TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction to House Protocol ............................................ 1

Speaking on the House Floor
1. Requesting to Speak ........................................... 3
2. Addressing another Member of the House .......... 3
3. Making a Motion .................................................. 4
4. Asking for a Point of Personal Privilege ............... 5
5. Debating a Bill ..................................................... 6
6. Disclosing a Conflict of Interest ........................... 7
7. Using Other Scripts ............................................. 8
Understanding the Daily Session
Introduction to the Daily Session ............................. 9
The Orders of Business........................................... 10
What Occurs in Each Order of Business ................. 11
Dos & Donts ...................................................................... 17
Vote Count Requirements ................................................... 19

INTRODUCTION TO HOUSE PROTOCOL

As a member of the Idaho House of Representatives, you

belong to a legislative body that adheres strictly to the
formalities and decorum of parliamentary procedure. The
formality of an organized session is the key to successful
lawmaking, and assures each member a setting of ordered
objectivity. Following, in order of precedence, are the principle
authorities the Idaho House looks to for rules of procedure:

Idaho Constitution

State Statutes as Applicable to the Legislature

Joint Rules

House Rules

Custom and Usage

Adopted Parliamentary Authority - Masons Manual

This guide has been prepared to help you operate effectively

within the intricate and often complex system of legislative
protocol. Knowing what to say and how to conduct yourself in
the House Chambers during daily sessions are important skills
for achieving your goals and representing your constituents.
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SPEAKING ON THE HOUSE FLOOR

As a Representative, you will have many opportunities to rise
and speak from your desk on the House floor. Following are
instructions and sample scripts for the most common speaking
protocols that you will be using throughout the session.
1. Requesting to Speak
Whether you are rising to make a motion, to debate a bill, or
ask a question, all remarks and inquiries are addressed
through the Chair. In the House Chambers, the Chair is the
Speaker.
Rise and say:
"Mr. Speaker."
Remain standing until you are recognized by the Speaker. If
another member is recognized first, take your seat and try
again. In the event two or more members rise to be recognized
at the same time, the Speaker will recognize one member who
will remain standing. The other member will take his or her
seat and try again.
2. Addressing another Member of the House
Members do not address each other by name in the House
Chambers, only by his or her district number.
Stand to be recognized by the Speaker (as instructed
above) and say:
"Mr. Speaker, will the Lady/Gentleman from
District # ___ yield to a question?"
The Speaker will ask the member if he or she will yield to a
question, and if so, will allow you to continue. Remain standing
during the exchange. To follow with another question, you
must again ask permission from the Speaker.
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"Mr. Speaker, will the Lady/Gentleman from

District # ___ yield to another question?"
3. Making a Motion
All business of the House is conducted through motions
placed before the entire body for consideration. The two forms
of motions are:
Unanimous Consent
This motion is used primarily to save time when you believe
there will be no objection to your motion. Basically, you are
asking for the approval of the entire body.
Stand to be recognized by the Speaker and then say:
Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that (state
the motion).
If no member objects, the Speaker says:
Without objection, (restates motion) carries.
Moved and Seconded By
This is the standard motion that requires approval by either a
majority of the body, or in some cases 2/3 of the body or 2/3 of
those present. (See - Vote Count Requirements, Page 19)
Stand to be recognized by the Speaker and then say:
Mr. Speaker, I move that (state the motion).
Another member says:
Mr. Speaker, I second the motion
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The Speaker says:

It has been moved and seconded to (repeats the
motion).
If the motion is debatable (See House Rule 18) the Speaker
will allow the mover of the motion to begin debate. If the
motion is not debatable, a vote will be taken immediately either
by voice vote or roll call.
4. Asking for a Point of Personal Privilege
A point of personal privilege is not a motion to be acted on by
the body, but is most often used by a member to introduce
guests in the balcony or to make a special announcement.
This may be done at any Order of Business after the Third
Order except when a member has the floor for debate or when
the Speaker has not disposed of the business which the Clerk
has read.
Rise and say:
"Mr. Speaker."
The Speaker will recognize you:
"For what purpose does the Lady/Gentleman from
District ____ rise?"
Continue:
"On a point of personal privilege."
The Speaker will say:
"The Lady/Gentleman has the floor."

