Constitution Section 208 — Rules of procedure

Part VI — THE STATES — Procedure Generally

Constitutional

Summary

Each House of a State Legislature can create its own rules for how it will run its meetings and conduct its business, as long as those rules follow the Constitution. Until those new rules are made, the old rules and standing orders that were in place for the corresponding provincial legislature before the Constitution came into effect will continue to apply, but the Speaker or Chairman can make changes to them. In a State that has two Houses, the Governor can set rules for how the two Houses communicate with each other, but only after consulting with the Speaker and Chairman.

Official Text

(1) A House of the Legislature of a State may make rules for regulating, subject to the provisions of this Constitution, its procedure and the conduct of its business.

(2) Until rules are made under clause (1), the rules of procedure and standing orders in force immediately before the commencement of this Constitution with respect to the Legislature for the corresponding Province shall have effect in relation to the Legislature of the State subject to such modifications and adaptations as may be made therein by the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, or the Chairman of the Legislative Council, as the case may be.

(3) In a State having a Legislative Council the Governor, after consultation with the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly and the Chairman of the Legislative Council, may make rules as to the procedure with respect to communications between the two Houses.