This document includes Senate Committee Amendments incorporated into the bill on Wed, Feb 4, 2015 at 1:27 PM by lpoole.
1     
SENATE RESOLUTION AMENDING SENATE RULES

2     
2015 GENERAL SESSION

3     
STATE OF UTAH

4     
Chief Sponsor: Kevin T. Van Tassell

5     

6     LONG TITLE
7     General Description:
8          This resolution repeals and reenacts Senate Standing Committee rules and amends
9     special floor procedures and Ŝ→ repeals ←Ŝ postage allowance.
10     Highlighted Provisions:
11          This resolution:
12          ▸     defines terms;
13          ▸     reorganizes standing committee rules;
14           ▸     clarifies and expands the powers of a chair to:
15               •     preserve order and decorum;
16               •     adopt time restrictions for witnesses and presenters;
17          ▸     authorizes the president of the Senate to appoint a vice chair to each standing
18     committee;
19          ▸     requires a standing committee chair to enforce standing committee rules;
20          ▸     clarifies that review of legislation during a standing committee is subject to four
21     distinct phases:
22                    •     presentation by the sponsor;
23                    •     clarifying questions by committee members;
24                    •     public comment; and
25                    •     committee action;
26          ▸     clarifies that privileged motions:
27               •     take precedence over non-privileged motions;

28               •     are to be accepted in a specified priority; and
29               •     except for a motion to adjourn, do not dispose of other pending motions; and
30          ▸     makes technical corrections to special floor procedures.
31     Special Clauses:
32          None
33     Legislative Rules Affected:
34     AMENDS:
35     Ŝ→ [
     SR1-8-101] ←Ŝ
36          SR4-3-101
37          SR4-3-301
38          SR4-4-401
39          SR4-7-106
40     ENACTS:
41          SR3-2-204
42          SR3-2-305
43          SR3-2-306
44          SR3-2-307
45          SR3-2-308
46          SR3-2-309
47          SR3-2-310
48          SR3-2-311
49          SR3-2-312
50          SR3-2-313
51          SR3-2-314
52          SR3-2-315
53          SR3-2-316
54          SR3-2-317
55          SR3-2-318
56          SR3-2-319
57          SR3-2-411
58          SR3-2-412

59          SR3-2-413
60          SR3-2-507
61          SR3-2-508
62          SR3-2-509
63          SR3-2-510
64          SR3-2-511
65     REPEALS AND REENACTS:
66          SR3-2-101
67          SR3-2-201
68          SR3-2-202
69          SR3-2-203
70          SR3-2-301
71          SR3-2-302
72          SR3-2-303
73          SR3-2-304
74          SR3-2-401
75          SR3-2-402
76          SR3-2-403
77          SR3-2-404
78          SR3-2-405
79          SR3-2-406
80          SR3-2-407
81          SR3-2-408
82          SR3-2-409
83          SR3-2-410
84          SR3-2-501
85          SR3-2-502
86          SR3-2-503
87          SR3-2-504
88          SR3-2-505
89          SR3-2-506

90     REPEALS:
Ŝ→     SR1-8-101 ←Ŝ
91          SR3-2-102
92          SR3-2-103
93          SR3-2-104
94          SR3-2-601
95     

96     Be it resolved by the Senate of the state of Utah:
97          Ŝ→ [
Section 1. SR1-8-101 is amended to read:
98          SR1-8-101. Senator postage allowance.
99          [(1) Each senator may request 20 first-class postage stamps from Senate staff at the
100     beginning of the year.]
101          [(2) In addition to the postage stamps, each] (1) Each senator may deposit:
102          (a) up to five letters per day into the Senate mail system during the annual general
103     session; and
104          (b) up to 10 letters per month into the Senate mail system during each interim period.
105          [(3)] (2) Upon request from an individual senator, the president may grant an additional
106     postage allowance.
] ←Ŝ
107          Section Ŝ→ [
2] 1 ←Ŝ . SR3-2-101 is repealed and reenacted to read:
108     
Part 1. General Provisions

109          SR3-2-101. Definitions.
110          As used in this chapter:
111          (1) "Chair" means:
112          (a) the chair of a standing committee; or
113          (b) a standing committee member who is authorized to act as chair under SR3-2-202.
114          (2) "Committee" means a standing committee created under SR3-2-201.
115          (3) "Dispose of legislation" refers to a committee action that transfers ownership of
116     legislation to the Senate Rules Committee, to another standing committee, or to the Senate
117     floor.
118          (4) "Favorable recommendation" refers to a committee action that transfers ownership
119     of legislation to the Senate second reading calendar.
120          (5) "Legislation" means a Senate bill, House bill, Senate resolution, House resolution,

