RULE 49

Did you know that in addition to the Constitution, Members of the West Virginia House of Delegates must also follow 143 different rules that dictate the actions of its members and the business of the House floor proceedings?

Under a little known House Rule, all members are required to vote on all issues that are presented to the members, with one exception . . . House Rule 49. House Rule 49 allows the Speaker of the House to excuse a member from voting if a member has a direct personal or pecuniary interest on the question (bill) before the members. The disqualifying interest must be such as effects the member directly and not one of a class. Said exception is given by the Speaker, but only if the request is formally placed (announced)before the members prior to voting.