ASSOCIATED STUDENTS

RULES
OF THE

SENATE
OF THE

ASSOCIATED STUDENTS
SEVENTY-SIXTH SESSION

Revised to April 8, 2009.

Printed at the direction of ALEJANDRA REYES, Secretary of the Senate

APRIL 8, 2009.—Ordered to be printed

ASSOCIATED STUDENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA

RENO : 2009
 C O N T E N T S

Rule Page
I. Meetings of the Senate. ........................................................ 1
II. Membership of the Senate. .................................................. 1
III. Conduct of Business. ............................................................. 3
IV. Motions. .................................................................................. 5
V. Assignment of the Floor. ....................................................... 5
VI. Conduct of Debate.................................................................. 5
VII. General Decorum. .................................................................. 6
VIII. Voting. .................................................................................... 6
IX. Standing Committees. ........................................................... 7
X. Standing Committee Duties. ................................................. 8
XI. Select Committees. ................................................................ 9
XII. Committee Procedure. ......................................................... 10
XIII. Committee of the Whole. ..................................................... 12
XIV. Legislation Generally. ......................................................... 12
XV. Introduction of Legislation. ................................................. 13
XVI. First Reading of Legislation, Fast Tracking, and
Referral to Committee. ..................................................... 13
XVII. Second Reading of Legislation and Senate
Consideration. ................................................................... 14
XVIII. Enrollment of Legislation. .................................................. 15
XIX. Senate Officers. .................................................................... 15
XX. Confirmation of Appointments. .......................................... 17
XXI. Matters Regarding These Rules. ........................................ 18
XXII. Senate Training and Transition. ........................................ 18

(i)
 RULES OF THE SENATE

Adopted January 23, 2008 pursuant to S. Res. 75–30; amended by S.

Res. 75–42 and S. Res. 75–65, agreed to March 19, 2008; amended by
S. Res. 75–69 and S. Res. 75–70, agreed to April 2, 2008. The Rules
printed below are current through the conclusion of the Seventy-Sixth
Session of the Senate.

RULE I.
MEETINGS OF THE SENATE.
Meetings at call of Speaker
(a) The Speaker shall call meetings of the Senate as he or she
deems appropriate, provided that the Senate shall meet at least once
every two full class weeks, and that the regular meeting date and
time of the Senate shall be on Wednesdays no earlier than 5:30 p.m.,
unless the Senate orders otherwise. The Speaker shall call no less
than two meetings of the Student Senate at least one week apart
during the spring semester of his or her election.
Meetings at call of Senate
(b) At any time the Senate is in session, it shall be in order as a
privileged motion for any Senator to move to schedule an additional
meeting, for the date and time he or she shall prescribe in the motion.
Such a motion shall be undebatable and shall require the consent of a
simple majority of the Senate.
Meetings by petition of Senators
(c) At any time outside of a meeting, a petition to call a meeting,
prescribing the date and time of the meeting and signed by at least
one-half of all qualified Senators, may be submitted to the Speaker.
Upon receipt of a valid petition, the Speaker shall provide notice of
the additional meeting to all Senators, provided that the petition is
submitted in ample time in advance of the date and time of the
meeting as indicated in the petition.
RULE II.
MEMBERSHIP OF THE SENATE.
Qualifications of Senators
(a) A member of the Association shall be considered a qualified
Senator-elect upon receipt by the Secretary a certification of his or
her election to the Senate from the proper official, or a qualified
Senator-designate upon the approval by the Senate. Before such a
qualified Senator-elect or Senator-designate may assume office, he or
 Rules of the Senate—2

