Main motion

A main motion, in parliamentary procedure, is a motion that brings business before the assembly.^[1] Main motions are made while no other motion is pending. Any of the subsidiary, incidental and privileged motions may be made while the main motion is pending, and in many cases these motions, if passed, will affect the assembly's consideration of the main motion.

When greater formality is desired, the main motion may be made in the form of a resolution, which is always submitted in writing.^[2] A preamble containing several paragraphs explaining the background of and/or justification for the proposed action is often included, but is not required.^[3]

Explanation and Use

Main motion (RONR)

Class	Main motion
Requires second?	Yes
Debatable?	Yes
May be reconsidered?	Yes
Amendable?	Yes
Vote required:	Majority

Main motions are made while no other motion is pending. Any of the subsidiary, incidental and privileged motions may be made while the main motion is pending, and in many cases these motions, if passed, will affect the assembly's consideration of the main motion.

When greater formality is desired, the main motion may be made in the form of a resolution, which is always submitted in writing.^[2] A preamble containing several paragraphs explaining the background of and/or justification for the proposed action is often included, but is not required.^[3]

Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised (RONR)

Normally, this is a motion that introduces a substantive question as a new subject, in which case it is also called an original main motion.^[4] Otherwise, it is an incidental main motion, examples of which are the motions to adopt recommendations of a committee, to ratify action previously taken without a quorum, to rescind an action previously taken, or to adjourn or recess while no main motion is pending.^[5]

Incidental Main Motion

Incidental main motion, in parliamentary procedure, is a classification under Robert's rules of order for a group of main motions that are incidental to or related to the business of the assembly, or its past or future action.^[6] In contrast, regular main motions are motions that introduce new business. Unlike regular main motions, incidental main motions cannot have objection to the consideration of the question applied to them.

Common Motions

Subsidiary motions

• Limit or extend limits of debate
• Postpone to a certain time
• Commit
• Amend
• Postpone indefinitely

Privileged motions

• Recess
• Adjourn
• Fix the time to which to adjourn

Motions that bring a question again before the assembly

• Rescind, repeal, or annul or amend something previously adopted
• Discharge a committee (if the subject was referred by a main motion rather than by the subsidiary motion to commit)

References

1. ^ Robert, Henry M. (2000). Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised, 10th ed., p. 59 (RONR)
2. ^ ^{a b} RONR, p. 32
3. ^ ^{a b} RONR, p. 102-103
4. ^ RONR, p. 95
5. ^ RONR, p. 96-97
6. ^ Robert, Henry M. (2000). Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised (10th ed. ed.). pp. p. 96.