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Glossary of Legislative Terms

Select letter to navigate this comprehensive, alphabetical list of legislative terms:

A B C D E F G H I J L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y

Legislative service
How many states are there in the world?
323
Here are further guidelines.


A
ACT	A bill adopted by the Legislature.
AD HOC COMMITTEE	A committee formed for a short duration, usually to study a specific issue.
ADJOURN	To conclude a day's session with a time set to meet again, or conclude a meeting.
ADJOURN SINE DIE	To conclude a regular or special session without setting a day to reconvene.
ADOPT	To approve formally.
ADOPTED AND ENGROSSED	This is the amendment document which includes the text of the original amendment and all additional amendments made to it.
ADOPTED AS AMENDED	This is the original amendment. Text from additional amendments made to it are not included in this document.
AGENDA	The proposed order of business for a meeting.
AMEND	To modify, delete or add to a proposal.
AMENDMENT	Any change in a bill, resolution, or memorial. A committee amendment is an amendment proposed in a committee meeting. A floor amendment is an amendment proposed on the floor of a legislative chamber. A striking amendment removes everything after the title and inserts a whole new bill. Amendments can be amended.
APPEAL FROM DECISION OF THE CHAIR	A parliamentary procedure for challenging the decision of a presiding officer by asking the members to uphold or reject the decision.
APPROACH THE BAR	A legislator's physical movement from any place on the floor of either house to the rostrum.
AT EASE	A pause in the proceedings of either house, usually for an indefinite time.
ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OPINION	A formal expression of legal reasons and principles regarding statutory or common law questions from state agencies or legislators.
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BAR OF THE HOUSE OR SENATE	The rostrum within both houses behind which sit or stand the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House, and others as designated, for presiding over the body, recording, and processing legislation being considered by the houses.
BICAMERAL	Composed of two chambers or two legislative bodies. The Washington State bicameral legislature is made up of a House of Representatives and a Senate. The legislative biennium is from the second Monday in January in odd-numbered years to the 2nd Monday in January two years later.
BIENNIUM	Two-year period. The Washington State fiscal biennium is from July 1 of odd-numbered years to June 30, two years later.
BILL	A proposed law presented to the Legislature for consideration.
BILL BOOKS	Binders located adjacent to the chamber or in committees containing all bills and amendments currently before or passed by the Legislature or committee.
BILL DIGEST	Summary of a bill, prepared by the Code Reviser's office.
BILL DRAFTING OFFICE	Located in the Pritchard Building in the Code Reviser's office. Drafts legislation to be introduced to the Legislature. (Officially named the Statute Law Committee.)
BILL HISTORY	A record of the action taken on bills, resolutions and memorials.
BILL INDEX	A list of legislative measures by subject matter.
BILL REPORT	Summary of background and effect of bills, prepared by committee staff.
BILLS ON CALENDAR	Printed volumes with yellow covers distributed to each member's floor desk. Includes the full text of bills and proposed committee amendments on the pending calendar.
BUMPING	Slang term for suspending the rules to allow a bill to be advanced from second to third reading without having the bill revert to the Rules Committee.
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CALENDAR	A list or schedule of pending business. Each house has many types of calendars: Regular, Consent, Suspension, Concurring, Dispute, Conference, Gubernatorial Appointments.
CALL OF THE HOUSE OR SENATE	A procedure used to compel attendance of members.
CALL TO ORDER	Notice given indicating the Legislature is officially in session. Also used to restore order during floor action.
CAPITAL	(State Capital)
CAPITOL	The domed capitol building of the state of Washington. In Washington it is called the Legislative Building. It houses The House and Senate chambers and offices for the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Treasurer, Auditor, and Secretary of State.
CAUCUS	A meeting of members of a body who belong to the same political party.
CHAIR	Presiding officer.
CHAMBER	Official hall for the meeting of a legislative body.
CHIEF CLERK	A person elected by the members of the House of Representatives to record the official actions of the House and to be the chief administrative officer of the House.
CODE REVISER	Operating under the supervision of the Statute Law Committee, this person codifies into the appropriate sections of the RCW those measures enacted into law by the Legislature and also codifies administrative rules adopted by executive branch agencies.
COMMITTEE	A portion of a legislative body charged with examining matters specifically referred to it.
COMMITTEE ON COMMITTEES	Committees in each house that select the chairs and members of standing committees.
