KEY: stricken = old language to be removed
         underscored = new language to be added






Authors and Status

                  					
																 






S.R. No. 129, as introduced: 89th Legislative Session (2015-2016) Posted on April 7, 2015




1.1A Senate resolution

         		1.2adopting Permanent Rules of the Senate.

         		1.3BE IT RESOLVED, by the Senate of the State of Minnesota:

         		1.4The Permanent Rules of the Senate for the 89th session of the Legislature shall read
         

         		1.5as follows: 

         		1.6PERMANENT RULES OF THE SENATE

         		1.789TH LEGISLATURE (2015 - 2016)

         		1.81.PARLIAMENTARY REFERENCE

         		1.9    The rules of parliamentary practice contained in Mason's Manual of Legislative Procedure
         

         		1.10(1989 edition) govern the Senate in all cases in which they are applicable, and in which they are
         

         		1.11not inconsistent with these rules and orders of the Senate and the joint rules and
         orders of the 

         		1.12Senate and House of Representatives. 

         		1.132.REPORTING OF BILLS

         		1.14    Every bill, memorial, order, resolution or vote requiring the approval of the Governor
         must 

         		1.15be reported to the Senate on three different days before its passage. 

         		1.16    (a) The first report, called the first reading, is made when it has been received
         for introduction. 

         		1.17    (b) The second report, called the second reading, is made when it has been considered
         by 

         		1.18all the necessary standing committees and is ready for debate. 

         		1.19    (c) The third report, called the third reading, is made when it is ready for final
         passage. 

         		2.13.BILL INTRODUCTION

         		2.23.1Bills, memorials, and concurrent or joint resolutions may be introduced by a member
         

         		2.3or by a standing committee. 

         		2.43.2The name of the author, authors, or committee must be written on the bill, memorial
         or 

         		2.5resolution. The number of authors may not exceed five. 

         		2.63.3An original and one copy are required for introduction. 

         		2.73.4A member or a committee desiring to introduce a bill, memorial or concurrent or joint
         

         		2.8resolution shall deliver it to the office of the Secretary, and the Secretary shall
         promptly deliver 

         		2.9all the bills, memorials or concurrent or joint resolutions to the President who shall
         present 

         		2.10them to the Senate. 

         		2.113.5A bill may not be considered by a committee, committee division, or a subcommittee
         

         		2.12on the day it is introduced.

         		2.133.6During the period between the last day of the session in any odd-numbered year and
         

         		2.14the first day of the session in the following year, a bill filed with the Secretary
         for introduction 

         		2.15must be given a file number and may be unofficially referred by the President, with
         the approval 

         		2.16of the Chair of the Committee on Rules and Administration, to an appropriate standing
         committee 

         		2.17of the Senate. All bills filed for introduction during this period must be presented
         to the Senate 

         		2.18when it reconvenes and must be referred to the standing committees previously indicated
         by the 

         		2.19President, subject to objection to the referral under Rule 4.10. 

         		2.204.BILL REFERRAL

         		2.214.1The President shall refer each bill without motion to the proper standing committee
         

         		2.22unless otherwise referred by the Senate. 

         		2.234.2A bill or resolution may not be referred to committee or amended until it has been
         

         		2.24given its first reading. 

         		2.254.3A member may not object to a bill or resolution on its introduction. 

         		2.264.4All bills appropriating money, or obligating the state to pay or expend money, or
         

         		2.27establishing a policy which to be effective will require expenditure of money, when
         referred to 

         		2.28and reported by any other than the Committee on Finance, must be referred before passage
         to 

         		2.29the Committee on Finance. 

         		2.304.5All bills delegating rulemaking to a department or agency of state government and
         all 

         		2.31bills exempting a department or agency of state government from rulemaking, when referred
         to 

         		3.1and reported by any other than the Committee on State  and Local Government, must
         be referred 

         		3.2before passage to the Committee on State and Local Government. 

         		3.34.6All bills creating a new commission, council, task force, board, or other body to
         

         		3.4which a member of the legislature will be appointed must be referred before passage
         both to the 

         		3.5Committee on State  and Local Government and to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
         

         		3.64.7All bills authorizing or increasing a sentence of imprisonment to a state correctional
         

         		3.7institution must be referred before passage to the Committee on Judiciary. 

         		3.84.8All resolutions required to follow the same procedure as bills must be referred before
         

         		3.9passage to the Committee on Rules and Administration.

         		3.104.9A bill introduced by a committee need not be referred to a standing committee unless
         a 

         		3.11question arises. It must lie over one day before being given its second reading. 

         		3.124.10A member may question the reference of a bill during the order of business of first
         

         		3.13reading on the day of introduction. When a member questions the reference of a bill,
         the bill must 

         		3.14be referred without debate to the Committee on Rules and Administration to report
         the proper 

         		3.15reference. Upon adoption of the report of the Committee on Rules and Administration,
         the bill 

         		3.16must be referred accordingly. 

         		3.175.RECALL FROM COMMITTEE

         		3.185.1With the concurrence of the chief author of the bill, Before the applicable deadline for 

         		3.19committee action on a bill, a majority of the whole Senate may recall the bill from
         a committee 

         		3.20and re-refer it to any other committee or place it on General Orders. After the committee
         deadline 

         		3.21for action on a bill, 41 affirmative votes of the whole Senate may recall the bill
         from any 

         		3.22committee and re-refer it to any other committee or place it on General Orders. Recall of a bill 

         		3.23under this rule requires the concurrence of the chief author of the bill.

         		3.245.2By a report of the Committee on Rules and Administration adopted by the Senate, the
         

         		3.25Committee on Rules and Administration, on request of the chief author, may remove
         a bill from 

         		3.26committee and re-refer it to any other committee or place it on General Orders. 

         		3.276.RESOLUTIONS

         		3.286.1Memorial resolutions addressed to the President or the Congress of the United States,
         

         		3.29or a house or member of Congress, or a department or officer of the United States,
         or a state or 

         		3.30foreign government, joint resolutions, and resolutions requiring the signature of
         the Governor 

         		3.31must follow the same procedure as bills before being adopted. 

         		3.326.2A resolution may not be changed to a bill, and a bill may not be changed to a resolution.
         

         		4.16.3 Upon the request of a member, a resolution not required to follow the same procedure
         

         		4.2as bills and not offered by the Committee on Rules and Administration must be referred
         to the 

         		4.3Committee on Rules and Administration. If the resolution is not referred to the Committee
         

         		4.4on Rules and Administration, the resolution must lie over one calendar day without
         debate or 

         		4.5other action, upon the request of a member. 

         		4.67.BUDGET TARGETS

         		4.77.1The Committees on Taxes and on Finance must hold hearings as necessary to determine
         

         		4.8state revenues and appropriations for the fiscal biennium. 

         		4.97.2Within 30 days after the last state general fund revenue and expenditure forecast
         for 

         		4.10the next fiscal biennium becomes available during the regular session in the odd-numbered
         year, 

         		4.11targets for the general fund budget must be publicly announced by the Chair of the
         Committee on 

         		4.12Finance or the Chair of the Committee on Rules and Administration. Subsequent adjustments
         

         		4.13to the targets required under this rule shall be made by public announcement of the
         chair of 

         		4.14the Committee on Rules and Administration. 

         		4.157.3The omnibus tax and appropriation bills are: 

         		4.16    (1) the omnibus tax bill; 

         		4.17    (2) the E-12 education appropriations bill; 

         		4.18    (3) the higher education and workforce development appropriations bill; 

         		4.19    (4) the health and human services appropriations bill; 

         		4.20(5) the environment, economic development and agriculture appropriations bill;

         		4.21(6) the judiciary appropriations bill; 

         		4.22(7) the state departments and veterans appropriations bill; 

         		4.23    (8) the transportation and public safety appropriations bill; and 

         		4.24    (9 ) the omnibus capital investment bill.  

