COUNCIL ON LEGISLATION 0056-18, CLARIFY THAT SPEAKER NOT VOTE IN 2/3 VOTE AND ONLY VOTE WHEN THERE IS A TIE. DELEGATE LEONARD TSOSIE MOTIONED FOR AMENDMENT TO HAVE SPEAKER VOTE IN 2/3 VOTES.

DELEGATE DWIGHT WITHERSPOON i support Tsosie cuz difficulty getting 16 on council floor and with bills that requires 2/3 vote, it is extremely difficult to keep delegates on floor cuz delegates dealing with chapter meetings. Had problems getting 90 percent vote of council. It was like herding cats.

DELEGATE WALTER PHELPS  i agree and disagree with colleagues. yes, we have problem getting and keeping quorum and having enough voting members on the floor. but in order to make a solid decision on whether legislation succeeds or fails, it is important to keep 2/3 requirement without asking speaker to vote. so i’m thinking that we shouldn’t allow the number to dilute the process, which is intended for legislation to have supporting numbers. in previous experience, two or three delegates object and we push for 18 or 19 delegates on floor so get 16 yes votes or 2/3 vote. that limit needs to remain on value of legislation. where i agree on amendment for speaker is allow speaker to vote if more than 2/3 vote such as 90 percent of council.

DELEGATE ALTON SHEPHERD council has rules and about this time we changed Navajo Hopi Land Commission regarding 2/3 vote. so we shud add full membership. with respect to Council Delegate LoRenzo Bates representing his constituents, an amendment “speaker shall be allowed to vote on voting requirement for above 2/3 votes.”

SPEAKER PRO TEM SETH DAMON are you going to modify, Delegate Tsosie.

TSOSIE yes, so now should be “2/3 vote or higher voting requirement of full membership.

NOTE – TSOSIE CONTINUES TO PUSH FOR SPEAKER TO VOTE IN 2/3 VOTES. ALL HE DID WAS ADD LANGUAGE THAT SPEAKER CAN ALSO VOTE ON VOTING REQUIREMENTS IF HIGHER THAN 2/3 VOTE.

DELEGATE DAVIS FILFRED i support and should extend to allowing committee chairpersons to vote.

DELEGATE BEN BENNETT would there be a conflict of interest if speaker has to certify legislation that he voted on.

CHIEF LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL LEVON HENRY no conflict of interest

DELEGATE BENNETT define conflict of interest.

DELEGATE NELSON BEGAYE I also had same question as Bennett and i believe that the speaker should remain neutral. and if he wants to debate then he can ask for a speaker pro tem.

DELEGATE OTTO TSO i believe speaker shud remain neutral. this issue is about quorum. we had bills fail by one vote and it’s because of no quorum.