Sen. Floyd McKissick may want to brush up on Senate rules.

The Durham Democrat, who has been in the Senate since 2007, missed a crucial opportunity to object to a motion to send his bill back to a committee during debate this morning.

McKissick's bill would allow counties to provide health insurance to former employees. But Senate Majority Leader Tony Rand objected, saying it could allow former county commissioners to get insurance benefits for too long.

During discussion of the bill, a number of senators raised questions about what kinds of employees would be affected, including part-time or short-time workers.

Sen. Bob Atwater offered an amendment that would require counties to establish a policy before extending benefits.

Rand, an old hand at parliamentary procedure, then moved to re-refer the bill to the committee on pensions and retirement so the amendment could be considered there.

More after the jump.

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