RMA has updated its Resolution Process Policy, which has resulted in some changes to the resolution process
As part of RMA’s governance process, the RMA Board of Directors has undertaken a review of the Resolution Process Policy. Several updates made to the policy will impact the resolution process, including the submission of resolutions and the actual resolution session. Some of the changes are based on recommendations made by the Board Governance Review Committee, while others are based on improvements identified by the Board of Directors. Notable changes include the following:
All resolutions submitted prior to the resolution deadline require endorsement at a district meeting
The previous Resolution Process Policy allowed municipalities to submit “individual resolutions”. These resolutions would be provided directly to RMA from a member municipality and included on the Order Paper without being endorsed at the district level. Individual resolutions are no longer permitted prior to the resolution deadline. However, emergent resolutions may still be submitted by an individual municipality without district endorsement. Emergent resolutions will continue to be evaluated by the resolution committee to ensure they meet the requirements to be considered emergent before being added to the Order Paper.
All resolutions will require a voting result of three-fifths majority to be considered “endorsed” by RMA members
The previous Resolutions Process Policy required resolutions not proposing a legislative change to require a simple majority for endorsement, and resolutions requiring a legislative change to require a three-fifths majority. All resolutions will now require a three-fifths (60%) majority to be considered “endorsed”.
Increased clarity on the emergent resolution process
RMA has received feedback from some members that the emergent resolution process is unclear. The policy has been amended to better specify the definition of an emergent resolution, the requirements of the submitting municipality in terms of justifying why the resolution meets the definition of emergent, and the powers of the Resolutions Committee in determining whether an emergent resolution should be added to the Order Paper.
Increased clarity on the friendly amendment process
RMA has received feedback from some members that the friendly amendment process is unclear. The policy has been amended to clarify the role of the Resolutions Committee Chair in determining whether an amendment can be considered “friendly” as well as the process for addressing friendly and non-friendly amendments.
In addition to the significant changes above, other minor changes have been made as well, so members are encouraged to review the updated version of the policy.
For any questions about the changes, please contact RMA Senior Policy Advisor Wyatt Skovron at wyatt@RMAlberta.com.
Wyatt Skovron
Senior Policy Advisor
780.955.4096
wyatt@RMAlberta.com
Tasha Blumenthal
Director of External Relations & Advocacy
780.955.4094
tasha@RMAlberta.com