Parliamentary Procedure Q&A

Q: What makes the motions to Adjourn and Recess a qualified or unqualified motion? Examples would be appreciated. - Steve Gratz, Nov. 10, 1999

A: A qualified motion is a motion that is limited, modified or restricted in some way.

The motion To Adjourn is almost always unqualified. An example of a qualified motion To Adjourn is

"... I move we adjourn at 3:00 p.m."

The motion To Recess is always qualified by the duration of the recess, the time of day the recess is to expire, or by identifying an event that will cause the recess to expire. Examples of the motion To Recess are

"... I move we recess for fifteen minutes."
"... I move we recess until 10:25."
"... I move we recess until called to order by the chair."


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