Point of order

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For the 1964 documentary film, see Point of Order (film). For other uses see Point

A point of order is a matter raised during consideration of a motion concerning the rules of parliamentary procedure.

[edit] Explanation and Uses

Point of order (RONR)

Class	Incidental motion
In order when another has the floor	Yes
Second	No
Debatable	No (but chair can permit full explanation)
Amendable	No
Vote Required	Is ruled by the chair
Reconsider	No

A point of order may be raised if the rules appear to have been broken. This may interrupt a speaker during debate, or anything else if the breach of the rules warrants it. The point is resolved before business continues.

The point of order calls upon the chair to make a ruling. The motion is sometimes erroneously used to ask a question of information or a question of parliamentary procedure. The chair may rule on the point of order or submit it to the judgment of the assembly. If the chair accepts the point of order, it is said to be sustained or ruled well-taken. If not, it is said to be overruled or ruled not well-taken.

[edit] Ordinary Societies

In organizations other than legislative bodies, the ruling of the chair may be appealed to the assembly in most cases. Unless the chair's ruling is overturned by tie or majority vote in the negative, it stands. (The vote that is taken is a vote on whether or not to uphold the decision of the chair, so if the motion fails the decision is overturned.)

[edit] Legislative Use

Until recently in the British House of Commons it was required that a member raising a point of order while the House is voting be wearing a hat, and two hats were kept in the House for such occasions. This practice has now been abolished. [1]

In the United States Senate, the chair's ruling may be appealed by any Senator. The Senate votes on the appeal and the chair has been frequently overturned. Points of order with regard to the Budget Act or annual budget resolution may be waived by 3/5 of the Senate's entire membership. Rule XVI, which prohibits normal legislation in appropriations legislation, may be waived by 2/3 of the Senate. [2]

In the United States House of Representatives tradition, appeals are also possible, but rarely entered and almost never succeed.

v • d • e Parliamentary Procedure Major concepts Deliberative assembly · Motions · Main motion · Quorum · Session Subsidiary motions Postpone indefinitely · Amend · Commit · Postpone to a certain time · Limit or extend limits of debate · Previous question · 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 Incidental motions (Requests and inquiries) Parliamentary inquiry · Point of information · Request for permission to withdraw or modify a motion · Request to read papers · Request to be excused from a duty · 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 procedure Call of the house · Hoist · Pass on Disciplinary procedures Censure · Declare the chair vacant · Impeach Parliamentary authorities Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised (RONR) · The Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure (TSC) · Demeter's Manual · Riddick's Rules of Procedure · Mason's Manual of Legislative Procedure Other concepts Committee · Committee of the whole · Dilatory motions and tactics · Minutes · Second · History of parliamentary procedure · Principles of parliamentary procedure