address the senate on a topic or matter of importance to the welfare of the 16
652-state. A senator granted the right to so address the senate may be interrupted at any time by 17
653-another senator who wishes to object to the first senator's right to continue to address the senate 18
654-and upon such objection the first senator's right to address the senate shall terminate. 19
655-7.4 Objectionable Language. 20
656-No senator shall use profane, insulting, or abusive language or act in any manner that is 21
657-disruptive to the course of public debate on the senate floor, or in testimony before any committee 22
658-of the general assembly. 23
659-7.5 Priority of Business. 24
660-All questions relating to priority of business to be acted upon shall be decided by the 25
661-presiding officer without debate. 26
662-7.6 Calendar. 27
663-There shall be a calendar kept by the secretary of the senate upon which shall be placed 28
664-the bills reported by all committees, and all other matters ordered placed thereon by the senate. 29
665-Matters on the calendar shall be arranged by the secretary of the senate in numerical order by 30
666-committee unless otherwise ordered by the president of the senate in agreement with the majority 31
667-leader and the minority leader. Such calendar shall be electronically available to all members of 32
668-the senate. Except as provided in section 7.13, and during consideration of the calendar, no other 33
669-business shall intervene except to receive a communication from the house or a motion to 34
635+LC001264 - Page 18 of 31
636+senate, which shall be determined without debate; nor more than once until every member 1
637+choosing to speak shall have spoken; nor for longer than five (5) minutes without the leave of the 2
638+senate, which shall be determined without debate. A senator may yield his or her right to the floor 3
639+to another senator. 4
640+7.2 Personal Privilege. 5
641+Only at the time provided for in section 3.3, a senator may claim the floor to address the 6
642+senate on personal privilege. Personal privilege shall include the right to reply to criticism, or to 7
643+discuss anything clearly derogatory to the member or which reflects upon his or her character that 8
644+appears in the press or other public medium but shall not include the right to discuss favorable 9
645+references to the senator, nor to reply to generalized criticism of the senate which does not refer 10
646+to him or to her specifically, nor to attack another member of the senate personally. Whether a 11
647+member's remarks constitute personal privilege shall be determined by the presiding officer. 12
648+7.3 Addressing the Senate on Important Matters. 13
649+Only at the time provided for in section 3.3, a senator may request unanimous consent of 14
650+the senators present to address the senate on a topic or matter of importance to the welfare of the 15
651+state. A senator granted the right to so address the senate may be interrupted at any time by 16
652+another senator who wishes to object to the first senator's right to continue to address the senate 17
653+and upon such objection the first senator's right to address the senate shall terminate. 18
654+7.4 Objectionable Language. 19
655+No senator shall use profane, insulting, or abusive language or act in any manner that is 20
656+disruptive to the course of public debate on the senate floor, or in testimony before any committee 21
657+of the general assembly. 22
658+7.5 Priority of Business. 23
659+All questions relating to priority of business to be acted upon shall be decided by the 24
660+presiding officer without debate. 25
661+7.6 Calendar. 26
662+There shall be a calendar kept by the secretary of the senate upon which shall be placed 27
663+the bills reported by all committees, and all other matters ordered placed thereon by the senate. 28
664+Matters on the calendar shall be arranged by the secretary of the senate in numerical order by 29
665+committee unless otherwise ordered by the president of the senate in agreement with the majority 30
666+leader and the minority leader. Such calendar shall be electronically available to all members of 31
667+the senate. Except as provided in section 7.13, and during consideration of the calendar, no other 32
668+business shall intervene except to receive a communication from the house or a motion to 33
669+suspend section 3.5. 34
670670
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672-LC001264/SUB A - Page 19 of 31
673-suspend section 3.5. 1
674-All business on the calendar not disposed of at the time of adjournment shall be first in 2
675-order on the calendar the next day. No matter of business on the calendar shall be considered 3
676-upon its merits unless it has been on such calendar for at least two (2) calendar days; except that 4
677-the president of the senate may order a bill placed on the calendar for less than two (2) calendar 5
678-days; provided, however, a bill passed by the senate and amended by the house of representatives 6
679-may be considered by the senate without being on the calendar for two (2) calendar days if the 7
680-requirements of section 4.9-1 have been met. 8
681-7.7 Consent Calendar. 9
682-Notwithstanding the provisions of section 7.6, the secretary of the senate shall also 10
683-maintain a separate calendar, designated as the consent calendar, upon which shall be placed 11
684-resolutions required by section 4.7, acts seeking to vacate the forfeiture of a corporate charter and 12
685-such other bills as directed by the president of the senate. Matters on the consent calendar shall be 13
686-in order for disposal on each day and shall include all such matters reported or referred thereto 14
687-from the previous day. Such consent calendar shall be posted in the chamber of the senate. All 15
688-matters on the consent calendar shall be disposed by roll call vote on a single motion except such 16
689-matters as may be objected to by any single senator, which said matter or matters shall be held 17
690-over on the regular calendar for the next legislative day. 18
691-7.8 Reports of Joint Committees. 19
692-No bill reported by or forwarded on the recommendation of a joint committee of the two 20
693-houses shall be in order for concurrence by the senate if it shall appear that the members of such 21
694-joint committee on the part of the senate, if in attendance on the general assembly, shall not have 22
695-been notified or present when the subject was acted on by such joint committee. No report shall 23
696-be acted on in the senate from any joint committee unless as subscribed by a senator who is a 24
697-member of said committee. Any report from a joint committee shall be made on the floor of the 25
698-senate by a member of said committee, notwithstanding that said member may not have 26
699-concurred in the report and said report shall be held on the desk unless ordered placed on the 27
700-calendar pursuant to section 7.6 by the president of the senate or by a majority vote of the senate. 28
701-7.9 Messages from the House. 29
702-When a message is received from the house of representatives, transmitting any papers, 30
703-the secretary of the senate shall transmit to the office of the president of the senate all house 31
704-transmittals received on that day. The president of the senate shall assign house transmittals to 32
705-committees upon adjournment of the senate. The secretary of the senate shall cause all house 33
706-transmittals to be published in the senate journal for the day such transmittals are received. Any 34
672+LC001264 - Page 19 of 31
673+All business on the calendar not disposed of at the time of adjournment shall be first in 1
674+order on the calendar the next day. No matter of business on the calendar shall be considered 2
675+upon its merits unless it has been on such calendar for at least two (2) calendar days; except that 3
676+the president of the senate may order a bill placed on the calendar for less than two (2) calendar 4
677+days; provided, however, a bill passed by the senate and amended by the house of representatives 5
678+may be considered by the senate without being on the calendar for two (2) calendar days if the 6
679+requirements of section 4.9-1 have been met. 7
680+7.7 Consent Calendar. 8
681+Notwithstanding the provisions of section 7.6, the secretary of the senate shall also 9
682+maintain a separate calendar, designated as the consent calendar, upon which shall be placed 10
683+resolutions required by section 4.7, acts seeking to vacate the forfeiture of a corporate charter and 11
684+such other bills as directed by the president of the senate. Matters on the consent calendar shall be 12
685+in order for disposal on each day and shall include all such matters reported or referred thereto 13
686+from the previous day. Such consent calendar shall be posted in the chamber of the senate. All 14
687+matters on the consent calendar shall be disposed by roll call vote on a single motion except such 15
688+matters as may be objected to by any single senator, which said matter or matters shall be held 16
689+over on the regular calendar for the next legislative day. 17
690+7.8 Reports of Joint Committees. 18
691+No bill reported by or forwarded on the recommendation of a joint committee of the two 19
692+houses shall be in order for concurrence by the senate if it shall appear that the members of such 20
