RULES OF THE

YOUTH LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY (YLA)

I. ORDER OF BUSINESS

Rule 1 The Youth Legislative Assembly shall be conducted according to Robert’s

Rules of Order, Newly Revised Edition.
Rule 2 The Speakers and Coordinator or designee of the coordinator shall preside
over the General Session.

II. GENERAL DECORUM

Rule 3 Male/Female legislators shall uncover their heads upon entering the
Assembly Chamber while YLA is in session and shall remain uncovered
during their presence in the Chamber, unless one’s religion requires
his/her head to be covered.
Rule 4 Male legislators shall dress in coat and tie, and female legislators shall
dress in business attire during banquets, opening sessions, and general
sessions.
Rule 5 A Reading of newspapers, magazines, periodicals, or books shall not be
acceptable while the Youth Legislative Assembly is in session, unless
the literature is being used for research.
Rule 5 B Cellular phones, beepers, radios and electronic devices should be turned
off while the Youth Legislative Assembly is in session, unless the
device is being used for research.

III. CONDUCT OF DEBATE

Rule 6 Legislators should address a male Speaker as “Mr. Speaker” and female
a Speaker as “Madame Speaker” when the Youth Legislative Assembly
is in session. If you do not address the speaker properly you will not be
addressed
Rule 7 All debate and questions shall be directed to the Speaker.
Rule 8 The speaker shall refer all floor discussions, debate and questions to the
appropriate party. The referred party shall limit his or her answers to
facts relevant to the question and not express personal opinion or debate
on the answers.
Rule 9 Only committee co-chairs can call the previous question.

IV. RECOGNITION OF SPEAKERS

Rule 10 Delegates must use the podiums in order to be recognized by the
Speaker. The Speaker will only recognize the delegate if the delegate
has not debated the bill in question more than two times.

V. MOTIONS

Rule 11 A delegate does not need to be present at the podium to second a motion.
Rule 12 Reconsideration of a matter, motions to postpone a matter indefinitely, or
motions to table are out of order unless all bills have been reported.
Rule 13 The Speaker has the right to claim motions out of order that are dilatory
or detrimental to the proceedings of YLA. This includes motions that are
an attempt to block legislation by minority (unless a motion is not
pending), appeals to the Speaker’s decision that appear ludicrous, and
abusive or subversive measures that are used to impede accurate and
speedy execution for the purpose of debating, amending, and voting on
bills presented by the chair of the committees.

VI. VOTING
Rule 14 During the general session, all delegates shall sit with their committee in
a designated area.
Rule 15 The committee chair shall count the vote of his/her committee members
and present the tally in writing to the YLA clerk after each vote.
Rule 16 The Speaker(s) may call for a voice or hand vote at any time deemed.

VII. AMENDMENTS
Rule 17 Amendments shall be presented to the committee co-chair for approval
prior to being presented to the floor.
Rule 18 Two types of amendments shall be allowed; formal amendments and
friendly amendments. Friendly amendments shall submitted to the
enrolling clerk. Formal amendments will be read by the clerk and then
introduced by a 1/5 vote of the body.
Rule 19 Any motion(s) to amend the Youth Legislative Assembly Rules must
first be recognized by the Speaker and then be approved by a two-thirds
vote.