121     joint resolution, or concurrent resolution.
122          (6) "Majority vote" means a majority of a quorum as described in SR3-2-203.
123          (7) "Original motion" means a non-privileged motion that is accepted by the chair
124     when no other motion is pending.
125          (8) "Pending motion" refers to a motion starting when a chair accepts a motion and
126     ending when the motion is withdrawn or until the chair calls for a vote on the motion.
127          (9) (a) "Privileged motion" means a procedural motion to adjourn, set a time to
128     adjourn, recess, end debate, extend debate, or limit debate.
129          (b) Privileged motions are not substitute motions.
130          (10) "Substitute motion" means a non-privileged motion that is made when a
131     non-privileged motion is pending.
132          (11) "Under consideration" means the time starting when a chair opens a discussion on
133     a subject or piece of legislation that is listed on a committee agenda and ending when the
134     committee disposes of the legislation, moves on to another item on the agenda, or adjourns.
135          Section 3. SR3-2-201 is repealed and reenacted to read:
136     
Part 2. Creation and Organization of Senate Standing Committees

137          SR3-2-201. Standing committees -- Creation.
138          (1) There are created the following standing committees:
139          (a) Business and Labor;
140          (b) Economic Development and Workforce Services;
141          (c) Education;
142          (d) Government Operations and Political Subdivisions;
143          (e) Health and Human Services;
144          (f) Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice;
145          (g) Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment;
146          (h) Revenue and Taxation;
147          (i) Rules; and
148          (j) Transportation, Public Utilities, and Technology.
149          (2) The Senate members of the Retirement and Independent Entities Committee
150     created in Utah Code Section 63E-1-201 comprise a Senate standing committee.
151          Section 4. SR3-2-202 is repealed and reenacted to read:

152          SR3-2-202. President to appoint committee members, chairs, and vice chairs.
153          (1) The president of the Senate shall appoint members of the Senate to each standing
154     committee.
155          (2) The president shall appoint a chair to each standing committee.
156          (3) The president may appoint a vice chair to each standing committee.
157          (4) If the president does not appoint a vice chair to a standing committee, the chair may
158     appoint a vice chair.
159          (5) A vice chair may perform the duties of a chair:
160          (a) as requested by a chair; or
161          (b) in the absence of the chair.
162          (6) The chair, or the vice chair as authorized under Subsection (3), may designate a
163     member of the committee to conduct a standing committee meeting when neither the chair nor
164     the vice chair are able to attend a meeting.
165          (7) A committee member designated under Subsection (6) may conduct a committee
166     meeting but may not perform the duties of a chair described in SR3-2-302 and SR3-2-303.
167          (8) If a chair, vice chair, or the chair's designee are not present at a committee meeting,
168     the most senior member of the majority party who is a member of the committee may chair a
169     standing committee meeting, but that person may not perform the duties described in
170     SR3-2-302 and SR3-2-303.
171          Section 5. SR3-2-203 is repealed and reenacted to read:
172          SR3-2-203. Quorum requirements.
173          (1) Except as provided in Subsection (2), a majority of a standing committee is a
174     quorum.
175          (2) In determining whether a quorum is present, the president, majority leader, majority
176     whip, assistant majority whip, Senate Rules Committee chair, Executive Appropriations
177     Committee chair, minority leader, minority whip, assistant minority whip, and the fourth
178     member of leadership from the minority party are not counted in determining a quorum for a
179     standing committee, except during the time that the senator is present at the meeting.
180          Section 6. SR3-2-204 is enacted to read:
181          SR3-2-204. Committee order of business.
182          Unless a standing committee chair, or a committee by majority vote, determines

183     otherwise, the order of business for a standing committee is:
184          (1) call to order by the chair;
185          (2) approval of the minutes of previous meetings;
186          (3) announcement of the agenda;
187          (4) announcement of time restrictions, if any, subject to the requirements of
188     SR3-2-304; and
189          (5) consideration of standing committee business as provided in SR3-2-302(2).
190          Section 7. SR3-2-301 is repealed and reenacted to read:
191     
Part 3. Duties of the Senate Standing Committee Chair

192          SR3-2-301. Chair to enforce legislative rules and procedures.
193          The chair shall ensure the integrity of the standing committee process by enforcing
194     legislative rules and parliamentary procedure without delay.
195          Section 8. SR3-2-302 is repealed and reenacted to read:
196          SR3-2-302. Chair to set agenda -- Requirements.
197          The chair shall:
198          (1) set the agenda for a standing committee meeting;
199          (2) ensure that legislation referred to the committee is considered by the committee
200     within a reasonable time;
201          (3) ensure that legislation tabled by a standing committee is listed on a standing
202     committee agenda as required by SR3-2-408; and
203          (4) ensure that legislation placed on the time certain calendar in the Senate is listed on
204     a standing committee agenda before it is scheduled to be heard by the Senate.
205          Section 9. SR3-2-303 is repealed and reenacted to read:
206          SR3-2-303. Chair to post notice and agenda -- Notification to sponsors.
207          (1) The chair shall cause a public notice and agenda to be posted at least 24 hours
208     before each standing committee meeting as required under Utah Code Title 52, Chapter 4,
209     Open and Public Meetings Act.
210          (2) The chair shall notify the chief Senate sponsor or chief House sponsor of legislation
211     listed on an agenda of the time and place of the committee meeting in which the legislation will
212     be considered not less than 24 hours before the committee meeting.
213          Section 10. SR3-2-304 is repealed and reenacted to read:

