What does a motion to "commit or refer" signify in a meeting?

A motion to "commit or refer" in a meeting signifies the intention to delegate a specific matter or issue for further discussion and consideration to a committee. This is an important procedural tool used in meetings because it allows the assembly to send detailed topics to a smaller group, which can examine the matter more thoroughly, discuss it in greater depth, and propose recommendations for the entire assembly to consider at a future meeting.

Utilizing this motion helps streamline the decision-making process, as committees can focus on specific issues and often have specialized knowledge that can inform the larger body. By referring a motion to a committee, the members ensure that more comprehensive discussions take place, enabling better-informed decisions later on.

In contrast, introducing new business, adjourning a meeting, or closing debate do not involve delegating discussions to a committee and focus instead on different procedural aspects of meeting governance.