Parliamentary Procedure Outline
Opening:
Chair: “The Chamber will now revert to the order of passage of Senate/House Bill
Number ___.”
“Are the authors of Senate/House Bill Number ___ present?”
“Will the Senators/Representatives please come forward?”
Once the authors are present…
“The Clerk will now read Senate/House Bill Number ___.”
The Clerk reads the bill.
“Thank you, Clerk. The Chair recognizes Senators/Representatives ______
for their five (5) minute opening statement.”

Opening Statement: An opening statement is a five minute period allotted to the bill
author to speak on the content of his/her bill. If the entire five minutes is not used, the
author may reserve any remaining time to the closing summation. The opening statement
should be used to present the main components of the bill topic and any other ideas the
author deems necessary.
Authors: “Thank you, Mister/Madam President/Speaker.”
The Authors give their opening statement.
After speaking, the Authors may yield their remaining time to their closing
summation.
“We yield any remaining time to our closing summation.”
The Authors may also yield their remaining time to the floor.
“We yield any remaining time to the floor.”
Chair: “Thank you, Authors. You have yielded ___ minutes and ___ seconds to your
closing summation.”
If the time for the Authors opening elapses before the Authors yield, the Chair must
immediately interrupt the speaker.
“I’m sorry, Authors, but the time period for your opening statement has
elapsed.”
Non-Debatable, Technical Questions:
Chair: “We will now move into a ten (10) minute period of non-debatable, technical
questions. Are there any such questions on the floor?

Technical Questions: These questions will consist of any other non-debatable, technical
questions. Technical questions can be asked in a series of multiple questions and must
be in an “Is it or is it not true that...” format. The author can only answer yes or no to
these questions. These questions are typically used to clarify points of the bill that
may need a deeper understanding.

Point of Information: This is to be used for informational questions like how many,
how, etc. Used to request certain information about the bill and takes precedence over
any other question unless the floor leader desires to speak.
Delegate: “Point of Information”
Delegate states this before the Chair recognizes a member of the chamber.
Chair: “State your point.”
Delegate: “Thank you, Mister/Madam President/Speaker.”
Delegate states their informational question.
Authors:
Authors answer question. Answer must be brief and to the point.
Delegate: Delegate holds up placard to seek recognition.
Chair: “The Chair recognizes Senator/Representative_______.”
Delegate: “Thank you, Mister/Madam President/Speaker.”
“Will the Authors yield to a series of questions?”
The delegate must seek permission through the Chair.
Chair: “Authors, do you yield?”
Authors: “Yes.” or “No.”
If the Authors say “yes,” the Chair will inform the delegate, and then the delegate
may ask
their questions
If the Authors say “no,” the Chair will inform the delegate, and request they be
seated.
Chair:
For “yes:”
“The Authors will yield.”
Delegate asks question
OR
For “no:”
“The Authors will not yield. Please be seated.”
Delegate sits, and the Chair moves onto the next delegate seeking recognition.
Delegate: “Is it or is it not true that _______. “
Authors: “Yes.” or “No.”
The Chair must limit the Authors’ answer.