214          SR3-2-304. Chair may direct order of agenda -- Time restrictions.
215          The chair, or a committee by majority vote, may adopt committee procedures and time
216     restrictions, including:
217          (1) directing the order of the agenda;
218          (2) directing the order in which a witness or presenter will be heard;
219          (3) directing the number of witnesses or presenters that will be heard; and
220          (4) limiting the time the committee will spend on:
221          (a) an item on the agenda; or
222          (b) an individual witness or presenter.
223          Section 11. SR3-2-305 is enacted to read:
224          SR3-2-305. Four phases when considering legislation.
225          Legislation under consideration by a standing committee is subject to four distinct
226     phases during a committee meeting:
227          (1) the sponsor's presentation as provided in SR3-2-306;
228          (2) clarifying questions as provided in SR3-2-307;
229          (3) public comment as provided in SR3-2-308; and
230          (4) committee action as provided in SR3-2-309.
231          Section 12. SR3-2-306 is enacted to read:
232          SR3-2-306. Sponsor presentation.
233          (1) Except as provided in Subsection (2), during the presentation phase, a committee
234     member may not amend legislation, substitute legislation, or dispose of legislation. All other
235     motions are in order during the presentation phase.
236          (2) During the presentation phase of a committee meeting, the chair may accept a
237     simple motion to amend legislation if the chair permits:
238          (a) committee questions and debate;
239          (b) public comment as provided in SR3-2-308;
240          (c) the sponsor of the legislation affected by the amendment to respond to the motion
241     to amend; and
242          (d) the committee member who made the motion to amend to have the final word on
243     the motion as required under SR3-2-313.
244          (3) During the presentation phase of a standing committee meeting, the chair shall:

245          (a) permit the chief Senate sponsor or chief House sponsor to present the sponsor's
246     legislation; and
247          (b) except as provided in Subsection (4), and at the election of a legislative sponsor,
248     permit persons who have expertise on the legislation to assist with the presentation as provided
249     in SR3-2-304.
250          (4) The chair may not permit:
251          (a) legislation to be presented if the legislative sponsor is not present; or
252          (b) legislative interns or legislative aides to present legislation.
253          Section 13. SR3-2-307 is enacted to read:
254          SR3-2-307. Clarifying questions.
255          (1) During the clarifying question phase, a committee member may not amend
256     legislation, substitute legislation, or dispose of legislation. All other motions are in order
257     during the clarifying questions phase.
258          (2) A chair shall allow members of the committee to ask the legislative sponsor
259     questions, provided that the questions help to clarify the intent or purpose of the legislation or
260     the meaning of the language of the legislation.
261          (3) The chair shall allow the legislative sponsor to respond to clarifying questions.
262          (4) The chair may allow, with the legislative sponsor's approval, a person authorized
263     under SR3-2-306 to respond to clarifying questions from members of the committee.
264          Section 14. SR3-2-308 is enacted to read:
265          SR3-2-308. Public comment.
266          (1) During the public comment phase, a committee member may not amend legislation,
267     substitute legislation, or dispose of legislation. All other motions are in order during the public
268     comment phase.
269          (2) During the public comment phase of a committee meeting:
270          (a) the chair, or a committee by majority vote, may limit the time an individual witness
271     or presenter speaks to a committee as authorized under SR3-2-304; and
272          (b) the chair, or the committee by majority vote, may terminate the public comment
273     phase at any time.
274          (3) Unless the chair, or a committee by majority vote, permits additional public
275     comment, once the public comment phase has ended only committee members, legislative

