# Chapter 15 – Motions

Current through 2024. Source: DLR publication. Published by the Baltimore City Department of Legislative Reference.

## Rule 15-1 Majority vote

Balt., Md., Council Rules r. 15-1 (2026)

Except as otherwise specifically provided by these Rules, each question is determined by a majority vote of the members who voted yea or nay.

## Rule 15-2 Division of question

Balt., Md., Council Rules r. 15-2 (2026)

If a motion contains more than one substantive proposition, the President or any Councilmember may call for a division of the question into separate propositions.

## Rule 15-3 Withdrawal of motion

Balt., Md., Council Rules r. 15-3 (2026)

After a motion is stated by the President or read by the Clerk, the motion is in the possession of the City Council. With the consent of the Council, however, the maker of the motion may withdraw it at any time before the President calls for the question on the motion.

## Rule 15-4 No motion during voting

Balt., Md., Council Rules r. 15-4 (2026)

When the President has called for the question on a particular motion, no other motion may be received until the question is determined.

## Rule 15-5 Precedence of motions

Balt., Md., Council Rules r. 15-5 (2026)

(a) In general. When a motion is pending before the City Council, no other motion may be received unless the other motion:

  (1) is 1 of those listed in subsection (b) of this rule; and

  (2) has a higher precedence than the pending motion.

(b) Order of precedence. The following motions have precedence in the order listed:

  (1) Privileged motions:

    (i) call of the roll when there is not a quorum present;

    (ii) to make, or give notice of, a motion to reconsider;

    (iii) to adjourn;

    (iv) to recess;

    (v) questions of privilege of the house: A. Organization of the house; B. Expelling or censuring a member or the member’s capacity to serve; C. Call of the house when a quorum is present; D. Comfort of the members; E. Freedom from disturbance; F. Disorderly conduct of members; G. Conduct of officers or employees or the removal or censure of officers or employees; H. Conduct of reporters or the press or the accuracy of published reports; and I. Accuracy of the journal and records of the house; and

    (vi) questions of personal privilege: A. questions relating to the reputation of members in their representative capacity; and B. Questions relating to the conduct of members in their representative capacity.

  (2) Incidental motions:

    (i) Points of order;

    (ii) Appeals;

    (iii) Parliamentary inquiry and like requests for information;

    (iv) Orders of the day;

    (v) Requests or motions for leave to withdraw a motion that is under consideration;

    (vi) Suspension of rules for some immediate purpose;

    (vii) Objection to consideration of a proposal;

    (viii) Manner or order of consideration of motions;

    (ix) Motions relating to voting;

    (x) Motions relating to nominations and elections; and

    (xi) Motions relating to division of a proposal; and

  (3) Subsidiary motions:

    (i) to lay on the table (postpone temporarily);

    (ii) the previous question (vote immediately);

    (iii) close, limit, or extend limits of debate;

    (iv) postpone definitely or to a certain time;

    (v) to refer or commit;

    (vi) to amend; and

    (vii) to postpone indefinitely.

## Rule 15-6 Non-debatable motions

Balt., Md., Council Rules r. 15-6 (2026)

(a) In general. Except as specified in subsection (b) of this rule, the following motions are not debatable:

  (1) Adjourn.

  (2) Recess.

  (3) Parliamentary inquiry.

  (4) Suspension of the rules.

  (5) Lay on the Table.

  (6) Previous Question.

  (7) Motions to close, limit or extend the limits of debate.

  (8) Divide a proposal.

  (9) Lay aside.

  (10) Take from the table.

  (11) A ruling of the presiding officer, unless an appeal is taken from the ruling.

(b) Adjourn. On a motion to adjourn to a time certain, the time is debatable.

## Rule 15-7 Motion to adjourn

Balt., Md., Council Rules r. 15-7 (2026)

A motion to adjourn is always in order except:

(1) as provided in Rule 15-4; and

(2) when a Councilmember is speaking.

## Rule 15-8 Refusing motion for previous question

Balt., Md., Council Rules r. 15-8 (2026)

The President may refuse to entertain a motion for the previous question whenever, in the President’s judgment, sufficient debate has not been held.

## Rule 15-9 Postponing amendment

Balt., Md., Council Rules r. 15-9 (2026)

A motion to postpone indefinitely a proposed amendment does not carry with it the original matter sought to be amended.

## Rule 15-10 Motion to reconsider

Balt., Md., Council Rules r. 15-10 (2026)

(a) When in order. After a question has been decided, a motion to reconsider is in order if:

  (1) the bill, resolution, motion, or other matter on which the vote was taken is still in the possession of the City Council; and

  (2) the motion is made:

    (i) on the same day on which the original vote was taken; or

    (ii) at the next succeeding regular meeting of the City Council.

(b) Who may make.

  (1) Except as otherwise provided in this rule, a motion to reconsider may be made only by a Councilmember who voted with the prevailing side on the original vote.

  (2) If a bill on final passage receives 8 votes but fails because a higher number of votes was needed, a motion to reconsider may be made by any Councilmember.

(c) Re-reconsideration. The vote on a motion to reconsider may not itself be reconsidered.