By Lucy H. Anderson, Esq., PRP, CP-T
District Six Director
In making the motion to Suspend the Rules, the mover does not mention the rule which is to be suspended. The mover simply states what is desired to be done.
Example 1: I move to suspend the rules and permit the delegate from Dallas to speak a third time on this motion. [The rule being suspended is: “No member can speak more than twice to the same question on the same day.” RONR (12th ed.) 43:12]
Example 2: I move to suspend the rules and take up the Building Committee Report. [The rule being suspended is: “After an agenda has been adopted by the assembly, no change can be made in it except by a two-thirds vote, a vote of a majority of the entire membership, or unanimous consent.” RONR (12th ed.) 41:63]
In both examples, the rule being suspended is not mentioned in the motion to Suspend the Rules. Only what the mover wants to accomplish is stated.
It is important to mention that some rules cannot be suspended; these include the organization’s bylaws (or constitution), local, state, and national law prescribing procedural rules applicable to the organization or assembly, and fundamental principles of parliamentary law.
Rules which can be suspended include those contained in the parliamentary authority, special rules of order, or standing rules.
Usually, the motion to Suspend the Rules requires a two-thirds vote. To suspend a standing rule requires a majority vote.
Source: RONR (12th ed.) 25:1–20
