Standing Rules of the Mayflower State Senate¶

RULE I — THE PRESIDING OFFICER¶

The Lieutenant Governor shall be the President of the Senate and its primary presiding officer. When the President shall be absent, the President pro tempore shall be the presiding officer. When the President pro tempore shall be absent, they shall appoint an Acting President. Only the President shall have the power to break ties; that authority shall not be given to the President pro tempore nor the Acting President. The President pro tempore or the Acting President, if the presiding officer, shall not be required to vote but may choose to do so.
The Senate shall at the beginning of the Congress, and for any vacancy, elect a senator to be the President pro tempore. The Senate may, by resolution, remove the President pro tempore provided that there is a just reason for it.
The presiding officer shall control the proceedings of the Senate, ensure these rules are upheld, and maintain order and attendance of the Senate.

RULE II — JOURNAL OF RECORD AND SENATE STAFF¶

The Journal of Record shall contain:
1. date and time of sessions convening and dispersing;
2. register of present members;
3. motions;
4. orders of the presiding officer;
5. votes; and
6. messages between the Senate and other branches of Government.
The Journal shall not contain transcripts of speeches by members and specific oration that is irrelevant to the record.
The President of the Senate shall appoint, at the beginning of every Congress, a Chief Clerk and any additional clerks he deems necessary. The President of the Senate may remove a clerk at any time.
The President of the Senate, after a resolution of the Senate, may appoint a Sergeant-at-arms. The Sergeant-at-arms shall be from the Mayflower State Police, with a rank of Trooper or higher.

RULE III — SESSIONS AND QUORUM¶

The quorum requirement for normal business shall be 1⁄2 of the membership.
The membership shall convene in regular session at least once every two weeks, as prescribed by the Lieutenant Governor.
Special sessions shall be convened by the Governor or by 1⁄2 of the senate membership. During special sessions convened by the Governor, the legislature shall be confined to discuss:
1. subjects designated in the calling of an emergency session;
2. subjects presented by him; and
3. the reconsideration of bills vetoed by the Governor.
Emergency Sessions that are convened by 1⁄2 of the membership shall not be limited in discussion.
The membership, when wishing to perform an override of a veto or an impeachment, shall require a presence of 2⁄3 of the membership at the session.
If the membership, when convened, does not meet Quorum then the only motion that shall be available is to compel the attendance of absent members.

RULE IV — ORDER OF BUSINESS¶

At the beginning of the Congress, the first item of business shall be taking the oath. The second item of business shall be to elect the President pro tempore from the sworn-in members. The third item of business shall be to appoint the members to the standing committees.
During regular business:
1. roll shall be called and the register of the members taken;
2. priority shall be given to unfinished business left at the end of the previous session;
3. members shall then listen to any members, confirm any Judicial or Cabinet appointment, hear committee reports, and then proceed to hear bills that have been tabled. The presiding officer or the clerk shall read out the title unless it is motioned that the entire text of the bill is to be read;
4. the presiding officer shall then entertain any other petitions or motions from the floor after which, the Orders of the Day will then be created in the order that they were introduced. No motions placed on the Orders of the Day shall be removed without its regular course;
5. sessions will close when adjournment is made solely from the floor of the Senate.

RULE V — RULES OF DEBATE¶

When a member desires to speak, at any time during the session, he shall rise and address the presiding officer (Mr./Madam President), and will not proceed with the request until recognized by the Presiding Officer. Once he begins speaking, the Senator will not be forcefully required to yield the floor unless the Senate shall call the question. Only one member may hold the floor unless authorized by a special motion by the Senate.
Every member speaking shall avoid personalities, they shall sit down when finished. No member shall speak out of their place without leave from the presiding officer.
When two or more members rise at the same time, the presiding officer shall name the member entitled to the floor.
Members repeatedly in violation of any of the rules of the Senate shall be called to order by the presiding officer, and order the member to take their seat.
A member called to order shall lose the right to speak on the pending motion, but shall not be barred from voting.
A member called to order shall remain seated until the Senate begins consideration of another motion or unless the presiding officer returns the rights of the member to the floor.
If a member called to order refuses to immediately take their seat, the presiding officer shall name that member, who shall be escorted from the chamber by the Sergeant-at-arms.
A member having been named shall not be allowed to resume their seat until the presiding officer returns the member their rights to attend the session, or a new session has begun.
If, after a member is seated or named, the action of the presiding officer is appealed, the Senate shall decide the case by a majority vote of the present members; if there is no immediate appeal, the decision of the presiding officer shall be conclusive.
No member may interrupt another except:
1. in compliance with the motions in order;
2. to doubt the presence of a quorum; or
3. to ask the person speaking to yield.
No member shall speak more than once on a question unless all other members have been afforded that chance.
No member shall occupy more than ten minutes at a time while speaking where debate is unlimited.
All members shall be courteous, avoid personal attacks, avoid digressions and shall direct their remarks to the presiding officer

RULE VI — MEMBERS OF THE SENATE¶

A member must be a member of Roblox for a hundred and twenty days and a citizen of Mayflower for thirty days. Any member that loses citizenship shall lose their seat in the Senate. Any member that commits a felony while in office is subject to expulsion proceedings to be brought up.
Whenever a vacancy shall occur in the Senate, the President of the Senate shall certify such to the Mayflower Elections Commission and request a by-election; if an election occurred within two weeks of the vacancy, the President of the Senate shall certify such to the Governor. The Governor shall fill the vacancy by appointment and a presiding officer shall swear the member in.
Members are not subject to civil process and are privileged from arrest, except for felony or breach of peace, while attending a session.
The Senate may expel or temporarily suspend other members with a 3⁄4 majority vote due to the member’s inactivity, lack of responsibility, or general disobedience.

