REPORT on amendments to Parliament’s Rules of Procedure affectingChapters 1 and 4 of Title I; Chapter 3 of Title V; Chapters 4 and 5 of Title VII; Chapter 1 of Title VIII; Title XII; Title XIV and Annex II

12.12.2018 - (2018/2170 (REG))

Committee on Constitutional Affairs
Rapporteur: Richard Corbett

PROPOSAL FOR A EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT DECISION

on amendments to Parliament’s Rules of Procedure affecting

Chapters 1 and 4 of Title I; Chapter 3 of Title V; Chapters 4 and 5 of Title VII; Chapter 1 of Title VIII; Title XII; Title XIV and Annex II

(2018/2170(REG))

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to Rules 226 and 227 of its Rules of Procedure,

–  having regard to the report of the Committee on Constitutional Affairs (A8-0462/2018),

1.  Decides to amend its Rules of Procedure as shown below;

2.  Decides that the amendments shall enter into force on the first day of the next part-session with the exception of the amendments inserting the second subparagraph of paragraph 3e in Rule 11 and points 6 and 7 of the Code of appropriate behaviour for Members of the European Parliament in exercising their duties as well as the amendments to Rules 196 and 204, which shall enter into force at the opening of the first part-session following the next elections to the European Parliament due to be held in 2019;