693+joint committee on the part of the senate, if in attendance on the general assembly, shall not have 21
694+been notified or present when the subject was acted on by such joint committee. No report shall 22
695+be acted on in the senate from any joint committee unless as subscribed by a senator who is a 23
696+member of said committee. Any report from a joint committee shall be made on the floor of the 24
697+senate by a member of said committee, notwithstanding that said member may not have 25
698+concurred in the report and said report shall be held on the desk unless ordered placed on the 26
699+calendar pursuant to section 7.6 by the president of the senate or by a majority vote of the senate. 27
700+7.9 Messages from the House. 28
701+When a message is received from the house of representatives, transmitting any papers, 29
702+the secretary of the senate shall transmit to the office of the president of the senate all house 30
703+transmittals received on that day. The president of the senate shall assign house transmittals to 31
704+committees upon adjournment of the senate. The secretary of the senate shall cause all house 32
705+transmittals to be published in the senate journal for the day such transmittals are received. Any 33
706+senator may object to the committee assignment for any transmittal received during the previous 34
707707
708708
709-LC001264/SUB A - Page 20 of 31
710-senator may object to the committee assignment for any transmittal received during the previous 1
711-legislative day. Upon objection being made, the presiding officer shall assign the transmittal to 2
712-the committee requested by the senator making the objection, provided, however, that if another 3
713-senator objects to any assignment or proposed assignment of the transmittal, then the presiding 4
714-officer shall call for a vote of the senate on any motion for assignment which has been made and 5
715-seconded, such motion requiring a majority vote of those senators present and voting for 6
716-assignment to a particular committee. 7
717-During the time for consideration of house transmittals, a senator may move for 8
718-immediate consideration of a house transmittal, received by the secretary of the senate on the 9
719-previous legislative day. If there is no objection to the motion, it is deemed to be approved, but if 10
720-there is objection to the motion for immediate consideration, the presiding officer shall submit the 11
721-motion to a vote of the senate, such motion for immediate consideration shall require the votes of 12
722-two-thirds (2/3) of those senators present and voting, for approval. 13
723-7.10 Amendments. 14
724-No senator may amend from the floor any bill pending before the senate unless such 15
725-amendment be submitted, electronically or in writing, with sufficient copies signed by the 16
726-proponent, and read to the body; provided, however, that no amendment to the annual budget bill 17
727-making appropriations for the support of the state may be offered, except with the agreement of 18
728-two-thirds (2/3) of the members present, unless copies thereof shall have been filed with the 19
729-secretary of the senate no later than 12:00 o'clock noon on the legislative day preceding the 20
730-legislative day on which the budget bill shall be in order for consideration: provided however that 21
731-with majority consent a senator may make an oral amendment of a technical or minor nature. 22
732-7.11 Votes in Concurrence. 23
733-Whenever any bill shall come before the senate for concurrence, and the senate concurs 24
734-without amendments, or fails to concur, the secretary of the senate may announce the concurrence 25
735-or nonconcurrence to the other house, but the original bill received by the senate shall not be 26
736-transmitted to the other house. 27
737-7.12 Motions. 28
738-No motion shall be debated until it has been seconded. For the purpose of recorded votes 29
739-only the first second shall be recorded. A motion may be withdrawn by the mover at any time 30
740-before a decision or a motion to amend, except a motion to reconsider, which shall not be 31
741-withdrawn after the time has elapsed within which it could be originally made. 32
742-7.13 Interruption of Debate. 33
743-When a question is under debate, no motion shall be received except to suspend section 34
709+LC001264 - Page 20 of 31
710+legislative day. Upon objection being made, the presiding officer shall assign the transmittal to 1
711+the committee requested by the senator making the objection, provided, however, that if another 2
712+senator objects to any assignment or proposed assignment of the transmittal, then the presiding 3
713+officer shall call for a vote of the senate on any motion for assignment which has been made and 4
714+seconded, such motion requiring a majority vote of those senators present and voting for 5
715+assignment to a particular committee. 6
716+During the time for consideration of house transmittals, a senator may move for 7
717+immediate consideration of a house transmittal, received by the secretary of the senate on the 8
718+previous legislative day. If there is no objection to the motion, it is deemed to be approved, but if 9
719+there is objection to the motion for immediate consideration, the presiding officer shall submit the 10
720+motion to a vote of the senate, such motion for immediate consideration shall require the votes of 11
721+two-thirds (2/3) of those senators present and voting, for approval. 12
722+7.10 Amendments. 13
723+No senator may amend from the floor any bill pending before the senate unless such 14
724+amendment be submitted, electronically or in writing, with sufficient copies signed by the 15
725+proponent, and read to the body; provided, however, that no amendment to the annual budget bill 16
726+making appropriations for the support of the state may be offered, except with the agreement of 17
727+two-thirds (2/3) of the members present, unless copies thereof shall have been filed with the 18
728+secretary of the senate no later than 12:00 o'clock noon on the legislative day preceding the 19
729+legislative day on which the budget bill shall be in order for consideration: provided however that 20
730+with majority consent a senator may make an oral amendment of a technical or minor nature. 21
731+7.11 Votes in Concurrence. 22
732+Whenever any bill shall come before the senate for concurrence, and the senate concurs 23
733+without amendments, or fails to concur, the secretary of the senate may announce the concurrence 24
734+or nonconcurrence to the other house, but the original bill received by the senate shall not be 25
735+transmitted to the other house. 26
736+7.12 Motions. 27
737+No motion shall be debated until it has been seconded. For the purpose of recorded votes 28
738+only the first second shall be recorded. A motion may be withdrawn by the mover at any time 29
739+before a decision or a motion to amend, except a motion to reconsider, which shall not be 30
740+withdrawn after the time has elapsed within which it could be originally made. 31
741+7.13 Interruption of Debate. 32
742+When a question is under debate, no motion shall be received except to suspend section 33
743+3.5, to adjourn, to recommit, for the previous question, to close debate, to fix a time for closing 34
744744
745745
746-LC001264/SUB A - Page 21 of 31
747-3.5, to adjourn, to recommit, for the previous question, to close debate, to fix a time for closing 1
748-debate, to take a recess, to lay on the table, to take from the table, to transmit, to postpone 2
749-indefinitely, to change calendar arrangement, or to amend, and any motion or resolution the 3
750-purpose of which is to take any bill or any other matter from committees of the senate or to 4
751-discharge a committee from the consideration thereof, which several motions shall have 5
752-precedence in the order in which they are here arranged and shall be decided by majority vote 6
753-without debate; provided further that a motion to recommit as to any bill which is placed on the 7
754-senate calendar may be voted by yeas and nays; however, if the prime sponsor timely objects, the 8
755-motion shall be voted on by electronic roll of the senate. 9
756-7.14 Adjournment. 10
757-When time for meeting of the senate shall have been previously fixed, a motion to 11
758-adjourn and a motion to suspend section 3.5 shall always be in order. The senate shall not be 12
759-adjourned except by affirmative vote of a majority of the senators present and voting. 13
760-7.15 Lay on the Table. 14
761-When an amendment proposed to any pending measure be laid on the table, it shall not 15
762-carry with it, or prejudice such measure. 16
763-7.16 Dividing Questions. 17
764-A question that is susceptible of division shall, at the request of the majority, be divided 18
765-and put separately upon the propositions of which it is compounded. 19
766-7.17 Non-Germane Amendments. 20
767-No motion or proposition of a subject different from that under consideration shall be 21
768-admitted under color of amendment. 22
769-7.18 Motion for Reconsideration. 23
770-A senator on the prevailing side of any vote may, on the same legislative day, move to 24
771-reconsider the vote on the same or following legislative day. When a bill has been reconsidered it 25
772-shall not be reconsidered again during the session. Bills and other papers in reference to which a 26
