Rule I - Organization and Membership Composition. The Senate shall be composed of such number of Senators as prescribed by law. Terms of Office. Senators shall serve for the duration of their terms as provided by law. Oath. Before entering upon the duties of office, each Senator shall take the following oath: “I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution and the rules of the Senate, that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office, and that I will uphold the integrity of this body.” Vacancies. A vacancy shall exist upon resignation, expulsion, or removal. Vacancies shall be filled in accordance with law. Attendance. Senators are expected to attend all voting sessions unless they are unable. Rule II - Officers of the Senate Majority Leader. The Senate shall elect a Majority Leader, who shall preside over sessions, preserve order, and decide questions of order, subject to appeal. Steering Committee. The Senate shall elect a Steering Committee to coordinate the scheduling and flow of legislative business. Whips. The Senate may elect one or more Whips to assist with attendance, voting coordination, and internal communication. Succession. In the absence of the Majority Leader, the Senate shall elect a Senator to preside for that session with a two thirds vote. Removal of Officers. Any senator may make a motion to vacate the office of Presiding Officer or any other office This motion shall be considered immediately unless otherwise ordered by the Senate. A two thirds majority of Senators will be required to adopt the motion. Upon adoption the office shall be declared vacant and filled within accordance with these rules. Rule III - Sessions and Quorum Regular Sessions. The Senate shall meet at times designated by law or by order of the Senate. Special Sessions. Special sessions may be convened upon order of the Presiding Officer or upon petition of a majority of Senators. Quorum. Six of the Senators duly sworn shall constitute a quorum to conduct business. Call to Order. The Presiding Officer shall call the Senate to order at the appointed hour. Adjournment. The Senate may adjourn by motion, or by order of the Presiding Officer in the absence of a quorum. Rule IV - Order of Business Unless otherwise ordered, the daily order of business shall be: Call to Order Reading and Approval of the Journal Communications and Messages Reports of Committees Introduction of Bills and Resolutions Unfinished Business Adjournment Rule V - Introduction and Referral of Legislation Forms of Legislation. Legislation shall consist of bills and resolutions. Introduction. Any Senator may introduce legislation by submitting it to the Majority Leader. Numbering. Each bill and resolution shall be numbered and entered into the Journal. Referral. Upon introduction, all legislation shall be referred to the appropriate committee by the Majority Leader, unless otherwise ordered by the Senate. Multiple Mutually Exclusive Bills. When two or more bills or resolutions addressing the same subject matter are introduced and are mutually exclusive, only one may proceed to final consideration at a time. The Majority Leader shall determine the order of consideration unless the Senate orders otherwise by a majority vote. Senators may submit support or opposition statements for each bill, which shall be entered into the Journal prior to floor debate. If the Senate favors one bill over another, a motion may be made to table or postpone the alternate bills indefinitely. Multiple Referrals. The Majority Leader may refer legislation to more than one committee. Rule VI - Committees Standing Committees. The Senate shall establish standing committees with defined jurisdiction. Committee Membership. Committee membership shall be determined by the Steering Committee with confirmation by the Majority Leader. The Steering Committee will be appointed by the Majority Leader and if the Majority Leader office is vacated will likewise be vacated. Committee Chairs. The Majority Leader shall designate committee chairs which will be confirmed by the Steering Committee and by the committee in question. Jurisdiction. Each committee shall have jurisdiction over matters assigned to it by rule or referral. Special Committees. The Senate may establish special or select committees by resolution. Rule VII - Committee Procedure Meetings. Committees shall meet at the call of the Chair or by direction of the Senate. Quorum. A majority of committee members shall constitute a quorum. Hearings. Committees may conduct hearings, receive testimony, and gather evidence relevant to legislation. Markups. Committees may amend legislation during markup sessions. Reporting. Committees shall report legislation to the Senate with recommendations and any amendments. Separate Views. Any committee member may submit separate views to accompany a report. Rule VIII - Floor Debate Recognition. A Senator wishing to speak shall seek recognition from the Majority Leader. Speaking Limits. Unless otherwise ordered, no Senator shall speak more than twice on the same question on the same legislative day. Time Limits. The Senate may impose time limits on debate by order. Yielding. A Senator may yield time to another Senator, subject to recognition. Decorum. Senators shall