H6339

	2015 -- H 6339
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	LC002941
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	STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
	IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
	JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2015
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	H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N
	AMENDING THE RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE YEARS
	2015 AND 2016

	Introduced By: Representatives McLaughlin, and MacBeth
	Date Introduced: June 24, 2015
	Referred To: House Rules
1	RESOLVED, that Rule 33 of the rules adopted by the House of Representatives for the
2	years 2015 and 2016 in 2015 H 5258, Substitute A be amended as follows:
3	(33)(a) No member shall speak or vote, unless within the bar of the House and at his or
4	her seat, except as hereinafter provided. Every member who shall be in his or her seat or in the
5	House Chamber when the question is put, shall give his or her vote, unless prior thereto the
6	Speaker shall have excused him or her in accordance with the provisions of the Code of Ethics
7	statute (RIGL 36-14-6). Members must file a written request for recusal and the journal shall
8	reflect such recusal with the letter "R." No member may vote for another member, nor activate
9	another member's voting machine except by the express direction of that member who is present
10	in the House chamber. No one may occupy the vacant seat of a member.
11	(b) When a violation of Rule 33(a) in regard to voting is alleged in writing by a member,
12	the Speaker may refer said written allegation to the House Rules Committee to investigate, hold
13	hearings, ascertain the facts and report its findings and recommendation to the House, which may
14	then take appropriate action including but not limited to expulsion as authorized by Article 6,
15	Section 7 of the Constitution of the State.
16	(c) The electronic voting machine of any member not present when the quorum is called
17	shall remain locked until the member has notified the reading clerk of his or her presence. Upon
18	late arrival but prior to adjournment, a member may report his or her presence to the reading clerk
19	which shall be recorded in the journal.

1	(d) Any member who leaves the floor before adjournment for the remainder of that day's
2	session shall report to the reading clerk prior to his or her departure. The reading clerk will then
3	lock the electronic voting machine of that member.
4	(e) With the approval of the Speaker, a member who is not physically present in the State
5	House, due to extenuating circumstances, including, but not limited to, a death in his or her
6	immediate family, wedding of a member of his or her immediate family, or illness, shall be
7	allowed to cast a prior written proxy ballot on all House questions.
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	EXPLANATION
	BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
	OF
	H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N
	AMENDING THE RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE YEARS
	2015 AND 2016
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1	This Resolution would amend the Rules of the House of Representatives by allowing a
2	representative, with the approval of the Speaker, to cast a vote by proxy when he or she is absent
3	from the chambers due to extenuating circumstances.
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