22A. PROTECTION OF DELIBERATIONS


(a) This rule is adopted pursuant to the constitutional, statutory, and inherent powers of the Senate and is intended to protect the deliberations of the Senate, Senate committees, Senate party caucuses, and other official meetings from undue disruption and interruption.

(b) (1) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b) (2) of this rule, all wireless electronic devices shall be rendered mute or set on vibrate when operated or used in the Senate chambers, in the galley of the Senate chambers, in the hearings of Senate committees, in Senate party caucuses, or in any other official meetings of Senate members held in the Capitol or the Legislative Services Building.

(2) Senators, legislative staff, witnesses, and others recognized to speak may use wireless electronic devices to play audio or video recordings while speaking in the Senate chambers, in the hearings of Senate committees, in Senate party caucuses, or in any other official meetings of Senate members held in the Capitol or the Legislative Services Building.

(3) Wireless electronic devices shall not be used for any audible communications in the Senate chambers or in the gallery of the Senate chambers.

(c) Violations of this rule shall be punishable as prescribed by the President of the Senate, and punishments may include, but need not be limited to, temporary or permanent confiscation of said electronic devices.