773-motion to reconsider is pending shall, unless otherwise ordered, remain in the possession of the 27
774-secretary of the senate until the right of reconsideration has expired. The privilege to reconsider 28
775-granted by this rule may be suspended by a majority vote of the senators present and voting. 29
776-7.19 Printed Material. 30
777-If the reading of any printed or written paper be objected to, the matter shall be 31
778-determined by a majority vote of the senate without debate. 32
779-7.20 Recommittal. 33
780-No motion to recommit shall be entertained by the presiding officer as to any bill which 34
746+LC001264 - Page 21 of 31
747+debate, to take a recess, to lay on the table, to take from the table, to transmit, to postpone 1
748+indefinitely, to change calendar arrangement, or to amend, and any motion or resolution the 2
749+purpose of which is to take any bill or any other matter from committees of the senate or to 3
750+discharge a committee from the consideration thereof, which several motions shall have 4
751+precedence in the order in which they are here arranged and shall be decided by majority vote 5
752+without debate; provided further that a motion to recommit as to any bill which is placed on the 6
753+senate calendar may be voted by yeas and nays; however, if the prime sponsor timely objects, the 7
754+motion shall be voted on by electronic roll of the senate. 8
755+7.14 Adjournment. 9
756+When time for meeting of the senate shall have been previously fixed, a motion to 10
757+adjourn and a motion to suspend section 3.5 shall always be in order. The senate shall not be 11
758+adjourned except by affirmative vote of a majority of the senators present and voting. 12
759+7.15 Lay on the Table. 13
760+When an amendment proposed to any pending measure be laid on the table, it shall not 14
761+carry with it, or prejudice such measure. 15
762+7.16 Dividing Questions. 16
763+A question that is susceptible of division shall, at the request of the majority, be divided 17
764+and put separately upon the propositions of which it is compounded. 18
765+7.17 Non-Germane Amendments. 19
766+No motion or proposition of a subject different from that under consideration shall be 20
767+admitted under color of amendment. 21
768+7.18 Motion for Reconsideration. 22
769+A senator on the prevailing side of any vote may, on the same legislative day, move to 23
770+reconsider the vote on the same or following legislative day. When a bill has been reconsidered it 24
771+shall not be reconsidered again during the session. Bills and other papers in reference to which a 25
772+motion to reconsider is pending shall, unless otherwise ordered, remain in the possession of the 26
773+secretary of the senate until the right of reconsideration has expired. The privilege to reconsider 27
774+granted by this rule may be suspended by a majority vote of the senators present and voting. 28
775+7.19 Printed Material. 29
776+If the reading of any printed or written paper be objected to, the matter shall be 30
777+determined by a majority vote of the senate without debate. 31
778+7.20 Recommittal. 32
779+No motion to recommit shall be entertained by the presiding officer as to any bill which 33
780+is placed on the calendar as the result of section 6.10 until every senator desiring to be heard has 34
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784-is placed on the calendar as the result of section 6.10 until every senator desiring to be heard has 1
785-been recognized, notwithstanding the provisions of section 7.13. 2
786-7.21 Immediate Consideration. 3
787-During the time for introduction and reference of new business, as provided in section 4
788-3.3, a senator may introduce a bill and move for immediate consideration of the bill at that time. 5
789-If there is no objection to the motion, for immediate consideration it is deemed to be approved, 6
790-but if there is objection to the motion for immediate consideration, the presiding officer shall 7
791-submit the motion to a vote of the senate; such motion for immediate consideration shall require 8
792-the votes of two-thirds (2/3) of those senators present and voting, for approval. If the bill is not 9
793-available electronically to all members of the senate at the time of the request for immediate 10
794-consideration, then a hard copy of the bill shall be made available to any senator upon request. 11
795-7.22 Questions During Debate. 12
796-A senator, while speaking after recognition by the chair, may, upon request of a senator, 13
797-yield to him or her temporarily without thereby relinquishing his or her prior right to the floor 14
798-and, thereafter, may terminate such interruption and resume speaking at any time; provided, 15
799-however, that it shall not be in order for a senator to rise and request that a senator, other than the 16
800-one with the right to the floor, yield to a question. Furthermore, it shall not be in order for a 17
801-senator, with the right to the floor, to ask another senator to yield to a question, unless such 18
802-senator has previously spoken during the debate on the matter. All questions and responses shall 19
803-be directed through the chair and the presiding officer shall not be interrupted when speaking. 20
804-SECTION 8. 21
805-VOTING ON THE SENATE FLOOR 22
806-8.1 Method of Voting. 23
807-The electronic roll call of the senate shall be called on any vote pertaining to an election, 24
808-public bill, on passage of the consent calendar and on any other vote at the request of any senator 25
809-present; otherwise, votes shall be put by yeas and nays. In naming sums or numbers, and fixing 26
810-times, the largest sum or longest time shall be put first. 27
811-8.2 Voting Machine Inoperative. 28
812-In the event the machine is not to be used to record a vote or is not operating properly, all 29
813-votes and other determinations may be taken as required by senate rules, either by voice vote, 30
814-division vote or by calling the roll alphabetically and recording the yeas and nays. If a senator's 31
815-voting device is out of order, the senator shall rise and announce it to the presiding officer and 32
816-cast his or her vote orally prior to the declaration of the result of the vote. 33
817-8.3 Who May Vote. 34
783+LC001264 - Page 22 of 31
784+been recognized, notwithstanding the provisions of section 7.13. 1
785+7.21 Immediate Consideration. 2
786+During the time for introduction and reference of new business, as provided in section 3
787+3.3, a senator may introduce a bill and move for immediate consideration of the bill at that time. 4
788+If there is no objection to the motion, for immediate consideration it is deemed to be approved, 5
789+but if there is objection to the motion for immediate consideration, the presiding officer shall 6
790+submit the motion to a vote of the senate; such motion for immediate consideration shall require 7
791+the votes of two-thirds (2/3) of those senators present and voting, for approval. If the bill is not 8
792+available electronically to all members of the senate at the time of the request for immediate 9
793+consideration, then a hard copy of the bill shall be made available to any senator upon request. 10
794+7.22 Questions During Debate. 11
795+A senator, while speaking after recognition by the chair, may, upon request of a senator, 12
796+yield to him or her temporarily without thereby relinquishing his or her prior right to the floor 13
797+and, thereafter, may terminate such interruption and resume speaking at any time; provided, 14
798+however, that it shall not be in order for a senator to rise and request that a senator, other than the 15
799+one with the right to the floor, yield to a question. Furthermore, it shall not be in order for a 16
800+senator, with the right to the floor, to ask another senator to yield to a question, unless such 17
801+senator has previously spoken during the debate on the matter. All questions and responses shall 18
802+be directed through the chair and the presiding officer shall not be interrupted when speaking. 19
803+SECTION 8. 20
804+VOTING ON THE SENATE FLOOR 21
805+8.1 Method of Voting. 22
806+The electronic roll call of the senate shall be called on any vote pertaining to an election, 23
807+public bill, on passage of the consent calendar and on any other vote at the request of any senator 24
808+present; otherwise, votes shall be put by yeas and nays. In naming sums or numbers, and fixing 25
809+times, the largest sum or longest time shall be put first. 26
810+8.2 Voting Machine Inoperative. 27
811+In the event the machine is not to be used to record a vote or is not operating properly, all 28
812+votes and other determinations may be taken as required by senate rules, either by voice vote, 29
813+division vote or by calling the roll alphabetically and recording the yeas and nays. If a senator's 30
814+voting device is out of order, the senator shall rise and announce it to the presiding officer and 31
815+cast his or her vote orally prior to the declaration of the result of the vote. 32
816+8.3 Who May Vote. 33
817+Any member who is present on the senate floor must vote. Any senator who is not on the 34
818818
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820-LC001264/SUB A - Page 23 of 31
821-Any member who is present on the senate floor must vote. Any senator who is not on the 1
