A resolution expressing the Sense of the Senate regarding the use of electronic devices on the floor of the Senate.

Bill: 113-sres-385
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]
Introduced: 2014-03-13
Policy area: Congress
Subjects: Computers and information technology

Legislative rules and procedure

Members of Congress

Senate
Latest action: action_date: 2014-03-13
text: Referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration. (text of measure as introduced: CR S1662)

Summaries:
action_date: 2014-03-13
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p>Expresses the sense of the Senate that:</p> <ul> <li>certain uses of electronic devices by Senators on the floor of the Senate are necessary and proper in the conduct of official Senate business, would not distract, interrupt, or inconvenience the business of Members of the Senate, and should therefore be permissible;</li> <li> necessary and proper uses of electronic devices on the floor of the Senate do not include: (1) transmitting sound for any purpose other than through earphones or in such a manner as would not disturb proceedings on the floor of the Senate for the purpose of assisting a person with a disability; (2) using telephones or other devices for voice communication; or (3) using desktop computers, laptop computers, or other large devices;</li> <li>the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration should consider an amendment to the Rules for the Regulation of the Senate Wing consistent with the principles stated above; and</li> <li>any amendment to the Rules should take into account possible future changes in technology.</li> </ul>

tv_txt: III 113th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 385 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 13, 2014 Mr. Whitehouse (for himself and Mr. Enzi ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration RESOLUTION Expressing the Sense of the Senate regarding the use of electronic devices on the floor of the Senate.

That it is the Sense of the Senate that— (1) certain uses of electronic devices by Senators on the floor of the Senate are necessary and proper in the conduct of official Senate business, would not distract, interrupt, or inconvenience the business of Members of the Senate, and should therefore be permissible, including— (A) delivering floor remarks from text displayed on personal digital assistant devices and tablet computers; (B) reviewing and editing documents on personal digital assistant devices and tablet computers while seated or standing at a desk, except when the Senator who wishes to use the device holds the floor or seeks to be recognized; and (C) sending email and other data communication using personal digital assistant devices and tablet computers while seated or standing at a desk, except when the Senator who wishes to use the device holds the floor or seeks to be recognized; (2) necessary and proper uses of electronic devices on the floor of the Senate do not include— (A) transmitting sound for any purpose other than through earphones or in such a manner as would not disturb proceedings on the floor of the Senate for the purpose of assisting a person with a disability; (B) using telephones or other devices for voice communication; or (C) using desktop computers, laptop computers, or other large devices; (3) the Committee on Rules and Administration should consider an amendment to the Rules for the Regulation of the Senate Wing consistent with the principles stated above; and (4) any amendment to the Rules for the Regulation of the Senate Wing should take into account possible future changes in technology.