GLOSSARY OF LEGISLATIVE TERMS

ACT

Legislation enacted into law. A bill which has passed both houses of the Legislature, been signed by the Governor, allowed to become law without his signature or passed over the Governors veto. It is a permanent measure, having the force of law until repealed.

ADJOURNMENT

Termination of a session for that day, with the hour and day of the next meeting being set prior to adjournment.

ADJOURNMENT SINE DIE

Final termination of a regular or special legislative session.

ADOPTION

Approval or acceptance; usually applied to amendments or resolutions.

AGENDA

Schedule of business proposed for consideration.

AMENDMENT

Any alteration made or proposed to be made in a bill or paragraph thereof, by adding, changing, substituting or omitting.

AMENDMENT, CONSTITUTIONAL

A proposal of amendment to the constitution passed by both houses in two separate bienniums which requires approval of the voters at a general election.

APPEAL

A parliamentary procedure for testing and possibly changing the decision of a presiding officer.

APPORTIONMENT

Establishment of legislative districts from which members are elected.

APPROPRIATION

Fund allocated for various departments of government set aside by formal action for specific use.

APPROPRIATION, SUPPLEMENTAL

Funds appropriated to programs for which the original appropriation proved insufficient

APPROVAL BY GOVERNOR

Signature of the Governor on a bill passed by the Legislature.

ARCHIVES

Historical records stored at the office of the Secretary of State.

ASSISTANT CLERK

Non-member officer appointed by the Clerk, performs duties as prescribed by the Clerk and acts as Clerk in the Clerk’s absence.

AUTHOR

Legislator who is the primary sponsor of a bill or amendment.

BICAMERAL

A Legislature containing two houses.

BILL

Draft of a proposed law presented to the Legislature for consideration.

BILL HISTORY

Record of all action on any given bill. The term is also applied to action on resolutions and joint resolutions.

BILL INDEX

List of legislative bills or resolutions by subject matter or number.

BILL, SHORT FORM

A measure consisting of the name of the Sponsor, title and a short statement of purpose, substance being amended into it at a later date.

BUDGET

Suggested allocation of State moneys, compiled by the Governor in conjunction with department heads and presented to the Legislature for consideration.

CALENDAR, DAILY

List of legislation, arranged according to the order of business which is scheduled for consideration by the rules of the House on a legislative day. Printed daily and placed on the members desk each morning.

CALL TO ORDER

Notice given indicating the Legislature is officially in session. It is also used to call a disorderly member to order.

CARRY-OVER LEGISLATION

Legislation held over from one session to the next during the 2 year biennium.

CAUCUS

An informal meeting of a group of the Members, usually called on the basis of party affiliation.

CHAIR

An abstract designation of a presiding officer or chairperson.

CHAMBER

Official hall for the meeting of a legislative body.

CLERK

A non-member officer elected by the body as its administrative officer and advisor on parliamentary procedure. Performs duties as prescribed in the Rules of the House.

COMMIT

The referral and sending of a bill or resolution to a committee.

COMMITTEE

A body of Members appointed by the Speaker to consider and make recommendations concerning disposition of bills, resolutions or other related matters.

COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN

A member appointed by the Speaker to function as the parliamentary head of a standing committee.

COMMITTEE OF CONFERENCE

Committee composed of three members of both houses, appointed by the Speaker in the House and Committee on Committees in the Senate, to resolve the differences between the two houses on an amended bill. Said committee reports recommendations and/or amendments back to the respective houses for further action.

COMMITTEE, INTERIM

Committees appointed to study a specific problem between sessions to report to the Legislature before a date certain with recommendations. Such committees are usually created by joint resolution or by statute.

COMMITTEE, JOINT

Committee composed of members of both houses.

COMMITTEE REPORT

An official release from a committee of a bill or resolution, either without a recommendation, or with a specific recommendation, such as favorable, favorable with amendment or unfavorable.

COMMITTEE, STANDING

A committee authorized by the rules of the body, appointed by the Speaker in the House and the Committee on Committees in the Senate. Said committees have a continuing responsibility in the general field of activity as set forth in the rules of the respective body.

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

Either House of the legislature sitting as a committee to consider unique or special matters.