822-floor at such time, but who returns before the machine is locked, shall be permitted to vote. 2
823-Without objection or with a majority vote, a senator may be permitted to cast a vote after the 3
824-results have been announced, provided however such request shall be made on the same 4
825-legislative day and, only if the vote if so permitted, will not change the result previously 5
826-announced. 6
827-8.4 Control of Electronic Voting System. 7
828-The electronic voting system shall be under the control of the presiding officer and shall 8
829-be operated by such personnel as the president of the senate so designates. 9
830-8.5 Conducting a Vote. 10
831-At a reasonable time prior to any vote being taken, the presiding officer shall announce 11
832-that a vote is about to be taken. When any senator other than the president of the senate is 12
833-presiding, such senator may direct either the Secretary of the Senate or the reading clerk to cast 13
834-his or her vote at his or her voting station, but at no other time may a senator designate any other 14
835-person to cast his or her vote. Until the completion of the voting, no senator shall be recognized, 15
836-and no other business shall be transacted. When sufficient time has elapsed for each senator to 16
837-vote prior to locking the machine, the presiding officer shall ask if any member present desires to 17
838-vote or change his or her vote. The presiding officer shall then order the machine locked and 18
839-activate the recording process. The voting machine shall remain locked between all votes. 19
840-8.6 Announcing the Tally. 20
841-When the vote is completely recorded, the Secretary of the Senate shall advise the 21
842-presiding officer of the result; and the presiding officer shall announce the result to the senate and 22
843-the result shall be recorded in the journal. 23
844-8.7 Changing a Vote. 24
845-No vote may be changed after the system has been locked and the vote recorded except 25
846-that, after a vote has been recorded, any senator may, by a majority vote of the senate, be 26
847-permitted to change his or her vote, provided that such change be effected on the same calendar 27
848-day as his or her original vote. 28
849-8.8 Recording Votes. 29
850-8.8-1 On any recorded vote, no senator shall be recorded as having voted unless he or she 30
851-has been recorded or recognized as being present prior to the conduct of said vote. 31
852-8.8-2 Upon request, on any non-recorded vote, any senator shall have his or her vote 32
853-recorded so that it shall appear in the journal of the senate. 33
854-8.9 Voting for Another. 34
820+LC001264 - Page 23 of 31
821+floor at such time, but who returns before the machine is locked, shall be permitted to vote. 1
822+Without objection or with a majority vote, a senator may be permitted to cast a vote after the 2
823+results have been announced, provided however such request shall be made on the same 3
824+legislative day and, only if the vote if so permitted, will not change the result previously 4
825+announced. 5
826+8.4 Control of Electronic Voting System. 6
827+The electronic voting system shall be under the control of the presiding officer and shall 7
828+be operated by such personnel as the president of the senate so designates. 8
829+8.5 Conducting a Vote. 9
830+At a reasonable time prior to any vote being taken, the presiding officer shall announce 10
831+that a vote is about to be taken. When any senator other than the president of the senate is 11
832+presiding, such senator may direct either the Secretary of the Senate or the reading clerk to cast 12
833+his or her vote at his or her voting station, but at no other time may a senator designate any other 13
834+person to cast his or her vote. Until the completion of the voting, no senator shall be recognized, 14
835+and no other business shall be transacted. When sufficient time has elapsed for each senator to 15
836+vote prior to locking the machine, the presiding officer shall ask if any member present desires to 16
837+vote or change his or her vote. The presiding officer shall then order the machine locked and 17
838+activate the recording process. The voting machine shall remain locked between all votes. 18
839+8.6 Announcing the Tally. 19
840+When the vote is completely recorded, the Secretary of the Senate shall advise the 20
841+presiding officer of the result; and the presiding officer shall announce the result to the senate and 21
842+the result shall be recorded in the journal. 22
843+8.7 Changing a Vote. 23
844+No vote may be changed after the system has been locked and the vote recorded except 24
845+that, after a vote has been recorded, any senator may, by a majority vote of the senate, be 25
846+permitted to change his or her vote, provided that such change be effected on the same calendar 26
847+day as his or her original vote. 27
848+8.8 Recording Votes. 28
849+8.8-1 On any recorded vote, no senator shall be recorded as having voted unless he or she 29
850+has been recorded or recognized as being present prior to the conduct of said vote. 30
851+8.8-2 Upon request, on any non-recorded vote, any senator shall have his or her vote 31
852+recorded so that it shall appear in the journal of the senate. 32
853+8.9 Voting for Another. 33
854+No senator may vote for another senator; nor may any person cast a vote for a senator, 34
855855
856856
857-LC001264/SUB A - Page 24 of 31
858-No senator may vote for another senator; nor may any person cast a vote for a senator, 1
859-except as otherwise provided in section 8.5. A senator who voted for another senator may be 2
860-punished in a manner the senate determines. A person voting for a senator, when not authorized 3
861-by section 8.5, is barred from the floor of the senate and may be further punished as the senate 4
862-determines. 5
863-8.10 Explanation of Vote. 6
864-No explanation of any vote will be permitted during the voting or after a vote has been 7
865-cast. 8
866-8.11 Statement of the Question. 9
867-After the question has been put, but before the system is locked, any senator may call for 10
868-a statement of the question. 11
869-8.12 No Interruption. 12
870-While the presiding officer is putting the question, or the vote is being recorded, no 13
871-senator shall speak or leave his or her place. 14
872-8.13 Voting by Proxy. 15
873-Notwithstanding any senate rule to the contrary, during any declared state of emergency 16
874-and while the senate is in session, a senator may request from the presiding officer permission to 17
875-vote by proxy on any bill or matter before the senate. The presiding officer shall, when deciding 18
876-to grant or deny the request, consider whether the senator making the request would face a 19
877-hardship in attending session, or, during a contagion, falls within a high-risk category as defined 20
878-by the Rhode Island Department of Health or an equivalent agency. 21
879-The presiding officer may also authorize a member to vote at session by limited-directed 22
880-proxy, if the member is unable to be physically present in the chamber due to a health, family 23
881-health or medical condition. A member may provide a written request to the presiding officer for 24
882-authorization to vote by proxy pursuant to this rule. The presiding officer may require that the 25
883-member provide documentation from a physician verifying that the member is unable to be 26
884-physically present at session based upon the medical needs of the member or family member, and 27
885-the presiding officer may limit the duration of authorization under this rule. Authorization to vote 28
886-by proxy pursuant to this rule shall be reported in the senate journal. 29
887-If the presiding officer grants a senator permission to vote by proxy, the presiding officer 30
888-shall notify the secretary of the senate of the decision to allow such vote by proxy. The secretary 31
889-of the senate shall prepare a proxy(ies) for each senator voting by proxy, in a form substantially 32
890-as follows: The bill number or matter to be voted on followed by a box to approve and a box to 33
891-disapprove. The secretary of the senate shall deliver the proxy(ies), by email or hand delivery, to 34
857+LC001264 - Page 24 of 31
858+except as otherwise provided in section 8.5. A senator who voted for another senator may be 1
859+punished in a manner the senate determines. A person voting for a senator, when not authorized 2
860+by section 8.5, is barred from the floor of the senate and may be further punished as the senate 3
861+determines. 4
862+8.10 Explanation of Vote. 5
863+No explanation of any vote will be permitted during the voting or after a vote has been 6
864+cast. 7
865+8.11 Statement of the Question. 8
866+After the question has been put, but before the system is locked, any senator may call for 9
867+a statement of the question. 10
868+8.12 No Interruption. 11
869+While the presiding officer is putting the question, or the vote is being recorded, no 12
870+senator shall speak or leave his or her place. 13
871+SECTION 9. 14
872+PROCEEDINGS ON NOMINATIONS 15
873+9.1 Scope. 16
874+The senate’s exercise of its constitutional obligation to give advice and consent to 17
875+executive appointees shall be governed solely and exclusively by these rules. 18
876+9.2 Delivery 19
877+Nominations shall be delivered to the Secretary of the Senate, or his or her designee, at 20
878+the Office of the Secretary for presentation to the Senate. 21