she shall be administered the oath of office by the Speaker as re-

quired by law.
Resignations
(b) Any Senator may resign his or her seat by submitting in
writing a letter of resignation, signed and dated, announcing the
same. The Speaker shall cause the resignation to be placed on the
agenda of the next possible Senate meeting, where the resignation
shall be read and shall be considered.
Appointment to fill vacant seats
(c) Whenever a vacancy exists in the Senate, the Speaker shall
enable qualified members of the Association to petition for appoint-
ment to the seat. The Speaker shall, at a minimum, cause an adver-
tisement to be placed in the Nevada Sagebrush to solicit applicants
for a vacant seat. Such an advertisement shall run for two consecu-
tive issues. If no qualified petitions are received, the Speaker shall
report this fact to the Senate.
Documenting attendance
(d) Immediately after calling the Senate to order, the Speaker
shall cause the roll to be called to establish the presence of a quorum
and to confirm the attendance of Senators. The chairperson of each
respective committee shall be required to document Senator atten-
dance for committee meetings. The records of attendance shall be
maintained by the Secretary.
Attendance policy
(e) (1) No Senator shall be absent from the service of the Senate
without leave.
(2) If, at any time during a meeting of the Senate, a question
shall be raised by any Senator as to the presence of a quorum,
the Speaker shall forthwith direct the Secretary to call the roll
and shall announce the result, and these proceedings shall be
without debate.
(3) Whenever upon such roll call it shall be ascertained that
a quorum is not present, a majority of the Senators present may
direct the Speaker of the Senate to request the attendance of the
absent Senators, an order which shall be determined without de-
bate; and pending its execution, and until a quorum shall be
present, no debate nor motion, except to adjourn, to recess, or to
take other measures to obtain quorum, shall be in order.
(4) Should any Senator accumulate four absences during a
session, the Committee on Conduct and Appointments shall con-
duct a hearing on the Senator‘s attendance, in which the Senator
shall be afforded an opportunity to present either oral or written
testimony in the nature of explanation of his or her absences.
(5) The Committee shall determine if the absences merit the
imposition of disciplinary action against the Senator. Additional
 Rules of the Senate—3

hearings shall occur for every two additional absences after the
fourth absence.
Office hours
(f) (1) Each Senator must hold at least 2 office hours per week.
Office hours shall be held between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. Monday
through Friday, while the Senate is in Session, in the Senate Wor-
kroom.
(2) The Secretary of the Senate shall post a sign in sheet in
the Senate Workroom every Wednesday before the Senate meet-
ing commences for the purpose of allowing each Senator to record
the time spent in the office. The Secretary shall maintain the
sign-in sheets in the same manner as the minutes.
(3) The Secretary shall maintain a list of each Senator‘s
office hours.
(4) Each Senator will sign in and out when holding office
hours.
(5) Whenever a Senator accumulates 6 hours worth of
absences from his or her office hours, it shall be counted as one
Senate absence to be reviewed by the Committee on Oversight
and Appointments in the same manner as in the case of absences
from meetings as provided in subsection (e) of this Rule.
RULE III.
CONDUCT OF BUSINESS.
Order of business
(a) After being called to order, and any customary opening
ceremonies, and calling the roll to establish the presence of a quorum,
the Senate shall proceed with its business as follows:
(1) Approval of the minutes of the previous meeting.
(2) Public comment.
(3) Receipt of petitions and other correspondence addressed
to the Senate, and subsequent referral to committees.
(4) Reports of the Officers.
(5) Reports of Senate Standing Committees, in alphabetical
order.
(6) Reports of Senate Select and Standing Committees, in
alphabetical order.
(7) Comments and Announcements.
(8) Motions to fast-track appointments.
(9) Approval of appointments of Senators and other Student
Government Officials.
(10) Election of Senate Officers.
(11) Veto Messages from the President.
(12) Consent Agenda.
(13) First Reading of legislation.
(14) Motions to fast-track.
 Rules of the Senate—4

(15) Referrals to committee.

(16) Second Reading of legislation.
(17) Miscellaneous Business.
(18) Comments and Announcements.
Approval of minutes
(b) (1) At the appointed time in the Senate meeting the Minutes
of the preceding meeting shall be read unless by non-debatable
motion the reading shall be waived, the question being, ―Shall the
Minutes stand approved to date?‖, and any mistake made in the
entries corrected.
(2) The reading of the Minutes shall not be suspended unless
by unanimous consent; and when any motion shall be made to
amend or correct the same, it shall be deemed a privileged ques-
tion, and proceeded with until disposed of.
Officer reports
(c) At the appointed time, the Speaker shall recognize any senior
officer of the Association, including the Speaker and the Secretary, to
offer a written report on his or her official activities since the previous
meeting and make any summary announcements he or she deems
necessary for no longer than five minutes.
Committee reports
(d) At the appointed time, the Speaker shall recognize the
chairperson of each standing committee, in alphabetical order, and
then each select committee, in alphabetical order, to report for no
longer than five minutes on the committee‘s activities since the
previous meeting.
Comments and Announcements
(e) At the two appointed times, the Speaker shall recognize in
turn Senators requesting the floor for a period not to exceed two
minutes. The total time for Comments and Announcements before the
first reading of legislation shall not exceed fifteen minutes.
Consent agenda
(f) At the appointed time, the Speaker shall sequentially proceed
through such acts of legislation that have been previously been placed
on the consent agenda. Such acts shall be considered adopted by
consent, unless a single Senator rises in objection thereto. All such
acts so objected are immediately placed on the end of the agenda for
second reading.
RULE IV.
MOTIONS.
Motions to adjourn
(a) The following terms and conditions shall apply to motions
listed below, the provisions of the Senate‘s parliamentary authority
notwithstanding:
 Rules of the Senate—5