COMPANION BILL	A bill introduced in the same form in both the House and the Senate.
CONCURRENCE CALENDAR	A list of own-house bills amended by the opposite body and returned for possible concurrence.
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION	A resolution relating to the internal operation of the Legislature, in which one house concurs in the action of the other; it may originate in either house.
CONFERENCE CALENDAR	A list of bills to which both bodies have appointed conferees to discuss differences and seek resolution.
CONFERENCE COMMITTEE	A committee which may be appointed to discuss specific differences of opinion between the House and Senate on bills which have passed each house but with differing positions on one or more amendments.
CONFIRMATION	Approval by the Senate of gubernatorial appointments.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST	Any interest, financial or otherwise, any business or professional activity, or any obligation which is incompatible with the proper discharge of duties.
CONSENT CALENDAR	Special calendar of noncontroversial bills created by the Senate Rules Committee. Closely related to the Suspension Calendar used in the House.
CONSTITUTION	The written instrument embodying the fundamental principles of the state that establishes power and duties of the government and guarantees certain rights to the people.
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT	Proposed change in the _________ State Constitution which has been approved by __________.
CONVENE	Assemble for an official meeting.
COSPONSOR	Two or more persons proposing any document.
CUTOFF DATES	Time certain set by a legislative body for specified action such as bill introduction, committee action, or passage of bills by either house.
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DAY CERTAIN	Adjournment with specific day to reconvene.
DEBATABLE	Open for discussion or argument.
DEBATE	Discussion of a matter following parliamentary rules.
DEPARTMENT REQUEST BILL	A request for legislation proposed by a department of the state (also known as agency request bill).
DISCHARGE	What happens to an elected official who has been recalled.
DISPUTE CALENDAR	Bills amended by one body where the second body refuses to concur and asks the first body to recede.
DISSENT	Difference of opinion.
DIVISION	A method of voting by standing.
DIVISION OF QUESTION	Consideration of each item separately.
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EFFECTIVE DATE	The date a bill, once passed, becomes law. Unless a different date is specified, bills become law ninety days after Sine Die.
EMERGENCY CLAUSE	A provision in a bill that allows a measure to become effective immediately upon the signature of the Governor.
ENACTMENT	The passage of a bill by both houses and the signing by the Governor.
ENGROSSED AMENDMENT	When an amendment has been amended, the changes are worked into the text to create the engrossed amendment.
ENGROSSED BILL	A bill which reflects all amendments made in the house of its origin.
ENROLLED BILL	A bill passed by both houses, which incorporates all amendments, and to which has been attached a certificate of enrollment indicating the date passed, votes cast on the bill, and the certifying officers' signatures. It is presented to the Governor for signature.
ETHICS	Standard of moral conduct. Legislative ethics standards are set forth in Chapter 42.52 RCW and House and Senate rules.
EX OFFICIO	Holding one office by virtue of or because of the holding of another office. Ex-officio members of a committee have voice but may not vote.
EXECUTIVE ACTION	1. Executive action of a standing committee refers to final consideration of a bill by the committee. 2. Executive action on a bill already passed by both houses refers to action taken by the Governor.
EXECUTIVE ORDER	A directive or command from the Governor to agencies in the executive branch.
EXECUTIVE REQUEST BILL	Request for legislation proposed by the Governor.
EXECUTIVE RULES	The House leadership committee that oversees matters relating to staff, the physical plant and equipment, and operational matters. The corresponding committee in the Senate is called Facilities and Operations.
EXECUTIVE SESSION	A meeting for committee members to discuss and vote on bills they wish to report out of committee. These meetings are open to the public but no testimony is taken. Note that in other contexts executive sessions are closed to the public.
EXPULSION	The act wherein a body removes one of its members as provided under its rules.
EXPUNGE:	An action that directs the removal of specific portions from the journal. This is applicable in situations where objectionable, inflammatory or incorrect matter has been included in the journal.
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FACILITIES AND OPERATIONS COMMITTEE	The Senate leadership committee that oversees matters relating to staff, the physical plant and equipment, and operational matters. The corresponding House committee is called EXECUTIVE RULES.
FIRST READING	First of three readings required to pass measures. Bills on first reading are introduced and referred to standing committees.
FLAG CIRCLE	The area between the Legislative Building and the Temple of Justice.