879+9.3 Presentation to the Senate. 22
880+When a nomination shall be presented to the Senate for advice and consent, it shall, 23
881+unless otherwise ordered, be referred to the appropriate committee or committees and a copy of 24
882+the nomination shall be delivered to the senator within whose district the nominee resides. Except 25
883+as set forth herein, nominations shall follow the same course and be subject to the same 26
884+procedures as bills introduced pursuant to Rules of the Senate. 27
885+9.4 Questions Presented. 28
886+The final question on every nomination shall be, "Will the Senate provide its advice and 29
887+consent to [insert nominee name and position]?" which question shall not be put on the same 30
888+legislative day on which the nomination is received, nor on the legislative day on which it may be 31
889+reported by a committee. Provided, however, that this provision may be waived by vote of a 32
890+majority of the Senate. 33
891+9.5 Effect of Non-action. 34
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894-LC001264/SUB A - Page 25 of 31
895-each senator authorized to vote by proxy. Any senator voting by proxy shall have their signature 1
896-notarized and shall return the notarized proxy(ies), by email or hand delivery, to the leader of 2
897-their respective caucus. The majority or minority leader shall forward the executed proxy(ies) to 3
898-the secretary of the senate to be recorded in the journal. 4
899-SECTION 9. 5
900-PROCEEDINGS ON NOMINATIONS 6
901-9.1 Scope. 7
902-The senate’s exercise of its constitutional obligation to give advice and consent to 8
903-executive appointees shall be governed solely and exclusively by these rules. 9
904-9.2 Delivery 10
905-Nominations shall be delivered to the Secretary of the Senate, or his or her designee, at 11
906-the Office of the Secretary for presentation to the Senate. 12
907-9.3 Presentation to the Senate. 13
908-When a nomination shall be presented to the Senate for advice and consent, it shall, 14
909-unless otherwise ordered, be referred to the appropriate committee or committees and a copy of 15
910-the nomination shall be delivered to the senator within whose district the nominee resides. Except 16
911-as set forth herein, nominations shall follow the same course and be subject to the same 17
912-procedures as bills introduced pursuant to Rules of the Senate. 18
913-9.4 Questions Presented. 19
914-The final question on every nomination shall be, "Will the Senate provide its advice and 20
915-consent to [insert nominee name and position]?" which question shall not be put on the same 21
916-legislative day on which the nomination is received, nor on the legislative day on which it may be 22
917-reported by a committee. Provided, however, that this provision may be waived by vote of a 23
918-majority of the Senate. 24
919-9.5 Effect of Non-action. 25
920-Nominations neither confirmed nor rejected during the annual session at which they are 26
921-made shall not be acted upon at any succeeding session unless renewed by the appointing 27
922-authority; and if the Senate shall adjourn or be in recess for a period in excess of thirty (30) days, 28
923-all nominations pending and not finally acted upon at the time of such adjournment or recess shall 29
924-be returned by the Secretary of the Senate to the appointing authority, and shall not again be 30
925-considered unless the nomination shall again be made and delivered to the Senate by the 31
926-appointing authority. 32
927-9.6 Withdrawal of Nominations. 33
928-Nominations may be withdrawn by the appointing authority at any time prior to final 34
894+LC001264 - Page 25 of 31
895+Nominations neither confirmed nor rejected during the annual session at which they are 1
896+made shall not be acted upon at any succeeding session unless renewed by the appointing 2
897+authority; and if the Senate shall adjourn or be in recess for a period in excess of thirty (30) days, 3
898+all nominations pending and not finally acted upon at the time of such adjournment or recess shall 4
899+be returned by the Secretary of the Senate to the appointing authority, and shall not again be 5
900+considered unless the nomination shall again be made and delivered to the Senate by the 6
901+appointing authority. 7
902+9.6 Withdrawal of Nominations. 8
903+Nominations may be withdrawn by the appointing authority at any time prior to final 9
904+action thereon by the Senate. 10
905+SECTION 10. 11
906+MISCELLANEOUS 12
907+10.1 Legislative Aides. 13
908+The president of the senate may appoint and prescribe the duties and terms of a 14
909+parliamentarian and one head page and as many assistant pages, doorkeepers and legislative aides 15
910+as the president of the senate shall deem necessary; and any or all of them may be removed at the 16
911+pleasure of the president of the senate. 17
912+10.2 Absence of a Quorum. 18
913+When there shall be seven (7) or more senators, but less than a quorum of the senate 19
914+present, a majority of the senators present may direct the presiding officer to compel the 20
915+attendance of absent senators in accordance with law. 21
916+10.3 Amendment and Suspension of Rules. 22
917+No rule shall be repealed, suspended or amended, or the operation thereof temporarily 23
918+suspended except by two-thirds (2/3) of the members present and voting. 24
919+10.4 Access to the Senate Chamber. 25
920+10.4-1 Access During Senate Session. 26
921+Ten minutes prior to the time the senate is scheduled to convene, the secretary of the 27
922+senate shall clear the senate chamber of all persons other than members of the general assembly, 28
923+general assembly staff, guests of a senator, and authorized representatives of the news media. 29
924+From this time to the adjournment or recess of said session no persons other than those listed 30
925+above shall be admitted to the senate chamber except with permission from the senate president. 31
926+10.4-2 Senators' Seats. 32
927+The seat of each senator shall be assigned by the president of the senate, and in no event 33
928+shall any other person be permitted to occupy such assigned seat. 34
929929
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931-LC001264/SUB A - Page 26 of 31
932-action thereon by the Senate. 1
933-SECTION 10. 2
934-MISCELLANEOUS 3
935-10.1 Legislative Aides. 4
936-The president of the senate may appoint and prescribe the duties and terms of a 5
937-parliamentarian and one head page and as many assistant pages, doorkeepers and legislative aides 6
938-as the president of the senate shall deem necessary; and any or all of them may be removed at the 7
939-pleasure of the president of the senate. 8
940-10.2 Absence of a Quorum. 9
941-When there shall be seven (7) or more senators, but less than a quorum of the senate 10
942-present, a majority of the senators present may direct the presiding officer to compel the 11
943-attendance of absent senators in accordance with law. 12
944-10.3 Amendment and Suspension of Rules. 13
945-No rule shall be repealed, suspended or amended, or the operation thereof temporarily 14
946-suspended except by two-thirds (2/3) of the members present and voting. 15
947-10.4 Access to the Senate Chamber. 16
948-10.4-1 Access During Senate Session. 17
949-Ten minutes prior to the time the senate is scheduled to convene, the secretary of the 18
950-senate shall clear the senate chamber of all persons other than members of the general assembly, 19
951-general assembly staff, guests of a senator, and authorized representatives of the news media. 20
952-From this time to the adjournment or recess of said session no persons other than those listed 21
953-above shall be admitted to the senate chamber except with permission from the senate president. 22
954-10.4-2 Senators' Seats. 23
955-The seat of each senator shall be assigned by the president of the senate, and in no event 24
956-shall any other person be permitted to occupy such assigned seat. 25
957-10.4-3 Sheriff's Duties. 26
958-It shall be the duty of the sheriff, or the sheriff's deputies in attendance in the senate, or in 27
959-their absence, a member of the capitol police department, to see that sections 10.4-1, 10.4-2, 10.4-28
960-3, 10.4-4 and 10.4-9 are enforced, and that all senate entrances and exits are kept completely clear 29
961-and open to passage to and from the chamber. 30
962-10.4-4 Gallery. 31
963-When the normal seating accommodations for visitors in the gallery have been filled, no 32
964-additional seats shall be installed, and no persons shall be thereafter admitted to the gallery of the 33
965-senate while in session except to fill vacancies. 34
931+LC001264 - Page 26 of 31
932+10.4-3 Sheriff's Duties. 1
933+It shall be the duty of the sheriff, or the sheriff's deputies in attendance in the senate, or in 2
934+their absence, a member of the capitol police department, to see that sections 10.4-1, 10.4-2, 10.4-3
935+3, 10.4-4 and 10.4-9 are enforced, and that all senate entrances and exits are kept completely clear 4
936+and open to passage to and from the chamber. 5
937+10.4-4 Gallery. 6
938+When the normal seating accommodations for visitors in the gallery have been filled, no 7
939+additional seats shall be installed, and no persons shall be thereafter admitted to the gallery of the 8
940+senate while in session except to fill vacancies. 9
941+10.5 Confidentiality of Drafting. 10
