Final answer:
When a presiding officer is unsure about the germaneness of an amendment, they should refer to the body's specific procedures, like seeking advice from the parliamentarian or putting it to a member vote, taking into account that in the U.S. Senate, not all debates require amendments to be germane.
Step-by-step explanation:
If the presiding officer cannot determine the germaneness of an amendment, they should follow the Senate's rules or the body's specific procedures. In the U.S. Senate, for example, amendments do not have to be germane during unlimited debate, with discussions ending when no one seeks to be recognized. However, if this situation arises in a legislative body where germaneness is required, and the presiding officer, such as the Speaker of the House, cannot make a determination, they typically would seek advice from the parliamentarian or submit the question to a vote among the members. This process ensures that the legislative body, as a whole, can determine whether an amendment is pertinent to the bill at hand. It maintains the integrity of the legislative process by ensuring that the amendments considered are relevant to the legislation being debated.