3.  Instructs its President to forward this decision to the Council and the Commission, for information.

Amendment    1 Parliament's Rules of Procedure Rule 11 – title
Present text	Amendment
Members' financial interests and standards of conduct	Standards of conduct
Justification
It is proposed here to split the current Rule 11 into a Rule 11 dealing only with the standards of Members’ conduct and (new) Rules 11a and 11b including paragraphs 1, 2, 6 and 7 of current Rule 11.
Amendment  2 Parliament's Rules of Procedure Rule 11 – paragraph 1
Present text	Amendment
1.  Parliament shall lay down rules governing the transparency of its Members' financial interests in the form of a Code of Conduct which shall be adopted by a majority of its component Members and attached to these Rules of Procedure as an annex4.	deleted
Those rules shall not otherwise prejudice or restrict Members in the exercise of their office or of any related political or other activity.
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4 See Annex I
Justification
To be deleted here and inserted in a new Rule 11a(1). See amendment 20.
Amendment    3 Parliament's Rules of Procedure Rule 11 – paragraph 2
Present text	Amendment
2.  Members should adopt the systematic practice of only meeting interest representatives that have registered in the Transparency Register established by means of the Agreement between the European Parliament and the European Commission on the transparency register5.	deleted
______________
5 Agreement of 16 April 2014 between the European Parliament and the European Commission on the transparency register for organisations and self-employed individuals engaged in EU policy- making and policy implementation (OJ L 277, 19.9.2014, p. 11).
Justification
To be deleted here and inserted in a new Rule 11a(2). See amendment 20.
Amendment    4 Parliament's Rules of Procedure Rule 11 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
Present text	Amendment
The conduct of Members shall be characterised by mutual respect, be based on the values and principles laid down in the Treaties, and particularly in the Charter of Fundamental Rights, and shall respect the dignity of Parliament. Furthermore, it shall not compromise the smooth conduct of parliamentary business, the maintenance of security and order on Parliament's premises or the functioning of Parliament's equipment.	The conduct of Members shall be characterised by mutual respect and shall be based on the values and principles laid down in the Treaties, and particularly in the Charter of Fundamental Rights. Members shall respect Parliament’s dignity and shall not harm its reputation.
Amendment    5 Parliament's Rules of Procedure Rule 11 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2
Present text	Amendment
In parliamentary debates, Members shall not resort to defamatory, racist or xenophobic language or behaviour, nor shall they unfurl banners.	deleted
Amendment    6 Parliament's Rules of Procedure Rule 11 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 3
Present text	Amendment
Members shall comply with Parliament's rules on the treatment of confidential information.	deleted
Amendment    7 Parliament's Rules of Procedure Rule 11 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 4
Present text	Amendment
Failure to comply with those standards and rules may lead to the application of measures in accordance with Rules 165, 166 and 167.	deleted
Amendment    8 Parliament's Rules of Procedure Rule 11 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Present text	Amendment
	3a.  Members shall not compromise the smooth conduct of parliamentary business and shall not compromise the maintenance of security and order on Parliament’s premises or the functioning of its equipment.
Amendment    9 Parliament's Rules of Procedure Rule 11 – paragraph 3 b (new)
Present text	Amendment
	3b.  Members shall not disrupt the good order of the Chamber and shall refrain from improper behaviour. They shall not display banners.
Amendment    10 Parliament's Rules of Procedure Rule 11 – paragraph 3 c (new)
Present text	Amendment
	3c.  In parliamentary debates in the Chamber, Members shall not resort to offensive language.
Amendment    11 Parliament's Rules of Procedure Rule 11 – paragraph 3 c (new) – interpretation
Present text	Amendment
	The assessment of whether the language used by a Member in a parliamentary debate is offensive or not should take into consideration, inter alia, the identifiable intentions of the speaker, the perception of the statement by the public, the extent to which it harms the dignity and reputation of Parliament, and the freedom of speech of the Member concerned. By way of example, defamatory language, “hate speech” and incitement to discrimination based, in particular, on any ground referred to in Article 21 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights, would ordinarily constitute cases of “offensive language” within the meaning of this Rule.
Amendment    12 Parliament's Rules of Procedure Rule 11 – paragraph 3 d (new)
Present text	Amendment
	3d.  Members shall comply with Parliament’s rules on the treatment of confidential information.
Amendment    13 Parliament's Rules of Procedure Rule 11 – paragraph 3 e (new)
Present text	Amendment
	3e.  Members shall refrain from any type of psychological or sexual harassment and shall respect the Code of appropriate behaviour for Members of the European Parliament in exercising their duties which is attached to these Rules of Procedure as an annex 1a
	Members may not be elected as office-holders of Parliament or one of its bodies, be appointed as rapporteur or participate in an official delegation or interinstitutional negotiations, if they have not signed the declaration relating to that Code.
	____________________
	1aThe Code of appropriate behaviour for Members of the European Parliament in exercising their duties, adopted by the Bureau on 2 July 2018, shall become an annex to these Rules.
Amendment    14 Parliament's Rules of Procedure Rule 11 – paragraph 4
Present text	Amendment
4.  The application of this Rule shall not otherwise detract from the liveliness of parliamentary debates, nor shall it undermine Members' freedom of speech.	deleted
It shall be based on full respect for Members’ prerogatives, as laid down in Union primary law and the Statute for Members.
It shall be based on the principle of transparency and be so undertaken that the relevant provisions are made clear to Members, who shall be informed individually of their rights and obligations.
Amendment    15 Parliament's Rules of Procedure Rule 11 – paragraph 5
Present text	Amendment
5.  Where a person employed by a Member, or another person for whom the Member has arranged access to Parliament's premises or equipment, fails to comply with the standards of conduct set out in paragraph 3, the penalties provided for in Rule 166 may, where appropriate, be imposed upon the Member concerned.	5.  Where a person working for a Member, or another person for whom the Member has arranged access to Parliament's premises or equipment, fails to comply with the standards of conduct set out in this Rule, this behaviour may, where appropriate, be imputable to the Member concerned.