942+At the request of any senator or senate attorney to the director of the legislative council, 11
943+an entry into the word processing system may be made confidential so that the entry shall be 12
944+accessible only to the senator or senate attorney making such request or his or her designee. An 13
945+entry may be a bill, letter, memorandum or any other document. 14
946+10.6 Misuse of Rules. 15
947+If it appears that the rules are being used as a tactic to impede senate business, the 16
948+presiding officer may make a decision to that effect and put the matter before the senate and a 17
949+majority vote of the senators present shall sustain with finality the ruling of the presiding officer. 18
950+10.7 Extraordinary and Special Session. 19
951+In the event of the calling of an extraordinary session of the general assembly by the 20
952+governor, or a reconvened session by the speaker of the house and the president of the senate, 21
953+said session shall be conducted pursuant to these rules; provided, however, that sections 4.9-1, 22
954+6.2, 7.6 and 7.8 are not applicable to any such session; and, provided further, that any bill, act or 23
955+resolution for consideration of which the session is called shall have been provided to the 24
956+members at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to the consideration of the senate. 25
957+10.7-2 Voting by Proxy During Declared State of Emergency 10.7-1 Voting by 26
958+Proxy. 27
959+Notwithstanding any senate rule to the contrary, during any declared state of emergency 28
960+and while the senate is in session, a senator may request from the presiding officer permission to 29
961+vote by proxy on any bill or matter before the senate. The presiding officer shall, when deciding 30
962+to grant or deny the request, consider whether the senator making the request would face a 31
963+hardship in attending session, or, during a contagion, falls within a high-risk category as defined 32
964+by the Rhode Island Department of Health or an equivalent agency. The presiding officer may 33
965+also authorize a member to vote at session by limited-directed proxy if the member is unable to 34
966966
967967
968-LC001264/SUB A - Page 27 of 31
969-10.5 Confidentiality of Drafting. 1
970-At the request of any senator or senate attorney to the director of the legislative council, 2
971-an entry into the word processing system may be made confidential so that the entry shall be 3
972-accessible only to the senator or senate attorney making such request or his or her designee. An 4
973-entry may be a bill, letter, memorandum or any other document. 5
974-10.6 Misuse of Rules. 6
975-If it appears that the rules are being used as a tactic to impede senate business, the 7
976-presiding officer may make a decision to that effect and put the matter before the senate and a 8
977-majority vote of the senators present shall sustain with finality the ruling of the presiding officer. 9
978-10.7 Extraordinary and Special Session. 10
979-In the event of the calling of an extraordinary session of the general assembly by the 11
980-governor, or a reconvened session by the speaker of the house and the president of the senate, 12
981-said session shall be conducted pursuant to these rules; provided, however, that sections 4.9-1, 13
982-6.2, 7.6 and 7.8 are not applicable to any such session; and, provided further, that any bill, act or 14
983-resolution for consideration of which the session is called shall have been provided to the 15
984-members at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to the consideration of the senate. 16
985-10.7-2 Voting by Proxy During Declared State of Emergency. 17
968+LC001264 - Page 27 of 31
969+be physically present in the chamber due to a health or medical condition. A member may 1
970+provide a written request to the presiding officer for authorization to vote by proxy pursuant to 2
971+this rule. The presiding officer may require that the member provide documentation from a 3
972+physician verifying that the member is unable to be physically present at session, and the 4
973+presiding officer may limit the duration of authorization under this rule. Authorization to vote by 5
974+proxy pursuant to this rule shall be reported in the senate journal. If the presiding officer grants a 6
975+senator permission to vote by proxy, the presiding officer shall notify the secretary of the senate 7
976+of the decision to allow such vote by proxy. The secretary of the senate shall prepare a proxy(ies) 8
977+for each senator voting by proxy, in a form substantially as follows: The bill number or matter to 9
978+be voted on followed by a box to approve and a box to disapprove. The secretary of the senate 10
979+shall deliver the proxy(ies), by email or hand delivery, to each senator authorized to vote by 11
980+proxy. Any senator voting by proxy shall have their signature notarized and shall return the 12
981+notarized proxy(ies), by email or hand delivery, to the leader of their respective caucus. The 13
982+majority or minority leader shall forward the executed proxy(ies) to the secretary of the senate to 14
983+be recorded in the journal. The right to vote by proxy shall cease on the date that the state of 15
984+emergency is officially declared over. 16
985+10.7-2 Remote committee hearings. 17
986986 Notwithstanding any senate rule to the contrary, during any declared state of emergency 18
987-and while the senate is in session, a senator may request from the presiding officer permission to 19
988-vote by proxy on any bill or matter before the senate. The presiding officer shall, when deciding 20
989-to grant or deny the request, consider whether the senator making the request would face a 21
990-hardship in attending session, or, during a contagion, falls within a high-risk category as defined 22
991-by the Rhode Island Department of Health or an equivalent agency. If the presiding officer grants 23
992-a senator permission to vote by proxy, the presiding officer shall notify the secretary of the senate 24
993-of the decision to allow such vote by proxy. The secretary of the senate shall prepare a proxy(ies) 25
994-for each senator voting by proxy, in a form substantially as follows: The bill number or matter to 26
995-be voted on followed by a box to approve and a box to disapprove. The secretary of the senate 27
996-shall deliver the proxy(ies), by email or hand delivery, to each senator authorized to vote by 28
997-proxy. Any senator voting by proxy shall have their signature notarized and shall return the 29
998-notarized proxy(ies), by email or hand delivery, to the leader of their respective caucus. The 30
999-majority or minority leader shall forward the executed proxy(ies) to the secretary of the senate to 31
1000-be recorded in the journal. The right to vote by proxy shall cease on the date that the state of 32
1001-emergency is officially declared over. 33
1002-10.7-210.8 Remote committee hearings. 34
987+and while the senate is in session, a committee chairperson, with the permission of the presiding 19
988+officer, may schedule a remote meeting of the committee in which they serve as chairperson for 20
989+the purpose of hearing and/or considering any matter that has been assigned to the committee. 21
990+Unless otherwise provided for, the chairperson or vice chairperson of the committee shall ensure 22
991+that all requirements of section 6 of these rules are complied with. This rule shall be construed to 23
992+allow for both remote and in person/remote participation. 24
993+10.8 Mason's Rules. 25
994+Mason's Rules of Order shall govern procedure on the senate floor and in the committees 26
995+of the senate in all cases in which they are not inconsistent with these rules or with any joint rules 27
996+of the senate and house. 28
997+10.9 Use of Facilities. 29
998+The senate locker room, lounge and corridor adjacent to them shall be for the exclusive 30
999+use of the senators and their guests. 31
1000+10.10 Decorum. 32
1001+No senator shall use profane, insulting or abusive language or act in any manner that 33
1002+interferes with the orderly conduct of the session of the senate. The president of the senate shall 34
10031003
10041004
1005-LC001264/SUB A - Page 28 of 31
1006-Notwithstanding any senate rule to the contrary, during any declared state of emergency 1
1007-and while the senate is in session, a committee chairperson, with the permission of the presiding 2
1008-officer, may schedule a remote meeting of the committee in which they serve as chairperson for 3
1009-the purpose of hearing and/or considering any matter that has been assigned to the committee. 4
1010-Unless otherwise provided for, the chairperson or vice chairperson of the committee shall ensure 5
1011-that all requirements of section 6 of these rules are complied with. This rule shall be construed to 6
1012-allow for both remote and in person/remote participation. 7
1013-10.810.9 Mason's Rules. 8
1014-Mason's Rules of Order shall govern procedure on the senate floor and in the committees 9
1015-of the senate in all cases in which they are not inconsistent with these rules or with any joint rules 10
1016-of the senate and house. 11
1017-10.910.10 Use of Facilities. 12
1018-The senate locker room, lounge and corridor adjacent to them shall be for the exclusive 13
1019-use of the senators and their guests. 14
1020-10.1010.11 Decorum. 15