         		4.25    An omnibus appropriation or tax bill may not be divided. 

         		4.267.4An amendment to an omnibus appropriation or tax bill that is a Senate file or an 

         		4.27unofficial engrossment of a House file is out of order if it will:

         		4.28(1) increase net appropriations from a fund for a fiscal biennium, without a corresponding
         

         		4.29increase in net revenue, compared to the bill as it was reported to the floor of the
         Senate; 

         		5.1(2)  reduce net revenue to a fund for a fiscal biennium, without a corresponding reduction
         in 

         		5.2net appropriations, compared to the bill as it was reported to the floor of the Senate;
         

         		5.3(3)  change appropriations, transfers, or revenues to an agency that was not in the
         bill as 

         		5.4it was reported to the floor of the Senate; or 

         		5.5(4) create or increase the amount of a tax expenditure by reducing appropriations,
         transfers, 

         		5.6or revenues to an agency that was not in the bill as it was reported to the floor
         of the Senate.

         		5.78.CONFIRMATIONS

         		5.88.1Every gubernatorial appointment requiring the advice and consent of the Senate must
         

         		5.9be referred by the President to the appropriate committee. If a question arises as
         to the proper 

         		5.10committee, the appointment must be referred without debate to the Committee on Rules
         and 

         		5.11Administration for a report making the proper reference. 

         		5.128.2An appointment referred to committee and not reported to the Senate within 60 

         		5.13legislative days after it was referred is withdrawn from committee and placed on the
         confirmation 

         		5.14calendar for consideration by the Senate before adjournment of the regular session,
         unless the 

         		5.15appointee's term has expired or the appointee is no longer serving.

         		5.168.3The final question on the appointment is, "Will the Senate, having given its advice,
         

         		5.17now consent to this appointment?" The question must not be put the same day the appointment
         is 

         		5.18received or on the day it is reported by committee except by unanimous consent. Confirmation
         of 

         		5.19the appointment requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the whole Senate. 

         		5.209.STANDING COMMITTEES

         		5.21The standing committees of the Senate are as follows:

         		5.22Capital Investment

         		5.23Commerce

         		5.24Education 

         		5.25Environment and Energy

         		5.26Finance 

         		5.27Health, Human Services and Housing

         		5.28Higher Education and Workforce Development

         		5.29Jobs, Agriculture and Rural Development

         		5.30Judiciary

         		5.31Rules and Administration

         		5.32State and Local Government

         		5.33Taxes 

         		5.34Transportation and Public Safety

         		6.110.APPOINTMENTS TO STANDING COMMITTEES

         		6.210.1The majority and minority groups must each be represented on all standing committees
         

         		6.3of the Senate substantially in proportion to their numbers in the Senate. The majority
         group shall 

         		6.4assign the number of positions the minority group will hold on each committee and
         budget division. 

         		6.5The minority group must be given adequate notice of its positions before the session
         begins. 

         		6.610.2Both the majority and minority groups shall appoint their own members to fill the
         

         		6.7number of positions each group will hold on each committee and budget division. The
         minority 

         		6.8group shall transmit notice of its assignments to the majority group within 14 calendar
         days after 

         		6.9receipt of the notice of positions available. The minority group may designate a ranking
         member 

         		6.10for each committee. Nothing prohibits a member of the minority group from serving
         as chair or 

         		6.11vice chair of a committee, subcommittee, division, or commission. If the minority
         group for any 

         		6.12reason fails to make its appointments pursuant to this rule, the majority group may
         make all the 

         		6.13committee and budget division  assignments. 

         		6.1410.3 The majority and minority committee assignments are subject to the uniform criteria
         

         		6.15governing committee assignments applicable to both the majority and minority groups.
         The 

         		6.16uniform criteria must be adopted by the Committee on Rules and Administration.  

         		6.1710.4 The Senate resolution establishing representation on all Senate standing committees
         

         		6.18must set forth committee assignments as made by the majority and minority groups.
         

         		6.1910.5 A member may not serve as the chair of the same standing committee or the same 

         		6.20division of a standing committee, or a committee with substantially the same jurisdiction,
         for 

         		6.21more than three consecutive Senate terms. This limit does not apply to the Committee
         on Rules 

         		6.22and Administration. 

         		6.2310.6 After the organization of the Senate and after consultation with and the approval
         of 

         		6.24the minority leader, the Chair of the Committee on Rules and Administration may add
         members 

         		6.25to or delete members from a standing committee or division. 

         		6.2611.APPOINTMENTS BY SUBCOMMITTEE ON COMMITTEES

         		6.2711.1The Committee on Rules and Administration may constitute a standing Subcommittee 

         		6.28on Committees, the report of which within its jurisdiction has the effect of a report
         of the 

         		6.29Committee on Rules and Administration. The subcommittee consists of at least five
         members, 

         		6.30including members of the minority group substantially in proportion to their number
         in the Senate. 

         		6.3111.2Unless otherwise provided, the Subcommittee on Committees shall appoint all 

         		6.32members of commissions or other bodies authorized to be appointed by the Senate and
         report the 

         		6.33appointments to the Senate. 

         		7.112.COMMITTEE MEETINGS

         		7.212.1All meetings of the Senate, its committees, committee divisions, and subcommittees
         

         		7.3are open to the public. A meeting of a caucus of the members of any of those bodies
         from the same 

         		7.4political party need not be open to the public. A caucus of the Hennepin county, Ramsey
         county, 

         		7.5or St. Louis county delegation is open to the public. For purposes of this rule, a
         meeting occurs 

         		7.6when a quorum is present and action is taken regarding a matter within the jurisdiction
         of the body. 

         		7.712.2Any person may submit to the Chair of the Committee on Rules and Administration 

         		7.8a complaint that members have violated the open meeting requirements of Minnesota
         Statutes, 

         		7.9section 3.055. The complaint must be in writing. The Chair of the Committee on Rules
         and 

         		7.10Administration shall immediately forward the complaint in writing to the Subcommittee
         on 

         		7.11Ethical Conduct without disclosing the identity of the complainant. The complaint
         must not be 

         		7.12further disclosed without the consent of the complainant, except to the members against
         whom 

         		7.13the complaint was made, unless the complaint was made by a member of the Senate in
         writing 

         		7.14under oath, in which case the investigatory procedures of Rule 55 apply. 

         		7.1512.3To the extent practical, a committee, subcommittee, or division shall announce each
         

         		7.16meeting to the public at least three calendar days before convening. The notice must
         state the 

         		7.17name of the committee,  subcommittee, or division, the bill or bills to be considered,
         and the place 

         		7.18and time of meeting. A bill may not be considered on the day it was introduced. The notice must 

         		7.19be posted on the Senate's Web site and on all Senate bulletin boards in the Capitol
         and the State 

         		7.20Office Building. A notice must be sent to the House of Representatives for posting
         as it deems 

         		7.21necessary. If the three-day notice requirement cannot be met, the committee,  subcommittee,
         or 

         		7.22division shall give simultaneous notice to all of the known proponents and opponents
         of the 

         		7.23bill as soon as practicable.

         		7.2412.4A Senate committee,  subcommittee, or division shall adjourn no later than midnight
         

         		7.25each day, unless two-thirds of the members present vote to suspend this requirement.
         

         		7.2612.5Committees,  subcommittees, and divisions may not meet while the Senate is in 

         		7.27session without permission of the Senate. The names of the members excused shall be
         printed 

         		7.28in the Journal. 

         		7.2912.6A majority of its members constitutes a quorum of a committee,  subcommittee, 

         		7.30or division. 

         		7.3112.7Each standing committee of the Senate, including a subcommittee  or division of the
         

         		7.32committee, may at any time sit and act, investigate and take testimony on any matter
         within its 

         		7.33jurisdiction, report hearings held by it, and make expenditures as authorized by the
         Committee on 

         		7.34Rules and Administration. 

