B-06 Draft Rules for Debate - 305 South Congress 2-7-2022.pdf — original pdf

Backup

305 South Congress PUD Discussion and Debate of Amendments WG Consent Amendments 1. Working Group (WG) Chair or designee(s) will be provided 6 minutes to provide background for their posted WG amendments. 2. The Chair will request a motion to approve WG on consent with commissioners being able to request specific WG amendments be pulled for discussion. a. For each WG amendment, 2 Commissioners will be allowed 3 minutes each (6 minutes total) to ask clarifying questions of the WG in the process of determining whether to pull the amendment for discussion. b. Commissioners should consider pulling for discussion those amendments that are related to proposed WG and other individual amendments, so that the Commission can consider amendments or substitute motions covering the same topics at the same time. 3. Once there is a motion and a second on the consent Individual amendments, the PC will vote to approve these Individual amendments. Individual Consent Amendments 1. The Chair will request a motion to approve posted Individual amendments on consent with commissioners being able to request specific WG and Individual amendments be pulled for discussion. a. For each Individual Amendment, 2 Commissioners will be allowed 3 minutes each (6 minutes total) to ask clarifying questions of the Commissioner proposing the Individual amendment in the process of determining whether to pull the amendment for discussion. b. Commissioners should consider pulling for discussion those amendments that are related to proposed individual amendments, so that the Commission can consider amendments or substitute motions covering the same topics at the same time. 2. Once there is a motion and a second on the consent Individual amendments, the PC will vote to approve these amendments. WG Amendments Pulled for Discussion 1. The WG amendments pulled for discussion will be taken in order they appear within WG list of amendments. 2. 3 Commissioners will be allowed 3 minutes each (9 minutes total) for questions of staff or other Commissioners related to the amendment. 3. Within the question and answer time period, Commissioners are allowed to bring forward individual amendments for discussion that cover the same issue or intent as WG amendment being considered. 4. At the end of the question and answer period, any Commissioner can make a motion related to the amendment under discussion. 5. If the motion gains a second, Commissioners will begin debate using their normal procedures for debating main motions, amendments and substitute motions. 6. Commissioners can split motions into smaller parts with a second and majority vote (7 total) of the 7. Commissioners can end a debate immediately by stating, "I call the question" and obtaining a second. A majority vote (7 total) of the commission is required to end debate and proceed to voting on the motion on the floor. [Note this modifies the 2/3 vote requirement within Robert’s Rules.] commission. Individual Amendments 1. The Commission will then take-up for discussion amendments from individual commissioners that fall outside of the scope of the WG and Individual amendments already approved on consent. 2. The Chair will determine whether Individual amendments were already debated and within the scope of a previously approved motion; thus excluded. His decision can be appealed with a vote of 2/3 majority (9 total). Individual amendments will be taken up in round robin fashion as follows: 3. a. The order will be in alphabetical order by last name. b. The Commissioner whose turn it is can present a posted amendment or a new amendment for discussion and possible debate. They will read the proposed amendment and if needed, provide context for the amendment (1 minute max. total). c. 3 Commissioners will be allowed 3 minutes each (9 minutes total) for questions of staff or other Commissioners related to the amendment. d. At the end of the question and answer period, the commissioner making the amendment e. will have the option to make a motion. If the motion gains a second, it belongs to the Commission and the Commissioners will begin debate using their normal procedures for debating main motions, amendments and substitute motions. h. f. Commissioners are allowed to make amendments or substitutions to the motion as long as it falls within the same scope of the original motion, even if the opposite in effect. The amendments and substitutions will count as the turn of the original motion maker. g. The Chair will determine if changes to the motion go beyond the scope of the original motion and should therefore be considered as a new motion and not allowed as an amendment or substitution. The Chair’s decision can be appealed with a 2/3 majority vote (9 total). If the main motion fails to get a second the commissioner can offer another motion on the same turn limited to 3 times to gain a second. It the main motion fails on a final vote, the commissioner’s turn at submitting amendments for that round is over. If a motion fails, the chair should encourage other commissioners to offer similar amendments at that time and has the authority to change the order of the round robin accordingly. If a commissioner does not offer an amendment on a round, the commissioner does not forfeit the right to participate in future rounds, but cannot claim a missed turn in a later round. k. i. j. l. Commissioners can split motions into smaller parts with a second and majority vote (7 total) of the commission. m. Commissioners can end a debate immediately by stating, "I call the question" and obtaining a second. A majority vote (7 total) of the commission is required to end debate and proceed to voting on the motion on the floor. [Note this modifies the 2/3 vote requirement within Robert’s Rules.] 4. Rounds will continue until the commissioners agree by a 2/3 majority vote (9 total) of those present that to end them. Suspension of Rules for Discussion and Debate of Amendments 1. With a supermajority vote from those present, the Commission can suspend rules in order to more effectively or efficiently discuss and debate amendments. This may be needed in order to provide additional discussion for a particular amendment or to reduce discussion and debate allowed in order to address a large number of amendments.