FLASH CALENDAR	A listing of bills on the second or third reading calendar for the next day's agenda in the Senate.
FILIBUSTER:	The prolonged discussion of a bill to delay legislative action.
FLOOR OF THE HOUSE OR SENATE	The actual floor space, committed primarily to legislators' desks, on which the business of the Legislature is conducted.
FLOOR RESOLUTION	A written motion calling for action, which may be offered from the floor of either house. Floor resolutions are usually congratulatory, commendatory, or memorial.
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GALLERY	Areas of both chambers where public visitors may observe the Legislature in session.
GERMANE	Relating directly to a question.
GERRYMANDERING	Legislative district boundary lines drawn to obtain partisan or factional advantages.
GOVERNOR	The chief executive officer of a state.
GRANDFATHER CLAUSE	Inserted in a bill making provisions nonapplicable to activities or personnel involved prior to the enactment of the new legislation.
GREEN SHEET	The list of bills eligible for action by the Senate Rules Committee. Green sheet bills can be placed directly on the second or third reading calendar, if approved by a majority of the members of the Senate Rules Committee. Equivalent to the House Rules Consideration list.
GUBERNATORIAL APPOINTMENT	Designation by the Governor to fill an office or position. The Senate confirms gubernatorial appointments.
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HEARING	A legislative committee meeting at which witnesses present testimony on matters under consideration by the committee.
HONORARY PAGE	A young person who is acting as a nonpaid short-term page for either house.
HOPPER	Box located in the bill drafting area in which legislative measures are deposited for introduction.
HOTLINE	Toll-Free number (1-800-562-6000) operated by the Legislative Information Center by which citizens can leave brief messages to communicate their concerns and opinions to their legislators, the Governor, or the Lt. Governor.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	Lower chamber of our two-body legislature. The House has 98 members who serve two-year terms.
IMPEACHMENT:	Procedure to remove from office a public official accused of misconduct.
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INDEFINITELY POSTPONE	To postpone without setting a definite time for consideration.
INITIATIVE	A legislative power vested in the people. An initiative is proposed through a petition containing signatures of 8 percent of the number of voters voting in the last preceding regular gubernatorial election. There are two types of initiatives: 1. Initiative to the people. Original legislation by the voters, proposing a new law (or changing existing laws) without consideration by the Legislature. 2. Initiative to the Legislature. Original legislation by the voters, proposing a new law (or changing existing laws) for consideration by the Legislature at its next regular session. If not enacted, it is placed on the next general election ballot.
INTERIM	Time between legislative sessions.
INTERIM COMMITTEE ASSEMBLY	A legislative practice during the interim of having some days devoted to committee hearings and caucuses in Olympia or another location within the state.
INTERN	A college or university student from a higher education institution within the state, working with the Legislature, who receives stipend and credit hours. Legislative interns are assigned to members' offices during session and to committee staff during the interim.
INTRODUCTION OF BILLS	An order of business during which new bills are read into the record.
INVOCATION	Prayer given prior to a session. The schedule for persons offering prayer is determined by the presiding officer.
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JARRC	Joint Administrative Rules Review Committee. Reviews agency rules to ensure consistency with legislative intent.
JLARC	Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee. A joint, bipartisan committee which conducts performance audits, program evaluations and other oversight duties assigned by the Legislature.
JOINT COMMITTEE	Committee which consists of members from both houses.
JOINT MEMORIAL	A message or petition addressed to the President and/or Congress of the United States, or the head of any other agency of the federal or state government, asking for consideration of some matter of concern to the state or region. Proposed amendments to the U.S. Constitution are also in the form of joint memorials.
JOINT RESOLUTION	An act of the Legislature which proposes an amendment to the state Constitution for reference to the people for acceptance or rejection. To pass, joint resolutions must receive a two-thirds affirmative vote of the members elected in each house.
JOURNAL	Official record of action of legislative session.
JTC	Joint Transportation Committee. A joint committee composed of eleven senators and twelve representatives which conducts transportation studies between legislative sessions.
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LAW	Common law is law set by precedent in court and by interpretation of the Constitution and statute law. Statute law is governing action or procedure approved through the legislative process.
LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR	Staff director of JLARC.
LEGISLATIVE BUDGET NOTES	Document providing detail about the biennial operating budget.
LEGISLATIVE BUILDING	The domed capitol building of the state of Washington containing the House and Senate chambers and the offices of the Governor, Lt. Governor, Treasurer, Auditor and Secretary of State.
LEGISLATIVE DIGEST AND HISTORY OF BILLS	A publication issued periodically containing the sponsors, titles, short digest of content, legislative actions, and veto messages of the Governor for each bill, memorial, resolution, and gubernatorial appointment.
LEGISLATIVE ETHICS BOARD	Nine-member board with four legislators and five nonlegislators. Authority to interpret and apply the state ethics law for legislators and staff by training, advisory opinions, and complaints.
LEGISLATIVE INFORMATION CENTER (LIC)	Located on the first floor of the Legislative Building, staff are available to answer questions about the Legislature and the legislative process and provide copies of all bills and legislative documents.
LEGISLATIVE INFORMATION SPECIALIST	An employee of the Legislative Information Center who can answer questions about the legislature and provide copies of bills, amendments and other legislative documents.
LEGISLATIVE INTENT	If the words of a law cannot be clearly interpreted as written, the court may refer to the journal and recordings of floor and committee sessions to establish the intent of the Legislature in passing certain bills.
LEGISLATIVE MANUAL	Biennial publication that contains the rules of each body, joint rules, biographical and other information about the Legislature and state government.
LEGISLATIVE REPORT	Summary of legislation passed during one or more legislative sessions.
LEGISLATOR	Elected member of either the House of Representatives or Senate.
LEGISLATURE	The body made up of the members of both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Legislative biennia are also referred to as Legislatures, for example, "The 61st Legislature."
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR	Presiding officer of the Senate.
LOBBYIST	A person who tries to get legislators to introduce or vote for measures favorable and against measures unfavorable to an interest that he or she represents.
LSC	Legislative Service Center. A legislative agency providing planning, data and information processing services, equipment and training in support of the Legislature and legislative agencies. Policy and administrative supervision are provided by the Joint Legislative Systems Committee and the Legislative Systems Administrative Committee.
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MADE ELIGIBLE TO BE PLACED ON SECOND READING	The bill has passed the first of two steps in the rules committee which will decide if the bill will be placed on the floor calendar for a second reading.
MAJORITY LEADER	Leader of the majority party in the state Senate. In the House, second in command to the Speaker. Elected by the majority caucus in each body.
MAJORITY PARTY	The party numbering the most members in a legislative body.
MAJORITY REPORT	Document bearing the signatures of a majority of the members of a committee recommending a particular action on a measure.
MANSION	The official residence of the Governor, located directly west of the Legislative Building.
MEASURE	Any matter before a body such as a bill, memorial, or resolution.
MEDIA DIGEST	Compilation of print media about legislative activities for a certain period. Also called "daily clips."
MEMBERS	Legislators having taken the oath of office.
MINORITY REPORT	Document carrying signature(s) of a minority of the members of a committee recommending an action different from the majority.
MOOT	A term indicating that a motion is not timely because it can no longer affect an action or event.
MOTION	A proposal that the Senate or House take a certain action.
MOTION TO RECONSIDER	A motion which, if it succeeds, would place a question in the same status as it was prior to a previous vote on that question.
MOVE	A formal request for action.
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NEWHOUSE, IRVING R. BUILDING	A two-story building southeast of the Legislative Building, it houses office space for senators and staff (formerly called the Institutions Building).
NULL AND VOID CLAUSE	Language specifying that a measure is invalid unless funding is provided in the budget by a specified date.
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OATH OF OFFICE	Oath taken by members-elect of the Legislature prior to being seated.
O'BRIEN, JOHN L. BUILDING	The four-story building southwest of the Legislative Building containing House members' and staff offices, hearing rooms, and other House facilities.
OFM	Office of Financial Management. The chief executive agency for evaluating the budget, preparing fiscal notes, and providing fiscal policy analysis to the Governor.
OPERATING BUDGET	Two-year plan for funding ongoing activities of state agencies, except transportation.
OPR	Office of Program Research. The House research and committee staff located in the John L. O'Brien Building. Equivalent to Senate Committee Services.
