What is the difference between an Original Main Motion and an Incidental Main Motion?

• A. An incidental main motion introduces a new subject
• B. An original main motion relates only to committee business
• C. Both are treated the same in all cases
• D. An original main motion introduces a new subject and an incidental main motion relates to the business

Answer: (D)

The key idea here is what each motion is used for in a meeting. An original main motion is the way a member brings a brand-new subject before the assembly for discussion and decision; it starts debate, can be amended, and generally requires a second. An incidental motion arises out of the current business to handle questions of procedure or to address aspects of how the main motion is being handled—things like points of order, parliamentary inquiries, or actions related to the way the motion is treated. It does not introduce a new topic for debate.

So, the correct description is that an original main motion introduces a new subject, while an incidental motion relates to the business already under consideration. The other statements mix up these roles: incidental motions don’t introduce new subjects, original main motions aren’t limited to committee business, and they aren’t treated the same in all cases.