         		8.112.8A standing committee, but not a subcommittee  or division, may require by subpoena
         

         		8.2or otherwise the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of correspondence,
         

         		8.3books, papers, and documents, in the manner provided by Minnesota Statutes, section
         3.153. 

         		8.412.9Upon the request of a member of a committee,  subcommittee, or division to which a
         

         		8.5bill has been referred, or upon the request of the chief author of the bill, a record
         must be made of 

         		8.6the vote on the bill or any amendment in the committee,  subcommittee, or division.
         

         		8.712.10Upon request of three members of the committee before the vote is taken, the record
         

         		8.8of a roll call vote in a standing committee must accompany the committee report and
         be printed 

         		8.9in the Journal. 

         		8.1012.11A committee report may only be based on action taken at a regular or special meeting
         

         		8.11of the committee. A report in violation of this rule is out of order. 

         		8.1212.12No Senate committee, division, or subcommittee shall permit any appointed officer
         

         		8.13or employee of the executive branch, registered lobbyist, or lobbyist principal to
         be seated at 

         		8.14the committee table with members of the Senate during an official meeting of a committee
         of 

         		8.15the Senate.

         		8.1613.HOUR OF CONVENING

         		8.17    If the Senate adjourns without setting a time to reconvene, the Senate shall convene
         on the 

         		8.18next legislative day at 11:00 a.m. 

         		8.1914.PRESIDENT

         		8.2014.1The President shall take the chair at the time to which the Senate adjourned. The
         

         		8.21President shall immediately call the members to order and, on the appearance of a
         quorum, shall 

         		8.22proceed with the regular order of business. 

         		8.2314.2The President may call a member to preside. In the absence of the President, the 

         		8.24President Pro Tem, the Chair of the Committee on Rules and Administration, or the
         Chair's 

         		8.25designee, shall preside over the Senate. In the absence of the President and the Chair,
         the Senate 

         		8.26may select a member to perform the duties of the President. Substitutions do not extend
         beyond 

         		8.27adjournment. 

         		8.2814.3The President shall preserve order and decorum, may speak on points of order in 

         		8.29preference to members, and shall also decide all questions of order, subject to an
         appeal to the 

         		8.30Senate by a member. 

         		8.3114.4An appeal is decided by a majority vote of those present and voting. Upon an appeal
         

         		8.32from the decision of the President, the question is, "Shall the decision of the President
         be the 

         		8.33judgment of the Senate?" 

         		9.114.5The President shall sign all acts, memorials, addresses and resolutions. All writs,
         

         		9.2warrants, and subpoenas issued by the Senate must be signed by the President and attested
         by the 

         		9.3Secretary. 

         		9.414.6Upon a finding by the Committee on Rules and Administration that the President 

         		9.5refuses or is unable to sign any of the documents described in this rule, the Chair
         of the Committee 

         		9.6on Rules and Administration, or some other member selected by the committee, shall
         assume the 

         		9.7duties of the President under this rule until the President is able to sign the documents
         described 

         		9.8or until the Senate elects a new President, whichever occurs first. 

         		9.915.ADMISSION TO SENATE CHAMBER

         		9.1015.1The Senate Chamber is reserved for Senate use. 

         		9.1115.2A person may not be admitted to the Senate Chamber except as provided in these rules.
         

         		9.12A member, an officer, the constitutional officers, ex-Governors of the State of Minnesota,
         members 

         		9.13of the House, judges of the trial and appellate courts and members of Congress may
         be admitted. 

         		9.1415.3Past members of Congress or of the state legislature who are not interested in any
         

         		9.15claim or directly in a bill pending before the legislature may be personally admitted
         by a member 

         		9.16of the Senate. 

         		9.1715.4An employee of either house may be admitted at the request of a member or an 

         		9.18officer of the Senate. 

         		9.1915.5 A member of another state, provincial, or national legislative body may be admitted
         

         		9.20to the floor by any member of the Senate. A member of another legislative body who
         is admitted 

         		9.21to the floor may be introduced to the Senate by the President. 

         		9.2215.6The President may designate and personally admit the person who will provide the 

         		9.23prayer and the person who will lead the Pledge of Allegiance.

         		9.2415.7When the Senate is not meeting, a person who is not a member may be admitted to the
         

         		9.25floor at the request of a member or an officer. 

         		9.2615.8Public hearings may not be held in the Senate Chamber. The Senate Chamber may 

         		9.27not be used for any commercial purpose. 

         		9.2815.9The Retiring Room of the Senate is reserved for the exclusive use of the members of
         

         		9.29the Senate at all times. The Sergeant at Arms shall strictly enforce this rule. 

         		9.3015.10When a member-elect is sworn in, the member-elect may request that one guest be 

         		9.31admitted until the member-elect has been sworn in. 

         		10.116.CREDENTIALS FOR NEWS COVERAGE

         		10.216.1(a) The Secretary of the Senate shall provide a reasonable number of spaces on 

         		10.3the Senate floor and in the Senate gallery for individuals and organizations with
         credentials 

         		10.4and passes issued under this rule.  

         		10.5(b) The Sergeant at Arms may not issue credentials or day passes under this rule to
         political 

         		10.6organizations or to individuals affiliated with a political organization. For the
         purposes of this 

         		10.7rule, "political organization" means an organization owned or controlled by a registered
         lobbyist, 

         		10.8a political caucus, a political party, or any party organization and "individuals
         affiliated with a 

         		10.9political organization" means an individual who, during the preceding 24 months, has
         been 

         		10.10employed by or received any compensation from a political organization.  

         		10.11(c) Due to the limited space available for organizations or individuals providing
         news 

         		10.12coverage of the Senate, the Senate finds that there is a compelling public interest
         in limiting 

         		10.13credentials issued under this rule to organizations or individuals who demonstrate
         that they 

         		10.14provide regular news coverage of the legislature. For session credentials, an organization
         or 

         		10.15individual must submit an application to the Sergeant at Arms. The Sergeant at Arms
         must review 

         		10.16the application and approve or reject it within 14 days after receipt. Upon the request
         of the 

         		10.17Sergeant at Arms, an applicant for credentials must provide evidence of the applicant's
         activities 

         		10.18in providing regular news coverage of the legislature. Evidence of regular news coverage
         must 

         		10.19include examples of news coverage of legislative matters produced by the  applicant.
         The 

         		10.20examples must include written, video, or audio coverage written or recorded in the
         past year, and 

         		10.21a description of how they were publicly distributed. Any opinion expressed in the
         examples is not 

         		10.22subject to review under this rule at any time. 

         		10.23(d) If an application is rejected, the Sergeant at Arms must state the reason for
         the rejection 

         		10.24in writing and notify the applicant, the Secretary of the Senate, the Majority Leader,
         and the 

         		10.25Minority Leader in writing.

         		10.26(e) An appeal of a denial of credentials must be made in writing to the Secretary
         of the 

         		10.27Senate, the Senate Majority Leader, and the Senate Minority Leader. The Committee
         on Rules and 

         		10.28Administration shall review and decide the appeal within 14 days after receiving a
         letter of appeal. 

         		10.2916.2The Sergeant at Arms may grant a day pass for access authorized under Rule 16.1, 

         		10.30paragraph (a). The day pass may be issued for a single day to an individual or organization
         who 

         		10.31has not applied for credentials and who is not prohibited from receiving credentials
         under  Rule 

         		10.3216.1, paragraph (b). The pass may be granted upon the request of a member or the organization
         or 

         		10.33individual, and may be renewed from day to day upon request.

         		11.116.3The Secretary shall compile and distribute to the public a directory of individuals
         

         		11.2and organizations who have been issued credentials under Rule  16.1 to provide news
         coverage 

         		11.3from the Senate floor. The directory must include each individual's picture and organization
         

         		11.4and a brief biography.  

         		11.516.4The Secretary must issue each individual or organization with credentials an 

         		11.6identification badge showing the individual's name and organization. The individual
         must wear 

         		11.7the badge when in the Senate Chamber. 