Amendment    16 Parliament's Rules of Procedure Rule 11 – paragraph 5 a (new)
Present text	Amendment
	5a.  The application of this Rule shall not otherwise detract from the liveliness of parliamentary debates, nor shall it undermine Members' freedom of speech.
Amendment    17 Parliament's Rules of Procedure Rule 11 – paragraph 5 b (new)
Present text	Amendment
	5b.  This Rule shall apply, mutatis mutandis, in Parliament’s bodies, committees and delegations.
Justification
Proposed addition in order to ensure, in analogy to Rule 165(7), application of the sanction regime to misconduct in committees, bodies and delegations of Parliament.
Amendment    18 Parliament's Rules of Procedure Rule 11 – paragraph 6
Present text	Amendment
6.  The Quaestors shall determine the maximum number of assistants who may be registered by each Member.	deleted
Justification
To be deleted here and inserted in a new Rule 11b. See amendment 20.
Amendment    19 Parliament's Rules of Procedure Rule 11 – paragraph 7
Present text	Amendment
7.  The code of conduct and the rights and privileges of former Members shall be laid down by a decision of the Bureau. No distinction shall be made in the treatment of former Members.	deleted
Justification
To be deleted here and inserted in a new Rule 11a(5). See amendment 20.
Amendment    20 Parliament's Rules of Procedure Rule 11 a (new)
Present text	Amendment
	Rule 11a
	Members’ financial interests and Transparency register
	1.  Parliament shall lay down rules governing the transparency of its Members' financial interests in the form of a Code of Conduct which shall be adopted by a majority of its component Members and attached to these Rules of Procedure as an annex1a.
	Those rules shall not otherwise prejudice or restrict Members in the exercise of their office or of any related political or other activity.
	2.  Members should adopt the systematic practice of only meeting interest representatives that have registered in the Transparency Register established by means of the Agreement between the European Parliament and the European Commission on the transparency register1b.
	3  Members should publish online all scheduled meetings with interest representatives falling under the scope of the Transparency register. Without prejudice to Article 4(6) of Annex I, rapporteurs, shadow rapporteurs and committee chairs shall, for each report, publish online all scheduled meetings with interest representatives falling under the scope of the Transparency register. The Bureau shall provide for necessary infrastructure on Parliament's website.
	4.  The Bureau shall provide the necessary infrastructure on Members’ online page on Parliament’s website for those Members who wish to publish a voluntary audit or confirmation, as provided for under the applicable rules of the Statute for Members and its implementing rules, that their use of the General Expenditure Allowance complies with the applicable rules of the Statute for Members and its implementing measures.
	5.  The code of conduct and the rights and privileges of former Members shall be laid down by a decision of the Bureau. No distinction shall be made in the treatment of former Members.
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	1a See Annex I.
	1b Agreement of 16 April 2014 between the European Parliament and the European Commission on the transparency register for organisations and self-employed individuals engaged in EU policy-making and policy implementation (OJ L 277, 19.9.2014, p. 11).
Justification
See amendment 2 ,3 and 18
Amendment    21 Parliament's Rules of Procedure Rule 34 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Present text	Amendment
	1a.  Intergroups as well as other unofficial groupings shall be fully transparent in their actions and shall not engage in any activities which might result in confusion with the official activities of Parliament or of its bodies. They may not organise events in third countries that coincide with a mission of an official Parliament body, including an official election observation delegation.
Amendment    22 Parliament's Rules of Procedure Rule 34 – paragraph 2
Present text	Amendment
2.  Such groupings shall be fully transparent in their actions and shall not engage in any activities which might result in confusion with the official activities of Parliament or of its bodies. Provided that the conditions laid down in the rules adopted by the Bureau governing their establishment are complied with, political groups may facilitate their activities by providing them with logistical support.	2.  Provided that the conditions laid down in Parliament´s internal rules governing the establishment of such groupings are complied with, a political group may facilitate their activities by providing them with logistical support.
Amendment    23 Parliament's Rules of Procedure Rule 34 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
Present text	Amendment
	Other unofficial groupings shall also be required to declare, by the end of the following month, any support, whether in cash or in kind, which Members have not declared individually in accordance with their obligations under Annex I.
Amendment    24 Parliament's Rules of Procedure Rule 34 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Present text	Amendment
	3 a.  Only interest representatives who are registered in the Transparency register may participate in intergroup or other unofficial grouping activities organised on Parliament’s premises, for instance by attending meetings or events of the intergroup or other unofficial grouping, by offering support to it, or by co-hosting its events.
Amendment    25 Parliament's Rules of Procedure Rule 34 – paragraph 4
Present text	Amendment
4.  The Quaestors shall keep a register of the declarations referred to in paragraph 3. That register shall be published on the Parliament's website. The Quaestors shall adopt detailed rules on those declarations and shall ensure the effective enforcement of this Rule.	4.  The Quaestors shall keep a register of the declarations referred to in paragraph 3. The Quaestors shall adopt detailed rules on those declarations and their publication on Parliament’s website.
Amendment    26 Parliament's Rules of Procedure Rule 34 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Present text	Amendment
	4a.  The Quaestors shall ensure the effective enforcement of this Rule.
Amendment    27 Parliament's Rules of Procedure Rule 128 – paragraph 4
Present text	Amendment
4.  One of the questioners may move the question in Parliament. The addressee shall answer.	4.  A Member designated in advance by the questioners shall move the question in Parliament. If that Member is not present, the question shall lapse. The addressee shall answer.
