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.