         		11.816.5  (a) A credential shall be revoked by the Sergeant at Arms if the Sergeant has received
         

         		11.9credible information indicating that the individual or organization either was not
         qualified to 

         		11.10receive the credential when it was given, or no longer qualifies for a credential.

         		11.11(b) An appeal of a revocation of credentials must be made in writing to the Secretary
         of the 

         		11.12Senate, the Senate Majority Leader, and the Senate Minority Leader. The Committee
         on Rules and 

         		11.13Administration shall review and decide the appeal within 14 days after receiving a
         letter of appeal.

         		11.1417.DECORUM

         		11.1517.1In case of a disturbance or disorderly conduct in the lobbies or galleries, the President
         

         		11.16may order them cleared. 

         		11.1717.2A member may not introduce a visitor or visitors in the galleries from the floor or
         

         		11.18rostrum of the Senate. 

         		11.1917.3Smoking is not permitted in the Senate Chamber or galleries, the Retiring Room, 

         		11.20hearing rooms, offices, or other spaces under the control of the Senate. 

         		11.2117.4During floor proceedings, picture taking by persons other than accredited news or
         

         		11.22legislative photographers, picture taking with floodlights or flash units, and visual
         or audible 

         		11.23disruptions are prohibited. At all times, demonstrations and food or beverages are
         prohibited 

         		11.24in the Senate Chamber and in the galleries. 

         		11.2517.5Television recording or broadcasting on the Senate floor is under the direction of
         the 

         		11.26Secretary. 

         		11.2718.ORDER OF BUSINESS

         		11.2818.1The order of business is as follows: 

         		11.291. Petitions, letters, remonstrances.

         		11.302. Executive and official communications. 

         		11.313. Messages from the House of Representatives.

         		12.14. First reading of House bills. 

         		12.25. Reports of committees.

         		12.3(a) From standing committees. 

         		12.4(b) From select committees. 

         		12.56. Second reading of Senate bills. 

         		12.67. Second reading of House bills.

         		12.78. Introduction and first reading of Senate bills.

         		12.89. Motions and Resolutions.

         		12.910. Calendar. 

         		12.1011. Consent Calendar. 

         		12.1112. General Orders. 

         		12.1213. Announcements of Senate interest. 

         		12.1318.2Under the order of business of Motions and Resolutions, the Senate may by a majority
         

         		12.14vote of the whole Senate temporarily revert or proceed to any other order of business.
         

         		12.1519.PETITIONS AND OTHER COMMUNICATIONS

         		12.1619.1In presenting a petition, memorial, remonstrance or other communication addressed
         

         		12.17to the Senate, a member shall only state the general purpose of it. 

         		12.1819.2Every petition, memorial, remonstrance, resolution, bill and report of committee,
         must 

         		12.19have an appropriate title, and the name of the member presenting it written on it.
         

         		12.2019.3Every written communication distributed to members in the Senate Chamber must 

         		12.21have the name of the member or officer distributing it displayed on it. 

         		12.2220.MESSAGES FROM THE HOUSE

         		12.23    A message from the House of Representatives that a Senate bill has been amended, and
         the 

         		12.24amendment, must be printed and placed on the members' desks before a member may move
         to 

         		12.25concur in the House amendment. If the amendment has been printed in the House Journal
         for a 

         		12.26preceding day and is available to the members, the Journal copy may serve as the printed
         copy. 

         		13.121.OBJECTIONS TO COMMITTEE REFERRALS

         		13.2    A member may question the proper reference of a bill at the time the bill is reported
         by a 

         		13.3standing committee to which it was previously referred. When a member questions the
         reference 

         		13.4of a bill, the bill must be referred without debate to the Committee on Rules and
         Administration 

         		13.5to report the proper reference. Upon adoption of the report of the Committee on Rules
         and 

         		13.6Administration, the bill must be referred accordingly. 

         		13.722.GENERAL ORDERS

         		13.822.1The Secretary shall make a list of all bills, resolutions, reports of committees,
         and 

         		13.9other proceedings of the Senate that are referred to the Committee of the Whole and
         number 

         		13.10them. The lists are called the "General Orders". 

         		13.1122.2Items on General Orders may be taken up in the order in which they are numbered, as
         

         		13.12ordered by the Chair of the Committee on Rules and Administration, or as otherwise
         ordered by a 

         		13.13majority of the committee. 

         		13.1422.3General Orders, together with all bills required to be included on it, must be 

         		13.15electronically available or printed at least one calendar day before being considered
         in Committee 

         		13.16of the Whole. 

         		13.1722.4With the concurrence of the chief author of the bill, a majority of the whole Senate
         

         		13.18may at any time take a bill from the table and place it on General Orders. 

         		13.1923.COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

         		13.2023.1All bills, memorials, orders, resolutions and votes requiring the approval of the
         

         		13.21Governor must, after a second reading, be considered in Committee of the Whole before
         they are 

         		13.22finally acted upon by the Senate, unless considered on the Consent Calendar or as
         a Special Order. 

         		13.2323.2The President may call a member to the Chair when the Senate resolves itself into
         the 

         		13.24Committee of the Whole. 

         		13.2523.3The rules observed in the Senate govern, as far as practicable, the proceedings of
         the 

         		13.26Committee of the Whole, and the Chair of the Committee of the Whole has the powers
         of the 

         		13.27President, as appropriate. However, a member may speak more than twice on the same
         subject 

         		13.28and a call for the previous question may not be made. 

         		13.2923.4A member may request a roll call vote. The vote must be recorded in the Journal 

         		13.30along with the amendment. 

         		13.3123.5The recommendations of the Committee of the Whole must be reported to the Senate.
         

         		13.32The question is on the adoption or rejection of the report, and no other question
         may be admitted. 

         		13.33The question may be divided to permit separate Senate action on the report as to any
         bill. 

         		14.123.6On adoption of the report of the Committee of the Whole, all bills recommended to
         

         		14.2pass must be placed on the Calendar. 

         		14.324.CALENDAR

         		14.424.1The Secretary shall make a Calendar of all bills, resolutions and other matters 

         		14.5approved by the Committee of the Whole for final action. The Secretary shall place
         them on the 

         		14.6Calendar in the order in which they have been acted upon in Committee of the Whole.
         

         		14.724.2The Calendar must be electronically available or printed at least one calendar day
         

         		14.8before the matters on it are considered. 

         		14.925.CONSENT CALENDAR

         		14.1025.1If a committee determines that a bill it recommends to pass is not likely to be opposed,
         

         		14.11the committee may recommend that the bill be placed on the Consent Calendar. If the
         committee 

         		14.12report is adopted, the bill must be electronically available or printed and placed
         on the Consent 

         		14.13Calendar after its second reading. On the question of adoption of the report, the
         question of 

         		14.14accepting the recommendation that the bill be placed on the Consent Calendar may be
         divided 

         		14.15from the question of adopting the report in other respects. 

         		14.1625.2A majority of the whole Senate, or the Chair of the Committee on Rules and 

         		14.17Administration, may order a bill on General Orders placed on the Consent Calendar.
         

         		14.1825.3The Consent Calendar must be electronically available or printed at least one calendar
         

         		14.19day before the matters on it are considered. 

         		14.2025.4If a member objects to consideration of a bill on the Consent Calendar at any time
         

         		14.21during its consideration in the Senate before the question on final passage is put,
         and that objection 

         		14.22is supported by at least two other members, the bill is referred to the Committee
         of the Whole, and 

         		14.23the Secretary shall place it at the bottom of General Orders subject to Rule 22.2,
         except that it 

         		14.24need not lie over one calendar day before consideration in the Committee of the Whole.
         

         		14.2526.SPECIAL ORDERS

         		14.2626.1The Chair of the Committee on Rules and Administration, or the Chair's designee, 

         		14.27may designate a special order for a bill that has been given its second reading. 