Justification
Alignment with the proposed Rule 130 b(4) – see below.
Amendment    28 Parliament's Rules of Procedure Rule 130 – paragraph 1
Present text	Amendment
1.  Any Member may put questions for written answer to the President of the European Council, to the Council, to the Commission or to the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy in accordance with criteria laid down in an annex to these Rules of Procedure27. The content of questions shall be the sole responsibility of their authors.	1.  Any Member, a political group or a committee may put questions for written answer to the President of the European Council, to the Council, to the Commission or to the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy in accordance with criteria laid down in an annex to these Rules of Procedure27. The content of questions shall be the sole responsibility of their authors.
________________________	____________________
27 See Annex II	27 See Annex II
Amendment    29 Parliament's Rules of Procedure Rule 130 – paragraph 2
Present text	Amendment
2.  Questions shall be submitted to the President. Issues concerning the admissibility of a question shall be decided by the President. The President's decision shall not be based exclusively on the provisions of the annex referred to in paragraph 1 but on the provisions of these Rules of Procedure in general. The questioner shall be notified of the President's reasoned decision.	2.  Questions shall be submitted in electronic form to the President. Issues concerning the admissibility of a question shall be decided by the President. The President's decision shall not be based exclusively on the provisions of the annex referred to in paragraph 1 but on the provisions of these Rules of Procedure in general. The questioner shall be notified of the President's reasoned decision.
Amendment    30 Parliament's Rules of Procedure Rule 130 – paragraph 3
Present text	Amendment
3.  Questions shall be submitted in electronic format. Each Member may submit a maximum of twenty questions over a rolling period of three months.	3.  Each Member, political group or committee may submit a maximum of twenty questions over a rolling period of three months. As a general rule, the questions shall be answered by the addressee within six weeks of being forwarded to it. However, any Member, political group or committee may every month designate one of its questions as a “priority question” to be answered by the addressee within three weeks of being forwarded to it.
Amendment    31 Parliament's Rules of Procedure Rule 130 – paragraph 5
Present text	Amendment
5.  If a question cannot be answered by the addressee within three weeks (priority question) or within six weeks (non-priority question) of being forwarded to the addressee, it may, at the request of the author, be placed on the agenda for the next meeting of the committee responsible.	5.  If a question was not answered by the addressee within the deadline provided for in paragraph 3, the committee responsible may decide to place it on the agenda for its next meeting.
Amendment    32 Parliament's Rules of Procedure Rule 130 – paragraph 6
Present text	Amendment
6.  Each Member may table one priority question per month.	deleted
Amendment    33 Parliament's Rules of Procedure Rule 130 – paragraph 7
Present text	Amendment
7.  Questions, and any answers, including their related annexes, thereto, shall be published on Parliament’s website.	7.  Questions, and answers, including their related annexes, thereto, shall be published on Parliament’s website.
Amendment    34 Parliament's Rules of Procedure Rule 130a
Present text	Amendment
Rule 130 a	deleted
Minor interpellations for written answer
1.  In minor interpellations, consisting in questions for written answer, the Council, the Commission or the Vice-President of the Commission/High-Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy may be asked by a committee, a political group or at least five per cent of Parliament’s component Members to provide Parliament with information on specifically designated issues.
Such questions shall be submitted to the President who, provided that the questions are in accordance with these Rules of Procedure generally and that they fulfil the criteria laid down in an annex to these Rules of Procedure28, shall ask the addressee to reply within two weeks; the President may extend this time limit in consultation with the questioners.
2.  Questions and answers shall be published on Parliament's website.
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28 See Annex II
Justification
Deleted following merge of Rules 130 and 130a.
Amendment    35 Parliament's Rules of Procedure Rule 130b – title
Present text	Amendment
Major interpellations for written answer with debate	Major interpellations for written answer
Amendment    36 Parliament's Rules of Procedure Rule 130b – paragraph 1
Present text	Amendment
1.  In major interpellations, consisting in questions for written answer with debate, those questions may be put to the Council, the Commission or the Vice-President of the Commission/High-Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy by a committee, a political group or at least five percent of Parliament’s component Members. Questions may include a brief explanatory statement.	1.  Major interpellations shall consist of questions for written answer put to the Council, the Commission or the Vice-President of the Commission/High-Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy by a political group.
Such questions shall be submitted in writing to the President who, provided that the questions are in accordance with these Rules of Procedure generally and that they fulfil the criteria laid down in an annex to these Rules of Procedure29, shall immediately inform the addressee of the question and ask the addressee to state whether it will be answered and, if so, when.
_____________________
29 See Annex II
Amendment    37 Parliament's Rules of Procedure Rule 130b – paragraph 1 a (new)
Present text	Amendment
	1a.  The major interpellation shall be of general interest and shall be submitted in writing to the President. It shall not exceed 500 words. Provided that the major interpellation is in accordance with the provisions of the Rules in general, the President shall immediately transmit it to the addressee for a written answer.
Amendment    38 Parliament's Rules of Procedure Rule 130b – paragraph 1 b (new)
Present text	Amendment
	1b.  There shall be maximum 30 major interpellations every year. The Conference of Presidents shall ensure a fair distribution of such interpellations among the political groups, and no political group shall submit more than one per month.
Amendment    39 Parliament's Rules of Procedure Rule 130b – paragraph 1 c (new)
Present text	Amendment
