H.R. 2

             1     

HOUSE RULES RESOLUTION ON VOTING PROCEDURES

             2     
2014 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Chief Sponsor: Jim Nielson

             5     
             6      LONG TITLE
             7      General Description:
             8          This rules resolution modifies House rules relating to voting procedures.
             9      Highlighted Provisions:
             10          This resolution:
             11          .    makes an exception to the requirement that a representative be present within the
             12      House chamber when a vote is taken;
             13          .    allows a representative who is present within the House chamber when a vote is
             14      taken to abstain from voting;
             15          .    authorizes the speaker to recognize, upon request, a representative who abstained
             16      from voting for the purpose of allowing the representative to explain why the
             17      representative abstained; and
             18          .    makes conforming changes to applicable definitions.
             19      Special Clauses:
             20          This rules resolution takes effect on January 1, 2015.
             21      Legislative Rules Affected:
             22      AMENDS:
             23           HR4-7-101
             24           HR4-7-103
             25     
             26      Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the state of Utah:
             27          Section 1. HR4-7-101 is amended to read:


             28           HR4-7-101. Definitions.
             29          (1) "Electronic vote" means that those representatives present vote using an electronic
             30      system that records and tallies their votes and any abstentions from voting.
             31          (2) "Roll call vote" means a verbal voting process where:
             32          (a) the chief clerk or the chief clerk's designee verbally calls the name of each
             33      representative alphabetically, except the speaker, who is called last;
             34          (b) each representative present votes "aye," [or "no"] "nay," or "abstain" when the
             35      representative's name is called;
             36          (c) the chief clerk or the chief clerk's designee:
             37          (i) tallies the vote;
             38          (ii) records those representatives who are absent or [not] abstain from voting; and
             39          (iii) gives a copy of the tally to the presiding officer; and
             40          (d) the presiding officer announces the result of the vote.
             41          (3) "Voice vote" means a verbal voting process where the presiding officer:
             42          (a) poses the question to be voted upon in this form: "Those in favor (of the question)
             43      say aye." and "Those opposed, say no."; and
             44          (b) based upon the representative's responses, announces that the question either passed
             45      or failed.
             46          Section 2. HR4-7-103 is amended to read:
             47           HR4-7-103. Representatives required to vote -- Representatives must be present
             48      to vote.
             49          (1) (a) [A] (i) Except as provided in Subsection (1)(a)(ii), a representative present
             50      within the House chamber when a vote is being taken shall vote.
             51          (ii) (A) A representative who is present within the House chamber when a vote is being
             52      taken may abstain from voting.
             53          (B) Following a vote and before any other business is transacted, the speaker may,
             54      upon the request of a representative who abstained from voting, recognize the representative
             55      for the purpose of allowing the representative to explain why the representative abstained from
             56      voting.
             57          (iii) Abstaining or failing to abstain from a vote does not modify or create an additional
             58      duty to disclose a conflict of interest. Disclosures of conflicts of interest by members of the


             59      House of Representatives are governed by HR2-3-101, JR6-1-201, Section 36-11-306 , Section
             60      76-8-109 , and any other applicable legislative rule or statute.
             61          (b) (i) The chief clerk may record the vote of any representative who is present in the
             62      House Chamber who requests assistance of the chief clerk.
             63          (ii) The representative shall ensure that the electronic vote is recorded accurately.
             64          (c) Each representative shall vote within the time limit fixed by the presiding officer.
             65          (d) Immediately before an electronic vote or a roll call vote, a representative may, upon
             66      recognition by the presiding officer, make a brief statement explaining any conflict of interest.
             67          (2) (a) A representative may not vote on a piece of legislation or motion unless the
             68      representative is present in the House chamber.
             69          (b) If the vote is by electronic vote or roll call vote, a representative entering the
             70      chamber after the question is posed, and before the presiding officer closes the vote or
             71      announces the result, may have the question stated and vote.
             72          Section 3. Effective date.
             73          This rules resolution takes effect on January 1, 2015.





Legislative Review Note
    as of 1-2-14 3:37 PM


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