Parliamentary Procedure and Process

The motion to commit (refer) is used when the mover believes that the issue warrants further study
or refinement that’s not possible right away. Motions to refer should be clear about what committee (already existing, or special) will consider the matter, its task or charge, and when it shall report.

Unless other stipulations are made in the action adopted, special committees [K.1] are appointed by the GA [Co-]Moderator[s]. When matters are referred to committees by the GA, the action often comes by way of a main motion, sometimes with special instructions to the committee.

The Standing Rules [F.5.a] limit speeches in plenary to two minutes, but the body by a 2/3 vote can modify debate by setting further time limits on individual speeches, the number of speeches, the total time for further debate, or the hour by which a vote will be taken. Time limits on speeches beyond two minutes can also be extended by suspending the rules – but with the press of business, that’s usually not the desire.