Three readings of bills and certain joint resolutions,
on 3 separate days 35
Time limit for debate, how scheduled 76
Tobacco products, not to be consumed in senate chamber 8 (4)
Transmittal of proposal to assembly 42
Two-thirds vote required:
exception to two-thirds requirement 93 (6)
not required for reconsideration 67 (2)
to suspend rules 91
to withdraw from committee after first
motion fails 41 (1)(b)
U
Unanimous consent, see also Suspending rules:
definition 99 (92)
to immediately message senate action 42 (1)
to suspend rules, as alternative to two-thirds vote 91
Unfinished calendar, taken up after 9th order of
current day 18 (4)
Unintroduced legislation, notice of hearing 25 (1)(c)
V
Vacancy in office of president 3
Veto:
action on, how scheduled 18 (1)
action on, not subject to reconsideration 67 (7)
amendment of bill not in order upon consideration of 47 (5)
definition 99 (93)
divided 70 (2), (3)
failure to pass notwithstanding objections if governor
is adverse and final disposition 46 (6)
question relating to, not to be referred to committee 41 (2)
referral 18 (1), (1b)
Visitors, how recorded in journal 17 (4m)
Voice vote:
definition 99 (94)
how question is stated 71
Voting, see also Roll Call, Quick Finder:
absent member, position may be recorded (but not,
counted in outcome) 75
ayes and noes, presiding officer may order for
any vote 72 (1)
cannot be called for, when 19, 72 (3)
conduct of members during calling of 8 (3), 72 (2), 73m
may be demanded by one-sixth of members present 72 (1)
member arriving late, may have question stated
and be counted 73 (2)
two-thirds of members present required to
suspend rules unless
unanimous consent given 91
commenced, call of senate cannot be made after 81 (1)
explanation of a member's vote, not allowed
during roll call 74
immediate 77
journal reflect how would have voted 73m (2)
members present must vote unless excused 3m, 73 (1)
missed roll call 73m
right of member to have question stated, when 73 (2)
substitute president not excused from 3m
W to Z
Warrants issued by senate, signed by president and
chief clerk 44
Webster's dictionary, current edition standard
on language usage 31 (4)
Whole, committee of the, proceedings 19
Withdraw:
from committee 41
pending motion 62
reconsideration motion 67 (8)
Without recommendation, committee report 27 (4)(a)
Witness: subpoena signed by president and
attested by chief clerk 44
Writs issued by senate, signed by president and chief clerk 44
Yeas and nays, see Ayes and noes; Roll Call 73m
Quick Finder: QUORUM
ROLL CALL
MAJORITY
Quorum
A majority of the current membership of the senate constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business unless a higher number is required by the state constitution, law, or legislative rule. Senate Rules
15 and
39 and Joint Rule
11 (1). Less than a quorum may adjourn or order a call of the senate.
See Wis. Con. IV-7 and Senate Rule
15.
Three-fifths of the members elected (20 senators) is the quorum for final passage of “fiscal bills"; Wis. Con. VIII-8. Consequently, the minimum majority for approval of “fiscal bills" is 11 senators.
A “fiscal bill" is any bill which: 1) imposes, continues or renews a tax; 2) creates a state debt or charge; 3) makes, continues or renews an appropriation of public or trust money; or 4) releases, discharges or commutes a claim or demand of the state; Wis. Con. VIII-8.
Roll Call
The senate may decide any question by a voice vote unless a roll call is ordered by the presiding officer or at the request of one-sixth of the senators present (Senate Rule
72 (1) and Wis. Con. IV-20), or is required by the state constitution, law, or legislative rule. A roll call vote, with the ayes and noes entered in the journal, is required for any senate decision that needs a special
quorum or a special
majority for final determination. In addition, roll call votes are required for:
Adjournment or adjournment to a time certain under call; Senate Rule
85 (1).
Appeal from ruling of presiding officer; Senate Rule
56m (4).
Conference committee report, vote to approve; Joint Rule
3 (1)(c).
Election by the legislature; Senate Rules
1,
5,
6, Wis. Con. IV-30.
Governor's or state superintendent's nomination for appointment; Senate Rule
22 (2).
Raise a call of the senate; Senate Rule
85 (5)Ratify amendment to U.S. constitution; Joint Rule
58 (2).
Majority
The senate may decide any question by a majority of a quorum (Senate Rule
15 and Joint Rule
12 (1)) unless a higher vote total is required for final approval by the state constitution, law, or legislative rule (Senate Rule
39 and Joint Rule
12).
Three-fourths of all the members elected to both houses:
Increased retirement fund benefits, approval of bill to grant; Wis. Con. IV-26 (3).
Two-thirds of all the members elected (22 senators):
Expulsion of an elected senator; Wis. Con. IV-8.