276     sponsors, staff, and those authorized under SR3-2-306 may address the committee.
277          Section 15. SR3-2-309 is enacted to read:
278          SR3-2-309. Committee action.
279          During the committee action phase, a committee member may make motions to amend
280     the legislation, to substitute the legislation, and to dispose of the legislation. All other motions
281     authorized by this chapter are in order during the committee action phase of a committee
282     meeting.
283          Section 16. SR3-2-310 is enacted to read:
284          SR3-2-310. Chair to preserve order -- Powers to preserve order.
285          (1) The chair shall preserve order and decorum during standing committee meetings
286     by:
287          (a) controlling outbursts and demonstrations; and
288          (b) ensuring that committee members, presenters, witnesses, and visitors act in a
289     dignified and respectful manner.
290          (2) To preserve order, the chair may:
291          (a) clear the committee room of any person who engages in disorderly conduct;
292          (b) recess a standing committee meeting; or
293          (c) request assistance from:
294          (i) the sergeant-at-arms; or
295          (ii) the Utah Highway Patrol.
296          Section 17. SR3-2-311 is enacted to read:
297          SR3-2-311. Chair to recognize committee members -- Remarks to be germane --
298     Committee members may make motions when recognized -- Permission to address
299     committee.
300          (1) The chair shall recognize a committee member who desires to speak to a subject
301     that is under consideration by a standing committee.
302          (2) It is within the discretion of a chair to recognize a committee member who desires
303     to speak to the same subject more than twice.
304          (3) Upon recognition by the chair, a committee member:
305          (a) shall ensure that the member's remarks are germane to the subject under
306     consideration; and

307          (b) may make a motion that is authorized by this chapter.
308          (4) Presenters, witnesses, visitors, staff, and committee members may not speak to a
309     standing committee unless recognized by the chair.
310          Section 18. SR3-2-312 is enacted to read:
311          SR3-2-312. Chair to accept all motions that are in order -- Once accepted, the
312     motion is pending.
313          (1) The chair shall accept a motion requested by a member of a standing committee
314     who has been properly recognized unless the motion is prohibited by this chapter or by
315     parliamentary procedure.
316          (2) To properly accept a motion, the chair shall:
317          (a) restate each verbal motion;
318          (b) identify the number of each written motion to amend or substitute legislation; and
319          (c) distribute copies of each written amendment or substitute to members of the
320     committee.
321          (3) When a chair properly accepts a motion under Subsection (2), the motion is
322     pending.
323          Section 19. SR3-2-313 is enacted to read:
324          SR3-2-313. Chair to allow response to motions before placing motions for a vote.
325          After a motion has been accepted, and before the chair places a motion for a vote, the
326     chair shall permit:
327          (1) members of the committee to ask the committee member who placed the motion
328     questions about the motion;
329          (2) members of the committee to debate the motion;
330          (3) the chief sponsor of the legislation that is affected by the motion to respond to the
331     motion; and
332          (4) the committee member who placed the motion to have the final word on the
333     motion.
334          Section 20. SR3-2-314 is enacted to read:
335          SR3-2-314. Chair to place motion for vote.
336          After the chair has permitted a committee member to sum on a motion as required
337     under SR3-2-313(4), the chair shall place the motion for a vote unless the motion is withdrawn

338     subject to the requirements of SR3-2-511.
339          Section 21. SR3-2-315 is enacted to read:
340          SR3-2-315. Chair to verbally announce vote on motions -- Motions pass with
341     majority vote of a quorum -- Exceptions.
342          (1) After a standing committee votes on a motion, the chair shall:
343          (a) determine whether the motion passed or failed;
344          (b) verbally announce that the motion passed or that the motion failed; and
345          (c) if the vote on the motion is not unanimous, verbally identify by name either the
346     committee members who voted "yes" or the committee members who voted "no."
347          (2) Unless otherwise specifically indicated in this chapter, motions pass with a majority
348     vote of a quorum as described in SR3-2-203.
349          Section 22. SR3-2-316 is enacted to read:
350          SR3-2-316. Chair may direct a roll call vote.
351          Although most motions will be determined by a voice vote, the chair, or a committee by
352     majority vote, may direct a roll call vote.
353          Section 23. SR3-2-317 is enacted to read:
354          SR3-2-317. Chair to decide points of order -- Committee may appeal chair's
355     decision.
356          (1) A chair shall rule on a point of order without committee discussion or debate.
357          (2) As provided in SR3-2-506, a committee member may:
358          (a) make a point of order; or
359          (b) appeal the decision of the chair.
360          Section 24. SR3-2-318 is enacted to read:
361          SR3-2-318. Chair to send standing committee reports to the Senate.
362          (1) When a standing committee approves a motion to dispose of legislation under the
363     requirements of SR3-2-408 or SR3-2-403, the chair shall, no later than the next legislative day,
364     submit to the secretary of the Senate:
365          (a) the official version of the legislation; and
366          (b) a committee report, signed by the chair, describing the committee's action.
367          (2) If, for any reason, the chair does not submit a committee report to the secretary of
368     the Senate as required in Subsection (1), the secretary of the Senate shall ensure that the official