         		14.2826.2A special order may provide that the bill be considered immediately, at a time certain,
         

         		14.29or after specific other business is completed. 

         		14.3026.3During consideration of a special order, Rule 36.5 is suspended. 

         		14.3126.4As nearly as applicable, debate on the bill and all proceedings including amendments
         

         		14.32and substitutions must be conducted as in the Committee of the Whole. 

         		15.126.5On any question, a member may request a roll call vote, which must be entered 

         		15.2in the Journal. 

         		15.326.6Unless it is otherwise disposed of, after consideration a bill on Special Orders must
         

         		15.4immediately proceed to its third reading and final passage. 

         		15.527.MOTIONS

         		15.627.1A motion or amendment must be written if a member requests. It must identify the 

         		15.7member or committee offering it. 

         		15.827.2When a motion is made, it must be stated by the President. If it is in writing, it
         must 

         		15.9be handed to the Secretary and read to the members. 

         		15.1027.3After a motion is stated by the President, or read by the Secretary, it is in possession
         

         		15.11of the Senate, but may be withdrawn by the author at any time before decision or amendment.
         

         		15.1228.PRECEDENCE OF MOTIONS

         		15.1328.1When a question is under debate no motion may be made, except: 

         		15.141. To adjourn. 

         		15.152. To recess. 

         		15.163. To reconsider.

         		15.174. To lay on the table. 

         		15.185. For the previous question. 

         		15.196. To refer. 

         		15.207. To postpone to a day certain. 

         		15.218. To amend. 

         		15.229. To postpone indefinitely. 

         		15.2328.2Motions numbered 1, 2, 4 and 5 above are not debatable. 

         		15.2428.3These motions have precedence in the foregoing order; but when a motion for the 

         		15.25previous question has been made, or the main question ordered, a motion to lay on
         the table 

         		15.26is not in order. 

         		16.128.4A motion to postpone to a day certain, to refer, to postpone indefinitely, or to amend,
         

         		16.2having been decided, may not again be put on the same day, nor at the same stage of
         the bill 

         		16.3or proposition. 

         		16.429.MOTION TO ADJOURN

         		16.5    A motion to adjourn or a motion to adjourn to a time certain is always in order. The
         latter 

         		16.6motion is debatable solely as to the time. When either motion is rejected, it may
         not be renewed 

         		16.7until further business has been transacted. 

         		16.830.MOTION TO RECONSIDER

         		16.930.1When a motion or question has been decided, a member who voted with the prevailing
         

         		16.10side may move for reconsideration:

         		16.11(1) on the same day on which the vote was taken;

         		16.12(2) within the next two calendar days; or

         		16.13(3) if after the time provided under clause (1) or (2), on the first day the Senate
         meets 

         		16.14after the vote was taken. The motion takes precedence over all other questions except
         a motion 

         		16.15to adjourn or recess. 

         		16.1630.2When a motion to adjourn is adopted before the disposition of a motion for 

         		16.17reconsideration, the motion for reconsideration must lie over until the next succeeding
         day the 

         		16.18Senate meets except as provided in this rule. 

         		16.1930.3 When notice of intent to move reconsideration of the final action of the Senate on
         a 

         		16.20question is given by a member, the Secretary shall retain the subject of the notice
         until after the 

         		16.21expiration of the time during which the motion can be made. 

         		16.2230.4 A notice of intent to move for reconsideration is not in order after the Tuesday before
         

         		16.23the third Saturday in May, but a motion to reconsider may be made. 

         		16.2430.5 A motion for reconsideration having been once voted on may not be made again 

         		16.25nor reconsidered. 

         		16.2631.MOTION FOR THE PREVIOUS QUESTION

         		16.2731.1Unless a motion for the previous question is made specifically applicable to a 

         		16.28subsidiary motion, it must be in this form: "Shall the main question now be put?"
         If the motion 

         		16.29for the previous question is supported by a majority of the members present, its effect
         is to put an 

         		16.30end to all debate and bring the Senate to a direct vote upon all pending amendments
         in their order 

         		16.31and then upon the main question. 

         		17.131.2On a motion for the previous question, a call of the Senate is in order before the
         

         		17.2President submits the question to the Senate. 

         		17.331.3On a motion for the previous question there is no debate. All incidental questions
         

         		17.4of order, arising after a motion is made for the previous question, and pending the
         motion, must 

         		17.5be decided, whether on appeal or otherwise, without debate. 

         		17.632.MOTION TO REFER

         		17.7    A bill or resolution may be referred to committee at any time before its passage.
         If an 

         		17.8amendment is reported on the referral to any committee other than the Committee of
         the Whole, it 

         		17.9must again be read the second time, considered in Committee of the Whole, read the
         third time and 

         		17.10placed on final passage. If the referral is to the Committee of the Whole it must
         be placed at the 

         		17.11head of General Orders, except when the referral is from the Consent Calendar under
         Rule 25.4. 

         		17.1233.MOTION TO AMEND BILL OR RESOLUTION

         		17.1333.1A motion to amend must be written if a member requests. It must identify the 

         		17.14member offering it. 

         		17.1533.2In drawing an amendment to a bill or resolution, reference must be made, first to
         

         		17.16the number of the bill, then to the page, and then to the line or lines where language
         is to be 

         		17.17stricken or inserted. 

         		17.1833.3In filling blanks, the largest sum, the longest time and the greatest distance must
         be 

         		17.19first taken. 

         		17.2033.4The title to a bill may be amended by the Secretary at any time the bill is amended
         

         		17.21by the Senate. 

         		17.2233.5An amendment is not in order to a bill on the Calendar or after third reading without
         

         		17.23the unanimous consent of the Senate unless it:

         		17.24(1) fills a blank;

         		17.25(2) amends the title;

         		17.26(3) is proposed to the chief author of the bill by the Revisor of Statutes to correct
         technical 

         		17.27defects found by the Revisor while engrossing earlier amendments to the bill; or 

         		17.28(4) is proposed to a bill on the Consent Calendar before the bill is given its third
         reading. 

         		17.2934.MOTION TO SUSPEND RULES

         		17.3034.1A rule may be suspended by a vote of at least two-thirds of the whole Senate. 

         		18.134.2A motion to suspend the rules for the purpose of advancing a bill may be made only
         

         		18.2under the order of business, "Motions and Resolutions". 

         		18.335.GERMANENESS

         		18.435.1An amendment proposed to the Senate or to the Committee of the Whole that is 

         		18.5not germane is out of order. 

         		18.635.2A non-germane amendment includes one that:

         		18.7(1) relates to a substantially different subject; or 

         		18.8(2) is intended to accomplish a substantially different purpose, than that of the
         original 

         		18.9bill to which it is proposed. 

         		18.1035.3An amendment to insert a constitutional amendment is not germane to a bill that does
         

         		18.11not already include a constitutional amendment. 

         		18.1235.4Whether an amendment is germane is to be decided by the President, who may put the
         

         		18.13question to the body if the President chooses. 

         		18.1435.5A motion to remove an amendment placed on a House bill under Rule 45.1 is out of 

         		18.15order if removal of the amendment would make a portion of the House bill not germane
         to the 

         		18.16Senate companion for which it was substituted. 

         		18.1735.6If a House amendment to a Senate bill is not germane to the Senate bill, a motion
         to 

         		18.18concur in the House amendment is out of order. 

         		18.1936.DEBATE

         		18.2036.1When a member is about to speak to the Senate, the member shall rise and respectfully
         

         		18.21address "Madam (or Mr.) President." The member may not proceed to speak further until
         

         		18.22recognized by the President. 

         		18.2336.2The member shall speak only to the question under debate and avoid personality. 

         		18.2436.3The member may inform the Senate of the Governor's position on a bill and on its 

         		18.25status in the House of Representatives. 

         		18.2636.4In discussing a resolution, each member is limited to ten minutes. 

         		18.2736.5A member may not speak more than twice on the same question on the same day 

         		18.28without permission of the Senate. 

