Referred to: The Laws and Rules, Governmental Services Committee (Chairman Donaldson and Legislators Heppner, Rodriguez, Roberts, and Ronk)

Legislator Brian Woltman offers the following:

WHEREAS, it is the obligation of each Legislator to conduct him or herself in a professional manner when vetting legislative matters; and

WHEREAS, the current Rules of Order of the Ulster County Legislature provide no protection against abusive or derogatory remarks aimed at specific individuals; and

WHEREAS, personal attacks made on the floor of Legislative Chambers are not conducive to conducting the people’s business; and

WHEREAS, the Ulster County Legislature believes it is in the best interest of all constituents, county employees and other elected officials to prohibit personal attacks, and to eliminate this type of behavior from the legislative process; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, that Rule 10. Monthly and Special Meetings; Notice; Rules Of Order, Section G. Decorum, is hereby amended to include a new subsection 4 to read as follows:

G.     Decorum.        

1.         The Chairperson shall take the chair promptly at the hour specified for the convening of the Legislature and shall preserve order and decorum.  In debate, he/she shall prevent personal reflections and confine members to the questions under discussion.  The Chairperson shall decide all questions of order, which decisions shall be final, unless an appeal is taken to the Legislature and sustained.

2.         The Chairperson, in the absence of the Vice Chairperson at a meeting, may call any other member to take his/her place in the chair.  This presiding officer may call any other member to take his/her place in the chair.  This substitution shall not extend beyond adjournment.

3.         Any Legislator who engages in personal attacks upon any other member of the Legislature shall yield the floor at the Chairperson’s order.

4.         Personal attacks or inflammatory comments directed at, or about, any named individual shall not be permitted.

and, be it further

RESOLVED, that pursuant to Rule 2, entitled “AMENDMENT OF RULES,” of the Rules of Order of the Ulster County Legislature, this resolution and the amendment proposed herein shall be read at two consecutive meetings of the Ulster County Legislature; and, be it further

RESOLVED, that this rule change shall take effect upon an affirmative vote of this body subsequent to two consecutive readings,

and moves its adoption.

FIRST READING:           

SECOND READING:      

ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:

AYES:                        NOES:   

Passed Committee: Laws and Rules, Governmental Services on ____________.

FINANCIAL IMPACT:

NONE