RULE VII — MOTIONS IN ORDER¶

Motions will only be entertained when the presiding officer deems it to be suitable; the exception being points of order and parliamentary procedure. Only motions that allow members to interrupt the presiding officer may allow members to speak without being recognized by the presiding officer.
Motions may only be made by the member after being recognized by the presiding officer. If the motion requires a sufficient second, the presiding officer shall go out for them. If a sufficient second is not achieved as required, the motion shall fail automatically.
The presiding officer, after the motion is seconded, shall seek any opposition. If none are heard, the motion is granted automatically. If a member objects, they shall briefly state why. A motion may only be refused by the presiding officer if it breaks any of these rules.
If opposition is made, the presiding officer may make time for debate or may call the motion for a vote. The result shall be stated with either of the following: “The motion is adopted” or “The motion is defeated.”
The following motions are in order:

Motion	Type of Motion	Second?	Debatable?	Voting Procedure	Can interrupt PO?
Adjourn with fix time — To arrange a time for the next session	Privileged	Yes	Yes	Simple majority	No
Adjourn sine die — To dismiss the session without an assigned time, subject to the call of the President.	Privileged	Yes	Yes	Simple majority	No
Recess — To start a short intermission of the session; motion must contain the length of time.	Privileged	Yes	No	Simple majority	No
Rise to a question of privilege — To make a personal request.	Privileged	No	No	Decision of the chair	Yes
Call for orders of the day — To force the Senate to conform to its agenda or orders of business.	Privileged	No	No	One member, requires 2⁄3 to overrule	Yes
Appeal a decision of the Chair — To reverse a decision by the Chair.	Incidental	Yes	Yes, on the merits	Simple majority	Yes
Rise to a point of order — To challenge for violation of the rules	Incidental	No	No, unless appealed	Decision of the chair	Yes
Roll call vote — To verify a vote	Incidental	No	No	Decision of the chair	Yes
Object to the consideration of a question — To suppress action	Incidental	Yes	Yes	2⁄3 majority	Yes
Divide a motion — To consider parts of a motion separately	Incidental	Yes	No	Simple majority or decision of the member	No
Leave to modify or withdraw a motion — To modify or withdraw a motion	Incidental	No	No	Simple majority	No
Suspend the rules — To take action contrary to the Standing Rules; must include the individual rule	Incidental	Yes	Yes	2⁄3 majority	No
Rescind — To repeal previous action.	Bring a question again	Yes	Yes	2⁄3 majority	No
Reconsider — To consider a defeated motion again	Bring a question again	Yes	Yes	Simple majority	No
Take from the table — To consider a tabled motion	Bring a question again	Yes	No	Simple majority	No
Lay on the table — To defer action	Subsidiary motion	Yes	No	Simple majority	No
Previous question / Invoke Cloture — To force an immediate vote on a Main Motion or Subsidiary Motion; ends debate.	Subsidiary motion	Yes	No	2⁄3 majority	Yes
Refer to a Committee — Refer to a Committee for further scrutiny or study	Subsidiary motion	Yes	Yes	Simple majority	No
Discharge from Committee — To remove from the Committee	Main motion	Yes	Yes	2⁄3 majority	No
Amend an amendment — To modify an amendment	Subsidiary motion	1⁄3 of members	Yes	Simple majority	No
Amend — To modify a Main Motion	Subsidiary motion	1⁄3 of members	Yes	Simple majority	No
Proceed — To introduce business to the floor (Question for debate, Bill, Resolution, Impeachment, etc.)	Main motion	Yes	Yes	Simple majority	No
6. Other motions not mentioned here may be accepted by the discretion of the presiding officer and will require a second and 2⁄3 vote to pass.

RULE VIII — IMPEACHMENT PROCEEDINGS¶

Whenever a member shall propose articles of impeachment, it shall be referred to the Committee on Government Oversight. Unless discharged by the Senate, the Committee on Government Oversight shall vote to send it to the Senate either favorably or unfavorably. The articles of impeachment shall list fully the basis for the proceeding.
The Senate may impeach the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, members of the Cabinet, Chief Justice, members of the Supreme Court and District Court. Whenever the committee reports the articles of impeachment, the Senate may vote; it shall require a majority to impeachment.
Following a majority in favor of impeachment, the impeachment shall be referred by the President of the Senate to the Chief Justice or the Chief Judge (whichever is applicable). The Senate shall then appoint an impeachment manager, which may be any Senator or any bar-certified attorney.

