senate resolution no.12

Senator Brinks offered the following resolution:

A resolution to amend the Standing Rules of the Senate.

Resolved by the Senate, That Rule 3.505 of the Standing Rules of the Senate be hereby amended to read as follows:

3.505 VOTING

a) After a question is presented to the Senate by the presiding officer, and after the time for debate, no motion shall be in order and no Senator shall be entitled to speak until the vote is finished and the result declared.

b) The electronic voting system shall may be used, if operational, to determine the question before the body when the vote is taken by roll call or by division and shall display the votes of each Senator. At the direction of the presiding officer, the Secretary of the Senate shall immediately activate the electronic voting system for one minute for a roll call vote, after which the vote shall be closed and no further votes shall be entered in the record. If all Senators present have voted before one minute has elapsed, the presiding officer may ask Senators if there is objection to closing the vote. If no Senator objects, the presiding officer shall instruct the Secretary of the Senate to close the board immediately and record the vote.

c) The presiding officer may close a division vote at his or her discretion when it appears that all members present have had a reasonable opportunity to vote.

d) If the electronic voting system is not operational or in use, the presiding officer shall direct the Secretary of the Senate to conduct a roll call or a division vote orally and to announce the results and record the roll call.

e) A Senator shall not vote for another Senator. A person who is not a Senator shall not vote for any Senator. In addition to penalties prescribed by law, any Senator may be punished as the Senate may determine for voting for another Senator. If a person who is not a Senator votes or attempts to vote, he or she, in addition to penalties prescribed by law, shall be barred from the Senate floor for the remainder of the day’s session and may receive further punishment in the discretion of the Senate Majority Leader.