To the honored members of the 25th RA:
Em drew my attention to the need to clarify the language of the RA Rules of Procedure items 2b and 2c ( http://portal.slcds.info/index.php/the- ... -assembly/ ) -particularly 2c.
What follows is the current legislation, my proposed alternative, a link to the forum thread I've created to discuss it, and a copy of EM's note.
Any mistakes or oversights in the proposed draft are, of course, mine alone.
2b and 2c as it reads now:
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B. [Time limits for each agenda item]
Each item on the agenda shall be allocated a time for debate by the LRA. If the LRA believes that a proposed piece of legislation shall not be controversial, it shall be allocated not less than 10 minutes for debate. If the LRA believes that a proposed piece of legislation may be controversial, it shall be allocated not less than 15 minutes for debate. All members of the RA and all citizens in attendance at the RA shall indicate to the LRA, before the start of the RA session or during the first ten minutes of the session, whether they wish to speak on an item on the agenda, and which side they wish to speak on.
C. [RA decision on an action item after debate closes]
Following the allocated time for debate, the RA shall either move to vote on the issue; move for further debate; or move to allow amendments and further debate. If the RA wishes further debate or amendments, no vote shall be held, and the matter shall be tabled until the next session of the RA, at which time the matter shall be considered as a “prior matter of the RA” on the agenda, and shall be considered to be controversial for the purpose of setting time for debate. If the RA has voted to allow amendments, the matter shall be tabled and amendments shall be drafted and submitted to the LRA and posted on the forums at least one day prior to the date on which the LRA is to publish the RA agenda.
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My proposed change (with help from Em Warden):
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2B. [Time limits for each agenda item]
Under normal circumstances, the RA should be allowed to take as much or as little time to discuss items listed on the agenda as the RA collectively feels to be appropriate. If a member of the RA believes that an item they want to discuss is being cut short, they may request that the item be designated as "controversial" and in such case the LRA (or Pro Tempre if the LRA is absent) will be obligated to allow a minimum of 15 minutes to discuss and -if applicable- vote on the item in question. After 15 minutes the LRA (or PT if LRA is absent) may automatically move that the controversial item be tabled until the next meeting if no resolution has been reached and if they believe that further conversation during that meeting will be unproductive or disruptive. If the LRA tables the item, they will be obligated to add it to the following RA meeting's agenda as a controversial item. This shall be repeated until consensus on the issue is reached, or until the term ends.
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Forum thread for discussion:
http://forums.slcds.info/viewtopic.php? ... 506#p43506
Em Warden's original notecard:
I've requested that Ranma adds this to the agenda, and she's agreed.
Yours in service,