Recognition (parliamentary procedure)

Recognition, in parliamentary procedure, is the assignment of the floor -- that is, the exclusive right to be heard at that time -- to a member of a deliberative assembly. With a few exceptions, a member must be recognized by the chair before engaging in debate or making a motion. [cite parl |title=RONR |edition=10th |pages=28]

The general rule is that the first member to rise and address the chair after another member has yielded the floor (by sitting down) is entitled to the floor. There are exceptions, however. The maker of a motion is entitled to speak first in debate on it. If a motion is made to implement a recommendation in a committee report, the member who presented the report to the assembly is entitled to preference in recognition. Similarly, if a motion is taken from the table, the member who moved to take it from the table is entitled to preference in recognition. And if a motion is reconsidered, the member who made the motion to reconsider is entitled to preference in recognition. If a member has already spoken on the pending motion, he may not speak again on it on the same day as long as any other member who has not spoken on the motion claims the floor. If the chair knows that persons seeking the floor have opposite opinions on the pending motion, the chair is to let the floor alternate between the opposing sides. This is sometimes accomplished by designating different microphones for those favoring and opposing a measure or having members hold up cards indicating their position. If the floor has been assigned but the member has not yet begun to speak, another member may interrupt to give previous notice of another motion. There are many other rules relating to recognition that deal with specific situations. [RONR (10th ed.) p. 366-373.]

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