1021-No senator shall use profane, insulting or abusive language or act in any manner that 16
1022-interferes with the orderly conduct of the session of the senate. The president of the senate shall 17
1023-preserve decorum and order in the senate chamber. While in the senate chamber, members and 18
1024-staff shall be required to dress in proper and appropriate attire, such as blouses, dress slacks and 19
1025-collared shirts with accompanying jacket. 20
1026-10.1110.12 Smoking Prohibited. 21
1027-Smoking shall be prohibited in all senate areas including, but not limited to: the chamber, 22
1028-gallery, lounge, committee rooms, offices, restrooms or hallways. The presiding officer shall 23
1029-enforce this rule. 24
1030-10.1210.13 Consumption of Food and Alcoholic Beverages. 25
1031-The consumption of food and alcoholic beverages shall be prohibited on the senate floor. 26
1032-Except at the specific request of a member, all beverages consumed on the floor shall be in paper 27
1033-or plastic cups. 28
1034-10.1310.14 Electronic Devices. 29
1035-Members shall be courteous and professional when using electronic devices. 30
1036-10.1410.15 Photographic Equipment. 31
1037-During sessions, photographic equipment that blocks ingress or egress or unduly creates a 32
1038-disturbance as determined by the president of the senate or the senate committee chair, shall not 33
1039-be used on the floor of the senate or in committee hearing rooms when committee meetings are in 34
1005+LC001264 - Page 28 of 31
1006+preserve decorum and order in the senate chamber. While in the senate chamber, members and 1
1007+staff shall be required to dress in proper and appropriate attire, such as blouses, dress slacks and 2
1008+collared shirts with accompanying jacket. 3
1009+10.11 Smoking Prohibited. 4
1010+Smoking shall be prohibited in all senate areas including, but not limited to: the chamber, 5
1011+gallery, lounge, committee rooms, offices, restrooms or hallways. The presiding officer shall 6
1012+enforce this rule. 7
1013+10.12 Consumption of Food and Alcoholic Beverages. 8
1014+The consumption of food and alcoholic beverages shall be prohibited on the senate floor. 9
1015+Except at the specific request of a member, all beverages consumed on the floor shall be in paper 10
1016+or plastic cups. 11
1017+10.13 Electronic Devices. 12
1018+Members shall be courteous and professional when using electronic devices. 13
1019+10.14 Photographic Equipment. 14
1020+During sessions, photographic equipment that blocks ingress or egress or unduly creates a 15
1021+disturbance as determined by the president of the senate or the senate committee chair, shall not 16
1022+be used on the floor of the senate or in committee hearing rooms when committee meetings are in 17
1023+session. 18
1024+10.15 Display of Posters, Signs, and Banners on the Floor. 19
1025+No placard, sign, poster, banner, chart or other visual aid of similar nature shall be 20
1026+displayed on the floor of the Senate or used in debate at any time when the Senate is in session 21
1027+without the consent of the presiding officer. Any decision of the presiding officer under this rule 22
1028+may be appealed to the body. 23
1029+10.16 Display of Posters, Signs, and Banners Prohibited in the Gallery or Hearing 24
1030+Rooms. 25
1031+No placard, sign, poster, banner, chart or visual aid of similar nature shall be displayed in 26
1032+the gallery or committee hearing room at any time when the Senate or a committee is in session. 27
1033+The presiding officer shall order any such object so displayed to be removed. 28
1034+10.17 Official Notice. 29
1035+Except as otherwise provided in these rules, notice to a member transmitted from the 30
1036+Office of the President through the Rhode Island General Assembly email system to the 31
1037+rilegislature.gov email address assigned to the member shall constitute official written notice to 32
1038+the member as of the date and time of the transmission. It is the responsibility of the members to 33
1039+monitor their rilegislature.gov email address on a regular basis, or to have email messages 34
10401040
10411041
1042-LC001264/SUB A - Page 29 of 31
1043-session. 1
1044-10.1510.16 Display of Posters, Signs, and Banners on the Floor. 2
1045-No placard, sign, poster, banner, chart or other visual aid of similar nature shall be 3
1046-displayed on the floor of the Senate or used in debate at any time when the Senate is in session 4
1047-without the consent of the presiding officer. Any decision of the presiding officer under this rule 5
1048-may be appealed to the body. 6
1049-10.1610.17 Display of Posters, Signs, and Banners Prohibited in the Gallery or 7
1050-Hearing Rooms. 8
1051-No placard, sign, poster, banner, chart or visual aid of similar nature shall be displayed in 9
1052-the gallery or committee hearing room at any time when the Senate or a committee is in session. 10
1053-The presiding officer shall order any such object so displayed to be removed. 11
1054-10.1710.18 Official Notice. 12
1055-Except as otherwise provided in these rules, notice to a member transmitted from the 13
1056-Office of the President through the Rhode Island General Assembly email system to the 14
1057-rilegislature.gov email address assigned to the member shall constitute official written notice to 15
1058-the member as of the date and time of the transmission. It is the responsibility of the members to 16
1059-monitor their rilegislature.gov email address on a regular basis, or to have email messages 17
1060-forwarded to an address which is monitored on a regular basis. Alternatively, a member may elect 18
1061-to receive such notice directly at an email address other than the member’s rilegislature.gov email 19
1062-address by executing a form available in the Office of the President. Once designated, 20
1063-transmissions to the alternate email address shall constitute written notice to the member as of the 21
1064-date and time of the transmission and will continue to be such until the Office of the President is 22
1065-notified of a different address. 23
1066-10.1810.19 Continuing Ethics Education. 24
1067-All state senators and senate employees shall annually participate in a continuing 25
1068-education program presented by the Rhode Island Ethics Commission on the Rhode Island Code 26
1069-of Ethics and related laws. 27
1070-10.1910.20 Continuing Education and Training. 28
1071-All state senators and senate employees, shall annually participate in a continuing 29
1072-education program presented by the Rhode Island Commission for Human Rights. 30
1073-10.2010.21 Discipline of a Member. 31
1074-The extraordinary power of expulsion generally should be reserved for very serious 32
1075-breaches of legal or ethical responsibilities of members. A complaint to expel a member shall 33
1076-commence with a resolution sponsored by the senate president; provided however, if the president 34
1042+LC001264 - Page 29 of 31
1043+forwarded to an address which is monitored on a regular basis. Alternatively, a member may elect 1
1044+to receive such notice directly at an email address other than the member’s rilegislature.gov email 2
1045+address by executing a form available in the Office of the President. Once designated, 3
1046+transmissions to the alternate email address shall constitute written notice to the member as of the 4
1047+date and time of the transmission and will continue to be such until the Office of the President is 5
1048+notified of a different address. 6
1049+10.18 Continuing Ethics Education. 7
1050+All state senators and senate employees shall annually participate in a continuing 8
1051+education program presented by the Rhode Island Ethics Commission on the Rhode Island Code 9
1052+of Ethics and related laws. 10
1053+10.19 Continuing Education and Training. 11
1054+All state senators and senate employees, shall annually participate in a continuing 12
1055+education program presented by the Rhode Island Commission for Human Rights. 13
1056+10.20 Discipline of a Member. 14
1057+The extraordinary power of expulsion generally should be reserved for very serious 15
1058+breaches of legal or ethical responsibilities of members. A complaint to expel a member shall 16
1059+commence with a resolution sponsored by the senate president; provided however, if the president 17
1060+is the subject of the resolution to expel, the resolution shall be sponsored by the president pro 18
1061+tempore. The secretary of the senate shall refer the resolution to the committee on judiciary. The 19
1062+committee shall investigate the matter and shall have the right to compel witnesses and produce 20
1063+documents by subpoena and other customary means. The committee shall afford the member due 21
1064+process. Due process shall be defined as customary legislative process for hearings, to include: 22
1065+properly served notice of all hearings, the right to testify and refute the allegations and the right to 23
1066+present evidence. In addition, individual notice shall be served upon the member and the member 24
1067+shall have the right to cross examine any witness. The vote of a majority of the committee shall 25
1068+be sent to the floor for the next legislative day available for consideration. All testimony shall be 26
1069+under oath and preserved by stenographic record which shall be transcribed upon the order of the 27
1070+chair. Expulsion shall require by two-thirds of the members elected voting for approval of the 28