(1) MOTION TO ADJOURN.—All motions to adjourn shall be

understood to adjourn the Senate to the next date and time sche-
duled, whether already placed on the schedule or added later by
any of the methods prescribed by these Rules. No other business
shall intervene subsequent to an ordering for adjournment except
the taking of public comment if not yet heard during the meeting.
(2) MOTION TO ADJOURN SINE DIE.—The Senate shall adjourn
sine die only by resolution. Such a resolution shall set the date of
adjournment sine die as the Wednesday immediately prior to the
expected first meeting of the following session of the Senate.
RULE V.
ASSIGNMENT OF THE FLOOR.
Recognition of Senators
(a) A Senator who seeks recognition shall raise his or her hand to
address the Speaker, and shall wait to be recognized before address-
ing the Senate further, unless otherwise permitted by these Rules.
Recognition of non-Senators
(b) No one save members of the Senate shall be extended the
floor, except by the Speaker. No one save members of the Senate shall
be recognized in debate, except during designated public comment
periods as designated by the Speaker. Unless otherwise specified by
the Speaker or the Senate, the Speaker may elect to take comment
from the public on each action item, which shall not exceed three
minutes per person.
RULE VI.
CONDUCT OF DEBATE.
Questions in debate
(a) Once debate has begun, a Senator speaking in debate shall be
entitled to yield the floor to other Senators for questions. A Senator
desiring to ask a question of the speaking Senator may interrupt him
or her to request that the speaking Senator yield. The speaking
Senator‘s response to such questions shall be counted against his or
her debate time.
RULE VII.
GENERAL DECORUM.
Decorum of Senators
(a) The Speaker shall have general direction of the Senate
Chamber and shall maintain the proper decorum of the Senate. All
Senators shall observe decency of speech, avoid disrespect of perso-
nalities, leave the Chamber to engage in conversations, and avoid
walking about the Chamber in a manner which is disruptive to the
proceedings.
 Rules of the Senate—6

Decorum of visitors
(b) Visitors to the Senate Chamber shall be seated in the desig-
nated gallery. No visitor may be seated along the aisles or behind the
Chair. Visitors shall refrain from disrupting the business of the
Senate. The Speaker may ask any visitor to leave the Chamber at any
time for disorderly conduct.
RULE VIII.
VOTING.
Voting rights
(a) (1) Every Member shall be present within the Senate Cham-
ber during its sittings, unless excused or necessarily prevented, and
shall vote on each question put, unless he or she has a direct personal
or pecuniary interest in the event of such question. For the purposes
of this Rule, presence by phone or video conference shall qualify as if
the Senator were physically present in the Chamber.
(2) A Senator may not authorize any other person to cast his
or her vote or record his or her presence in the Senate or the
Committee of the Whole Senate on the state of the Association.
(3) No other person may cast a Senator‘s vote or record a
Senator‘s presence in the Senate or the Committee of the Whole
Senate on the state of the Association.
Speaker’s Discretion in Voting
(b) The Speaker is not required to vote in ordinary legislative
proceedings, except when his or her vote would be decisive.
Votes by roll call
(c) It shall be in order as a privileged request for any Senator to
ask that the yeas and nays be recorded in the minutes on any ques-
tion. The yeas and nays shall be recorded by a call of the roll. The
Speaker shall proceed directly to a vote by roll call on the second
reading of all finance related bills, without intervening voice vote or
standing vote.
RULE IX.
STANDING COMMITTEES.
Appointment of standing committees
(a) (1) The standing committees specified in this Rule shall be
elected by the Senate within one week after the commencement of
each session of the Senate.
(2) A resolution proposing to change the composition of a
standing committee shall be privileged if offered by the chairper-
son of the committee concerned.
(3) The Senate shall fill a vacancy on a standing committee
by resolution.
 Rules of the Senate—7