         		18.2936.6When a member is speaking, no one may stand between the member speaking and the 

         		18.30President. 

         		19.136.7A member may not speak without using a microphone. 

         		19.236.8All remarks during debate shall be addressed to the President. 

         		19.336.9When the President puts a question, or addresses the Senate, no one may walk out of
         

         		19.4or cross the Chamber. 

         		19.536.10When a member is called to order, the member shall be silent until it is determined
         

         		19.6whether or not the member is in order. If a member is called to order for words spoken
         in debate, 

         		19.7the words excepted to must be taken down in writing by the Secretary immediately.
         

         		19.836.11Debate on the report of a conference committee is in order at any time after the 

         		19.9report has been made available electronically or printed and placed on the desk of
         each member, 

         		19.10or at an earlier time agreed to by a majority of the whole Senate.

         		19.1137.ABSENCE OF MEMBERS

         		19.12    A member or officer of the Senate may not be absent from a session of the Senate unless
         

         		19.13excused by the Senate. The name of a member excused must be printed in the Journal.
         

         		19.1438.CALL OF THE SENATE

         		19.1538.1A member may impose a call of the Senate requiring the attendance of all members 

         		19.16before any further proceedings occur except a motion to adjourn. 

         		19.1738.2Upon the imposition of a call, a member may request a record of those present and
         the 

         		19.18Sergeant at Arms shall bring in the absent members. 

         		19.1938.3When the Senate has been placed under call, a member may demand that the doors be
         

         		19.20closed and that no member be permitted to leave the Chamber until the matter or question,
         if any, 

         		19.21under consideration at the time of the call is disposed of, or until the call is lifted
         by a majority of 

         		19.22the whole Senate, or until the Senate adjourns. 

         		19.2338.4A majority of the whole Senate may excuse members not answering the call. 

         		19.2438.5A call may not be imposed after voting has commenced. 

         		19.2539.DIVISION OF QUESTION

         		19.2639.1A member may call for a division of the question when the division is possible. 

         		19.27A motion to strike and insert is indivisible. 

         		19.2839.2The defeat of a motion to strike does not preclude an amendment nor a motion to 

         		19.29strike and insert. 

         		20.140.VOTING

         		20.240.1The President shall distinctly state the question before taking the vote. The President
         

         		20.3shall declare the result of the vote. If a member questions the result of a vote,
         the President 

         		20.4shall order a division. 

         		20.540.2A member may vote on a question or be counted on a division only at the member's 

         		20.6own seat in the Senate Chamber. 

         		20.740.3At any time before the start of voting on a question, a member may request a roll
         call 

         		20.8vote, which must be entered in the Journal, unless at the time the request is made,
         the Senate is 

         		20.9taking a roll call vote using the electrical voting system. 

         		20.1040.4Unless otherwise ordered, a roll call vote, except upon elections, may be taken by
         

         		20.11means of the electrical voting system under the control of the President. 

         		20.1240.5A roll call vote may not be interrupted except to close the roll as provided in Rule
         41.3. 

         		20.1340.6A member or other person may not proceed to or remain by the Secretary's desk while
         

         		20.14a roll call or division is being taken. 

         		20.1541.MEMBERS TO VOTE UNLESS EXCUSED

         		20.1641.1Every member who is in the Senate Chamber during a roll call, including in the 

         		20.17Committee of the Whole, shall vote upon the request of another member unless excused
         by 

         		20.18the Senate. 

         		20.1941.2A motion by a member to be excused from voting must be made before the question is
         

         		20.20put. A member wishing to be excused from voting may make a brief statement of the
         reason for 

         		20.21making the request. The question on the motion to excuse must be taken without further
         debate. 

         		20.2241.3When members have had an opportunity to vote and fail to do so, a majority of the
         

         		20.23whole Senate may, by motion, direct the President to close the roll. 

         		20.2441.4The vote on a motion to close the roll must be taken without debate. No member 

         		20.25is required to vote on the motion. 

         		20.2642.FINAL PASSAGE

         		20.27    The final question on a bill or other matter requiring action by both Houses after
         its first and 

         		20.28second reading, and after the consideration in Committee of the Whole, is on its final
         passage. 

         		20.2943.TRANSMITTING BILLS TO THE HOUSE

         		20.3043.1Except when a motion to reconsider has been made as provided in Rule 30, 

         		20.31immediately after the passage of a bill or other matter in which the concurrence of
         the House of 

         		20.32Representatives is requested, the Secretary shall transmit it to the House. 

         		21.143.2On the concurrence of a bill or other matter of the House by the Senate, or on the
         

         		21.2concurrence or disagreement in a vote of the House, the Secretary shall notify the
         House. 

         		21.344.ENGROSSING AND ENROLLING OF BILLS

         		21.444.1The Secretary and the Engrossing Secretary shall ensure that every bill, memorial,
         or 

         		21.5resolution originating in the Senate is carefully engrossed before it is transmitted
         to the House 

         		21.6of Representatives for concurrence. 

         		21.7    All engrossing and enrolling of bills shall be done at the direction and under authority
         of 

         		21.8the Senate. 

         		21.944.2The Secretary shall ensure that every bill, memorial, or resolution originating in
         the 

         		21.10Senate is carefully enrolled by the Revisor of Statutes before it is presented to
         the Governor 

         		21.11or filed with the Secretary of State. 

         		21.1245.COMPARISON AND SUBSTITUTION OF BILLS

         		21.1345.1A House bill, after its first reading, must be referred as follows, unless there is
         a 

         		21.14motion by the Chair of the Committee on Rules and Administration or a designee of
         the Chair: 

         		21.15    (a) If there is no Senate companion bill, the House bill must be referred to the appropriate
         

         		21.16standing committee, unless there is objection under Rule 4.10. 

         		21.17    (b) If there is a Senate companion bill, the House bill must be referred to the standing
         

         		21.18committee possessing the Senate companion. 

         		21.19    (c) If the Senate companion bill has been reported to the Senate, the House bill must
         be 

         		21.20referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration, which shall report whether
         the House bill 

         		21.21is identical to the Senate companion bill. If the bills are identical, the report
         must recommend that 

         		21.22the House bill be given its second reading and substituted for the Senate companion
         bill and the 

         		21.23Senate companion bill be indefinitely postponed. If the House bill is not identical
         to the Senate 

         		21.24companion bill, the report of the committee must recommend an amendment to the House
         bill 

         		21.25that when adopted will render the House bill identical to the Senate bill. Upon adoption
         of a 

         		21.26committee report containing the proposed amendment, the House bill as amended must
         be given 

         		21.27its second reading and substituted for the Senate companion bill and the Senate companion
         

         		21.28bill must be indefinitely postponed. 

         		21.2945.2The Secretary shall prepare and submit reports under this rule on behalf of the 

         		21.30Committee on Rules and Administration. 

         		21.3145.3A House bill placed on the Calendar by substitution must not be given its third reading
         

         		21.32on the same day as the substitution. 

         		22.146.CONFERENCE COMMITTEES

         		22.246.1The Committee on Rules and Administration may constitute a standing Subcommittee 

         		22.3on Conference Committees, the report of which within its jurisdiction has the effect
         of a report of 

         		22.4the Committee on Rules and Administration. The subcommittee consists of three members,
         one 

         		22.5of whom must be a member of the minority group.

         		22.646.2The Subcommittee on Conference Committees shall appoint all conference 

         		22.7committees of the Senate and report the appointments to the Senate. In the appointment
         of 

         		22.8members of conference committees between the two houses, the Subcommittee on Conference
         

         		22.9Committees shall appoint those who are in accord with the position of the Senate.
         Whenever 

         		22.10practical, the subcommittee shall give preference to authors of bills in dispute and
         to members of 

         		22.11standing committees in which the bills were considered.