address the Majority Leader, refrain from personal attacks, and maintain order. Points of Order. A Senator may raise a point of order at any time, subject to decision by the Majority Leader. Rule IX - Motions and Parliamentary Procedure Motions. Motions shall be in order as prescribed by parliamentary practice and these rules. Precedence. Motions shall have the following order of precedence, highest to lowest: Adjourn Recess Lay on the Table Call for the Orders of the Day Postpone to a Certain Time Commit or Recommit Amend Postpone Indefinitely Cloture. Debate may be brought to a close by a motion for cloture, which shall require majority of the Senators duly chosen and sworn, unless otherwise provided. Reconsideration. A motion to reconsider shall be in order under standard parliamentary practice. Appeals. Any ruling of the Majority Leader may be appealed and shall be decided by a two-thirds vote. Rule X - Amendments Offering Amendments. Any Senator may offer an amendment when a bill or resolution is pending. Relevancy. Amendments shall be relevant unless otherwise ordered by the Senate. Order of Consideration. Amendments shall be considered in the order in which they are offered, subject to precedence rules. Withdrawal. An amendment may be withdrawn by its sponsor with unanimous consent. Substitutes. A substitute amendment may be offered to replace the entire text of a bill or amendment. Rule XI - Voting Voting Methods. Voting may be conducted by polls as ordered by the Majority Leader. Roll Call Votes. A roll call vote shall be ordered upon the request of one-fifth of the Senators present. Majority Requirement. Except as otherwise provided, a majority of those present and voting shall be required for passage. Supermajority. Supermajority thresholds shall apply where specified by these rules, including rule amendments. Tie Votes. In the event of a tie, the Majority Leader will be the deciding vote. Recording Votes. All roll call votes shall be recorded in the Journal. Rule XII - Discipline and Ethics Standards of Conduct. Senators shall conduct themselves with integrity, respect, and professionalism. Disorderly Conduct. A Senator who violates decorum or rules may be called to order by the Majority Leader. Sanctions. The Senate may impose sanctions, including reprimand, censure, suspension, or expulsion, by majority or supermajority vote as prescribed. Expulsion. A Senator may be expelled by a Super majority vote of the Senate. Appeals. A Senator subject to disciplinary action may appeal in accordance with Senate procedures. Rule XIII - Suspension and Emergency Procedures Suspension of the Rules. The Senate may suspend any rule by a two-thirds vote, except those governing quorum and voting thresholds unless otherwise specified. Emergency Authority. In cases of emergency, the Presiding Officer may take necessary actions to preserve order and continuity, subject to subsequent Senate approval. Duration. Emergency measures shall expire unless ratified by the Senate. Rule XIV - Amendment of the Rules Proposal. Any Senator may propose an amendment to these rules. Notice. Proposed amendments shall be submitted in writing and laid over for one legislative day unless waived by unanimous consent. Vote Required. Amendments to these rules shall require a two-thirds vote of the Senators present and voting. Effective Date. Amendments shall take effect immediately unless otherwise specified. Rule XV - Interpretation and Authority Construction. These rules shall be interpreted to promote orderly deliberation, fairness, and efficiency. Precedence. These rules shall take precedence over any conflicting procedural authority, unless otherwise provided by law. Parliamentary Authority. In cases not covered by these rules, the Majority Leader may consult the standard current US senate practices. Rule XVI - Standing Committees and Jurisdiction The Senate shall establish the following standing committees, each with primary jurisdiction as described: Education, Culture, Health & Welfare – matters relating to education policy, cultural initiatives, public health, and social welfare programs. Development, Industry, & Labor – matters relating to industrial development, labor policy, employment standards, and workforce development. Judiciary & Law Enforcement – matters relating to judicial administration, criminal law, policing, and legal frameworks. Transportation & Infrastructure – matters relating to transportation systems, public works, and infrastructure projects. Environment, Natural Resources, Utilities, & Agriculture – matters relating to environmental protection, natural resource management, agriculture, and public utilities. Defense & Foreign Relations – matters relating to national defense, military affairs, and foreign policy. Appropriations – matters relating to allocation of funds for all government programs and activities. Budget, Finance, & Economics – matters relating to fiscal policy, budgeting, economic regulation, and taxation. Rules, Ethics, & Constitution – matters relating to the Senate rules, ethics, oversight, and constitutional interpretation. All committees shall operate under the general provisions outlined in Rule VI, including committee membership, chairs, quorum, hearings, markups, and reporting.