The senate rules

Order and decorum The resolution clarifies that the president and presiding officer must enforce on all occasions the observance of order and decorum in the senate chamber, not just among the senators.

Definition of senate chamber The resolution provides that the parlor is included within the definition of "senate chamber" for all purposes of the senate rules.

Display of signs and other objects The resolution provides that individuals in the gallery may not display signs or other objects. Currently, the prohibition applies only to signs.

Use of electronic devices The resolution provides that individuals in the gallery must turn off all electronic devices. Currently, the requirement applies only to cellular telephones and pagers.

Points of order The resolution clarifies that when a point of order is raised, and the point of order concerns a proposal or a question currently pending on such proposal, taking the point of order under advisement removes the proposal from further consideration until the presiding officer announces the ruling on the point of order.

Messages from the assembly The resolution provides that messages from the assembly or from the governor may be received and read, and any proposal referenced in the messages that is an assembly proposal initially received for consideration of the senate shall be referred.

Any other proposals referenced in the messages shall be taken up immediately unless referred by the presiding officer to a standing committee. Under current rules, no proposals referenced in the message may be immediately taken up by the senate.

Committee on Senate Organization chairperson The resolution provides that when the two major political parties are represented in the senate by equal representation, the former majority leader shall serve as chairperson of the Committee on Senate Organization.

Conduct of individuals in senate meeting rooms The resolution provides that, unless otherwise ordered by a committee chairperson, an individual in any room in which a senate meeting is being conducted must be quiet at all times; must be seated at all times; and may not display signs or other objects.

Rereferral of proposals and appointments The resolution permits the president, with the consent of the chairperson of the Committee on Senate Organization, to withdraw a proposal or appointment from the standing committee to which it is referred and rerefer it to another standing committee. Currently, the president also needs the consent of the chairperson of the standing committee.

Senate rules and committee proceedings The resolution provides that, insofar as applicable, the rules of the senate apply to the procedures of standing committees and special committees.

Resolutions to change senate rules The resolution clarifies that after the senate rules have been established at the commencement of the biennial session, any resolution to change the senate rules must lay over one week, regardless of whether the resolution is privileged.