369     version of the legislation and the committee report are submitted before the end of the second
370     legislative day after the legislation was acted on by a standing committee.
371          Section 25. SR3-2-319 is enacted to read:
372          SR3-2-319. Chair to ensure integrity of minutes -- Retention of minutes -- Content
373     requirements.
374          (1) The chair shall:
375          (a) ensure that a secretary takes minutes of standing committee meetings;
376          (b) present the minutes to the committee for approval; and
377          (c) send the approved minutes to the office of the secretary of the Senate.
378          (2) The secretary of the Senate shall retain committee minutes for three years.
379          (3) The chair shall ensure that committee minutes comply with the requirements of
380     Utah Code Title 52, Chapter 4, Open and Public Meetings Act.
381          (4) The chair shall ensure that committee minutes include:
382          (a) the date, time, and place of each committee meeting;
383          (b) a list of committee members present;
384          (c) each motion made;
385          (d) the vote on each motion;
386          (e) points of order; and
387          (f) the outcome of each appeal of the decision of the chair.
388          Section 26. SR3-2-401 is repealed and reenacted to read:
389     
Part 4. Duties of the Senate Standing Committee

390          SR3-2-401. Standing committee review required -- Exceptions.
391          (1) Except as provided in Subsection (2), the Senate may not pass a bill, joint
392     resolution, or concurrent resolution during the annual general session unless a Senate standing
393     committee has given a favorable recommendation to the legislation.
394          (2) Subsection (1) does not apply to:
395          (a) a resolution regarding legislative rules or legislative personnel;
396          (b) legislation that has been approved by a unanimous vote of an interim committee;
397          (c) the revisor's statute; or
398          (d) if the legislation was reviewed and approved by the Executive Appropriations
399     Committee, legislation that:

400          (i) exclusively appropriates money;
401          (ii) amends Utah Code Title 53A, Chapter 17a, Minimum School Program Act;
402          (iii) amends Utah Code Title 67, Chapter 22, State Officer Compensation; or
403          (iv) authorizes the issuance of general obligation or revenue bonds.
404          Section 27. SR3-2-402 is repealed and reenacted to read:
405          SR3-2-402. Standing committee review of legislation with a fiscal impact.
406          Except as provided in SR3-2-401, a standing committee in one or both houses shall
407     review legislation before the legislation is held in the opposite house because of its fiscal
408     impact.
409          Section 28. SR3-2-403 is repealed and reenacted to read:
410          SR3-2-403. Standing committee duties -- Consider legislation in a reasonable time
411     -- Dispose of legislation.
412          (1) As required by SR3-2-302(2), a chair shall ensure that legislation referred to the
413     committee is considered by the committee within a reasonable time.
414          (2) When a committee has complied with the requirements of SR3-2-302(2), a standing
415     committee shall dispose of the legislation by:
416          (a) returning the legislation to the Senate Rules Committee;
417          (b) tabling the legislation, subject to the requirements of SR3-2-408;
418          (c) recommending the legislation to the second reading calendar; or
419          (d) referring the legislation to a different standing committee.
420          Section 29. SR3-2-404 is repealed and reenacted to read:
421          SR3-2-404. Motions to lift from the table, hold, amend, or substitute legislation.
422          In addition to the actions listed in SR3-2-403(2), a standing committee may approve
423     one or more of the following motions on a single piece of legislation:
424          (1) hold the legislation;
425          (2) move to the next item on an agenda;
426          (3) amend the legislation, subject to the requirements of SR3-2-406;
427          (4) substitute the legislation, subject to the requirements of SR3-2-407; or
428          (5) lift legislation from the table, subject to the requirements of SR3-2-408.
429          Section 30. SR3-2-405 is repealed and reenacted to read:
430          SR3-2-405. Consent calendar.

431          (1) A standing committee may recommend that legislation in its possession be placed
432     on the consent calendar if:
433          (a) the committee approves a motion, by a unanimous vote, to send the legislation to
434     the second reading calendar;
435          (b) immediately subsequent to that action, the chief sponsor requests that the
436     legislation be placed on the consent calendar; and
437          (c) in a separate motion and vote, the committee unanimously approves the sponsor's
438     request to place the legislation on the consent calendar instead of the second reading calendar.
439          (2) If, in accordance with SR3-1-102, the Senate Rules Committee forwards a
440     summary report from the Occupational and Professional Licensure Review Committee in
441     conjunction with legislation referred to a standing committee, the chair shall ensure that the
442     summary report is read orally to the committee before action is taken by the committee on the
443     legislation that is related to the summary report.
444          Section 31. SR3-2-406 is repealed and reenacted to read:
445          SR3-2-406. Amending legislation -- Amendments must be germane.
446          (1) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (2), and if recognized by the chair during the
447     committee action phase, a committee member may make a motion to amend the legislation that
448     is under consideration.
449          (b) (i) A committee member may propose a verbal amendment to the legislation under
450     consideration if the amendment contains 25 or fewer words.
451          (ii) Before proposing a motion to amend, a committee member shall ensure that a
452     proposed amendment that contains more than 25 words is printed and distributed to committee
453     staff and to all committee members present.
454          (2) (a) A committee member may only make a motion to amend that is germane to the
455     subject of the legislation under consideration.
456          (b) A committee member who believes that an amendment is not germane to the
457     subject of the legislation may make a point of order or appeal as described in SR3-2-506.
458          Section 32. SR3-2-407 is repealed and reenacted to read:
459          SR3-2-407. Substitute legislation -- Substitutes must be germane.
460          (1) Except as provided in Subsection (2), and if recognized by the chair during the
461     committee action phase, a committee member may make a motion to substitute legislation that