1071+resolution to expel. 29
1072+10.21 Elections. 30
1073+(1) On the first day of session, in an odd-numbered year, the senate shall be called to 31
1074+order by the senior member in continuous service present from Newport: "from Newport" shall be 32
1075+defined as any member who lives in Newport, if none, then the senior member whose district 33
1076+includes any of the City of Newport. If there are two (2) or more members of equal seniority of 34
10771077
10781078
1079-LC001264/SUB A - Page 30 of 31
1080-is the subject of the resolution to expel, the resolution shall be sponsored by the president pro 1
1081-tempore. The secretary of the senate shall refer the resolution to the committee on judiciary. The 2
1082-committee shall investigate the matter and shall have the right to compel witnesses and produce 3
1083-documents by subpoena and other customary means. The committee shall afford the member due 4
1084-process. Due process shall be defined as customary legislative process for hearings, to include: 5
1085-properly served notice of all hearings, the right to testify and refute the allegations and the right to 6
1086-present evidence. In addition, individual notice shall be served upon the member and the member 7
1087-shall have the right to cross examine any witness. The vote of a majority of the committee shall 8
1088-be sent to the floor for the next legislative day available for consideration. All testimony shall be 9
1089-under oath and preserved by stenographic record which shall be transcribed upon the order of the 10
1090-chair. Expulsion shall require by two-thirds of the members elected voting for approval of the 11
1091-resolution to expel. 12
1092-10.2110.22 Elections. 13
1093-(1) On the first day of session, in an odd-numbered year, the senate shall be called to 14
1094-order by the senior member in continuous service present from Newport: "from Newport" shall be 15
1095-defined as any member who lives in Newport, if none, then the senior member whose district 16
1096-includes any of the City of Newport. If there are two (2) or more members of equal seniority of 17
1097-service, then by that one of them that shall be senior in age. The roll of members as appears by 18
1098-the list of senators shall then be called by the clerk. If a quorum is present, the member calling the 19
1099-senate to order as provided above shall call for nominations for the office of president of the 20
1100-senate, and shall call for a roll call vote of all members voting, and after the votes have been 21
1101-counted by him or her and by the clerks of the senate, he or she shall declare the result, and the 22
1102-voting shall continue until some person receives a majority of all the votes, and the person 23
1103-receiving that majority shall be the president of the senate for the ensuing term of two (2) years; 24
1104-(2) The member so calling the senate to order shall not receive, entertain, or put to vote any 25
1105-motion or question whatever, or point of order, excepting, the adoption of interim Senate Rules 26
1106-which shall precede any election; (3) Immediately upon the election of a president, the senate 27
1107-shall proceed to elect by roll call vote a president pro tempore, deputy president pro tempore, 28
1108-secretary of the senate and reading clerk, and shall immediately notify the house of 29
1109-representatives that it is duly organized and ready to proceed with the business of the session; (4) 30
1110-The secretary and clerk shall be employees of the legislative department under the jurisdiction 31
1111-and control of the senate, and shall hold office for two (2) years, and until their successors are 32
1112-elected and qualified; (5) Should the office of president pro tempore, deputy president pro 33
1113-tempore, secretary of the senate and reading clerk become vacant during the session term, the 34
1079+LC001264 - Page 30 of 31
1080+service, then by that one of them that shall be senior in age. The roll of members as appears by 1
1081+the list of senators shall then be called by the clerk. If a quorum is present, the member calling the 2
1082+senate to order as provided above shall call for nominations for the office of president of the 3
1083+senate, and shall call for a roll call vote of all members voting, and after the votes have been 4
1084+counted by him or her and by the clerks of the senate, he or she shall declare the result, and the 5
1085+voting shall continue until some person receives a majority of all the votes, and the person 6
1086+receiving that majority shall be the president of the senate for the ensuing term of two (2) years; 7
1087+(2) The member so calling the senate to order shall not receive, entertain, or put to vote any 8
1088+motion or question whatever, or point of order, excepting, the adoption of interim Senate Rules 9
1089+which shall precede any election; (3) Immediately upon the election of a president, the senate 10
1090+shall proceed to elect by roll call vote a president pro tempore, deputy president pro tempore, 11
1091+secretary of the senate and reading clerk, and shall immediately notify the house of 12
1092+representatives that it is duly organized and ready to proceed with the business of the session; (4) 13
1093+The secretary and clerk shall be employees of the legislative department under the jurisdiction 14
1094+and control of the senate, and shall hold office for two (2) years, and until their successors are 15
1095+elected and qualified; (5) Should the office of president pro tempore, deputy president pro 16
1096+tempore, secretary of the senate and reading clerk become vacant during the session term, the 17
1097+president shall call for elections. Should the office of president become vacant during the session 18
1098+term, the president pro tempore shall preside over an election using subsection (1) above. 19
1099+SECTION 11. 20
1100+TRANSPARENCY 21
1101+11.1 Policy. 22
1102+It is declared to be the policy of the senate that to the maximum extent possible senate 23
1103+votes on public bills, elections and proceedings on the floor and in committee shall be recorded, 24
1104+or video screened and published on the general assembly website and/or broadcast on capitol 25
1105+television. 26
1106+11.2 Publication of Committee Votes. 27
1107+To the extent possible, committee votes shall be published on the general assembly 28
1108+website prior to the floor vote on the bill; provided however, that failure of a committee vote to 29
1109+appear on the website prior to the floor vote shall not be grounds for objection to consideration of 30
1110+the bill on the floor. 31
1111+11.3 Televising or Otherwise Recording Committee Hearing. 32
1112+To the extent possible, committee hearings shall be video recorded and broadcast to the 33
1113+public on capitol television. 34
11141114
11151115
1116-LC001264/SUB A - Page 31 of 31
1117-president shall call for elections. Should the office of president become vacant during the session 1
1118-term, the president pro tempore shall preside over an election using subsection (1) above. 2
1119-SECTION 11. 3
1120-TRANSPARENCY 4
1121-11.1 Policy. 5
1122-It is declared to be the policy of the senate that to the maximum extent possible senate 6
1123-votes on public bills, elections and proceedings on the floor and in committee shall be recorded, 7
1124-or video screened and published on the general assembly website and/or broadcast on capitol 8
1125-television. 9
1126-11.2 Publication of Committee Votes. 10
1127-To the extent possible, committee votes shall be published on the general assembly 11
1128-website prior to the floor vote on the bill; provided however, that failure of a committee vote to 12
1129-appear on the website prior to the floor vote shall not be grounds for objection to consideration of 13
1130-the bill on the floor. 14
1131-11.3 Televising or Otherwise Recording Committee Hearing. 15
1132-To the extent possible, committee hearings shall be video recorded and broadcast to the 16
1133-public on capitol television. 17
1134-11.4 Publication of Votes. 18
1135-All votes on public bills recorded electronically or by roll call shall be placed forthwith 19
1136-on the general assembly website. 20
1137-11.5 Publication of the Senate Rules. 21
1138-The senate rules together with an index thereof shall be published on the general 22
1139-assembly website. 23
1140-11.6 Authorization and Direction. 24
1141-The president of the senate and the senate staff are authorized and directed to take such 25
1142-reasonable and prudent action as may be necessary to carry out the policies and directives set 26
1143-forth in this section. 27
1116+LC001264 - Page 31 of 31
1117+11.4 Publication of Votes. 1
1118+All votes on public bills recorded electronically or by roll call shall be placed forthwith 2
1119+on the general assembly website. 3
1120+11.5 Publication of the Senate Rules. 4
1121+The senate rules together with an index thereof shall be published on the general 5
1122+assembly website. 6
1123+11.6 Authorization and Direction. 7
1124+The president of the senate and the senate staff are authorized and directed to take such 8
1125+reasonable and prudent action as may be necessary to carry out the policies and directives set 9
1126+forth in this section. 10
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1145-LC001264/SUB A
1128+LC001264
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