The goal of chamber sessions is to allow delegates to discuss a piece of legislation exclusively and in detail using the fully formal version of Parliamentary Procedure. A bill must be presented and passed in both the Assembly and the Senate to be presented before the Governor and Cabinet. During Chambers, legislative delegates:
- Will Debate a singular bill exclusively
- Are allowed to make amendments to a bill using the proper amendment procedure
- Are given an opportunity to not merely debate bills holistically (as in Committee) but rather demonstrate more knowledge on a certain subject and be able to speak in detail on a piece of legislation
All legislators are assigned will be assigned to one of the following six (6) Chambers:
- Kean Assembly or Kean Senate
- Livingston Assembly or Livingston Senate
- Wilson Assembly or Wilson Senate
Unlike in Committee, a Bill’s main sponsor (author) is not guaranteed to be placed in the committee with his/her bill.
General Notes
- Bills will be debated in an order set by the docket. The docket will be set by the expeditors based on the order in which Bills are passed out of Committee Sessions
- Bills are not guaranteed to be heard in the chamber of the main sponsor –that said, Bill co-sponsors should be well prepared
- In contrast to Committee sessions, Bills will be debated exclusively in Chambers
- Full Amendment Procedure is available and recognized during Chamber sessions.
- A Bill will pass if it obtains majority (50% +1 votes). A bill that passes will then be presented in the supplemental chamber.
- Only legislative delegates are allowed to speak during Chambers. No other delegates are allowed to be on or speak on the floor of the chamber.