462     is under consideration.
463          (2) (a) A committee member may only make a motion to substitute that is germane to
464     the subject of the legislation under consideration.
465          (b) A committee member who believes that an amendment is not germane to the
466     subject of the legislation may make a point of order or appeal as described in SR3-2-506.
467          Section 33. SR3-2-408 is repealed and reenacted to read:
468          SR3-2-408. Legislation tabled in a standing committee -- Requirements.
469          (1) If legislation is tabled, the chair shall list the tabled legislation on the committee
470     agenda for the next committee meeting.
471          (2) At the next committee meeting, the committee may, by a two-thirds vote, lift the
472     tabled legislation from the table.
473          (3) If a motion to lift tabled legislation is successful, the standing committee may make
474     any motion on the legislation that is authorized under this chapter.
475          (4) (a) If legislation is tabled by a committee and the legislation is not lifted from the
476     table at the committee's next meeting, the committee chair shall submit a committee report to
477     the secretary of the Senate informing the Senate that the legislation was tabled.
478          (b) After reading the committee report on the tabled legislation, the secretary of the
479     Senate shall send the tabled legislation to the Senate Rules Committee.
480          Section 34. SR3-2-409 is repealed and reenacted to read:
481          SR3-2-409. Reconsideration of action.
482          (1) Except as provided in Subsection (2), and if recognized by the chair, a committee
483     member may make a motion to reconsider the committee's action on legislation if the
484     legislation is:
485          (a) in the possession of the standing committee; and
486          (b) listed on the committee agenda as required by Utah Code Title 52, Chapter 4, Open
487     and Public Meetings Act.
488          (2) A standing committee may not reconsider its action on a piece of legislation:
489          (a) more than once; and
490          (b) until the committee has considered other committee business.
491          Section 35. SR3-2-410 is repealed and reenacted to read:
492          SR3-2-410. Testimony may be taken under oath.

493          (1) At the direction of the chair, or upon a majority vote of the committee, the
494     testimony of a witness, presenter, or visitor who speaks to a committee may be taken under
495     oath.
496          (2) The chair or committee staff shall administer the oath.
497          Section 36. SR3-2-411 is enacted to read:
498          SR3-2-411. Additional standing committee meetings.
499          With the president of the Senate's permission, a chair may hold a committee meeting
500     independent of regularly scheduled committee meetings on:
501          (1) a single piece of legislation; or
502          (2) the subject of two or more pieces of legislation.
503          Section 37. SR3-2-412 is enacted to read:
504          SR3-2-412. Closed standing committee meetings.
505          A standing committee may close a committee meeting in accordance with the
506     procedures and requirements of Utah Code Title 52, Chapter 4, Open and Public Meetings Act.
507          Section 38. SR3-2-413 is enacted to read:
508          SR3-2-413. Prohibited from meeting while Senate is in session -- Exceptions.
509          (1) A standing committee may not meet while the Senate is in session unless:
510          (a) the chair receives permission from the president to meet; or
511          (b) a majority of the Senate approves a motion for the committee to meet while the
512     Senate is in session.
513          (2) Unless a committee is authorized to meet as provided in Subsection (1), any action
514     taken by a committee while the Senate is in session is invalid.
515          Section 39. SR3-2-501 is repealed and reenacted to read:
516     
Part 5. Standing Committee Parliamentary Procedures

517          SR3-2-501. Obtaining the floor in committee -- Remarks to be germane.
518          (1) As required in SR3-2-311, a chair shall recognize a committee member who desires
519     to speak to the committee.
520          (2) A committee member who is recognized by the chair may make a motion consistent
521     with the requirements of this chapter.
522          (3) A second to a motion is not required.
523          Section 40. SR3-2-502 is repealed and reenacted to read:

