University of Houston Faculty Senate                                                Last updated:   August 8, 2006

CHART:  BASIC PARLIMENTARY PROCEDURE

This chart provides a very basic break-down of motions. 
For detailed information on parliamentary procedure, please read the most current edition of Robert's Rules of Order.
        
        
ORDER OF MOTION
PRECEDENCE
 NEEDS A
SECOND
 AMENDABLE
 VOTE NEEDED
FOR ADOPTION
 CAN BE
RECONSIDERED
 
*
U
n
d
e
b
a
t
a
b
l
e

(1-8)
 P
r
i
v
i
l
e
g
e
 d
(1-5)
1  Fix the Time to which to Adjourn
 Yes
 Yes
  Majority
  Yes
2  Adjourn
 Yes
 No
  Majority  No
3  Recess
 Yes
 Yes
  Majority  No
4  Raise a Question of Privilege
 Yes
 Yes
  Majority  Yes
5  Call for Orders of the Day
 No
 No
  Must be enforced on
 demand of one member
 unless set aside by
 Two-thirds vote
  No







S
u
b
s
i
d
i
a
r
y

(6-12)
6  Lay a Motion on the Table Yes No
  Majority  No
7  Previous Question
     (Call the Question)
     [Ends debate;
      proceed to a vote ☼]
 Yes
 No
  Two-thirds
  Yes, but if vote was
  affirmative, only before
  any vote has been 
  taken under it.
8  Limit or Extend Debate
 Yes
 No
  Two-thirds
  Negative Vote Only






 ◊
D
e
b
a
t
a
b
l
e
(9-12)
 9  Postpone to a Certain Time
    (or Postpone Definitely)
 Yes
 Yes
  Majority, unless it is a special order
  Yes
10 Refer (to committee)
 Yes
 Yes
  Majority
  If committee has not
  begun  work on the
  matter
11 All Amendments
      (Friendly or Substitute)
 Yes
 Yes
  Majority
  Negative Vote Only
12  Postpone Indefinitely
 Yes
 No
  Majority
  Affirmative Vote Only







 
 
MAIN MOTION
 Yes (individual)
No (committee)
 Yes
  Majority
  Negative Vote Only


*Motions that are undebatable exclude any discussion and must proceed to a vote.     

 ◊ Motions that are debatable may be discussed.

☼ Calling the Question (or Previous Question) is used to close debate/discussion of a motion.  It is undebatable, and the Senate then votes on whether to end debate and take the final vote on the main motion.  If the Senate votes in favor of the Previous Question, it then takes an immediate vote on the main motion or an amendment.  If the Senate votes against the Previous Question, debate continues.  Note:  If motion to amend a main proposal is made, the Senate votes first on whether to accept the amendment or not.  If it votes for the amendment, a second vote is taken on the main motion, which can be accepted as amended or defeated as amended.

Glossary:

   Main motion - a formal proposal made by a member that puts business before the Senate

   Privileged Motion - motions that do not relate to pending business (main motions), but deal with matters of overriding importance
   that, without debate, should be allowed to interrupt the consideration of anything else.

   Subsidiary Motion - motions that assist the Senate in treating or disposing of a main motion.  These always apply to other motions.
Questions about this page should be directed to FSenate@uh.edu
 (713) 743-9181

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