CONCURRENCE

Action by which one house agrees to a proposal or action which the other house has approved. A proposal may be amended, adopted and then returned to the other house for concurrence.

CONFIRMATION

Approval by the Senate of an executive appointment.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

Untenable position which threatens the ability of a legislator to vote impartially due to some personal interest in a legislative issue.

CONSTITUENT

A citizen residing within the district of a legislator.

CONSTITUTION

A written instrument embodying the fundamental principles of the State that guarantees powers and duties of the government and guarantees certain rights to the people.

CONTESTED SEAT

A situation in which two or more contestants claim the right to represent a legislative district.

CONTINGENCY FUND

Money appropriated to the Emergency Board for any unforeseen expenses that may arise during the fiscal year.

CONVENE

The meeting of the Legislature daily, weekly and at the beginning of a session as provided by the constitution.

CO-AUTHOR OR CO-SPONSOR

One of two or more persons proposing any bill or resolution.

DAY CERTAIN

Adjournment with a specific day to reconvene.

DEBATE

Discussion of a matter according to parliamentary rules.

DIED IN COMMITTEE

Measure defeated or not acted on in committee.

DILATORY

Deliberate repeated use of parliamentary procedure to delay action on a legislative matter.

DISSENT

Difference of opinion, also to cast a negative vote.

DISTRICT

That division of the State represented by a legislator, determined by population, and distinguished numerically and by geographical boundaries.

DIVISION

A method of voting; a request that members stand to be counted when the outcome of a voice vote is unclear or in dispute.

DIVISION OF THE QUESTION

Procedure to separate a matter to be voted on into two or more questions, usually requested on an amendment.

EFFECTIVE DATE

A law becomes effective on July 1 after being signed by the Governor unless a date is specified.

ENACTING CLAUSE

That clause of an act which formally expresses the legislative sanction. It varies in different states and in Vermont begins with It is hereby enacted@.

ENROLLED BILL

A final copy of a bill passed by the legislature.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

A session excluding from the chamber all persons other than members and essential staff personnel. This is rarely used in Vermont.

EX-OFFICIO

Individuals appointed or elected by virtue of the position they hold. Usually non-voting members, serving in an advisory capacity.

FILIBUSTER

A strategic device by which a minority can control the floor through extended debate on a controversial measure for the purpose of delaying or preventing passage.

FIRST READING (INTRODUCTION)

The first of three readings of a bill (by title only).

FISCAL YEAR

An accounting period of twelve months: in Vermont, from July 1 through June 30.

FLOOR

That portion of the assembly chamber reserved for members and officers of the assembly and other persons granted the privilege of the floor while the chamber is in session.

FREE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE

Same as conference committee, with additional power to insert new matter, to facilitate compromise. Rarely used in Vermont.

GALLERY

Balconies of chamber from which visitors may view the proceedings of the Legislature.

GERMANENESS

The relevance or appropriateness of amendments or substitutes.

GERRYMANDERING

Legislative district boundary lines drawn to obtain partisan or factional advantage.

GOVERNOR’S PROCLAMATION

A means by which the Governor may call an extra or special session of the Legislature.

GRANDFATHER CLAUSE

Laws providing new or additional professional qualifications often contain a clause exempting persons presently practicing an affected profession from having to comply.

HEARING

Public discussions and appearance on a proposal which may be scheduled by a committee.

HOPPER

A depository for bills filed for introduction.

HOUSE

A legislative body, more commonly known as the House of Representatives.

IMPEACHMENT

Procedure to remove from public office public officials accused of misconduct.

INDEFINITE POSTPONEMENT

A form of final adverse disposition of a proposal for that session of the Legislature.

INTERIM

The interval between regular sessions.

INTRODUCTION (FIRST READING)

The formal presentation of a proposal after it has been drafted by the Legislative Council.

INVOCATION

Prayer given prior to session.

JOINT ASSEMBLY

Meeting of House and Senate in House chamber by Joint Resolution, for specific purpose, such as elections, speeches, etc.

JOINT RULES

Rules governing procedure of Senate and House when meeting in Joint Assembly and other relations between the two bodies.