Standing committees
(b) The Senate shall elect Senators to the standing committees,
as follows:
(1) Academics.
(2) Budget and Finance.
(3) Campus Community.
(4) Government Operations.
(5) Public Affairs.
(6) University Affairs.
(7) Oversight.
Committee chairpersons
(c) The Senate may choose one Senator to serve as the chairper-
son of each standing committee, except for the committee on Over-
sight. Absent the Senate selecting a chairperson, such decision shall
rest with the committee. The committee on Oversight shall be chaired
by the Speaker of the Senate.
Additional committee officers
(d) Each committee shall elect a vice chairperson from its mem-
bership at its first meeting, and again at such times the office might
become vacant. Additional officers may be designated by the commit-
tee or the chairperson.
Duties of Committee Chairpersons
(e) (1) Standing committee chairpersons shall be responsible for
such duties typical of the office of chairperson including but not
limited to:
(A) coordinating committee meetings;
(B) recording the attendance of committee members; and
(C) preparing committee reports for the Senate.
(2) Standing committee chairpersons shall also perform
duties pertaining to their committees by request of the Speaker,
not inconsistent with these Rules.
(3) The vice chairperson shall fulfill the duties of the Chair at
such times the Chair is unable to do so.
General duties of standing committees
(f) Standing committees shall be responsible for the consideration
of all questions referred to them by the Senate or the Speaker, the
preparation of legislation they deem necessary for the welfare of the
Association or as directed by the Senate in instructions, and the
preparation of all reports required by these Rules or deemed neces-
sary at the discretion of the Chair.
Membership size requirements for standing committees
(g) (1) Each committee shall be composed of at least five but not
to exceed nine members unless prescribed elsewhere in these Rules
 Rules of the Senate—8

for the committees. Each senator shall serve on at least two commit-
tees.
(2) Should membership of a committee fall below its allotted
minimum, the Speaker shall inform the Senate and seek Sena-
tors who wish to transfer to the committee.
(3) Should a committee be unable to obtain the prescribed
minimum number of members, it may continue to operate, pro-
vided that a quorum of the committee shall be a simple majority
of its minimum prescribed membership.
Members at large
(h) Any committee, save the Committee on Conduct and Ap-
pointments, may appoint non-voting members at large. In any
committee, the number of members at large may not exceed one less
than the number of senators on the committee
Power to sit and act
(i) (1) For the purpose of carrying out any of its functions and
duties under this rule and rule X, a committee is authorized to sit and
act at such times and places within the State of Nevada, whether the
Senate is in session, has recessed, or has adjourned, and to hold such
hearings as it considers necessary.
RULE X.
STANDING COMMITTEE DUTIES.
Committee on Academics
(a) Academics is responsible for polices regarding the University
academic policy, evaluation of professorships & coruses, calendar
issues, and library operations. Academics will provide a liaison to the
Faculty Senate, the office of the Provost, and the Office of Admissions
and Records.
Committee on Budget and Finance
(b) Budget and Finance will ensure responsible expenditure of
Association funds. The committee will review finance bills, review
spending practices, review balance sheets regularly, inspect budgets
& expenses of agencies & departments, and everything else regarding
the finances of the Association. The committee will request reports
from the bookstore and business plan for the upcoming year, and
report it to the Senate. Budget and Finance cannot have less than
seven members.
Committee on Campus Community.
(c) Campus Community is responsible for policy concerning on-
campus organizations, the students‘ non-academic involvement on
campus, or services not directly overseen by the University. Campus
Community will provide a liaison to the Greek councils and RHA.
 Rules of the Senate—9

Committee on Government Operations.

(d) Government Operations is responsible for reviewing bills
concerning the internal operations of the government of the Associa-
tion and the election procedures.
Committee on Public Affairs
(e) Public Affairs is responsible for legislation regarding the
state, local, or federal governments, the Board of Regents, and other
organizations outside of the Campus Community. Public Affairs will
liaison with the President‘s Assistant on Public and Campus Rela-
tions.
Committee on University Affairs
(f) University Affairs is responsible for policies concerning for any
department on campus that is overseen directly by the University or
in the dealings with the administration.
Committee on Oversight
(g) The Committee on Oversight shall be responsible for evaluat-
ing the nature of Senate absences, reviewing personnel matters, and
conducting investigations regarding the impeachment of Governmen-
tal Officials, in accordance with the Senate punitive powers. The
committee shall be composed of the chairpersons of the Standing
Committees and chaired by the Speaker of the Senate. The Speaker of
the Senate shall not have voting power except when his or her vote
would be decisive. The committee also has jurisdiction over all
nominations to Association office which require the consent of the
Senate, the jurisdiction of the other committees to the contrary
notwithstanding. The committee shall also meet to discuss updates
and business of the Standing Committees.
RULE XI.
SELECT COMMITTEES.
Appointment of select committees
(a) The formation of a select committee may occur at the discre-
tion of the Speaker or by motion or resolution of any Senator with the
approval of the Senate. The Speaker shall appoint the chairperson
and other members of the select committee, unless the motion
creating the committee specifies some other method of selection.
Meetings and general duties of select committees
(b) Select committees shall meet at the discretion of the Chair,
subject to any conditions which may be stated in the committee‘s
formation. Select committees shall be responsible for the considera-
tion of all questions referred to them by the Senate and the prepara-
tion of legislation as directed by the Senate in their formation or
subsequent instructions, and the preparation of all reports required
by these Rules or deemed necessary at the discretion of the Chair.
 Rules of the Senate—10