RULE IX — INTRODUCTION OF BILLS¶

All members wishing to introduce a bill to the floor through a motion must publish the draft bill at least 24 hours before the motion is made.
Repealing a hence signed piece of legislation shall require a simple majority of the members as a collective in favor of such motion.
Overriding the Governor’s veto of passed legislation shall require a 3⁄4 of the members present in favor of such motion.
All Bills will be given the chance to have amendments or amendments of amendments, scrutinized by the floor in one straight reading of the bill.
The presiding officer or clerk will update when a Bill has gone through its straight reading in the respective channel in the Legislative Discord, and mark any amendments made to the bill in red font. Any removed or edited text must be struck out and must be in red font.
The presiding officer or clerk shall update the Trello whenever a Bill has been introduced and shall put the bill under the respective list within the Trello.
The President, President pro tempore, or clerk will appoint bills their number and fill out any dates, numbers, or names which the template has marked in red.
In the instance that a Senator has planned absence but wishes to vote on a bill planned to be brought to the floor, they may notify the presiding officer to accept their vote in proxy.

RULE X — VOTING¶

The presiding officer shall declare the result of all voted motions in the session; but shall any member doubt a vote, the presiding officer shall order the Clerk produce a roll.
All votes shall be taken by voice vote unless requested by any member or by the presiding officer, in which the presiding officer shall roll call the motion.
Any member shall require permission from the presiding officer to abstain from voting on any question or motion.
A member, having been away from their keyboard, shall be marked as abstained by the clerk; however, following their return to their keyboard, shall be required to change their vote.
The clerk or presiding officer shall report at the conclusion of any vote the outcome along with the vote breakdown, in the format of ayes-nays-abstentions.
When a question has been decided by the Senate, any member voting with the prevailing side or who has not voted may, on the same day or during the next session thereafter, move for reconsideration. If the Senate shall refuse to reconsider such a motion entered, or if such a motion is withdrawn by leave of the Senate, or if upon reconsideration the Senate shall affirm its first decision, no further motion to reconsider shall be in order. Every motion to reconsider shall be decided by a majority vote.

RULE XI — SENATE CHAMBER¶

The business of the membership shall be done within the State Chamber in the State House, located in the City of Lander, unless the presiding officer chooses to conduct it elsewhere for an extenuating circumstance.
The Chamber shall be made public access for those wishing to spectate the convening legislative session unless the presiding officer orders to seal the chambers in which the Sergeant at Arms shall direct to do so. The Senate may motion to seal the chambers as well.
The presiding officer shall make reasonable arrangements for the press on the Senate floor. Only those with pre-approved press pass shall be allowed to enter.

RULE XII — COMMITTEES¶

Standing committees shall consist of no more than three senators, elected through senate resolution.
The following standing committees shall have members appointed to it at the commencement of each term of congress, and shall have jurisdiction over the following subjects:
1. Committee on Government Oversight — impeachment proceedings on any executive or judicial official, misconduct by the executive branch, management of executive operations, audits of the executive branch, and maintenance of transparency between the public and the executive branch;
2. Committee on Foreign Affairs — diplomacy, the operations and administration of the Department of State, ambassadors, interstate treaties, foreign policy, intervention abroad, declarations of war, and relations with Mayflower and any other foreign entities in general;
3. Committee on Ethics — misconduct of any member of the legislative branch, expulsion hearings, disciplinary action towards senators, and investigation of ethics violations by senators in general;
4. Committee on Homeland Security — matters concerning state security, the operations and administration of the National Guard, military operations, counterterrorism, and intelligence;
5. Committee on the Judiciary — judicial proceedings, judges, justices, the operations and administration of the Department of Justice, criminal penalties, civil liberties, and the judiciary and its operations in general; and
6. Committee on Public Safety and Law Enforcement — law enforcement, fire prevention and suppression, emergency medical services, the operations and administration of the State Police, the operations and administration of the Department of Parks and Wildlife, the operations and administration of the Law Enforcement Training Institute, and public safety in general.
The President or Clerk of the Senate shall be responsible for appropriately referring legislation or nominations to a committee upon introduction, as applicable.
Members may not be on any more than three committees at a given time.
All standing committees shall have the power to:
1. issue a subpoena to testify in front of the given Committee;
2. discuss bills passed to them by the Senate;
3. pass resolutions or reports; and
4. introduce bills to the Senate
Committees may meet separately to normal sessions, so long as the Journal of Record is maintained by either the Clerk of the Senate or the Clerk of the Committee.
Standing committees shall be granted authority to create their own standing rules but within the framing of the existing Standing Rules of the Senate.
The members of each committee shall elect a chairperson amongst themselves.

RULE XIII — THE PRESIDENT¶

The President of the Senate may:
1. participate in debate;
2. sit on committees, if elected; and
3. cast votes on Senate resolutions, and other Senate-only documents.

RULE XIV — AMENDMENTS TO THESE RULES¶

Any proposal to amend the rules shall be done in writing and sent to the President of the Senate or President pro tempore. No motion to amend these rules shall be in order unless by one day’s notice. No amendment shall take effect unless 3⁄4 of the Senate be in agreement, sitting with 2⁄3 quorum.

Last update: May 8, 2020