Recognition of Members

General Information about the General Assembly: 76-1

RECOGNITION OF MEMBERS

When a Senator wishes to be recognized to speak, the Senator presses the button marked "speak" located on his or her desk. This illuminates a light on the President's desk so that the presiding officer is aware of those Senators who wish to speak on a question and they can be recognized. A House member who wishes to be recognized to speak raises his or her desk microphone to the top of its stand as a signal to the Speaker.

When a member of the General Assembly is recognized to speak, the member must confine his or her remarks to the question that is being debated and avoid discussing personalities of other members. The general tone of debate in a chamber is one of mutual respect for colleagues, regardless of their party affiliation. A member must avoid the implication that other members have improper motives. If a member believes that a personality is being discussed or that improper motives are being implied, that member may rise and call the infraction to the attention of the presiding officer. The presiding officer will then ask the member who is speaking to confine his or her remarks to the question being debated.

When a member is speaking on an issue under debate, no one is allowed to walk between the member who is speaking and the presiding officer. In addition, no one should walk between two members who have been recognized by the presiding officer and are exchanging comments during floor debate. When a chamber is in session, only members of that chamber may use the center aisle.

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Last update: 1995
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