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.
Removal of justice or judge by address; Wis. Con. VII-13.
Two-thirds of members present:
Impeachment, trial of; Wis. Con. VII-1.
Message to assembly, rescind motion; Senate Rule
42 (2).
Rules, suspension of; Senate Rule
91.
Veto, passage notwithstanding governor's objections; Wis. Con. V-10.
Majority of all the members elected (17 senators):
Bonded indebtedness, authorizing; Wis. Con. VIII-7.
Constitutional amendment, approval on first or 2nd consideration;
Wis. Con XII-1 and Joint Rule
12 (2)(f).
Debt for extraordinary expenditures; Wis. Con. VIII-6.
Majority of three-fifth of all the members elected (see Quorum):
Any “fiscal bill", vote on passage; Wis. Con. VIII-8.
Less than a majority:
Less than majority adjourn; Senate Rule
15 and Wis. Con. IV-7.
Call of the senate, five senators; Senate Rules
15 and
81 and Wis. Con. IV-7.
Raise a call of the senate, majority of those present; Senate Rule
85 (5).
Roll call ordered, one-sixth of those present; Senate Rule
72 (1) and Wis. Con. IV-20.