RULE XII.
COMMITTEE PROCEDURE.
Call of meetings
(a) (1) Standing committees shall meet at least once every two
weeks during the fall and spring semesters, at the time and place
prescribed by the chair. Even when no business is pending before the
committee, a pro forma session shall be held.
(2) A simple majority of the committee‘s membership may, by
written petition, instruct the chair to schedule a meeting.
(3) The chair shall provide adequate notice for all meetings.
(4) A quorum of the committee shall consist of a majority of
the membership of that committee, for committees whose mem-
bership is below the minimum prescribed membership.
(5) Committees may enact such other rules, not inconsistent
with these Rules, as they see fit.
Committee reports
(b) (1) Committees may, upon completing their deliberations,
report legislation to the Senate.
(2) Such a report shall be submitted in electronic form by the
chairperson of the committee to the Secretary in the manner pre-
scribed by the Secretary. The report may include recommenda-
tions for the Senate consideration of the legislation.
(3) Committee reports take effect immediately upon being
filed.
Discharge from consideration
(c) (1) A senator may present to the Speaker of the Senate a
motion in writing to discharge a committee from consideration of
legislation that has been referred to it for 14 days. Only one motion
may be presented for a single piece of legislation.
(2) The Speaker shall cause the motion to be placed on the
agenda.
(3) When a motion to discharge is on the agenda, the Senate
shall proceed to its consideration under this paragraph without
intervening motion except one motion to adjourn. Motions to dis-
charge shall have precedence in the order of submission to the
Speaker.
(4) When a motion to discharge is considered, the legislation
to which it relates shall be read by title only. The motion is de-
batable for 20 minutes, one-half in favor of the motion and one-
half in opposition thereto.
(5) If a motion prevails to discharge a committee from
consideration of legislation, the Senate shall immediately consid-
er the legislation under the general rules of the Senate. A motion
to discharge requires a majority of the membership to adopt.
 Rules of the Senate—11

(6) When a motion to discharge originated under this clause

has once been acted on by the Senate, it shall not be in order to
entertain during the same session of the Senate a motion to dis-
charge a committee from consideration of that legislation or of
any other legislation that, by relating in substance to or dealing
with the same subject matter, is substantially the same.
(7) A motion to discharge on the agenda that is rendered out
of order under paragraph (6) shall be stricken.
Consideration of legislation
(d) (1) The committee to which legislation was referred shall hold
at least one meeting to consider the legislation.
(2) The committee may not change the legislation but may
make recommendation to the Senate as to amendment.
(3) The committee shall not be required to report legislation
back to the Senate, but may report legislation favorably, adverse-
ly, or without recommendation to the Senate for consideration.
(4) Committees shall have the power to report original
legislation directly to the Senate for consideration, which shall
not require referral to a committee.
Report of legislation
(e) All reports recommending Senate consideration of legislation
must be submitted no later than 9 a.m. four working days prior to the
day for which the meeting is scheduled, in order to be placed on
calendar for second reading at that meeting by the Speaker.
Recommendation of Legislation for Consent Agenda
(f) Committees may, on report of legislation for second reading,
recommend that the bill or resolution be placed on the consent
agenda. The Speaker shall review the recommendation, and shall
place the act of legislation on the consent agenda unless he or she
deems it unlikely to receive consent agenda passage.
Suspension of Membership for Non-Attendance
(g) (1) In the event that a committee member misses all of three
consecutive committee meetings, he or she shall be suspended from
the committee effective at the close of the third meeting.
(2) Such suspension shall last until he or she again appears
at a meeting of the committee, but will resume in the event of
another two consecutive missed committee meetings.
(3) Suspended members shall continue to accrue committee
absences, but shall not count towards the total size of the com-
mittee.
 Rules of the Senate—12

