Felt’s Parliamentary Procedure/Suspension of the Rules

by Orson B. Felt

Layout 2

SUSPENSION OF THE RULES.

130. When the rules of an assembly interfere with the speedy transaction of any business which it is desired to bring at once to completion, or when it seems desirable to take up some other business out of its proper order, the rules of the assembly may be suspended for the purpose of admitting that business, and any member may move the suspension of the rules that interfere [^[1]see note;] but since the rules should not be suspended except for a definite purpose, the mover of the motion must specify in his motion the object of the suspension. If there is no objection, the rules may be suspending without the formality of a motion. A rule can be suspended only temporarily; therefore, any permanent change must go through the regular process of amendment.

131. The form is, “I move the suspension of the rules that interfere with (specifying the object of the suspension).” The motion cannot be debated, or amended, or have any other motion applied to it, and in the absence of any special rule requires a two-thirds vote for its adoption. If acted upon it cannot be renewed at the same meeting for the same purpose, but the motion may be made at the next meeting, even when that meeting is held the same day.

1. Note.—If, however, the assembly is but a branch of some parent organization (as in fraternal orders) and is governed by the rules of that organization, the subordinate body cannot suspend the rules regularly adopted by the superior body for the government of such subordinate bodies.
   
   An assembly cannot suspend any part of its Constitution or By-laws even by a unanimous vote, unless the Constitution or By-laws provide for such suspension. No rule of parliamentary law can be suspended for any purpose.