Delegation Resource Manual: Rules and Procedures
Page 121
YMCA PA Youth & Government Program
Senate Floor Sessions
1.
Lt. Governor shall establish the legislative calendar for each session. Clerk shall read the calendar
at commencement of the session. Calendar may be changed at discretion of Lt. Governor during
the Legislative session except where prohibited below. House bills received during a Legislative
session may at the discretion of the Lt. Governor be put on top of the calendar. Otherwise,
such bills shall be put on the top of the calendar at the commencement of the next Legislative
session. No more than two House Bills may be considered in consecutive order at any
Legislative session. If bills are coming from different Chambers, they will alternate
consideration of bills from other Chambers with those for consideration from the presiding
officer. Exception: Sunday morning's session bills from the House must go to top of calendar
upon receipt.
2. Bills reported out of committee and referred to the floor may not be removed from
consideration by the presiding officer. However, if the sponsor desires to withdraw a bill, the
presiding officer may elect to place the question before the Chamber and the majority of the
Chamber voting in the affirmative may decline consideration of the bill.
3. The Clerk will read title of the bill and any amendments.
4. Senator sponsoring bill will be recognized for two-minute sponsorship speech. Any time not used
will automatically be reserved for sponsor's concluding remarks.
5.
In the Senate, the presiding officer will assign 4 minutes of debate time to the majority and
minority leaders, respectively. Any time not used by the leadership will be considered to be
yielded to the presiding officer. Two rounds of such debate will be allowed for a total time of 16
minutes. After the first round of debate, the presiding officer shall inquire of the majority leader
as to his wishes for further debate. Should the majority leader decide that further debate on the
bill is not needed, debate shall end. The Lt. Governor will recognize the sponsoring Senator for
concluding remarks. The sponsoring Senator will have two minutes, plus any reserve time for
concluding remarks.
6.
Following concluding remarks, the Lt. Governor will submit the question to the Senate. No
other business may occur until the question has been considered. No Senator may abstain on the
question.
7. Amendments must be submitted in writing to the Clerk. Amendments will be considered in the
same manner as an amendment in the House. Either the Majority or Minority Party Leader
must first approve proposed amendments before they may be offered and the Senator offering
the amendment must be recognized to speak by either the Majority or Minority Party Leader in
order to offer the amendment. Proposed amendments must be ruled germane by the Presiding
Officer in order for them to be offered.