         		22.1247.DISPOSITION OF BILLS ON ADJOURNMENT

         		22.13    Adjournment of the regular session in an odd-numbered year to a date certain in the
         following 

         		22.14year is equivalent to daily adjournment, except that a bill on the Calendar, Consent
         Calendar, 

         		22.15General Orders, or table, other than a bill laid on the table after being vetoed by
         the governor or 

         		22.16after its conference committee has been discharged under Joint Rule 3.02, must be
         returned to the 

         		22.17standing committee other than the Committee on Rules and Administration from which
         it was last 

         		22.18reported to the Senate, unless otherwise provided for by motion before adjournment.
         

         		22.1948.PRINTING AND DISTRIBUTION OF BILLS

         		22.2048.1Unless otherwise ordered by the Senate, all Senate bills that have been reported upon
         

         		22.21favorably or without recommendation by a committee must be electronically available
         or printed 

         		22.22before consideration by the Senate or the Committee of the Whole. 

         		22.2348.2A House bill amended by the Senate must be unofficially engrossed and electronically
         

         		22.24available or printed when placed on General Orders. 

         		22.2548.3A bill may be electronically available or printed by order of the Secretary when 

         		22.26amended after second reading. 

         		22.2748.4A bill must be electronically available or printed when ordered by the Senate. 

         		22.2848.5Action by the Senate on a bill that has not been printed is a waiver of the printing
         

         		22.29requirement. 

         		22.3048.6To the extent practical, the Secretary shall provide a copy of any bill to the public
         

         		22.31and may charge a reasonable fee. 

         		23.149.JOURNAL AND INDEX

         		23.249.1The Secretary shall keep a correct Journal of the proceedings of the Senate and shall
         

         		23.3perform other duties assigned to the Secretary. 

         		23.449.2The Secretary shall not permit Journal records, accounts or papers to be taken out
         of 

         		23.5the Secretary's custody, other than in the regular mode of business. If a document
         in the Secretary's 

         		23.6charge is missing, the Secretary shall report the fact to the President, so that inquiry
         may be made. 

         		23.749.3The Secretary shall supervise the recording of proceedings in the Journal, the 

         		23.8engrossing, transcribing and copying of bills and resolutions, and generally perform
         the duties of 

         		23.9Secretary, under direction of the Committee on Rules and Administration. 

         		23.1049.4The Journal of each day's proceedings is open for correction at any time during the
         

         		23.11session of the next day the Senate meets. Unless corrected on that day, the Journal
         stands approved. 

         		23.1249.5The Secretary shall keep a record of all Senate and House bills showing the status
         

         		23.13of each bill pending, until its final passage. 

         		23.1450.ELECTRONIC RECORDINGS

         		23.1550.1The Secretary shall cause to be recorded on electronic media the proceedings of the
         

         		23.16Senate, the Committee of the Whole, and each standing committee,  subcommittee, and
         division. 

         		23.17Each electronic record must be clearly labeled to show the name of the body whose
         proceedings 

         		23.18are recorded and the dates the proceedings occurred. Each electronic record of the
         proceedings of 

         		23.19the Senate and the Committee of the Whole must be accompanied by a log showing the
         number of 

         		23.20each bill considered and the places on the record where consideration of the bill
         occurred. 

         		23.2150.2Within two working days after each Senate session, the Secretary shall make a copy
         

         		23.22of the electronic record and corresponding log of proceedings of the Senate and the
         Committee 

         		23.23of the Whole available to the Legislative Reference Library. 

         		23.2450.3Within one week after each meeting of a standing committee,  subcommittee, or 

         		23.25division, the Secretary shall make the electronic record of the meeting available
         to the Legislative 

         		23.26Reference Library, together with an agenda showing bills considered and any action
         taken on them. 

         		23.2750.4 Upon completion and approval of the minutes of the meeting of a standing 

         		23.28committee, subcommittee, or division, the Secretary shall ensure that the completed
         minutes of 

         		23.29the meeting are made available to the public. By October 1st of each year, the Secretary
         shall 

         		23.30deliver a copy of minutes for each meeting held in that calendar year before October
         1st to 

         		23.31the Legislative Reference Library. 

         		23.3250.5The Secretary shall keep a record of each session of the Senate and the Committee
         

         		23.33of the Whole, each meeting of a Senate standing committee,  subcommittee, or division
         and 

         		24.1the date on which the electronic record of the session or meeting was made available
         to the 

         		24.2Legislative Reference Library. The Library shall keep a similar record of all electronic
         records 

         		24.3to which it has been given access. 

         		24.450.6The Library shall provide committee staff with reasonable access to Senate electronic
         

         		24.5records and shall provide the public with convenient facilities to listen to them.
         

         		24.650.7The Secretary shall make copies of Senate electronic records available to the public
         

         		24.7for a fee determined by the Secretary to be adequate to cover the cost of preparing
         the copies. A 

         		24.8copy must be provided free to a member of the Senate upon request for use in legislative
         business. 

         		24.950.8The Secretary shall keep the original electronic record and log of each session of
         the 

         		24.10Senate and the Committee of the Whole until the end of the period for which the members
         of the 

         		24.11existing House of Representatives have been elected, at which time the electronic
         record may be 

         		24.12preserved or disposed of as the Secretary sees fit. The Legislative Reference Library
         shall keep 

         		24.13electronic records, logs, and minutes forwarded to it until two years after the end
         of the period 

         		24.14for which the members of the existing Senate have been elected, at which time they
         may be 

         		24.15preserved or disposed of as the Library sees fit. 

         		24.1650.9The Senate intends that testimony and discussion preserved under this rule not be
         

         		24.17admissible in any court or administrative proceeding on an issue of legislative intent.
         

         		24.1851.OTHER DUTIES OF SECRETARY

         		24.1951.1The Secretary shall not issue a certificate authorizing the payment of money by virtue
         

         		24.20of a motion or resolution, unless the motion or resolution is voted for by a majority
         of the whole 

         		24.21Senate on a roll call vote. 

         		24.2251.2The Secretary and the Engrossing Secretary shall correct all mistakes in numbering
         

         		24.23the sections and reference to them, whether the errors occur in the original bill
         or are caused 

         		24.24by amendments to it. 

         		24.2551.3The Secretary is the agent of the Senate for the purchase of supplies and services.
         The 

         		24.26Secretary's records on purchase of supplies and services are open for inspection.
         

         		24.2751.4The Secretary shall adopt administrative controls to ensure that each member is 

         		24.28accountable for the member's own long distance telephone calls and that Senate telephones
         

         		24.29are used only for Senate business. 

         		24.3051.5By the 15th day of April, July, October, and January of each year, the Secretary shall
         

         		24.31submit a detailed report of Senate expenditures during the previous quarter to the
         Committee on 

         		24.32Rules and Administration. 

         		24.3351.6The Secretary's public records may be inspected during normal business hours. 

         		25.152.SERGEANT AT ARMS

         		25.2    The Sergeant at Arms shall:

         		25.3(1) execute all orders of the President;

         		25.4(2) perform all assigned duties connected with the police and good order of the Senate
         

         		25.5Chamber;

         		25.6(3) exercise supervision over the entry and exit of all persons to and from the Chamber;
         

         		25.7(4) see that messages are promptly delivered; 

         		25.8(5) see that the hall is properly ventilated and the temperature is properly regulated;

         		25.9(6) see that the Chamber is open for the use of members of the Senate at least one-half
         

         		25.10hour before the start of a session; and 

         		25.11(7) perform all other services pertaining to the office of Sergeant. 

         		25.1253.BUDGET AND EXPENDITURES

         		25.1353.1The Committee on Rules and Administration shall adopt an operating budget for 

         		25.14the Senate and post it on the Senate Web site. 

         		25.1553.2All propositions for the appointment and payment of employees of the Senate or for
         

         		25.16expenditures of the legislature, other than those provided by law, must be referred
         without debate 

         		25.17to the Committee on Rules and Administration. 

