Glossary of Terms
Policymaking has a language of its own. Here are some important words and phrases that can help you make sense of this foreign language.
The formal product of a legislative body.
A person who pleads the cause of an individual, group or organization in order to bring about a change in policy.
A change or addition to a bill or motion; must be germane to the subject of the bill or motion.
Person who is appointed by an elected official to serve in an official capacity with a government organization or agency.
Legislator who introduces a bill; chief author has primary responsibility for passage of a bill which may have up to four co-authors; sometimes called sponsors.
The form in which a proposal to create, change, or abolish a law is introduced into the Legislature. It can be an:
- Omnibus bill, one that combines a number of legislative measures related to a single issue, such as education. The phrase often refers to an appropriations bill.
- Authorization bill, one that creates a program for a certain period of time. These bills outline program goals and guidelines.
- Appropriations bill, one that distributes funds approved in the authorization bill.
Bills and/or other items of legislative business listed in the order in which they will be presented in the chamber. Bills are considered by the body (Senate or House). The calendar is very useful to anyone following actions in the chamber.
Legislators who belong to the same political party and are organized to impact legislative actions; "to caucus" is a meeting of these legislators.
Areas of the Capitol in which legislators meet to consider legislation and/or conduct other business.
A group of organizations which share a common interest in a cause and join forces to change the current situation.
A group of legislators, appointed by the leadership, that considers and makes recommendations on bills that have been referred to a committee. Senate and House each has its own committee system. Possible committees include:
- Standing (a permanent committee unless the Rules of the body are changed. )
- Conference (members of Senate and House appointed to reach a compromise on different versions of a bill);
- Joint (includes members from both houses);
- Interim (appointed to study a subject after the session adjourns and charged with reporting back to the Legislature in the next session); and
- Ad hoc (appointed for a specific purpose; dissolves when task is completed).
Senate or House acting as a single committee. When either body meets as a Committee of the Whole, debate is informal and actions are preliminary. Votes are recorded in the Senate when three (3) members demand a vote; in the House when fifteen (15) members demand a vote.
When many groups of people, sharing similar or related interests, join forces to change a community situation or problem.
Identical bills presented in both legislative bodies
Piece of legislation that has been revised to reflect changes - or compromises - made by each legislative body.
Residents of an electoral district who are entitled to elect a representative for a specific government position.
A pre-determined geographic territory.
Person elected by the residents of a district to serve in an official capacity in local, state or federal government.
Publicly-sponsored program requiring the payment of benefits to any person or group that meets the eligibility requirements.
The branch of government that "executes" or administers the laws.
The formal introduction of a bill. Clerk of the legislative body "reads in" the bill; usually the reading of the bill's title is all that is necessary. Following the first reading, the bill is referred to the appropriate committee.
A number assigned to a bill introduced in a legislative body; this number can be used to track a bill's progress from introduction to ratification. Each number is preceded by initials indicating which legislative body is reviewing the bill. For example: H.F. #### would indicate a bill introduced in the state House of Representatives.
Area in the chambers where legislators sit and from which they speak.
Area reserved for the public to observe the chamber.
A list of the bills scheduled to be heard by the Committee of the Whole.
Committee meeting in which points of view on a bill are presented and votes are taken.
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
Important problems, challenges and concerns that policymakers are asked to resolve through legislative, administrative or judicial action.
Official record of the actions taken by the Legislature. Each body has its own journal. A copy of the journal usually is available the day following the proceedings.
The branch of government that interprets and enforces the laws.
Legislative Aide (See Legislative Staff)
General term referring to the House, the Senate or both.
The branch of government that makes the laws that rule a country, state or local government.
Calendar followed by legislators and other public officials. It is generally based on "in-session" and "out-of-session" roles and actions.
Legislative Committee (See Committees)
Administrative support staff assigned to assist a legislator either in a Congressional or district office. Key responsibilities include research, administrative functions, travel arrangements, speaking engagements and constituent meetings.
A person who wages an information campaign to influence or persuade public officials, especially members of a legislative body, to support a point of view or a piece of legislation.
Legislator selected by the Majority Caucus to direct caucus strategy on the floor; leads the caucus.
The assistant majority leader. His or her job is to build support for party legislation.
A committee's changes to a bill.
Legislator selected by the minority Caucus to direct caucus strategy on the floor; leads the caucus.
The assistant minority leader. His or her job is to build support for party legislation.
A proposal made formally to a committee or to the full Senate or House. Bills and other legislative business moves through the Legislature by motions.
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A specific, true situation that exemplifies the cause or issue you support or oppose.
Person elected or appointed to make decisions about and implement existing rule and regulations, control funding, and/or create new rules or amend or abolish existing ones.
Set of rules created by a legislative body that residents of a town, state or county must abide by.
Established by rule, it is the number of legislators that must be present to conduct business; generally, a majority.
Formal approval of a bill, usually in the form of a signature by someone in authority.
Individual elected to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Office that has the authority to put bills in proper legal form.
Adopted by the Legislature, rules regulate the process and actions of the Legislature in a prescribed way.
Following committee action, a committee report is presented to the legislative body and, following acceptance of the report, the bill receives its second reading. Next step: The bill is placed on General Orders.
Individual elected to serve in the U.S. Senate.
Final adjournment of the Legislature.
The presiding officer of the House of Representatives, usually of the majority caucus. Often referred to as "the second most powerful position in state government" (following the Governor).
Members of the legislature who agree to support a piece of legislation and submit it, under his or her name, as a bill for discussion. A co-sponsor is a member from the other house who agrees to submit it in that legislative body.
Rules, regulations and procedures that govern delivery of services to a specific group, such as people with developmental disabilities.
Organized effort to improve the way things are done currently by influencing policymakers and the general public to change existing rules, regulations and procedures.
Your opinion on a pending issue, presented before a legislative committee or other group prior to a vote.
Reading of the bill before the legislative body votes on final passage.
Return of a bill by the Governor to the Legislature without the Governor's signature (which is necessary for a bill to become a law). To override a veto, two-thirds (2/3) majority of the entire Legislature is necessary for passage.