Rule 15.4. Declared emergencies; quorum; voting

           A. During a gubernatorially declared state of emergency or a gubernatorially declared state of public health emergency, and as necessary to provide for the continuity of government and legislative operations during such an emergency, a member shall be counted for quorum purposes for the Senate to transact business pursuant to Senate Rule 5.4 and for quorum purposes for a committee to transact business pursuant to Senate Rule 13.85 if the member participates remotely by telephone, teleconference, or other electronic means.

           B. Notwithstanding Senate Rule 12.3, during a gubernatorially declared state of emergency or a gubernatorially declared state of public health emergency, and as necessary to provide for the continuity of government and legislative operations during such an emergency, a member shall be permitted to vote if the member participates remotely by telephone, teleconference, or other electronic means. The member shall certify each vote in writing and file the certification with the Secretary.

           C. The authority provided in this Rule during a gubernatorially declared emergency shall be invoked only at the discretion of the President and shall automatically expire upon the termination of the declared state of emergency.

           Added by SR 45 of 2020.