Reconsideration of A Motion - Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure

Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure

The Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure (TSC), the second-leading parliamentary authority in the United States after Robert's Rules of Order, treats this motion differently in a number of ways. In addition to the differences noted earlier:

• Only votes on main motions may be reconsidered; under Robert's, votes on a variety of secondary (subsidiary, incidental and privileged) motions may be reconsidered. Under TSC, the chair has discretion (subject to appeal and reversal by the assembly) to permit renewal of secondary motions, which replaces the function of the motion for reconsideration regarding these motions.
• If made while other business is pending, the motion to reconsider is taken up as soon as the other business is disposed of; under Robert's, if the motion to reconsider is made at a time when it cannot be considered immediately, the motion must be "called up" by a member, and if not called up before the close of the next meeting (if held within a quarterly time interval), the motion for reconsideration lapses.
• The special form under Robert's, Reconsider and Enter on the Minutes, is omitted and expressly disapproved under TSC. Instead, a successful main motion may be subject to a motion to rescind at a later meeting, and an unsuccessful main motion may be renewed.