Amend (motion)
The motion to amend, in parliamentary procedure, is used to modify another motion. An amendment could itself be amended. A related procedure is filling blanks in a motion.
Contents
Explanation and use
| Class | Subsidiary motion |
|---|---|
| In order when another has the floor? | No |
| Requires second? | Yes |
| Debatable? | Yes, if motion to be amended is debatable |
| May be reconsidered? | Yes |
| Amendable? | Yes |
| Vote required | Majority |
Main motions
Any main motion and any motion to amend may be amended. However, a motion to amend an amendment may not be amended, due to the overly complex parliamentary situation that would frequently result.[1]
Secondary motions
Secondary motions that, by their nature, include a variable element, also may be amended. For example, the motion to postpone may be amended as to the length of the postponement; the motion to limit or extend limits of debate may be amended as to the number or length of speeches or the total time to be consumed; and the motion to commit or refer may be amended as to the details of the committee or the time within which the committee must report.
Forms and uses of the motion
The motion to amend takes three basic forms:
- Inserting or adding words or paragraphs.
- Striking out words or paragraphs.
- Striking out words and inserting or adding others, or substituting an entire paragraph or complete resolution for another.
A Substitute Amendment is an amendment that would replace existing language of a bill or another amendment with its own.[2]
An amendment can be used to water down a motion into a form that is more likely to be accepted or to convert it into a form that is more likely to be rejected.[3]
Filling blanks
A related procedure that changes the wording in a motion is the device of filling blanks.[4] A blank could be created by adopting a motion to do so and then members could make suggestions to fill in that blank. This procedure is useful because it allows an unlimited number of suggestions to be voted on as opposed to the limit of allowing only primary and secondary amendments (i.e. only an amendment to a motion and an amendment to the amendment are allowed).[4] An example are nominations - they are, in effect, proposals to fill in the blank in the motion "that ________ be elected."[5]
See also
- Amendment
- Friendly amendment
- Request for permission to withdraw or modify a motion
- Second-degree amendment
- Shell bill
- Substitute Amendment
References
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- ↑ Robert 2011, p. 157
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Robert 2011, p. 162
- ↑ Robert 2011, p. 164
