Authority of Chair to refuse a motion or to take a vote.

[Guest gerald spencer]

Does chairman have the right to refuse to accept and act on a motion regarding a topic that is on the adopted agenda strictly because he doesn't want to allow the body to vote on the item that he knows will go against his wishes. We have a situation where the chairman will simply rfuse to accept a motion on a subject he is opposed to. If he does not have the authority and does it is there a remedy?

[Hieu H. Huynh]

No, the chairman does not have the right to refuse to accept and act on a motion regarding a topic that is on the adopted agenda strictly because he doesn't want to allow the body to vote on the item that he knows will go against his wishes

 

For possible remedies, see Chapter XX "Disciplinary Procedures" in RONR 11th ed. starting on p. 643. Related to this, FAQ #20 and Official Interpretation 2006-2 may be of use.

[Richard Brown]

For more information on how to handle a situation where the presiding officer refuses to recognize a member or ignores a motion properly made and seconded, see pages 650-653.

 

The member (or any member) should start by raising a point of order that a properly made and seconded motion is being ignored.