5. Debating a Bill
All legislation is debated in the 11th Order of Business as listed
on the3rd Reading Calendar, or in the 7th Order of Business if
the rules are suspended for immediate action on the bill.
As each bill is brought before the House for final
consideration, the Speaker says:
"The House will have before it H/S Bill # ____.
The Clerk will read the bill."
If you are the floor sponsor of the measure, you will
immediately rise and after being recognized say:
"Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that further
reading of the H/S Bill # ____ be dispensed with."
Remain standing. If there is no objection, the Speaker
will say:
"The Lady/Gentleman has the floor."
The sponsor will then open debate for that bill, and after the
opening statements, the Speaker will ask the body if there is
further debate. At this time members may rise to debate in
favor of the bill or in opposition to the bill. They may also ask
questions of the bill sponsor or each other.
Members debating a bill will be allowed to speak no longer
than one hour and only twice to each measure. Each member
is given the opportunity to debate the bill one time before a
member is allowed to debate for the second time. In this case,
the member will rise and wait to be recognized.
The Speaker will say:
For what purpose does the Lady/Gentleman
rise?
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The member responds:

"To debate the bill for the second time."
The Speaker will then say:
"Does any member wish to debate the bill for the
first time?"
After all members have had the opportunity to debate the bill,
and if there has been any opposition, the Speaker will ask the
sponsor if he or she would like to close the debate. At that time
the sponsor may wish to address some of the issues of the
debate, or simply say, Debate closed. The Speaker will then
call for a vote. All bills and joint resolutions require a roll call
vote, and members enter their votes by laptop or cell phone. A
voice vote may be taken on memorials, resolutions and
proclamations that have no monetary expenditure.

6. Disclosing a Conflict of Interest

If you believe you may have a conflict of interest when a
measure is being considered for final passage but intend to
vote, rise from your seat and when recognized by the Speaker
explain the reason for the conflict.
You will say:
Mr. Speaker, I rise to disclose a conflict of
interest on H/S Bill #____ because________.
The Speaker will say:
So noted. (The disclosure is not a motion and does
not require approval of the body, but will
be recorded in the Daily Journal with the
vote count.)
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You may choose not to vote on the measure. To be excused

from voting, you must have the approval of the body.
You will say:
"Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent, pursuant
to Rule 38, that I be excused from voting on H/S
Bill # ____."
If another member objects, say:
Mr. Speaker, I move that pursuant to Rule 38, I be
excused from voting.
The motion must then be seconded by another
member.
7. Using Other Scripts
The Chief Clerk will provide specific scripts for you as needed
regarding motions involving House rules; such as to concur or
not concur on a Senate amendment, or to correct a
typographical error on a bill that you are sponsoring.

UNDERSTANDING THE DAILY SESSION

Introduction to the Daily Session

Each day during the

legislative session,
Representatives meet in
the House Chambers to
conduct business.
According to House Rule
1, the daily session
begins at 11 a.m. unless
other-wise approved by
the body.
During the daily session,
the entire body hears
administrative messages
and reports on the
progress of legislation
from the Governor, the Senate and standing committees, and
acts on legislation that comes before the body for
consideration. All of the actions that occur during the daily
session are recorded by the Chief Clerk and her staff in the
Daily Journal which is published online each day. At the end of
the legislative session, all of the Daily Journals are compiled
into a Final Journal which is the official record of the House of
Representatives.
During every daily session, the House moves through sixteen
Orders of Business. Each Order of Business has a specific
function and only certain actions can take place in each order.
Every Order of Business must be addressed in consecutive
order. However, by consent of the body, an order may be
skipped (advanced), usually because there is no business in
that order, or an order may be returned to as necessary.

The Orders of Business

1. Roll Call.
2. Prayer by the Chaplain, followed by the Pledge of
Allegiance.
3. Approval of Journal.
4. Consideration of messages from the Governor and
the Senate.
5. Report of standing committees.
6. Report of select committees.
7. Motions, memorials and resolutions.
8. Introduction, first reading and reference of bills and
joint resolutions.
9. First reading of engrossed bills.
10. Second reading of bills and joint resolutions.
11. Third reading of bills and joint resolutions.
12. Consideration of general orders.
13. Miscellaneous and unfinished business.
14. Presentation of petitions and communications.
15. Announcements.
16. Adjournment.

