The State House has been serving as the seat of Maine’s government since 1832. House and Senate Chambers are used during the Youth and Government Weekend with permission from current leaders and members of Maine’s House of Representatives and Senate. It is an honor bestowed to Youth and Government annually and it is our responsibility to treat the Chambers, Hall of Flags, and meeting rooms with the respect these hallowed halls deserve.
Those who serve in the House and Senate must follow the rules of the House and Senate. Remember that you are in the role of an elected representative for people from your area of Maine.
We ask that you read rules these to avoid any problems during the weekend session.
Legislators are reminded that they are sitting at a Member of the House or Senate’s workspace!
- Only Representatives are allowed at the desks on the floor of the House
- Only Senators are allowed at the desks in the Senate
- Those wishing to speak with a member must meet outside of the chamber
- Governor’s Cabinet members and Media are not allowed to sit on the floor or to speak during sessions of the House and Senate
- Members of each Chamber are expected to be on the floor for all votes and vote when called
When the House and Senate are in Session and Members are in the Chamber the Following Rules Apply:
- Appropriate Dress – must follow the Youth and Government dress code
- A single gavel calls the House or Senate to order
- Three gavels require members to stand in their pace until a single gavel directs them to take seats
- When the Governor, the Senate, or other dignitaries enter the chamber, the member should rise to three gavels and applaud politely
- Use of cell phones is prohibited on the floor of the House and Senate
- Laptops and Tablets are allowed to be used for research
Prohibited on the Floor of the House and Senate
- Eating, drinking, or chewing gum
- Wearing or displaying on desk any buttons, signs, or stickers making a statement of any kind
- Use of props of any kind
- Newspaper open at or on desk
- Talking out loud to another member or guest
- Sitting at another member’s desk
- Standing in the aisle or at another member’s desk
- Turning your chair away from the Speaker or President
Addressing the House or Senate
- Rise and say in a clear voice “Mr./Madam (Speaker/President)”
- When the Speaker chooses to let you speak, they will say ” The Chair recognizes the Representative”
- Your microphone will be turned on
- Begin your remarks with ”Thank you Mr./Madam Speaker/President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House/Senate, your name, and your school”
- When you are finished with your remarks, sit down
- Requirements of debate, comments must be relevant to the question before the body
- During any remarks:
- Governor and Cabinet members are referred to as the “EXECUTIVE.”
- House or Senate is referred to as the “OTHER BODY”
- Prohibited during debate:
- Reference to actions or possible actions of the Governor or the Other Body
- Reference to motives or actions of another member of the Body.
Debate
- All matters before the House/Senate are debatable except:
- Motion to Adjourn
- Motion to Table
- Suspension of the Rules
- other minor procedural motions
- Members may only speak 2 times on any question unless receiving permission by “suspending the rules”
- To question another member or committee you must say one of three things depending on who you want to answer the question:
- “Mr./Madam Speaker/President, I request permission to pose a question through the Chair to Representative/Senator (Name)
- “Mr./Madam Speaker/President, I request permission to pose a question through the Chair to and member of the (Name) Committee
- “Mr./Madam Speaker/President, I request permission to pose a question through the Chair to anyone may care to answer
- The Speaker/President will respond, “The Representative/Senator may pose his/her question”
- The member will respond, ”Thank you, my question is…?”
Motions on the Floor
- When you wish to make a motion, the following is appropriate
- Seek permission from the Speaker/President
- Thank the Speaker/President and address the Body
- Always begin a motion with “I move that…”
- After the Speaker/President restates your motion, you may proceed to debate it
Committee Reports
- The Speaker/President will look to the Committee Chair to move the committee report
- If the Chair is not present, another member must stand and make a motion on the committee report
Amendments
- First, you must collect an Amendment form the Clerk/Secretary to write your amendment
- Get recognized by the Speaker/President
- Thank the Speaker/President
- State your motion, “I present a House/Senate Amendment to Bill LD… and move its adoption”
- Give the Amendment form to the Clerk/Secretary who will read the amendment
Matters of Non-Concurrence with Other Body
- When the House and Senate differ, the item is placed in non-concurrent matters only the following motions are available:
- Recede and Concur: The Body will agree with the Other Body to pass the Bill
- Insist: The Body would like to ask for a conference committee to develop a compromise on Bill
- Adhere: The Body will stand by their action
Attention To All Participants
Any damage done to any desk or chair will be paid for by the participant assigned to that desk. Please respect the State House and all rooms and furniture in it!