ORDER OF BUSINESS	The usual order of daily activities of a body, set out in its rules.
ORDER OF CONSIDERATION	A list of measures anticipated to be acted upon by the House or Senate on a particular day.
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PAGE	High school students who assist the House or Senate. Each page is appointed by a member for one week, for which they receive a stipend.
PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY	Question posed to chair for clarification of a point in the proceedings.
PASSAGE OF BILL	The act of passing a bill by either or both houses of the Legislature.
PASSED TO RULES COMMITTEE FOR SECOND READING	The bill has been sent to the Rules Committee which will decide if the bill will be placed on the floor calendar for a second reading.
PDC	Public Disclosure Commission. Oversees the reporting of information filed by lobbyists, state agencies, legislators, candidates and political committees on the amount of money spent on the political process and enforces the campaign laws.
PENALTY CLAUSES	Sections of bills which lay out criminal or civil penalties for violation of the law.
PENSION POLICY, SELECT COMMITTEE	Committee which reviews proposed changes to retirement laws and recommends changes.
PER DIEM	Payment in lieu of living expenses.
PETITION	A formal request.
PICTORIAL DIRECTORY	Publication containing pictures and biographical material about the statewide elected officials and members of the Legislature. Known as the "baby book."
PLACED ON SECOND READING BY RULES COMMITTEE	The bill has been sent to the floor of the House or Senate and placed on the floor calendar for a second reading.
PLURALITY	The person or alternative with the most votes between two or more choices; as opposed to a "simple majority," meaning 51 percent or more of those present and voting. A "constitutional majority" is 51 percent or more of those elected to the House or Senate.
POINT OF ORDER	A demand or request by a member for a legislative body to adhere to its rules of procedure.
POSTPONE TO A DAY CERTAIN	To defer consideration until a later time or day.
PREFILING	The act of introducing a bill prior to the beginning of session. Prefiling starts on the first Monday in December prior to the commencement of the session, or twenty days prior to a special session.
PRESIDENT	Presiding officer of the Senate and Lieutenant Governor of the state.
PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE	A senator elected by the Senate to discharge the duties of presiding officer in the Lieutenant Governor's absence.
PREVIOUS QUESTION	A motion to close debate and bring the pending question or questions to an immediate vote.
PRIME SPONSOR	The originator or first name on a bill or amendment that has been introduced.
PRITCHARD, JOEL M. BUILDING	The former state library south of the Legislative Building. It houses the Statute Law Committee, the public cafeteria, and other legislative offices.
PROCLAMATION	An order issued by the Governor, such as a proclamation calling a special session of the Legislature.
PROVISO	A clause in a bill that sets out specific exceptions to the general law.
PULL	Slang term for moving a bill. For example, Rules Committee members may move (pull) bills from the Green sheet to the floor for action by the full Senate or from the White sheet to the Green sheet, or members may vote to pull a bill from a committee to the floor.
PUT THE QUESTION	When the presiding officer instructs the body regarding what it is about to vote on.
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QUORUM	A majority of members of the group concerned. This means a majority of those elected to either house; in a committee, this means a majority of members assigned to the specific committee.
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RCW	Revised Code of Washington - A codification of current statutes as enacted and amended.
RECALL	The recall is the vote of the people which, in effect, tries the elective public officer on charges brought against the officer. All elective public officers except judges of courts of record are subject to recall and discharge from elective offices.
RECEDE	To withdraw from an amendment in which the other house refused to concur.
RECOMMITTED BILL	A procedure whereby a bill is referred back to a standing or conference committee for further consideration. A bill may be recommitted at any time, usually on second or third reading. Recommitment of bills can be used to kill a bill during the final days of a session.
RECONSIDER	To vote again on a question previously before the body.
RED BOOK	The legislative manual: The biennial publication that contains the rules of each body, joint rules, biographical and other information about the Legislature and state government.
REDISTRICTING	Redrawing the boundaries of areas of representation to make them equal in population. Generally done once each decade.
REFER	To send a measure to a committee for study and consideration.
REFERENDUM	Recently passed legislation referred by the Legislature to the voters for their rejection or enactment.
REFERENDUM MEASURE	The legislative power whereby the electorate may call back recently enacted laws for voter consideration. It originates in a petition containing signatures of 4 percent of those registered and voting at the last preceding regular gubernatorial election.
