Amendment to the main motion

[Jay M]

I wonder what are the guiding rules for an amendment proposed to the main motion and  also amendment to an amendment ? How far the amendment can deviate from the main motion Thanks in advance?

[Joshua Katz]

It must be germane. It can go so far as to reverse the meaning of the motion, such as by substituting "commend" for "censure," but it cannot be unrelated. If the main motion is to  paint the clubhouse red, it would not be germane to strike out "paint the clubhouse" and substitute "dye the canoe." But changing the color would be germane, and perhaps even the verb.

A secondary amendment follows the same rules - it must be germane to the primary amendment. Furthermore, it cannot amend the words outside of the primary amendment.

[Jay M]

On 1/5/2024 at 1:19 PM, Joshua Katz said:

It must be germane. It can go so far as to reverse the meaning of the motion, such as by substituting "commend" for "censure," but it cannot be unrelated. If the main motion is to  paint the clubhouse red, it would not be germane to strike out "paint the clubhouse" and substitute "dye the canoe." But changing the color would be germane, and perhaps even the verb.

A secondary amendment follows the same rules - it must be germane to the primary amendment. Furthermore, it cannot amend the words outside of the primary amendment.

Thanks Mr. Katz Also I believe if the the amendment fails it does not mean the main motion is passed  automatically

[Joshua Katz]

On 1/5/2024 at 2:49 PM, Jay M said:

Thanks Mr. Katz Also I believe if the the amendment fails it does not mean the main motion is passed  automatically

Correct. There can only be one motion pending at a time, so it looks something like this:

Main motion - "Paint the clubhouse red."

Primary amendment - strike red, insert blue

Secondary amendment - strike blue, insert yellow

So now you resolve the secondary amendment - yellow or blue?

Next, the primary amendment is pending, so you resolve it - red or yellow/blue

Then the main motion is pending - do we paint the clubhouse the color that has resulted from all this?

If both amendments fail, the pending motion will be paint the clubhouse red, and will still need to be voted on.

 

[J. J.]

On 1/5/2024 at 2:49 PM, Jay M said:

Thanks Mr. Katz Also I believe if the the amendment fails it does not mean the main motion is passed  automatically

Yes, the main motion is voted on separately, whether or not it was successfully amended.   An amended motion may be defeated. 

[Jay M]

Thanks Mr. . Katz and Mr. J.J