	1c.  If the addressee fails to answer the major interpellation within six weeks of being forwarded to it, the interpellation shall, at the request of the author, be placed on the final draft agenda of Parliament in accordance with the procedure provided for in Rule 149 and subject to paragraph 3a.
Justification
See amendment 40.
Amendment    40 Parliament's Rules of Procedure Rule 130b – paragraph 2
Present text	Amendment
2.  On receipt of the written reply, the major interpellation shall be placed on the draft agenda of Parliament in accordance with the procedure provided for in Rule 149. A debate must be held if a committee, a political group or at least five per cent of Parliament’s component Members so demand.	2.  On receipt of the written answer, if Members or a political group or groups reaching at least the medium threshold so request, the major interpellation shall be placed on the final draft agenda of Parliament in accordance with the procedure provided for in Rule 149 and subject to paragraph 3a .
Amendment    41 Parliament's Rules of Procedure Rule 130b – paragraph 3
Present text	Amendment
3.  If the addressee refuses to answer the question or fails to do so within three weeks, the question shall be placed on the draft agenda. A debate must be held if a committee, a political group or at least five per cent of Parliament’s component Members so demand. Prior to the debate one of the questioners may be given leave to state supplementary reasons for the question.	deleted
Justification
See amendment 38.
Amendment    42 Parliament's Rules of Procedure Rule 130b – paragraph 3 a
Present text	Amendment
	3a. The number of major interpellations debated during the same part-session shall not exceed three. If debates are requested for more than three major interpellations during the same part-session, the Conference of Presidents shall include them in the final draft agenda in the order it has received those requests for debate.
Amendment    43 Parliament's Rules of Procedure Rule 130b – paragraph 4
Present text	Amendment
4.  One of the questioners may move the question in Parliament. One member of the institution concerned shall answer.	4.  A Member designated in advance by the author, or by those requesting the debate in accordance with paragraph 2, shall move the major interpellation in Parliament. If that Member is not present, the major interpellation shall lapse. The addressee shall answer.
Rule 123(2) to (5) concerning the tabling of, and voting on, motions for resolutions shall apply mutatis mutandis.	Rule 123(2) to (8) concerning the tabling of, and voting on, motions for resolutions shall apply mutatis mutandis.
Amendment    44 Parliament's Rules of Procedure Rule 130b – paragraph 5
Present text	Amendment
5.  Such questions, as well as the answers to them, shall be published on Parliament's website.	5.  Such interpellations, as well as the answers to them, shall be published on Parliament's website.
Amendment    45 Parliament's Rules of Procedure Rule 165 – paragraph 1
Present text	Amendment
1.  The President shall call to order any Member who disrupts the smooth conduct of the proceedings or whose conduct fails to comply with the relevant provisions of Rule 11.	1.  The President shall call to order any Member who breaches the standards of conduct defined in Rule 11 (3b) or (3c).
Amendment    46 Parliament's Rules of Procedure Rule 165 – paragraph 2
Present text	Amendment
2.  If the offence is repeated, the President shall call the Member to order a second time, and the fact shall be recorded in the minutes.	2.  If the breach is repeated, the President shall call the Member to order a second time, and the fact shall be recorded in the minutes.
Amendment    47 Parliament's Rules of Procedure Rule 165 – paragraph 3
Present text	Amendment
3.  If the disturbance continues, or if a further offence is committed, the Member may be denied the right to speak and may be excluded from the Chamber by the President for the remainder of the sitting. In cases of exceptional seriousness, the President may also resort to exclusion of the Member concerned from the Chamber for the remainder of the sitting immediately and without a second call to order. The Secretary-General shall, without delay, see to it that such disciplinary measures are carried out, with the assistance of the ushers and, if necessary, of Parliament's Security Service.	3.  If the breach continues, or if a further breach is committed, the Member may be denied the right to speak and may be excluded from the Chamber by the President for the remainder of the sitting. In cases of exceptional seriousness, the President may also resort to exclusion of the Member concerned from the Chamber for the remainder of the sitting immediately and without a second call to order. The Secretary-General shall, without delay, see to it that such disciplinary measures are carried out, with the assistance of the ushers and, if necessary, of Parliament's Security Service.
Amendment    48 Parliament's Rules of Procedure Rule 165 – paragraph 5
Present text	Amendment
5.  The President may decide to interrupt the live broadcasting of the sitting in the case of defamatory, racist or xenophobic language or behaviour by a Member.	5.  The President may decide to interrupt the live broadcasting of the sitting in the case of a breach of Rule 11(3b) or (3c) by a Member.
Amendment    49 Parliament's Rules of Procedure Rule 165 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 1
Present text	Amendment
The President may order the deletion from the audiovisual record of the proceedings of those parts of a speech by a Member that contain defamatory, racist or xenophobic language.	The President may order the deletion from the audiovisual record of the proceedings of those parts of a speech by a Member that breach Rule 11(3b) or (3c).
Amendment    50 Parliament's Rules of Procedure Rule 166 – paragraph 1
Present text	Amendment
1.  In serious cases of disorder or disruption of Parliament in violation of the principles laid down in Rule 11, the President shall adopt a reasoned decision imposing the appropriate penalty.	1.  In serious cases of breach of Rule 11 (3a) to (5b), the President shall adopt a reasoned decision imposing upon the Member concerned the appropriate penalty in accordance with this Rule.
	In relation to Rule 11 (3b) or (3c), the President may adopt a reasoned decision under this Rule regardless of whether or not an immediate measure within the meaning of Rule 165 had previously been imposed upon the Member concerned.
	In relation to Rule 11 (3e), the President may only adopt a reasoned decision under this Rule following the establishment of the occurrence of a harassment in accordance with the applicable internal administrative procedure on harassment and its prevention.
	The President may impose a penalty upon a Member in cases in which provision is made, by these Rules of Procedure or by a decision adopted by the Bureau under Rule 25, for the application of this Rule.
The Member concerned shall be invited by the President to submit written observations before the decision is adopted. In exceptional cases, the President may convene an oral hearing of the Member concerned.