524          SR3-2-502. Committee members shall vote.
525          A committee member shall vote on every motion placed for a vote while the committee
526     member is present at a meeting.
527          Section 41. SR3-2-503 is repealed and reenacted to read:
528          SR3-2-503. Privileged motions in committee -- General requirements, procedure,
529     and priority.
530          (1) Privileged motions:
531          (a) are non-debatable; and
532          (b) take precedence over non-privileged motions.
533          (2) If a privileged motion is requested while another privileged motion is pending, the
534     chair shall grant priority to the privileged motions in the following order:
535          (a) adjourn;
536          (b) set time to adjourn;
537          (c) recess;
538          (d) end debate or call the question;
539          (e) extend debate; and
540          (f) limit debate.
541          (3) Except for a motion to adjourn, a privileged motion, if adopted, does not dispose of
542     other pending motions.
543          Section 42. SR3-2-504 is repealed and reenacted to read:
544          SR3-2-504. Original motions in committee -- General requirements, procedure,
545     and priority.
546          (1) Original motions:
547          (a) are debatable; and
548          (b) may be replaced with a substitute motion.
549          (2) A committee member may not make an original motion if:
550          (a) a privileged motion is pending; or
551          (b) a substitute motion is pending.
552          Section 43. SR3-2-505 is repealed and reenacted to read:
553          SR3-2-505. Substitute motions in committee -- General requirements, procedure,
554     and priority.

555          (1) Substitute motions:
556          (a) are debatable; and
557          (b) take precedence over original motions.
558          (2) (a) A committee member may make a substitute motion if an original motion is
559     pending.
560          (b) A committee member may not make a substitute motion if:
561          (i) a privileged motion is pending; or
562          (ii) another substitute motion is pending.
563          (c) If a substitute motion is adopted, a substitute motion disposes of the original
564     motion.
565          (d) If a substitute motion is not adopted, the original motion is pending.
566          Section 44. SR3-2-506 is repealed and reenacted to read:
567          SR3-2-506. Point of order -- Appeal of chair's decision.
568          (1) A point of order is not a motion and, except during a vote, may be made by a
569     member of a standing committee at any time during a committee meeting.
570          (2) If a member of a standing committee is concerned that legislative rules or
571     procedures are not being followed, the committee member may make a point of order.
572          (3) When a point of order is made, the chair shall immediately allow the committee
573     member to state the member's point.
574          (4) A chair shall rule on the point of order without committee discussion or debate as
575     provided in SR3-2-315.
576          (5) An appeal of the decision of the chair is not a motion and may be made by a
577     committee member after the chair has ruled on a point of order.
578          (6) A standing committee may, by majority vote, override the decision of the chair on a
579     point of order.
580          (a) If the committee overrides the decision of the chair, the ruling of a committee is
581     final.
582          (b) If a committee does not override the decision of the chair, the ruling of a chair is
583     final.
584          Section 45. SR3-2-507 is enacted to read:
585          SR3-2-507. Point of information.

586          (1) A point of information is not a motion and, except during a vote, may be made by a
587     member of a standing committee at any time during a committee meeting.
588          (2) If a member of a standing committee desires clarification on any aspect of a
589     committee meeting, the committee member may make a point of information.
590          (3) When a point of information is made, the chair shall immediately allow the
591     committee member to state the point.
592          Section 46. SR3-2-508 is enacted to read:
593          SR3-2-508. Division of a motion.
594          (1) A division is not a motion and, except during a vote, may be made by a member of
595     a standing committee at any time during a committee meeting without being recognized by the
596     chair.
597          (2) The committee member who divides a motion shall clearly state how the motion is
598     to be divided.
599          (3) A committee member may not divide a motion to amend legislation in such a
600     manner that could create an unintelligible or ambiguous result.
601          Section 47. SR3-2-509 is enacted to read:
602          SR3-2-509. Prohibited motions.
603          (1) (a) Except for a motion to adjourn, a committee member may not make a motion
604     unless a quorum of the standing committee is present.
605          (b) When a quorum is not present, a motion to adjourn is passed with a majority vote
606     of those present.
607          (2) No motion is in order during a vote.
608          (3) A point of order is not in order during a vote.
609          (4) A committee member may not make a motion to:
610          (a) strike the enacting clause of legislation; or
611          (b) circle legislation.
612          Section 48. SR3-2-510 is enacted to read:
613          SR3-2-510. Repeating defeated motion.
614          (1) Except as provided in Subsection (2), a motion that is defeated may not be made by
615     a committee member until the committee has considered other committee business.
616          (2) A motion to postpone legislation to a day certain, to postpone legislation