         		25.1854.EMPLOYEES

         		25.1954.1The Committee on Rules and Administration shall establish positions, set 

         		25.20compensation, appoint employees, and authorize expense reimbursement for employees
         as it 

         		25.21deems necessary to carry out the work of the Senate. At the request of any committee
         member, an 

         		25.22action of the committee must be submitted as a Senate resolution for adoption by the
         Senate. 

         		25.2354.2The Secretary shall keep a roster of all employees of the Senate, including positions
         

         		25.24and compensation, which must be open for inspection by the public. 

         		25.2554.3The Secretary shall post, in a public place in the Capitol or on the Senate Web site,
         

         		25.26a notice of every vacant position on the permanent staff of the Senate. The notice
         must remain 

         		25.27posted for at least  one week, and no vacancy may be filled until the period of posting
         has elapsed. 

         		25.2854.4Except as otherwise provided in these rules, the Committee on Rules and 

         		25.29Administration has full and exclusive authority over, and charge of all employees
         of the Senate both 

         		25.30elected and appointed. The committee has the sole and exclusive power and authority
         to assign 

         		25.31them to duties other than for which they were elected or appointed as the committee
         may provide. 

         		25.3254.5The committee may make employment rules and regulations. In case of violation of 

         		25.33an order of the committee by an employee, or in case of a violation of a rule or regulation
         made 

         		26.1by the committee, or in case of misconduct or omission by an employee, the Committee
         on Rules 

         		26.2and Administration may hear complaints and discharge the employee or impose discipline,
         a fine, 

         		26.3or other punishment upon the employee. The committee may, by a vote of a majority
         of the 

         		26.4members of the committee, discuss an employee disciplinary proceeding under this rule
         in an 

         		26.5executive session to which the open meeting requirements of Rules 12.1 to 12.3 do
         not apply.

         		26.654.6The Secretary shall supervise the employees under the direction of the Committee on
         

         		26.7Rules and Administration. 

         		26.855.SUBCOMMITTEE ON ETHICAL CONDUCT

         		26.955.1The Committee on Rules and Administration shall appoint a Subcommittee on Ethical
         

         		26.10Conduct of the Committee on Rules and Administration consisting of four members, two
         from the 

         		26.11majority group and two from the minority group. 

         		26.1255.2The subcommittee shall serve in an advisory capacity to a member or employee upon
         

         		26.13written request and shall issue recommendations to the member or employee. A member
         may 

         		26.14request the subcommittee to provide its advice on a potential conflict of interest
         to the member in 

         		26.15private. If so requested, the subcommittee shall conduct its proceedings on the advisory
         opinion 

         		26.16in private. The request, proceedings on the request, and any advice given by the subcommittee
         

         		26.17in response to the request must remain private. The member may not use an advisory
         opinion 

         		26.18from the subcommittee as a defense to a complaint under this rule unless the opinion
         has been 

         		26.19adopted by the subcommittee at a public meeting. 

         		26.2055.3The subcommittee shall investigate a complaint made in writing by a member of the
         

         		26.21Senate under oath. The complaint must be received before adjournment sine die in the
         last year of 

         		26.22a senate term or during a special session held after that time regarding improper
         conduct by a 

         		26.23member or employee of the Senate. The subcommittee has the powers of a standing committee
         

         		26.24to issue subpoenas under Minnesota Statutes, section 3.153. 

         		26.2555.4Within 30 calendar days after receiving a complaint, the subcommittee must meet and
         

         		26.26either make a finding of no probable cause, vote to defer action until a certain time,
         or proceed 

         		26.27with its investigation. 

         		26.2855.5In order to determine whether there is probable cause to believe that improper conduct
         

         		26.29has occurred, the subcommittee may, by a vote of three of its members, conduct a preliminary
         

         		26.30inquiry in executive session to which the open meeting requirements of Rules 12.1
         to 12.3 do 

         		26.31not apply. The executive session may be ordered by a vote of three of its members
         whenever 

         		26.32the subcommittee determines that matters relating to probable cause are likely to
         be discussed. 

         		26.33The executive session must be limited to matters relating to probable cause. Upon
         a finding of 

         		26.34probable cause, further proceedings on the complaint are open to the public. 

         		27.155.6The subcommittee may appoint special counsel to provide expert advice on how 

         		27.2to conduct its proceedings. The subcommittee may appoint a suitable person to conduct
         the 

         		27.3investigation and report findings of fact and recommendations for action to the subcommittee.
         

         		27.455.7If, after investigation, the subcommittee finds the complaint substantiated by the
         

         		27.5evidence, it shall recommend to the Committee on Rules and Administration appropriate
         

         		27.6disciplinary action. 

         		27.755.8To minimize disruption of its public proceedings, the subcommittee may require that
         

         		27.8television coverage be pooled or be provided by Senate media services. 

         		27.955.9If criminal proceedings relating to the same conduct have begun, the subcommittee
         

         		27.10may defer its proceedings until the criminal proceedings have been completed. 

         		27.1155.10The Senate intends that proceedings of the Subcommittee on Ethical Conduct not be
         

         		27.12admissible in any criminal proceeding. 

         		27.1356.STANDARDS OF ETHICAL CONDUCT

         		27.1456.1Members shall adhere to the highest standard of ethical conduct as embodied in the
         

         		27.15Minnesota Constitution, state law, and these rules. 

         		27.1656.2A member shall not publish or distribute written material if the member knows or 

         		27.17has reason to know that the material includes any statement that is false or clearly
         misleading, 

         		27.18concerning a public policy issue or concerning the member's or another member's voting
         record 

         		27.19or position on a public policy issue. 

         		27.2056.3Improper conduct includes conduct that violates a rule or administrative policy of
         the 

         		27.21Senate, that violates accepted norms of Senate behavior, that betrays the public trust,
         or that tends 

         		27.22to bring the Senate into dishonor or disrepute. 

         		27.2356.4 Members of the Senate shall disclose potential conflicts of interest in the discharge
         of 

         		27.24senatorial duties as provided in Minnesota Statutes, section 
         10A.07.

         		27.2557. LOBBYISTS

         		27.2657.1 A lobbyist shall not appear before a Senate committee pursuant to the lobbyist's 

         		27.27employment unless the lobbyist is in compliance with the law requiring lobbyist registration,
         

         		27.28Minnesota Statutes, sections 10A.03 to 10A.06. A lobbyist, when appearing before a
         committee, 

         		27.29shall disclose to the committee on whose behalf the lobbyist speaks and the purpose
         of the 

         		27.30lobbyist's appearance. 

         		27.3157.2 A lobbyist shall not knowingly, either directly or through a third party, furnish
         false 

         		27.32or misleading information or make a false or misleading statement that is relevant
         and material 

         		28.1to a matter before the Senate or any of its committees, subcommittees, or divisions
         when the 

         		28.2lobbyist knows or should know it will influence the judgment or action of the Senate
         or any of 

         		28.3its committees,  subcommittees, or divisions. 

         		28.457.3 The Subcommittee on Ethical Conduct shall investigate a complaint by a member of 

         		28.5the Senate in writing under oath received before adjournment sine die in the last
         year of a Senate 

         		28.6term or during a special session held after that time that a lobbyist has violated
         Rule 57.1 or 57.2. 

         		28.7The investigatory procedures of Rule 55 apply, except as provided in this rule. The
         complaint 

         		28.8and proceedings on the complaint are private until the subcommittee has found probable
         cause to 

         		28.9believe that a violation of Rule 57.1 or 57.2 has occurred, unless they are made public
         by the 

         		28.10lobbyist whose conduct is the subject of the complaint or by the vote of at least
         three members 

         		28.11of the subcommittee. 

         		28.1258. AMENDMENTS TO RULES

         		28.13    Every proposition to amend a rule of the Senate must be referred to the Committee
         on Rules 

         		28.14and Administration. The proposition may not be acted upon until the report of the
         committee 

         		28.15is received by the Senate.