That decision shall be notified to the Member concerned by registered letter or, in urgent cases, via the ushers.
After that decision has been notified to the Member concerned, any penalty imposed on a Member shall be announced by the President in Parliament. The presiding officers of the bodies, committees and delegations on which the Member serves shall be informed.
Once the penalty becomes final, it shall be published prominently on Parliament's website, and shall remain there for the rest of the parliamentary term.
Amendment    51 Parliament's Rules of Procedure Rule 166 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Present text	Amendment
	1a.  The Member concerned shall be invited by the President to submit written observations before the decision is adopted. The President may decide to convene an oral hearing instead whenever it is more appropriate.
	The decision imposing the penalty shall be notified to the Member concerned by registered letter or, in urgent cases, via the ushers.
	After that decision has been notified to the Member concerned, any penalty imposed on a Member shall be announced by the President in Parliament. The presiding officers of the bodies, committees and delegations on which the Member serves shall be informed.
	Once the penalty becomes final, it shall be published prominently on Parliament's website, and shall remain there for the rest of the parliamentary term.
Amendment    52 Parliament's Rules of Procedure Rule 166 – paragraph 2
Present text	Amendment
2.  When assessing the conduct observed, account shall be taken of its exceptional, recurrent or permanent nature and of its seriousness.	2.  When assessing the conduct observed, account shall be taken of its exceptional, recurrent or permanent nature and of its seriousness. Account shall also be taken, if applicable, of possible damage inflicted on the dignity and reputation of Parliament.
A distinction should be drawn between actions of a visual nature, which may be tolerated provided they are not offensive, defamatory, racist or xenophobic, and remain within reasonable bounds, and those which actively disrupt parliamentary activity.
Justification
It is proposed to delete the interpretation, because, on the one hand, the revised Rule 166 would no longer deal with rules on conduct, and, on the other hand, content-wise this interpretation would be superfluous in light of the proposed new drafting of Rule 11 (3b).
Amendment    53 Parliament's Rules of Procedure Rule 166 – paragraph 4
Present text	Amendment
4.  The measures laid down in points (b) to (e) of paragraph 3 may be doubled in the case of repeated offences, or if the Member refuses to comply with a measure taken under Rule 165(3).	4.  The measures laid down in points (b) to (e) of paragraph 3 may be doubled in the case of repeated breaches, or if the Member refuses to comply with a measure taken under Rule 165(3).
Amendment    54 Parliament's Rules of Procedure Rule 174 – paragraph 7
Present text	Amendment
7.  The President may put other amendments to the vote collectively where they are complementary, unless a political group or Members reaching at least the low threshold have requested separate or split votes. Authors of amendments may also propose such collective votes where their amendments are complementary.	7.  The President may put other amendments to the vote collectively where they are complementary, unless a political group or Members reaching at least the low threshold have requested separate or split votes. Authors of amendments may also propose collective votes on their amendments.
Amendment    55 Parliament's Rules of Procedure Rule 174 – paragraph 10
Present text	Amendment
10.  Amendments in respect of which a roll-call vote has been requested shall be put to the vote individually.	10.  Amendments in respect of which a roll-call vote has been requested shall be put to the vote separately from other amendments.
Amendment    56 Parliament's Rules of Procedure Rule 177 – interpretation
Present text	Amendment
Any infringement of this Rule is considered as a serious case of disorder as referred to in Rule 166(1) and will have the legal consequences mentioned in that Rule.	Any infringement of this Rule is considered a serious breach of Rule 11(3b).
Justification
Necessary alignment to new Rule 11(3b)
Amendment    57 Parliament's Rules of Procedure Rule 196
Present text	Amendment
Rule 196	Rule 196
Setting-up of standing committees	Setting-up of standing committees
Parliament shall, on a proposal from the Conference of Presidents, set up standing committees. Their responsibilities shall be defined in an annex to these Rules of Procedure52. That annex shall be adopted by a majority of the votes cast. Their members shall be appointed during the first part-session following the re-election of Parliament and again two and a half years thereafter.	Parliament shall, on a proposal from the Conference of Presidents, set up standing committees. Their responsibilities shall be defined in an annex to these Rules of Procedure52. That annex shall be adopted by a majority of the votes cast. Their members shall be appointed during the first part-session following the re-election of Parliament.
The responsibilities of standing committees can also be defined at a time other than that at which the committee is set up.	The responsibilities of standing committees can also be redefined at a time other than that at which the committee is set up.
_________________	_________________
52 See Annex V.	52 See Annex V.
Justification
The proposed changes concerning Rule 196 would enter into force in 2019 together with the revised Rule 196.
Amendment    58 Parliament's Rules of Procedure Rule 204 – paragraph 1
Present text	Amendment
1.  At the first committee meeting after the appointment of committee members pursuant to Rule 199, the committee shall elect a bureau consisting of a Chair and of Vice-Chairs from among its full members in separate ballots. The number of Vice-Chairs to be elected shall be determined by Parliament upon a proposal by the Conference of Presidents. The diversity of Parliament must be reflected in the composition of the bureau of each committee; it shall not be permissible to have an all male or all female bureau or for all of the Vice-Chairs to come from the same Member State.	1.  At the first committee meeting after the appointment of committee members pursuant to Rule 199, and again two and a half years thereafter, the committee shall elect a bureau consisting of a Chair and of Vice-Chairs from among its full members in separate ballots. The number of Vice-Chairs to be elected shall be determined by Parliament upon a proposal by the Conference of Presidents. The diversity of Parliament must be reflected in the composition of the bureau of each committee; it shall not be permissible to have an all male or all female bureau or for all of the Vice-Chairs to come from the same Member State.