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What Occurs in Each Order of Business

1st Order
Roll Call
The Speaker takes the Chair and calls the House to order at
the hour to which the House was adjourned at a previous
meeting. Each member must be at his or her desk to record
attendance. If you are not present for this roll call, but enter
the House Chambers at any time during the session you will
be recorded present. Be sure a member of the Chief Clerks
staff notices that you have arrived.
2nd Order
Prayer by the Chaplain
Invocation is offered by the House Chaplain, a member of the
House, or by other persons by invitation. The Speaker will ask
that every member rise for the prayer. After the prayer, remain
standing as the members are lead in the Pledge of Allegiance
by a designated House page.
3rd Order
Approval of Journal
The motion to approve the previous day's Journal as corrected
is read by the Clerk. "As corrected" means that the Clerk has
the authority to correct errors. The Journal is approved as
written unless objected to by a majority of the Representatives.
4th Order
Consideration of Messages
from the Governor and the Senate
Messages from the Governor
All messages from the Governor are read at this Order of
Business. The Governor reports on administrative matters
such as Certificates of Appointment, and any action he has
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taken on bills received from House and Senate to be signed

into law. Bills can become law with or without the Governors
signature, or they may be vetoed by the Governor. If he vetoes
a bill, the bill will be returned to the house of origin where
action must be taken by the members.
Messages from the Senate
All business from the Senate is handled in this order. The
Senate transmits Senate bills that have passed the Senate,
and returns House bills that have either passed or failed the
Senate. After House and Senate bills have passed both
houses, they cross the rotunda again for enrolling and
signatures. Each time legislation is transmitted or returned
from the Senate, it is accompanied with a message from the
Senate which the Chief Clerk reads in the 4th Order.
Senate Bills Transmitted from the Senate
Senate bills and joint resolutions that have passed the Senate
are filed for First Reading in the 8th Order of Business. Senate
concurrent resolutions and joint memorials are filed for First
Reading in the 7th Order of Business.
House Bills Returned from the Senate
Passed House bills, memorials, and resolutions returned to
the House are referred by the Speaker to the Judiciary, Rules,
and Administration Committee for enrolling. Enrolling is
certifying the bill with the proper passage information prior to
delivery to the Governor or Secretary of State.
Failed House bills, memorials and resolutions returned to the
House are filed in the Office of the Chief Clerk.
Amended House bills returned to the House are presented for
concurrence by the bill sponsor who moves to concur or not
concur. Concurrence means that the House agrees to
reconsider the bill, as amended in the Senate. If the House
concurs, the bill will be engrossed (amendments added), then
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read three times, debated and voted on again. If the House

does not concur in the Senate amendments, the bill will either
be filed in the Office of the Chief Clerk (dead), or the Speaker
will assign a conference committee to meet with a Senate
conference committee to try to come to an agreement.
5th Order
Report of Standing Committees
At this Order of Business, reports from standing committees
are read, and depending on the committees recommendation,
the legislation is referred to another committee, filed for
Second Reading, or placed on General Orders for amending.
Routine administrative actions such as printing, engrossing,
enrolling, and delivery of legislation to the Governor or the
Secretary of State are reported by the Chief Clerk in this order
through the Judiciary, Rules, and Administration Committee.
Enrolled bills have passed both the House and Senate and are
signed by the Speaker then transmitted to the Senate for the
signature of the President. Engrossed bills are House bills
that have been amended and are filed for First Reading of
Engrossed Bills in the 9th Order.
6th Order
Report of Select Committees
It is very rare that a select committee is appointed by the
Speaker. Reports from select committees follow the same
procedure as standing committees.
7th Order
Motions, Memorials and Resolutions
All House memorials, resolutions and proclamations are
introduced, read the first time by title and referred by the
Speaker to the Judiciary, Rules, and Administration Committee
for printing. Several copies are printed, mostly for committee
hearings, and the legislation is also published online. During
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the next daily session, they are reported printed (in 5th Order)
and referred by the Speaker to a standing committee or
Second Reading
Senate joint memorials and concurrent resolutions are read
the first time by title and referred by the Speaker to a standing
committee or filed for Second Reading.
A suspension of rules can also take place in this order in
case of urgency to move a piece of legislation through the
process. A unanimous consent will be made by the Majority
Leader to suspend the rules for the reading of the bill on three
separate days. A vote will be taken to suspend the rules, and if
the suspension passes with a 2/3 majority, an immediate vote
will be taken on the bill.
8th Order
Introduction, First Reading and
Reference of Bills and Joint Resolutions
House bills and joint resolutions are read the first time by title
and referred by the Speaker to the Judiciary, Rules, and
Administration Committee for printing. Several copies are
printed, mostly for use in committee hearings, and the
legislation is also published online. During the next daily
session, the bills are reported printed (in 5th Order) and they
are referred by the Speaker to a standing committee or
Second Reading.
Senate bills and Senate joint resolutions are read the first time
by title and referred by the Speaker to the germane standing
committees. Finance bills from the Senate go directly to
Second Reading.
9th Order
First Reading of Engrossed Bills
All amended House bills and resolutions that have been
engrossed are read the first time by title and filed for Second
Reading.
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10th Order
Second Reading of Bills and Joint Resolutions
All legislation is read the second time by title in the order they
were placed on the Second Reading Calendar, and then filed
for Third Reading.
11th Order
Third Reading of Bills and Joint Resolutions
At this order, legislation is brought before the House in the
order they are listed on the Third Reading Calendar, debated
and voted on for final passage.

