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Rules change


Guest Bayislandco

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It would be debatable unless the assembly orders the Previous Question or Limits Debate (RONR pp. 183-201 and pp. 293-299).

And requires a two-thirds majority - or two out of every three votes cast - to adopt. Thus, unless the assembly wants to end debate or to limit debate, at least two-thirds of the group has to approve it. So, if more than a third of the group wants to debate the changes, then debate has to continue.

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Amendments to rules are being proposed and to thwart debate, a motion is made to accept. How does one insure debate on a rules change?

That would not in any way "thwart" debate. In fact, it's the motion that gives you the opportunity to debate. You just go ahead and debate the motion to accept.

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That would not in any way "thwart" debate. In fact, it's the motion that gives you the opportunity to debate. You just go ahead and debate the motion to accept.

But does that offer the opportunity to debate the change in rules? That's what I believe the poster wants to have happen, and not allow to be avoided by a motion to adopt the change (without debating it [the change in rules]).

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But does that offer the opportunity to debate the change in rules? That's what I believe the poster wants to have happen, and not allow to be avoided by a motion to adopt the change (without debating it [the change in rules]).

You can't move to adopt something without debate except under Suspension of the Rules, which requires a 2/3 vote.

A motion to adopt a change in the rules is a motion to Amend Something Previously Adopted. As such, it must contain the specific language that it is proposed to change. It is both debatable and amendable, so the merits of the change can be discussed, and the motion amended to perfect the proposed changes before adoption (or rejection) of the change.

If they're trying to have a motion "to adopt what's on this piece of paper" that's not in order. What would the minutes reflect? "Mr. jones moved to adopt something on a piece of paper"? The language of the change must be in the motion to accept the change.

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Amendments to rules are being proposed and to thwart debate, a motion is made to accept. How does one insure debate on a rules change?

I think your assembly is puzzled about the normal flow of business in a deliberative assembly. The proper order is motion -> debate -> vote. So making a motion to adopt the proposed rule changes does not thwart debate. Rather, it is the signal for debate to begin. If the member wishes to thwart debate, he would need to move the Previous Question, which takes a 2/3 vote for adoption. The way to ensure debate is to vote that motion down.

But does that offer the opportunity to debate the change in rules? That's what I believe the poster wants to have happen, and not allow to be avoided by a motion to adopt the change (without debating it [the change in rules]).

Motions are debatable, and debate on the rule changes is germane when a motion to adopt the rule changes is pending.

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