What is a main motion?

• A. A proposal to modify the main motion before voting
• B. A proposal to introduce a new item of business for consideration
• C. A motion to refer to committee
• D. A request to close debate

Answer: (B)

The main motion is the formal proposal that introduces new business for the assembly to consider. It starts the substantive topic on the floor and becomes the item that is discussed and voted on.

So the option describing introducing a new item of business for consideration is the main motion because it precisely captures bringing fresh business before the group to be debated and decided. The other ideas describe different kinds of motions: changing the main motion before voting is an amendment to the main motion, sending the matter to a committee is a motion to refer to committee (a subsidiary motion), and ending debate is a motion to close discussion (a rule-related move rather than the introduction of new business).