Justification
Clarification following proposed change of Rule 196.
Amendment    59 Parliament's Rules of Procedure Rule 210a – title
Present text	Amendment
Procedure for the consultation by a committee of confidential information received by Parliament	Procedure for the consultation by a committee of confidential information in a committee meeting in camera
Amendment    60 Parliament's Rules of Procedure Rule 210a – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
Present text	Amendment
Once the Chair of the committee has declared that the confidential procedure is to be applied, the meeting shall be attended only by members of the committee and by officials and experts who have been designated in advance by the Chair and whose presence is strictly necessary.	Once the Chair of the committee has declared that the confidential procedure is to be applied, the meeting shall be in camera and may be attended only by members of the committee, including substitute members. The committee may decide, in compliance with the applicable inter-institutional legal framework, that other Members may attend the meeting pursuant to Rule 206(3). The meeting may also be attended by those persons who have been designated in advance by the Chair, as having a need-to-know, in due respect of any restrictions stemming from the applicable rules governing the treatment of confidential information by Parliament. As regards the consultation of classified information at the level of CONFIDENTIEL UE/EU CONFIDENTIAL and above, or in case of specific limitations of access stemming from the interinstitutional legal framework, additional restrictions may apply.
Justification
The main objective of this amendment is to avoid any possible incoherence with the applicable implementing rules on the treatment of confidential information (Bureau decision of 15 April 2013) as well as with the applicable interinstitutional agreements.
Amendment    61 Parliament's Rules of Procedure Rule 210a – paragraph 4
Present text	Amendment
4.  Members or a political group or groups reaching at least the medium threshold in the committee which has applied the confidential procedure may request consideration of a breach of confidentiality. This request may be placed on the agenda of the next committee meeting. By a majority of its members, the committee may decide to submit the matter to the President for further consideration under Rules 11 and 166.	4.  Without prejudice to the applicable rules on breach of confidentiality in general, Members or a political group or groups reaching at least the medium threshold in the committee which has applied the confidential procedure may request consideration of a breach of confidentiality. This request may be placed on the agenda of the next committee meeting. By a majority of its members, the committee may decide to submit the matter to the President for further consideration under Rules 11 and 166.
Amendment    62 Parliament's Rules of Procedure Rule 211 – title
Present text	Amendment
Public hearings on citizens’ initiatives	Public hearings and debates on citizens’ initiatives
Amendment    63 Parliament's Rules of Procedure Rule 211 – paragraph 7 a (new)
Present text	Amendment
	7 a.  Parliament shall hold a debate on a citizens' initiative published in the relevant register pursuant to point (a) of Article 10(1) of Regulation (EU) No 211/2011, at a part-session following the public hearing and shall, when placing the debate on its agenda, decide whether or not to wind up the debate with a resolution. It shall not wind up the debate with a resolution if a report on an identical or similar subject matter is scheduled for the same or the next part-session, unless the President, for exceptional reasons, proposes otherwise. If Parliament decides to wind up a debate with a resolution, the committee responsible for the subject matter or a political group or Members reaching at least the low threshold may table a motion for a resolution. Rule 123(3) to (8) concerning the tabling and voting of motions for resolutions shall apply mutatis mutandis.
Amendment    64 Parliament's Rules of Procedure Rule 223a – title – footnote
Present text	Amendment
61 Rule 223a shall only apply to European political parties and European political foundations within the meaning of Article 2 (3) and (4) of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1141/2014. See also footnotes to Rules 224 and 225.	61 Rule 223a shall only apply to European political parties and European political foundations within the meaning of Article 2 (3) and (4) of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1141/2014.
Amendment    65 Parliament's Rules of Procedure Rule 223a – paragraph 2 a (new)
Present text	Amendment
	2a.  On the basis of the first subparagraph of Article 10(3) of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1141/2014, a group of at least 50 citizens may submit a reasoned request inviting Parliament to request the verification mentioned in paragraph 2. That reasoned request shall not be launched or signed by Members. It shall include substantial factual evidence showing that the European political party or European political foundation in question does not comply with the conditions referred to in paragraph 2.
	The President shall forward admissible requests from groups of citizens to the committee responsible for further examination.
	Following that examination, which should take place within four months from the President’s referral, the committee responsible may, by a majority of its component members representing at least three political groups, submit a proposal to follow up the request and inform the President thereof.
	The group of citizens shall be informed of the outcome of the committee’s examination.
	Upon reception of the committee proposal, the President shall communicate the request to Parliament.
	Following such a communication, Parliament shall, by a majority of the votes cast, decide on whether or not to lodge a request to the Authority for European political parties and European political foundations.
	The committee shall adopt guidelines for the treatment of such requests from groups of citizens.
Amendment    66 Parliament's Rules of Procedure Rule 229 – paragraph 3
Present text	Amendment
These provisions shall not apply to petitions and communications that do not require a decision.	These provisions shall not apply to petitions, citizens’ initiatives and communications that do not require a decision.
Justification
The objective is to ensure that Parliament’s ongoing proceedings in relation to ECIs would not lapse at the end of a given term.
Amendment    67 Parliament's Rules of Procedure Annex II – title
Present text	Amendment
CRITERIA FOR QUESTIONS AND INTERPELLATIONS FOR WRITTEN ANSWER UNDER RULES 130, 130A, 130B, 131 AND 131A	CRITERIA FOR QUESTIONS AND INTERPELLATIONS FOR WRITTEN ANSWER UNDER RULES 130, 131 AND 131A
Justification
Alignment with the relevant Rules.