Move the previous question: This is how to move on to the next section of procedure. It
can be used during non-debatable, technical questions or con/pro debate. In con/pro
debate, a motion to move the previous question can only be entertained after a con
speaker and can be made by any delegate. Communication between the Floor Leader and
the Chair is essential during this motion because a movement to the previous question is
generally made by the Floor Leader. This motion can be used to efficiently manage time.
Chair: “The Chair recognizes the Floor Leader.”
Floor Leader:
“Thank you, Mister/Madam President/Speaker. I would like to motion to
move the previous question.”
Any delegate can make a motion to move the previous question; however, it is
most commonly used by the Floor Leader.
Chair: “There is a motion on the floor. Is there a second?”
Delegate:” Second!”
Any delegate can yell out “second.” Only one second is needed.
Chair: “The motion has been properly seconded. Are there any objections to this
motion?”
If there are no objections, the Chair will state this and move on with procedure.
“Hearing none; this motion carries. We will now…”
OR
If there is an objection, the Chair will note this objection and move to vote on passage
of the motion.
“Objection noted. We will now revert to the carriage of this motion.”
“All those in favor of carrying this motion, please stand and in a normal
speaking voice say “aye.””
Delegates: “Aye.”
Say in a normal speaking voice.
Chair: “All those opposed, please stand and in a normal speaking voice say “nay.”
Delegates: “Nay.”
Say in a normal speaking voice.
Chair: “In the opinion of the Chair, the “ayes” have it. This motion carries. We will
now…”
Move onto the next procedure. Rap gavel twice, then pause; rap once for a final time.
OR
“In the opinion of the Chair, the “nays” have it. This motion does not carry.
Are there any..?”
Revert back to the procedure taking place before the motion was made. Rap twice,
then pause; rap once for a final time.
Con/Pro Debate:
Chair: “We will now move into a fifteen (15) minute period of con/pro debate. Bill
Authors, you may be seated.”
“The Chair will now entertain a con speaker. Is there such a speaker on the
floor?”
“The Chair recognizes Senator/Representative ______."
Each speaker will receive two (2) minutes.
Delegate: A delegate raises their placard and gains recognition.
“Thank you, Mister/Madam President/Speaker. I would like to speak in opposition of
this
bill.”
Chair: ”That is your right.”
Delegate: “Thank you.”
The second thank you is not required. Delegate presents their argument.
After speaking, the delegate must yield their time.
“I yield my time to the floor.”
A delegate may also yield to another like-minded speaker, to the Chair, or to the
authors’
summation.
Chair: “Thank you, Senator/Representative. The Chair will entertain a pro
speaker. Is there such a speaker on the floor?
Delegate: “Thank you, Mister/Madam President/Speaker. I would like to speak in favor of this
bill.”
Chair: “That is your right.”
Delegate: “Thank you.”
The second thank you is not required. Delegate presents their argument.
After speaking, the delegate must yield their time.
“I yield my time to the floor.”
A delegate may also yield to another like-minded speaker, to the Chair, or to the
authors’
summation.
To end con/pro debate the fifteen (15) minute time period must elapse or there must be a
motion to move the previous question. Debate must end on a con.
Chair: If time elapses for con/pro debate, the chair will wait for a final con speaker and end
debate without a motion.
“I’m sorry, delegates, but the time period for con/pro debate has elapsed. “
OR
If con/pro debate ends by a motion to move the previous question, move onto the
next procedure.
Closing:

Closing Summation: This is a three-minute period (plus any yielded time) for the bill
author(s) to sum up any main points he/she/they would like to be reiterated. The
author(s) may also use points said by previous delegates to support the bill. The
author(s) may also refute points made by previous delegates.
Chair: “We will now recognize the Bill Authors for their closing summation. Bill
Authors, you are
recognized for your ___ minute and ___ second closing
summation.”
Authors: Authors close.
“We yield our time to the floor.”
Time may also be yielded to the Chair.
Voting:
Chair: “Thank you, Authors. We will now revert to the passage of Senate/House Bill
Number ___. Will the Sergeant at Arms please seal the Chamber?”
Let the Chamber be sealed.
“Are there any objections to the passage of Senate/House Bill Number ___?
If there are no objections, the Chair will state this, and the bill passes unanimously.
“Hearing none; Senate/House Bill Number ___ passes unanimously.”
Rap gavel once.
OR
If there is an objection, the Chair will note this objection and move to vote on passage
of the bill.
“Objection noted. We will now vote on the passage of Senate/House Bill
Number ___.”
“All those in favor of passing this bill, please stand and in a normal speaking
voice say “aye.””
Delegates: “Aye.”
Say in a normal speaking voice.
Chair: “All those opposed, please stand and in a normal speaking voice say “Nay.”
Delegates: “Nay.”
Say in a normal speaking voice.
Chair: “In the opinion of the Chair, the “ayes” have it. Senate/House Bill Number
___ passes.”
Rap gavel twice; pause for a second for a division call; rap again once to make the
decision final. Clapping is in order.
OR
“In the opinion of the Chair, the “nays” have it. Senate/House Bill Number
___ fails.”
Rap gavel once; pause for a second for a division call; rap two times to make the
decision final. Clapping is NOT in order.

Division: Any member of the chamber may yell out “division” in between the first two
gavel raps and the final rap to contest the Chair’s decision. It is at the discretion of the
Chair to hear and warrant the division, hear and not warrant, or ignore the call for
division. If division is warranted the entire chamber must cast votes by standing and being
counted. This process should be done by both Presiding Officers as efficiently and as
accurately as possible.
“Division is heard and warranted.” Standing count.
OR
“Division is heard and not warranted.” Do not count. Chair’s original decision is final.
Rap final gavel.
If a bill passes, you may clap. If it fails, do not clap. If clapping occurs on a failed bill, please
reprimand the chamber. Clapping after a bill fails is disrespectful and will not be acceptable at
any time.