Amendment motions are used in parliamentary business to change a motion currently under discussion. They can add, delete, substitute, postpone or limit debate on a subject. Major and secondary amendments can be attached to a motion, and the process is tracked as it moves through government. Amendment motions can be introduced at any level of the legal process and can also buy time for parties to convert others to their point of view.
An amendment motion is a motion in parliamentary business which is intended to amend a motion currently under discussion. This powerful tool appears in many branches of government ranging from student government in schools to national assemblies that create laws that apply to an entire nation. Amendment motions are an important part of the parliamentary process, as they encourage input from members of the assembly on a matter under consideration and ensure that motions can be amended after they have been brought to the floor.
When a motion to amend is tabled, it means that the person tabled wants to make some changes to the subject under discussion in the House. The motion can add something, delete something, delete a section of a motion and insert new material, or substitute different wording if deemed necessary. The tool can also be used to postpone a vote on a motion under consideration, or to limit debate on the subject. He can also defer a motion to a committee or call a stay of the meeting.
When a motion to amend affects the text of a motion under discussion and a vote, it is known as a “major amendment.” When such a motion attempts to change an earlier amendment, it is called a secondary amendment. There may be numerous primary and secondary amendments attached to a motion as it goes to a vote, and the history of these amendments and subsequent discussion is tracked as the motion moves through government.
The process of creating new laws, ordinances and measures is extremely complex. It starts from the conception of a law, and from the construction of a legally hermetic text to be brought to a commission assembly. During the discussion process, a formal motion to amend must be filed if anyone wants to change the text of the law as it appears. This ensures that there is a clear record of the progress of the law before it was passed and solicits input from all members of the assembly by putting the motion to a vote.
In an open system of government, amendment motions can be introduced at any level of the legal process, from a congressional committee to a library’s policy board. In addition to being used as tools to change laws, motions to amend can also buy members of a convention time. This extra time may allow one party to convert the other to their point of view, or it may allow a minority to track down absent assembly or committee members so that the vote also reflects their views.
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