INFORMATION ON ADOPTION IN COMMITTEE RESPONSIBLE

Date adopted	6.12.2018
Result of final vote	+: –: 0:	21 0 0
Members present for the final vote	Mercedes Bresso, Richard Corbett, Ramón Jáuregui Atondo, Alain Lamassoure, Maite Pagazaurtundúa Ruiz, György Schöpflin, Barbara Spinelli
Substitutes present for the final vote	Max Andersson, Charles Goerens, Siôn Simon
Substitutes under Rule 200(2) present for the final vote	Daniela Aiuto, Albert Deß, Sven Giegold, Krzysztof Hetman, Monika Hohlmeier, Danuta Jazłowiecka, Seán Kelly, Gabriel Mato, Anne-Marie Mineur, Pavel Poc, Gabriele Preuß

FINAL VOTE BY ROLL CALL IN COMMITTEE RESPONSIBLE

21	+
ALDE	Charles Goerens, Maite Pagazaurtundúa Ruiz
EFDD	Daniela Aiuto
GUE/NGL	Anne-Marie Mineur, Barbara Spinelli
PPE	Albert Deß, Norbert Erdős, Krzysztof Hetman, Monika Hohlmeier, Danuta Jazłowiecka, Seán Kelly, Gabriel Mato, György Schöpflin
S&D	Mercedes Bresso, Richard Corbett, Ramón Jáuregui Atondo, Pavel Poc, Gabriele Preuß, Siôn Simon
VERTS/ALE	Max Andersson, Sven Giegold

0	-

0	0

Key to symbols:

+  :  in favour

-  :  against

0  :  abstention