Delegation Resource Manual: Rules and Procedures
Page 122
YMCA PA Youth & Government Program
Order and Decorum
1.
After the Presiding Officer has called the chamber to order, members shall take their seats
and refrain from speaking unless recognized. Members, except leadership members, shall
not move about the chambers without permission from the Presiding Officer. Members
may not exit the chambers once in session, unless granted permission by the Presiding
Officer. Such permission is at the discretion of the Presiding Officer, and may not be
appealed.
2.
A member is considered “out of order” when attempting to speak without first being
recognized by the Presiding Officer. When recognized the member may only address the
Presiding Officer, identify by name and delegation himself/herself, and state the reason for
rising. The member shall be directed further by the Presiding Officer to how to proceed. If
the member is not recognized upon rising, the delegate must retake his/her seat, and may
not rise again unless subsequent action has intervened.
3.
It is out of order for a member to rise for recognition if another member has the floor,
except in the case where a member rises to
(a)
A Point of Order;
(b)
A Point of Privilege; or
(c)
A Parliamentary Inquiry.
In these circumstances, the member may state his reason for rising, but must then await
recognition by the Presiding Officer before proceeding to state his particular point. Point of
Privilege and Parliamentary Inquiry are out of order during a bill author’s opening and
closing remarks.
4.
A point of order may not be raised upon another point of order pending before the
chamber. A point of order is not required to give a reason or a basis for ruling on a point
of order. It is sufficient for the Presiding Officer to consider the point of order raised and
to indicate if the point is well taken or is not well taken.
5.
If a recognized member makes a motion, that member may not make another motion until
the original motion has been disposed of or withdrawn. This restriction applies to any
motion made during the consideration of a bill as well as the general business of the
chamber.
6.
All members shall recognize and respect the authority of the Sergeant at Arms, and shall
comply with any direction given by the Sergeant at Arms. Any member not complying with
the direction of the Sergeant at Arms, my, at the discretion of the Presiding Officer, be
ordered to leave the Chamber pursuant to these rules.
7.
All members are to devote their attention to the business of the chamber. Members, except
for leadership members may not engage in conversation with other members during the
session, unless permitted to do so by the Presiding Officer. Members may not read material
unrelated to a matter on the current calendar nor may members engage in writing that does