JOURNAL, DAILY

Contains a brief record of the previous day’s proceedings, including roll call votes, remarks made by Members that are ordered to be printed, and a general description of action taken on all legislation considered that day. Printed daily and placed on the Member’s desks before the start of the following day’s session.

JOURNAL, PERMANENT

Official chronological record of proceedings of the Senate and House, compiled from daily journals, indexed, printed and bound at the close of each session. Indexed by author, bill number, subject matter and general information including committee appointments, interim committees etc.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

Attorneys and other Professionals involved in the bill drafting process and legislative research.

LEGISLATIVE DIRECTORY AND STATE MANUAL

Published each biennium by the Secretary of State who serves as Editor. It contains detailed information on State government as well as pictures and biographical data of Members & Officials of the General Assembly. It also contains biographical data of the members of the Judiciary, Constitutional Officers and many members of the Executive Branch.

LEGISLATOR

Elected member of a legislative body.

LEGISLATURE

The branch of State Government responsible for enacting laws.

LOBBYIST

A representative of a special interest group whose function is to influence legislation affecting the special interest group.

MAJORITY LEADER

A member of the majority party designated to be its leader.

MEMBERS ELECT

Members elected but not having taken the path of office or officially serving.

MEMBERS PRESENT

The term used to refer to those Members who are actually present at a daily session.

MESSAGE

An official communication from one house to the other or from the Governor to the Legislature, usually transmitting bills, resolutions or information regarding them; they become part of the official Journal.

MICROPHONES

Located on each desk in the House, to be used by Members when addressing the Speaker or in debate. These are controlled by switches at the members’ desk and should be turned off when the Member is not speaking. The microphone should be held approximately two inches from the mouth, speaking clearly.

MINORITY LEADER

A member of the minority party designated to be its leader.

MINUTES

Accurate record of the proceedings of a meeting in chronological order.

MOTION

Formal proposal offered by a Member of a deliberative assembly.

NON-CONCURRENCE

When one house refuses to agree with the other house on a bill, resolution or amendment.

NON-DEBATABLE

Those subjects or motions that cannot be debated or discussed.

OATH OF OFFICE

Oath taken by members-elect of the Legislature prior to being seated and embarking upon official duties.

ORDER TO LIE

A means of disposing of a bill or resolution (the bill was “ordered to lie” i.e. tabled).

OUT OF ORDER

Not being conducted under proper parliamentary rules and procedures.

PAGES

Pages are students, usually in the eighth grade. Pages are appointed by the Sergeant at Arms and are under his supervision. There are three teams of ten and each team works for approximately six weeks. They are available to assist members and may be summoned by the tapping of a pen or pencil. Pages supply extra copies of bills, Journals, Calendars; pass messages amongst Members and run miscellaneous errands.

PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY

Question posed to the Speaker for clarification of a point in a proceeding.

PASSAGE OF A BILL

Favorable action on a measure before either house.

PENDING QUESTION

The matter under consideration at the present time.

PER DIEM

Literally, per day; daily expense money rendered legislators.

PETITION

Formal request submitted by an individual or group to the Legislature.

POINT OF ORDER

A statement by a Member calling attention to an alleged breach of order or parliamentary procedure.

POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE

A statement defending the rights, reputation or conduct of a legislator in his or her official capacity.

POSTPONE INDEFINITELY

A means of disposing of an issue and not setting a date to again consider it.

POSTPONE TO A TIME CERTAIN

To defer consideration to a definite later time or day.

PRECEDENT

Interpretation of rulings by presiding officers on specific rules; also unwritten rules which are established by custom.

PRESIDENT

By constitutional enactment, the Lieutenant Governor is the presiding officer of the Senate and is referred to while presiding as “Mr. President.”

PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE

The person elected by the Senate to have the same powers as the President in the latter’s absence.

PRESIDING OFFICER

Person designated to preside at a legislative session (usually the Speaker and the Lieutenant Governor).

PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR

Permission granted to a non-member of the body to be in that portion of the legislative chamber during session that is reserved for members and staff personnel. (House rule 84).

PROCEDURE

Rules and traditional practices of the respective houses of the Legislature.

QUORUM

The required number of Members present to transact business which is usually 76 in the House and 16 in the Senate.

READING CLERK

An officer who assists the Clerk by reading bills, messages and resolutions etc. at the desk.

