Which statement is true about debating a Commit or Refer motion?

• A. It cannot discuss the main motion at all
• B. It may discuss the merits of the main motion only as it relates to the reason to refer
• C. It may discuss any aspect of the main motion
• D. It requires a majority to change the purpose

Answer: (B)

When a motion to commit or refer is on the floor, debate is intentionally focused on why the matter should be sent to a committee rather than decided now. The key point is that the discussion should stick to the merits of referring, specifically as they relate to the reasons for referring the main motion. You can argue that sending it to a committee will provide needed information, allow for further study, or clarify scope, but you don’t dig into the main motion’s substance beyond those reasons.

That’s why the best choice says you may discuss the merits of the main motion only as they relate to the reason to refer. It captures the limited scope of debate in this situation: the main motion itself isn’t open for full consideration until the committee reports back. The other options overstate or mischaracterize what you can debate or how the decision to change the purpose is handled.