617     indefinitely, or to return legislation to the Senate Rules Committee, if defeated, may not be
618     made again by any committee member during the same committee meeting.
619          Section 49. SR3-2-511 is enacted to read:
620          SR3-2-511. A motion may be withdrawn.
621          A committee member who makes a motion may withdraw that motion at any time
622     before the motion is placed for a vote.
623          Section 50. SR4-3-101 is amended to read:
624          SR4-3-101. Bills placed on calendars.
625          (1) (a) The secretary of the Senate shall cause each bill reported to the Senate by a
626     Senate standing committee or the Senate Rules Committee to be placed at the bottom of the
627     second reading calendar or on the consent calendar in the order that the bill is received.
628          (b) The presiding officer shall ensure that each bill that is placed on the second reading
629     calendar [but lacks] without a fiscal note is circled until the fiscal note is received.
630          (2) The secretary of the Senate shall ensure that each bill on the second reading
631     calendar that is passed by a constitutional majority vote is placed at the bottom of the third
632     reading calendar.
633          Section 51. SR4-3-301 is amended to read:
634          SR4-3-301. Amendments in order on second or third reading -- 10 word rule --
635     Passage of amendments by a majority vote.
636          (1) A motion to amend a piece of legislation is in order on second or third reading.
637          (2) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (3) or (4), a senator may, if recognized by the
638     presiding officer while the Senate is debating a piece of legislation, make a motion to amend
639     the legislation.
640          (b) (i) A senator may verbally propose an amendment to a piece of legislation if the
641     amendment contains 10 words or fewer.
642          (ii) A senator shall ensure that a proposed amendment containing more than 10 words
643     is printed and distributed to the secretary of the Senate and to all senators before the
644     amendment is proposed.
645          (3) (a) The senator making the motion to amend shall ensure that the amendment is
646     germane to the subject of the original legislation under consideration.
647          (b) If a senator believes that an amendment is not germane to the subject of the original

648     legislation, the senator may raise a point of order alleging that the amendment is not germane.
649          (c) The presiding officer shall rule on the point of order by determining whether or not
650     the amendment is germane to the subject of the original legislation.
651          (4) A constitutional amendment, resolution, or bill requiring a constitutional two-thirds
652     vote for final passage may be amended by a majority vote.
653          (5) When legislation is amended by the Senate, the secretary of the Senate shall:
654          (a) for each page of the legislation modified by a Senate amendment, cause a new page
655     to be printed that clearly identifies each Senate amendment to that page; and
656          (b) print that new page on tan paper on the second reading and on goldenrod-colored
657     paper on the third reading.
658          Section 52. SR4-4-401 is amended to read:
659          SR4-4-401. Concurrence calendar.
660          (1) After the secretary of the Senate or the secretary's designee reads the transmittal
661     letter from the House informing the Senate that the House has amended or substituted a piece
662     of Senate legislation, the presiding officer shall place the legislation on the concurrence
663     calendar.
664          (2) (a) During the first 43 days of the annual general session, the legislation shall
665     remain on the concurrence calendar over at least one night before the Senate may consider the
666     question of concurrence.
667          (b) During the last two days of the annual general session and during any special
668     session, the Senate may consider legislation for concurrence after the Senate has been given a
669     reasonable time to review the House changes.
670          (3) (a) When presenting legislation to the Senate for concurrence, the presiding officer
671     shall ask the sponsor of the legislation for a motion.
672          (b) The sponsor of the legislation may move to either:
673          (i) concur with the House amendments; or
674          (ii) refuse to concur with the House amendments and ask the House to recede from
675     their amendments.
676          (c) If a motion to concur with the House amendments passes by majority vote, the
677     presiding officer shall:
678          (i) pose the question: "This bill (resolution) has been read three times. The question is:

679     Shall [the Senate concur with the House amendments] this bill (resolution) pass?"; and
680          (ii) take the final roll call vote on the legislation.
681          (d) If a motion to refuse to concur with the [Senate] House amendments and ask the
682     [Senate] House to recede from their amendments passes by a majority vote, the secretary of the
683     Senate shall return the legislation to the House for its further action.
684          (e) If the House refuses to recede, the Senate and House shall follow the procedures
685     and requirements of JR3-2-601 relating to the appointment of a conference committee.
686          Section 53. SR4-7-106 is amended to read:
687          SR4-7-106. Voting or changing vote after the vote is announced.
688          After the vote is announced, a senator may not vote or change the senator's vote unless:
689          (1) the Senate has possession of the legislation;
690          [(1)] (2) there is unanimous consent of the senators present; and
691          [(2)] (3) the result of the vote is not changed.
692          Section 54. Repealer.
693          This resolution repeals:
Ŝ→      SR1-8-101, Senator postage allowance. ←Ŝ
694          SR3-2-102, Standing committee review required -- Exceptions.
695          SR3-2-103, Standing committee review of legislation with a fiscal impact.
696          SR3-2-104, Standing committees prohibited from meeting while the Senate is in
697     session -- Exceptions.
698          SR3-2-601, Committee reports.






Legislative Review Note
     as of 1-27-15 4:33 PM


Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel