What is ParliPro? A system for a group to conduct orderly and efficient meetings A structure for making decisions

Brief History of ParliPro British House of Commons [Vice President] Thomas Jeffersons Manual of Parliamentary Practice 1801 Gen. Henry Roberts Rules of Order 1876

What is a Motion? It is a proposal for an action by the group The group follows a process set by parliamentary procedure to decide whether and how to act

How do I make a motion? Obtain the floor (seek recognition by the chair)Begin with I move to … (not I motion…)The motion must be seconded or it fails

How do we proceed after a motion is made? Debate the motion, if it is debatableConsider additional motions, if in orderVote

A Basic Example Introduction and Main Motion Speaker The Senator from State College is recognized. Senator Mr. Speaker, I move to adopt Bill Number 34. Speaker The Senator from State College moves to adopt Bill Number 34. Is there a second? Another Senator Second. Speaker The motion is proper and has been seconded. The Senator is recognized for opening remarks. Senator Senator delivers opening remarks

Additional Senators participate in the debate Speaker Seeing no further debate, the previous question is adopted. Speaker All Senators in favor of Bill 34 will vote aye when the bell rings. All opposed will vote no. Senators vote Speaker Mr. Clerk, report the vote. Clerk Mr. Speaker, the vote is 30 aye and 3 no. Speaker Bill 34, having received a constitutional majority, is declared passed. A Basic Example Debate and Vote

Motions Defined Ends the current legislative session Adjourn Take a break of a certain length or until a certain time Recess Set the motion aside until its lifted from the table Lay on the Table If adopted, ends debate Previous Question Multiple forms: chronological time (noon), place on calendar, etc. Postpone to a Certain Time Can be a standing committee or a select committee Refer to Committee AKA an amendment to the 2 nd degree, which is the maximum Amend an Amendment At TISL, amendments must be submitted in writing Amend the Main Motion Prevents consideration of the Main Motion Postpone Indefinitely The motion to adopt the bill or resolution MAIN MOTION

Debatable Motions Adjourn Recess Lay on the Table Previous Question Postpone to a Certain Time Refer to Committee Amend an Amendment Amend the Main Motion Postpone Indefinitely MAIN MOTION

Non-Debatable Motions Adjourn Recess Lay on the Table Previous Question Postpone to a Certain Time Refer to Committee Amend an Amendment Amend the Main Motion Postpone Indefinitely MAIN MOTION

Simple Majority Adjourn Recess Lay on the Table Previous Question Postpone to a Certain Time Refer to Committee Amend an Amendment Amend the Main Motion Postpone Indefinitely MAIN MOTION A majority of those present and voting Abstentions dont count

Two-Thirds Majority Adjourn Recess Lay on the Table Previous Question Postpone to a Certain Time Refer to Committee Amend an Amendment Amend the Main Motion Postpone Indefinitely MAIN MOTION At least twice as many aye votes as no votes

Rank of Motions Highest Rank Adjourn Recess Lay on the Table Previous Question Postpone to a Certain Time Refer to Committee Amend an Amendment Amend the Main Motion Postpone Indefinitely Lowest Rank MAIN MOTION KEY CONCEPTS A motion is in order if it outranks all other pending motions Debate (if in order) and voting apply to the highest-ranked pending motion

Adjourn Recess Lay on the Table Previous Question Postpone to a Certain Time Refer to Committee Amend an Amendment Amend the Main Motion Postpone Indefinitely MAIN MOTION A member moves to adopt bill number ___. All of these motions are in order because they outrank the pending motion. PENDING MOTION

Adjourn Recess Lay on the Table Previous Question Postpone to a Certain Time Refer to Committee Amend an Amendment Amend the Main Motion Postpone Indefinitely MAIN MOTION A member moves to refer the bill to committee. Still in order because they outrank the pending motions. PENDING MOTION IMMEDIATELY PENDING MOTION Outranked and out of order

Adjourn Recess Lay on the Table Previous Question Postpone to a Certain Time Refer to Committee Amend an Amendment Amend the Main Motion Postpone Indefinitely MAIN MOTION Members debate only the immediately pending motion until they dispose of it. PENDING MOTION IMMEDIATELY PENDING MOTION If the motion fails, debate returns to the highest ranking pending motion

Rank of Motions Adjourn Recess Lay on the Table Previous Question Postpone to a Certain Time Refer to Committee Amend an Amendment Amend the Main Motion Postpone Indefinitely MAIN MOTION You may have many pending motions as long as each ranks higher than the previously pending motions. PENDING MOTION

Previous Question The motion to end debatePhrased as I move the previous question.If more than one motion pending, specify the target. I move the previous question on [the amendment, the bill, etc.] If seconded and adopted (two-thirds majority), the group votes on the specified motion.

Suspend the Rules Allows the group to bypass the rules for a specific purpose A correct motion specifies the rule to be suspended and the purpose of suspending the rules. If seconded and adopted (two-thirds majority), only a specific rule is suspended only for a specific purpose. The suspension ends automatically when the stated purpose has been accomplished.

Summary Parliamentary procedure helps groups make decisions A motion is a proposal for the group to debate and decide Motions are ranked and each has a special use Effective use of ParliPro makes you a more effective legislator

INTRO TO PARLIPRO © 2011 et seq. Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature Foundation. All Rights Reserved. This slide show may be used by anyone, as long as the TISL Seal and this copyright notice are included. CHECK ONLINE REGULARLY FOR UPDATED VERSIONS OF THIS PRESENTATION

TO DO Rules of Debate Incidental Motions

Spare Adjourn Recess Lay on the Table Previous Question Postpone to a Certain Time Refer to Committee Amend an Amendment Amend the Main Motion Postpone Indefinitely MAIN MOTION