HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

151st GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 6

RELATING TO THE PERMANENT RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 151ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the 151ST General Assembly of the State of Delaware that:

Section 1. Amend House Rule 43, as it appears on lines 754-758 of House Resolution No. 3 to read as follows:

“RULE 43 – SUSPENSION OF RULES

The suspension of any Rule requires the concurrence of at least three-fifths of the members elected to the House. This motion is debatable but does not permit discussion of the main question. It cannot be reconsidered, laid on the table, nor postponed indefinitely, and while it is pending no motion may be made except to adjourn. A separate suspension of the Rules is necessary for each measure.”.

SYNOPSIS

This amendment to the House Rules requires a three-fifths vote of the members of the House in order to suspend the House Rules.

The primary purpose of the House Rules is to establish a reasonable and orderly process for the consideration of legislative proposals to be addressed by the House of Representatives.

Suspension of Rules should only be necessary in unusual situations. This change will require a broad consensus (three-fifths) of all members of the House of Representatives in order to suspend rules.

Since a three-fifths requirement cannot be done via a simple voice vote, and must be performed with a roll call, this change will also increase transparency by ensuring that every legislator will have their vote on the action recorded and available for public review.