RULE XIII.
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE.
Committee of the Whole Senate
(a) The parliamentary device known as the Committee of the
Whole shall be called the Committee of the Whole Senate on the State
of the Association.
RULE XIV.
LEGISLATION GENERALLY.
Types of Legislation
(a) The Senate shall recognize two types of legislation, which
shall be known as Bills and Resolutions.
Requirements of style
(b) The Speaker shall determine the proper format for the
presentation of all forms of legislation and inform all Senators of the
requirements thereof.
Bills
(c) All legislation creating or affecting a change in law within the
legislative powers of the Senate, or providing for the budgeting and
appropriation of Association funds, shall be presented in the form of a
Bill.
Binding Resolution
(d) Any legislation that gives the approval of the Senate as per
policy or as a check to the Executive Branch and causes binding
action. A Binding Resolution shall be used for: amendments to the
Senate Rules, selection of the Speaker of the Senate, selection of the
Secretary of the Senate, selection of the Parliamentarian, selection of
the committee chairs, organization of all the committee‘s member-
ship, creation of Select Committees, any disciplinary action, and
where the approval of the Senate is sought by Law or another Bind-
ing Resolution.
Expressed Resolutions
(e) Any legislation pertaining to the voice of the student body.
This includes but is not limited to, making suggestions, recommenda-
tions, or commendations.
Legislative expiration
(f) Upon adjournment sine die of a session, all legislation not
definitely disposed of by the Senate is to be considered postponed
indefinitely and can only be brought up in a new session by reintro-
duction.
 Rules of the Senate—13

RULE XV.
INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION.
Initial introduction
(a) (1) A Senator may introduce or submit legislation for intro-
duction by transmitting an electronic copy in the manner prescribed
by the Secretary to him or her. A paper copy shall also be transmit-
ted, bearing the signature or signatures of the primary sponsors.
(2) Legislation filed by 9 a.m. at least four working days prior
to a Senate meeting shall be placed on the agenda for first read-
ing at that meeting.
(3) The Secretary shall also cause the legislation to be posted
on the Senate website no later than one class day following its
filing for introduction.
Sponsorship of legislation
(b) (1) Any Senator(s) filing legislation with the Secretary for first
reading shall be designated as the primary sponsor(s) of the legisla-
tion filed.
(2) After the first reading of any piece of legislation, any
number of Senators may join as secondary sponsors of the legis-
lation.
Printing of legislation
(c) The Secretary shall cause to be printed, after first reading and
referral, each piece of legislation filed for consideration.
Fast track of legislation
(d) (1) A Senator may move that legislation receive its first and
second readings at the same meeting. This procedure shall be known
as ―fast-tracking‖ the legislation. Such a motion shall be considered
by the Senate at the meeting at which the legislation is on the
calendar for first reading, and shall only be in order provided that
standard one-day notice has been given.
(2) The motion to fast-track a resolution of appointment
confirmation shall be in order only if recommended by the com-
mittee of relevant jurisdiction.
RULE XVI.
FIRST READING OF LEGISLATION, FAST TRACKING, AND REFERRAL TO
COMMITTEE.
First Reading of legislation
(a) At the appointed time, the Speaker shall cause all legislation
on the calendar for first reading to be read by title only, but any
Senator may demand a reading in full.
Incidental motions
(b) Immediately after first reading, the Speaker shall recognize
any Senator wishing to make an incidental motion relating to the
 Rules of the Senate—14

pending legislation, including points of order and objections to

consideration.
Motions to fast-track
(c) At the appointed time, the Speaker shall recognize all Sena-
tors who properly submitted their intent to move to fast-track
legislation in turn for the purpose of making such a motion. Such a
motion shall be decided without debate, and shall require the consent
of a two-thirds majority of the Senate.
Referral to Committee
(d) At the appointed time, the Speaker shall refer all legislation
read for the first time and not fast-tracked to the committee he or she
deems appropriate according to these Rules.
RULE XVII.
SECOND READING OF LEGISLATION AND SENATE CONSIDERATION.
Two reading rule
(a) All legislation shall be read twice, and such readings shall
occur at two different meetings except as provided elsewhere in these
rules.
Placement on calendar for second reading
(b) (1) Legislation shall be placed on the calendar for second
reading by the Speaker once it is reported by the committee, for a
meeting no more than four weeks following the committee‘s authori-
zation of the report.
(2) Any legislation which is successfully fast-tracked shall be
considered placed at the end of the calendar for second reading.
Procedure for second reading
(c) (1) At the appointed time, the Speaker shall cause the first
item of legislation on the calendar for second reading to be read by
title only, but any Senator may demand a reading in full. Following
the reading of the item of legislation, the Speaker shall recognize the
author(s) of the committee report (if any) on the legislation for a
period not to exceed five minutes, during which time the author(s)
shall give a summary of the committee‘s report.
(2) At the conclusion of the report, the Speaker shall state
the question on the adoption of the legislation, and the motion to
object to its consideration shall be out of order.
Amendment of legislation
(d) All motions to amend legislation during second reading shall
be written and shall be submitted to the Secretary at the time of their
introduction.
 Rules of the Senate—15