RELIEVED	A committee may be relieved of further consideration of any bill in either house by a majority vote of the members of the particular house.
REORGANIZATION MEETINGS	Meetings of legislative caucuses to select leaders. Generally held in even-numbered years shortly after the general election.
REPEAL	To revoke or abrogate by legislative action.
REPEALER CLAUSE	The section of a bill that lists which RCW sections and chapters of law are revoked and abrogated by the proposed legislation.
REPORTING OUT	Action by a committee on a measure which moves the measure out of the committee. A measure may be reported out with a do pass, do not pass, amend, substitute, refer to another committee, or no recommendation.
RE-REFER	To reassign a measure to a different committee.
REVISED CODE OF WASHINGTON (RCW)	A codification of current statutes as enacted and amended.
ROLL CALL	Record of how members voted on a particular issue or question.
RULE SUSPENDED	To temporarily set aside a rule.
RULES	Regulating principles used in the conduct of legislative business.
RULES COMMITTEE	Committees in each house responsible for setting the daily calendars of the Senate and House. The President of the Senate and Speaker of the House, respectively, serve as chairs of these committees.
RULES CONSIDERATION	The list of bills eligible for action by the House Rules Committee. Bills on the Rules Consideration list can be placed on the second reading or third reading calendar, if approved by a majority of the members of the House Rules Committee.
RULES REVIEW	The list of bills eligible for consideration to be moved to the House Rules Consideration list or calendar. Equivalent to the Senate White sheet.
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SCOPE AND OBJECT	A parliamentary ruling by the presiding officer as to whether a proposed amendment fits within the subject matter of the bill under consideration. Senate and House rules prohibit amendments which change or expand the scope and object of a bill.
SECOND READING	The reading of a bill for the second time, in full, in open session, opening it to amendatory action.
SECRETARY OF THE SENATE	A person elected by the Senate members to record the official actions of the Senate and to be the chief administrative officer of the Senate.
SELECT COMMITTEE	A committee appointed to consider a particular topic for a limited time. Used interchangeably with special committee.
SENATE	Upper chamber of our two-body legislature. The Senate has 49 members who serve four-year terms.
SENATE COMMITTEE SERVICES	The Senate research and committee staff located in the John A. Cherberg Building. Equivalent to House Office of Program Research.
SERGEANT AT ARMS	Enforces protocol of the House or Senate and provides security for the legislative offices.
SESSION	Official meeting of the Legislature. The Constitution provides for one 105-day regular session during odd-numbered years and one 60-day regular session during even-numbered years each biennium.
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE	A section of a bill which instructs the court that if one section of the act is found unconstitutional, the remainder of the act will remain intact.
SHORT TITLE	An abridged description of the bill.
SINE DIE	To conclude a regular or special session without setting a day to reconvene.
SPEAKER	Presiding officer of the House of Representatives.
SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS	A motion to take up a specified measure at a specific time.
SPECIAL SESSION	A session of no more than 30 days, convened by the Governor or the Legislature, following adjournment of the regular session. The Legislature, upon two-thirds vote of all members, may call itself into special session.
SPONSOR	Member offering a bill, amendment, resolution or memorial.
STANDING COMMITTEES	Committees set up by the Legislature to last for the entire length (two years) of a legislature.
STATE OFFICIALS	The nine elected statewide administrative officers: Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Treasurer, Auditor, Commissioner of Public Lands, Insurance Commissioner, and Superintendent of Public Instruction.
STATUS SHEET	A daily publication during session giving status of bills pending or acted upon by the Legislature.
STATUTE	A law enacted by the Legislature.
STATUTE LAW COMMITTEE	The Code Reviser codifies into the appropriate sections of the RCW those measures enacted into law by the Legislature and also codifies administrative rules adopted by executive branch agencies.
STRIKE OUT	To delete language from a bill or resolution.
STRIKING AMENDMENT	Amendment removing everything after the title and inserting a whole new bill. Strikers can be amended, therefore, you might see a designation for Adopted as Amended. The version of the amendment with the changes worked into the text is labeled "Engrossed."
SUBCOMMITTEE	Selected members of a committee designed to study a special area of concern and then report to the whole committee their findings and recommendations.
SUBSTITUTE	A version of a bill offered by a committee in the first house. If adopted, the substitute replaces the original bill or resolution. The floor and the second house cannot offer substitutes.
