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Amendment to Rules of Procedure, Rule 9.3
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Madam President:
I move to amend the 2023-2027 Metropolitan Council Rules of Procedure by amending Rule 9.3 as shown below:
9.3 All ordinances on first reading shall be considered by the Council in one vote. An ordinance on first reading may be considered separately only upon the request of the lead sponsor or as provided in Rule 9.2 if two or more members notify the Vice Mayor of their desire to take a separate vote on the ordinance.
Agenda Analysis
Analysis
This proposed rule amendment would amend the recently implemented Rule 9.3 of the Council Rules of Procedure. Currently, Rule 9.3 requires that all ordinances on first reading be considered in one vote. The current rule provides that an ordinance on first reading can be considered separately if the lead sponsor of the ordinance or two or more members notify the Vice Mayor during the consideration of first reading ordinances that they wish to take a separate vote on an ordinance.
The proposed rule amendment would amend Rule 9.3 to allow for an ordinance to be considered separately only upon the request of the lead sponsor or as provided in Rule 9.2, removing the option for two or more members to request an ordinance be considered separately. Rule 9.2 allows for an ordinance on first reading to be deferred for one meeting if the subject matter affects only one district and the district council member has not introduced or co-sponsored the legislation.
This proposed rule amendment would effectively require a suspension of the Rules for an item on first reading to be considered separately if not requested by the lead sponsor or pursuant to Rule 9.2.
Rule 53.2 of the Council Rules of Procedure requires a proposed rule amendment to be deferred one meeting after introduction and referral to the Rules, Confirmations, and Public Elections Committee.