RULE XVIII.
ENROLLMENT OF LEGISLATION.
Enrollment
(a) Within two class days of the adoption of a bill which must be
submitted to the Speaker, the Secretary shall cause a copy of the bill
to be enrolled. After enrollment, the Secretary shall certify the bill,
and then the Speaker shall sign it.
Presentment of legislation
(b) The Secretary shall present all bills which shall have passed
the Senate in person to the President. The Secretary shall make a
note of the time and date of presentment.
RULE XIX.
SENATE OFFICERS.
The Speaker of the Senate
(a) (1) PRESERVATION OF ORDER.—
(A) The Speaker shall preserve order and decorum and,
in case of disturbance or disorderly conduct in the galle-
ries or in the lobby, may cause the same to be cleared.
(2) SIGNATURE OF DOCUMENTS.—
(A) The Speaker shall sign all acts passed by the Senate
and all writs, warrants, and subpoenas of, or issued by
order of, the Senate. The Speaker may sign enrolled bills
whether or not the Senate is in session.
(3) QUESTIONS OF ORDER.—
(A) The Speaker shall decide all questions of order,
subject to appeal by a Senator. On such an appeal a Sen-
ator may not speak more than once without permission of
the Senate.
(4) FORM OF A QUESTION.—
(A) The Speaker shall rise to put a question but may
state it sitting. The Speaker shall put a question in this
form: ‗‗Those in favor (of the question), say ‗Aye.‘ ‘‘; and
after the affirmative voice is expressed, ‗‗Those opposed,
say ‗No.‘ ‘‘. After a vote by voice under this clause, the
Speaker may use such voting procedures as may be in-
voked under Rule VIII.
Speaker pro tempore
(b) (1) The Speaker may appoint a Senator to perform the duties
of the Chair.
(2) Such an appointment may not extend beyond one legisla-
tive day.
(3) In the case of his illness, the Speaker may appoint a
Senator to perform the duties of the Chair for a period not ex-
ceeding 14 days, subject to the approval of the Senate. If the
 Rules of the Senate—16

Speaker is absent and has omitted to make such an appointment,

then the Senate shall elect a Speaker pro tempore to act during
the absence of the Speaker.
(4) With the approval of the Senate, the Speaker may
appoint a Senator to act as Speaker pro tempore only to sign
enrolled bills for a specified period of time.
(5) In the case of a vacancy in the office of Speaker, the next
Senator on the list in paragraph (6) shall act as Speaker pro tem-
pore until the election of a Speaker or a Speaker pro tempore.
Pending such election the Senator acting as Speaker pro tempore
may exercise such authorities of the Office of Speaker as may be
necessary and appropriate to that end.
(6) As soon as practicable after his or her election and
whenever he or she deems appropriate thereafter, the Speaker
shall deliver to the Secretary a list of Senators in the order in
which each shall act as Speaker pro tempore under paragraph
(5).
(7) For purposes of paragraph (5), a vacancy in the office of
Speaker may exist by reason of the physical inability of the
Speaker to discharge the duties of the office.
Parliamentarian.
(c) The Speaker shall appoint a Parliamentarian, subject to the
majority approval of the Senate, who shall advise the Speaker and
individual Senators on matters of Senate Procedure, the law, and the
Constitution.
Election of officers
(d) (1) There shall be elected at the commencement of each
session of the Senate, to continue in office until his or her successor is
chosen and qualified, a Secretary and a Parliamentarian.
(2) These officers shall take an oath to support the Constitu-
tion of the Associated Students, and for the true and faithful ex-
ercise of the duties of his or her office to the best of his or her
knowledge and ability, and to keep the secrets of the Senate.
(3) Each of these officers shall appoint all of the employees of
his or her department provided for by law.
Secretary
(e) (1) At the commencement of the first meeting of each session
of the Senate, the Secretary shall call the Senators to order and
proceed to record their presence by College or School in alphabetical
order, by call of the roll. Pending the election of a Speaker or Speaker
pro tempore, the Secretary shall preserve order and decorum and
decide all questions of order, subject to appeal by a Senator.
(2) The Secretary shall—
 Rules of the Senate—17

