The ASUI Senate unanimously passed a bill last week that allows those outside of the body to engage in the conversation during legislative debates, fostering a channel of communication that was previously unavailable.
Sen. Jordan Kizer said individuals used to only be able to voice their opinions or concerns during the senate’s open forum, and were still not able speak during debate even if they would be able to answer questions or provide clarification.
Kizer said the issue had been raised earlier in the semester when the senate debated a bill, in which questions arose that the senators sponsoring the bill were not able to answer because they lacked the proper information.
He said a proponent of the bill sat in the audience and could have easily answered the questions of the other senators, but was not able to, leading Kizer to draft legislation to provide that opportunity.
“I thought that we needed at least some sort of method, so that we can appeal to, essentially, expert testimony outside of the senate because a lot of times — if we are doing our job right — we are dealing with things that are outside of our wheelhouse,” Kizer said. “I think it only makes sense that we should be able to appeal to (experts) for that input.”
Kizer said senators were previously able to yield their time during debate to those outside of the senate, but there was no check or balance on that process because the other senators were not allowed to negate that outside opinion from being heard, if necessary. He said the process was often abused and eventually terminated by the senate.
“It’s one thing if you have someone who is an expert on the subject, but it’s another thing entirely when you have people who are only speaking up because they simply want the bill passed and aren’t engaging or further the debate,” Kizer said.
He said the new bill requires that in order for someone to speak outside of the senate, they must have the full consent of the senators before doing so, so this process is not taken advantage of as it had been in the past.
Sen. Hannah Spear said she sponsored the bill because it provides students with a great opportunity to engage with the senate if they have inquiries, concerns or personal stake in a bill. She said it will allow them to have a voice during debate and not just an open forum.
Spear said students can address the senate and enter into debate, after a senator recognizes them, by stating that they “wish to enter into a colloquy” and can direct that toward the body as a whole or to a specific senator, which the senate will then confirm or deny.
“The bill provides a much more direct opportunity for students to ignite change and have a larger role in that process to make those certain changes on campus,” Spear said.
Olivia Heersink can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @heersinkolivia