12th Order
Consideration of General Orders
This order is used for amending House bills, joint resolutions,
concurrent resolutions, resolutions, joint memorials, Senate
bills, and joint resolutions. Once a piece of legislation receives
a bill number, it cannot be changed except through
amendment, and the entire body must agree to the
amendment. This is accomplished when the House resolves
itself into a Committee of the Whole and the Assistant Majority
Leader comes to the podium to act as Chairman. The
Committee of the Whole then proceeds as any standing
committee with all remarks, questions, and inquiries
addressed through the Chair. After all of the pending
amendments have been debated and adopted or rejected, the
committee is dissolved. The Speaker then returns to the Chair
and the committee chairman reports the actions of the
Committee of the Whole. This report is published in the Daily
Journal.

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13th Order
Miscellaneous and Unfinished Business
This Order of Business is used for numerous items of business
including appointment of standing committees, changes in
standing committee members, and for the motion to reconsider
a bill.
14th Order
Presentation of Petitions and Communications
Petitions are presented in this Order of Business. One of the
rare petitions read in this order is to waive Joint Rule 20.
15th Order
Announcements
Committee meeting announcements are read by the Chief
Clerk, and members may make any other announcements
appropriate for the House floor at this Order of Business.
16th Order
Adjournment
This is the final order of the daily session. The Majority Leader
moves to adjourn, stating the time the next session will begin.
The Minority Leader seconds the motion and the Speaker
takes a voice vote (Ayes and Nays) on the motion.

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DOS & DONTS

DO

Stand to be recognized by the Speaker.

Stand when making an inquiry of another

Representative.

Remain standing while receiving the response.

Remain seated during a roll call.

Remain seated until the Speaker has gaveled upon

recess or adjournment.

Refer to the Governor as:

the gentleman on the second floor

Refer to another Representative as:

the Lady/Gentleman from District # ____

Request permission of the Speaker to read any

information from outside sources.

DONT

Walk in the well of the House during session.

Interrupt a roll call.

Vote for another member.

Leave the House Chambers during a roll call.

Leave the House Chambers after you have voted and

before the final vote is announced.
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DONT (continued)

Reference statements made by members in committee

during debate unless permission has been granted to
you by that member.

Ask how the Senate voted on a bill. Request that the

Chief Clerk read the history of the bill.

Ask a House page or legislative staff member to run

personal errand for you.

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VOTE COUNT REQUIREMENTS

Majority
Adoption of House Rules
Passing bills
Adoption of House joint memorials and
concurrent resolutions
Reconsideration of bills
Motion to bring bill out of committee
Two-thirds of the Entire Membership
Suspension of Rules
Altering or amending House Rules
Passing joint resolutions
Taking of bill from the table
Two-thirds of the Members Present
Withdrawal of bills, memorials or resolutions
Moving the previous question (end debate)
Amending joint rules
Overturn Governor's veto

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Published January 2015

Cover Photo by Bonnie Alexander