(A) note all questions of order, with the decisions

thereon, the record of which shall be appended to the mi-
nutes;
(B) enter into the Minutes the hour at which the Senate
adjourns;
(C) attest and affix the seal of the Senate to all writs,
warrants, and subpoenas issued by order of the Senate and
certify the passage of all bills;
(D) examine all bills after passage by the Senate to see
that they are correctly enrolled and forthwith present those
bills to the President in person after their signature by the
Speaker, and report to the Senate the fact and date of their
presentment;
(E) cause the calendars of the Senate to be distributed
each legislative week;
(F) retain in the library at the Office of the Secretary for
the use of the Senators, and officers of the Senate, and not to
be withdrawn there from, two copies of all the books and
printed documents deposited there; and
(G) deliver to any Senator an extra copy of each docu-
ment requested by that Senator that has been printed by or-
der of the Senate in any session in which the Senator served.
(3) The Secretary shall provide for his or her temporary
absence or disability by designating an official in the Office of the
Secretary to sign all papers that may require the official signa-
ture of the Secretary and to perform all other official acts that
the Secretary may be required to perform under the rules and
practices of the Senate, except such official acts as are provided
for by statute. Official acts performed by the designated official
shall be under the name of the Secretary. The designation shall
be in writing and shall be laid before the Senate and entered on
the Journal.
(4) The Secretary may receive messages from the President
at any time when the Senate is not in session.
(5) The Speaker with consent of the Senate shall have the
authority to dismiss a Secretary for failure to discharge the office.
RULE XX.
CONFIRMATION OF APPOINTMENTS.
Presentation of Appointments
(a) (1) The appointing authority shall file written notice with the
Secretary of the intention to present an appointee to the Senate no
later than 9 a.m. on the Wednesday prior to the Wednesday for which
the meeting is scheduled.
(2) The Speaker shall place the appointee, with name and
position of appointment, on the agenda for referral to the appro-
priate committee at the aforementioned Wednesday meeting.
 Rules of the Senate—18

Effect of committee reports

(b) (1) Favorable committee reports shall affect confirmations in
the same manner as standard reports. Committees may issue provi-
sional negative reports on confirmations, indicating likelihood that
the committee will issue a full negative report in the future, and
thereby suspending any acting status.
(2) In the event of a negative report on a confirmation, the
confirmation shall be considered defeated unless the confirmation
is successfully discharged at a subsequent Senate meeting.
Standards of communication
(c) (1) It shall be the responsibility of the chair of the committee
considering a confirmation to notify the appointee of a confirmation
hearing.
(2) A reasonable attempt shall be made to accommodate the
appointee‘s schedule.
RULE XXI.
MATTERS REGARDING THESE RULES.
Suspension and amendment of these Rules
(a) (1) The Senate may, by the consent of two-thirds of the
Senate, temporarily suspend one or more of the Rules of the Senate.
(2) However, no Rule may be suspended which specifies
otherwise, or derives its authority from any other portion of the
Constitution or ASUN law, or federal, state, or local law.
(3) Furthermore, no clause mandating advance notice,
including dates and times for submission of documents, may be
suspended, unless suspended prior to the advance notice dead-
line.
Matters not covered by these Rules.
(b) All procedures not covered by these Rules shall be governed
by the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised where
they are not inconsistent with the Rules of the Senate, or any other
body of law having effect as a Rule of the Senate.
RULE XXII.
SENATE TRAINING AND TRANSITION.
Establishment of training facilitators.
(a) The duties of establishing and facilitating training agenda
shall be vested wit hthe Speaker and the Speaker‘s designee.
Attendance requirement of the Senate
(b) (1) All senators and senator-elects must attend.
(2) The Secretary of the Senate and their assistants shall be
invited to participate.
(3) Absence will result in an immediate conduct hearing for
disciplinary sanctions.
 Rules of the Senate—19

Guidelines for training session.

(c) (1) Training shall include an introduction and over of the
Senate, Rules of the Senate and parliamentary procedures.
(2) The Secretary of the Senate shall provide information on
legislation procedures.
(3) A guest speaker and luncheon is recommended. The guest
speaker should e a current or previous public servant.
(4) Committee chairs should provide workshops to inform the
incoming senate what the duties and jurisdiction of their commit-
tee, and also the duties of a committee chair which include but
are not limited to posting agendas and the tabulation of minutes.
(5) There shall be a mock senate meeting. Any legislation or
resolution from this mock meeting shall have no validity what-
soever.
(6) A discussion panel shall conclude the training session.
The discussion panel shall include a question and answer forum
for the incoming senators.
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