SUNSET	A program for review of state agencies, programs, and statutes by JLARC and OFM.
SUNSET PROVISION	A date certain for a law to automatically be repealed unless renewed by the Legislature.
SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET	Changes in the second year of the biennium to funds allocated in the original capital, operating, or transportation budgets.
SUPREME COURT	The highest court of the state.
SUSPENSION CALENDAR	Special calendar of noncontroversial bills created by the House Rules Committee. The only question on the floor is acceptance of committee recommendations and advancement to third reading. Closely related to the consent calendar occasionally used in the Senate.
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TABLE	To set aside a matter for possible consideration at a future time.
TERM	Duration of office of an elected official.
TERM LIMITS	Restrictions on the length of service for elected offices.
THIRD HOUSE	An association whose membership includes most of the professional lobbyists in the state.
THIRD READING	The final consideration of a bill before either house. The bill can be debated, tabled, referred, but not amended. Final passage takes a constitutional majority.
TITLE OF BILL	Description of bill or act which encompasses the intent of the bill.
TITLE-ONLY BILL	A bill which contains nothing more than a title and a number. It is introduced in order to have a vehicle on which to amend substance at a later time.
TRANSPORTATION BUDGET	Appropriations for highways, bridges, ferries, transit, vehicle licensing, and traffic enforcement.
TVW	Washington State version of C-SPAN, broadcasting state government meetings and activities.
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ULCER GULCH	Slang term for area in the Legislative Building used by lobbyists and general public for telephone calls and messages.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS	Business which has been laid over from a previous day.
UNICAMERAL LEGISLATURE	A legislative body having only one house, such as a city council. Nebraska has the only unicameral state legislature.
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VETO	Rejection of a bill by the Governor. The Governor has power to veto sections of bills but cannot make any additions. The Governor can also veto appropriation items. To pass a bill over a Governor's veto takes a two-thirds vote of both houses and is known as overriding a veto.
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WAYS AND MEANS	The chief revenue and appropriations committee in the Senate. The committee is responsible for recommending how state monies will be spent and the means that will be used to raise the tax revenues.
WHIP	An assistant to the majority or minority leader, the duties of the whip include counting votes, checking attendance, and maintaining caucus discipline on partisan issues and procedural questions.
WHITE SHEET	The list of bills eligible for consideration to be moved to the Green sheet by the Senate Rules Committee. Pulls from White to Green do not require a vote. Equivalent to the House Rules Review list.
WITHDRAW A MOTION	To recall or remove a motion according to parliamentary procedure.
WITHIN THE BAR	Refers either to a legislator's presence within the bar of the house or to his or her physical presence on the floor of the Legislature.
WORK ROOM	An office in each house where the bills are processed, roll call information retained, and bills engrossed, enrolled, etc.
WORK SESSION	Informal discussion of a measure or topic by a committee. No executive action or amendments are permitted.
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X-FILE	The House and Senate Rules Committees may place bills that will go no further in the process on the "X-file."
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YIELD	To relinquish the floor of the House or Senate to allow another member to speak.

Last Updated: April 15, 2021
Additional Glossary

PATRON: The person who presents a bill or resolution for consideration; may be joined by others, who are known as copatrons. See also: author, introducer, sponsor

PRESIDING OFFICER: Person designated to preside at a legislative session.

PRO TEMPORE (PRO TEM): The designated officer of the senate or house acting in the absence of the regular presiding officer.

REFERRAL: The assigning or referring of a bill to committee.

REPEAL: A method by which a legislative action is revoked or annulled.

ROLL CALL: Names of the members being called in alphabetical order and recorded; used to establish a quorum or to take a vote on an issue before the body.

STATUTE: A formal enactment of the legislature of a more permanent nature. The term "statute" is used to designate written law, as distinguished from unwritten law.

STATUS OF BILL: The progress of a bill at any given time in the legislative process. It can be in committee, on the calendar, in the other house, etc.

STRIKE OUT: The deletion of language from a bill or resolution.

SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION: Adjustment of funds allocated by the original appropriation.

SUSPENSION OF THE RULES: Parliamentary procedure whereby actions can be taken that would otherwise be out of order.