Raise a question of privilege

Raise a question of privilege (RONR)
Class	Privileged motion
In order when another has the floor?	Yes, but should not interrupt a person who has begun to speak, unless unavoidable
Requires second?	No, but if the question of privilege thereby raised is in the form of a motion, the motion must be seconded
Debatable?	No
May be reconsidered?	No
Amendable?	No
Vote required	Admissibility of question is ruled upon by chair

In parliamentary procedure, a motion to raise a question of privilege is a privileged motion that permits a request related to the rights and privileges of the assembly or any of its members to be brought up.^[1]

Explanation and use

In Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised (RONR), questions of privilege affecting the assembly may include matters of comfort, amplification, or safety.^[2] For example, it may be difficult to hear the speaker. In this case, a question of privilege could be raised to close the doors and windows. A question of privilege can only be interrupted by the motions to take a recess, adjourn, or fix the time to which to adjourn, or any incidental motions that must be disposed of at that time.^[3]

An example of a question of privilege is a motion to go into executive session.^[2] A question of privilege cannot interrupt a vote or the verification of a vote.^[3]

When a question of privilege affects a single member (rather than the entire assembly), it is called a question of personal privilege.^[2] Such a question may include a need for assistance, to be excused for illness or personal emergency, or the need to immediately answer a charge of misconduct made by another member.^[2] The member rises immediately and without waiting to be recognized states, "Mr. Chairman, I rise on a question of personal privilege," or similar words.^[4] If the member has interrupted a speaker, the chair must determine if the matter is of such urgency as demands immediate attention; otherwise, the member will have the floor immediately after the current speaker is finished.^[4] According to RONR, questions of personal privilege "seldom arise in ordinary societies and even more rarely justify interruption of pending business".^[2]

A question of privilege (not personal) has precedence over questions of personal privilege, should they conflict.^[2]

References

^ Robert, Henry M.; et al. (2011). Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised (11th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Da Capo Press. p. 224. ISBN 978-0-306-82020-5.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Robert 2011, p. 227
^ ^a ^b Robert 2011, p. 226
^ ^a ^b Robert 2011, p. 228

[1] Robert, Henry M.; et al. (2011). Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised (11th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Da Capo Press. p. 224. ISBN 978-0-306-82020-5.

[:0-2] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Robert 2011, p. 227

[:1-3] Robert 2011, p. 226

[:2-4] Robert 2011, p. 228

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[2]

[3]

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v t e Parliamentary procedure
Major concepts	History of parliamentary procedure Principles of parliamentary procedure Deliberative assembly Committee Session Quorum Chair Floor Recognition Motion Second Debate Main motion Order of business Minutes Voting methods in deliberative assemblies Majority Unanimous consent
Subsidiary motions	Postpone indefinitely Amend Commit Postpone to a certain time Limit or extend limits of debate Previous question Cloture Lay on the table
Privileged motions	Call for the orders of the day Raise a question of privilege Recess Adjourn Fix the time to which to adjourn
Incidental motions	Point of order Appeal Suspend the rules Objection to the consideration of a question Division of a question Consideration by paragraph or seriatim Division of the assembly Motions relating to methods of voting and the polls Motions relating to nominations Prayer motion Request to be excused from a duty Requests and inquiries (Parliamentary inquiry, Request for information, Request for permission to withdraw or modify a motion, Request to read papers, Request for any other privilege)
Motions that bring a question again before the assembly	Take from the table Rescind, repeal, annul or amend something previously adopted Discharge a committee Reconsider
Legislative procedures	Call of the house Hoist Motion to pass on Recall of Parliament
Disciplinary procedures	Censure Declare the chair vacant Impeach Naming
Parliamentary authorities	Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised (RONR) The Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure (TSC or Sturgis) Demeter's Manual of Parliamentary Law and Procedure Riddick's Rules of Procedure Mason's Manual of Legislative Procedure Erskine May: Parliamentary Practice Jefferson's Manual Lex Parliamentaria Odgers' Australian Senate Practice House of Representatives Practice Bourinot's Rules of Order Beauchesne's Parliamentary Rules and Forms Morin code ABC of Chairmanship
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