Introduction of bills. Bills to have three read ings. Amend 16. Every bill shall be introduced by motion for leave or by order of the Senate on the report of a committee; and one day's notice at least shall be given of an intended motion for leave to bring in a bill, unless the Senate unanimously order otherwise. Such notice shall state generally the subject matter of such bill. 17. Every bill shall receive three readings previous to its being passed, and the President shall give notice at each whether it be the first, second or third; the two first readings shall be on two different days, unless the Senate unanimously direct otherwise. No bill shall be amended or committed until it shall have been twice read; and no bill shall be read a third time out of its reguments to the lar order, unless on a vote of two-thirds of all the SenaConstitution. tors present and voting; and all resolutions, which propose any amendment to the Constitution, shall be treated in the form of proceedings on them, in a similar manner with bills, except that it shall not be necessary to commit such resolutions to a committee of the whole; and no bill shall be ordered to a third reading without having been acted on in the committee of the whole. Divisions. Committees 18. Upon a division in the Senate, the names of those who voted for or against a question shall be entered alphabetically on the minutes, if any member requires it; and each member called upon, unless for special reasons he be excused by the Senate, shall declare openly, and without debate, his assent or dissent to the question. 19. In forming a committee of the whole Senate, a of the whole. chairman, to be named by the President, shall preside. Bills committed to a committee of the whole Senate shall, in committee of the whole, be read by sections, All amendments shall be noted, and reported to the Senate by the chairman. After the report, the bill shall still be subject to debate and amendment before the question to engross is put; but such amendments only shall be in order as were offered and decided in the committee of the whole Senate, except by unani mous consent. committee of 20. The rules of the Senate shall be observed in the Rules in committee of the whole, so far as may be applicable, the whole. except limiting the number of times of speaking, and except that the ayes and noes shall not be taken. Such committee may strike out the enacting clause of a bill, and report that fact to the Senate; and if the report be agreed to by the Senate, it shall be deemed a rejection of the bill. 21. A motion that the committee rise, shall always Motion in be in order, and shall be decided without debate. order. 22. After a bill or resolution to amend the Constitu- On third tion shall be ordered to a third reading, no motion to reading no amend the same shall be in order without unanimous consent; but every bill, not committed to a committee of the whole, shall be read through before it shall be ordered to a third reading. amendment. 23. When a member shall be called to order, he Called to orshall sit down until the President shall have deter- der. mined whether he is in order or not; and every question of order shall be decided by the President, subject to an appeal to the Senate by any member; and if a member be called to order for words spoken, the exceptionable words shall be immediately taken down in writing, that the President or Senate may be better enabled to judge of the matter. 24. When a blank is to be filled, and different sums Blanks. or time shall be proposed, the question shall be first taken on the highest sum and the longest time. 25. No member shall absent himself from the service Absentees. of the Senate, without leave first obtained; and in case a less number than a quorum of the Senate shall convene, they are hereby authorized to send a sergeantat-arms, or any other person, for any or all absent members, as the majority of such members shall agree. 26. Before any petition or memorial addressed to Petitions. the Senate shall be received or read, a brief statement of the contents thereof shall be endorsed on the same, with the name of the member introducing it. Motions to When no tion. 27. When a question has been once put and decided, reconsider. it shall be in order for any member to move for the reconsideration thereof; but no motion for the reconreconsidera- sideration of any vote shall be in order after the bill, resolution, message, report, amendment, or motion upon which the vote was taken shall have gone out of the possession of the Senate, nor after the usual message shall have been sent from the Senate, announcing its decision; nor shall any motion for reconsideration be in order, unless made on the same day in which the vote was taken, or within the two next days of the actual session of the Senate thereafter; nor shall any question be reconsidered more than once; and the vote on the final passage of any bill appropriating the public moneys or property, or creating, continuing, altering, or renewing any body politic or corporate, shall not be reconsidered, whenever such bill shall be lost. Standing 28. The following are the standing committees of committees. the Senate: 1. On Claims. 2. On Finance. 4. On the Militia. 5. On Canals. 6. On Railroads. 7. On Roads and Bridges. 8. On Literature. 9. On State Prisons. 10. On Banks. 11. On Insurance Companies. 12. On the Division of Counties and Towns. 13. On Agriculture. 14. On Commerce and Navigation, 15. On Manufactures. 16. On Medical Societies and Medical Colleges. 17. On Privileges and Elections. 18. On Engrossed Bills. 19. On Indian Affairs. 20. On Expiring Laws. 22. On the Incorporation of Cities and Villages. 24. On the Poor Laws. 25. On Charitable and Religious Societies. 27. On Grievances. 28. On Manufacture of Salt. 29. On Internal Affairs of Towns and Counties. two-third 29. When an amendment to the Constitution, or any Amendbill requiring the concurrence of two-thirds of the ments and Senators, is under consideration, the concurrence of bills. two-thirds shall not be requisite to decide any question for amendments, or extending to the merits, being short of the final question. 30. On motion made and seconded to close the doors Closed of the Senate, on the discussion of any business which doors. may, in the opinion of any member, require secrecy, and during the consideration of all business in executive session, the President shall direct all persons, except the members and clerk of the Senate, to withdraw; and during the discussion of said motion the doors shall remain shut; and every member and officer of the Senate shall keep secret all such matters, proceedings, and things which shall transpire while the doors remain closed; and the proceedings of the Senate upon execu- Executive tive business shall be kept in a journal separate from business. 'ts proceedings upon legislative business. |