REAPPORTIONMENT

Re-division of the State into equal legislative districts based on the most recent census.

RETURN CUSTODY OF A BILL

A motion which returns a bill to the House or Senate for further consideration.

RECEDE

Withdraw from an amendment or position on a matter.

RECESS

Intermission in a daily session.

RECOMMIT

To send back to committee.

RECONSIDERATION

A process whereby a measure previously adopted or defeated can be re-opened and acted on again. The motion must be made on the next legislative day.

REFERRAL

The sending or referring of a bill to committee.

REGULAR ORDER OF BUSINESS

The established sequence of business set up for each legislative day, also referred to as the “Orders of the day.”

REGULATION

A rule or order of an agency of the state promulgated under the authority of a statute passed by the Legislature.

REJECTION

An action which defeats a bill, motion or other matter.

REPORT

Written notice to the House or Senate of action taken in committee on bills.

REPRESENTATIVE

A member of the House of Representatives.

RESOLUTION, JOINT

Affects the action of the General Assembly and the members thereof: is not used for general legislation; is used to express sentiments of the legislature, for authorizing use of funds appropriated to the General Assembly and for other incidental purposes. (House rules 52 & 53 and Senate rules 51 & 52)

RESOLUTION, HOUSE OR SENATE

Same as joint resolution, except it is the expression on one house.

REVENUE

Yield of taxes and other sources of income the State collects.

ROLL CALL

The vote on an issue by the alphabetical calling of the members names.

ROSTER (LIST OF MEMBERS)

Booklet containing names and addresses of members, officers and districts of each house for the current session,

RULES

Methods of legislative procedure; Joint Rules govern both houses, and House or Senate rules regulate only the one house.

SENATE

A legislative body, usually the body in a bicameral legislature having the fewer number of members (the Vermont Senate has 30 members).

SENIORITY

A custom sometimes used in making committee assignments. A recognition of prior legislative service in appointing committee chairmen or party leaders in a legislature.

SERGEANT-AT-ARMS

An officer of the legislature elected by the Representatives and Senators to maintain order as well as maintenance and upkeep of the Statehouse.

SESSION

The formal continuous convening of the Legislature, from the first legislative day to the day of final adjournment (sine die)

SINE DIE

Adjournment “without day” being set for reconvening; Final adjournment.

SPEAKER

Presiding officer of the House, elected by that body.

SPECIAL ORDER

Matter of business set for a special time and day.

SPONSOR

Legislator who is an author of a bill or amendment.

STAND AT EASE

A term referring to that situation in which the House or Senate does not recess or adjourn but suspends its deliberations for indeterminate periods of time.

STANDING COMMITTEE

Regular committees of the Legislature, set up by the rules of the House or Senate (the Vermont House has 15 and the Vermont Senate has 12 standing committees).

STATE THE QUESTION

To place a question before the legislative body for its consideration.

STATUS OF A 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

Adjustments of funds allocated over the original appropriation.

TERM OF OFFICE

Duration of office of an elected official.

TITLE

A concise statement of the contents of a bill.

UNCONTESTED

Refers to a piece of legislation which is not objected to by any member of the House.

UNICAMERAL

A single body legislature (Nebraska is the only state that has only one House at this time).

VETO

The action of a Governor in disapproval of a measure; on its return to the Legislature, each house either sustains the veto or overrides it.

VETO OVERRIDE

To pass a bill over the Governor’s veto which requires a 2/3rd vote of the members present of each house.

VOICE VOTE

Oral expression of the Members when a question is submitted for their determination. Response is given by “ayes” and “nays” and the presiding officer states his or her decision as to which side prevailed.

VOTE

Formal expression of will or decision by the body.

VOTE, DIVISION

To vote by standing.

VOTE, ROLL CALL

Alphabetical calling of the members to vote which is recorded in the Journal.

WITHDRAW A BILL OR MOTION

To recall or remove a bill or motion according to parliamentary procedure.

WITHOUT RECOMMENDATION

A committee report which is neither favorable nor unfavorable.

YEAS AND NAYS

Recorded vote of members on an issue (same as a roll call vote).

YIELD

The relinquishing of the floor to another Member to speak or ask a question.