Glossary Flashcards
Act
a bill that becomes law
Adjournment
Ending a meeting or legislative session.
When the Legislature adjourns at the end of a session, it’s called adjournment sine die (sign-ee die)
Amend
To change an existing law or proposed bill
Amendment
A proposed change to a bill, such as an addition or deletion.
Appropriation
An authorization to spend state or federal money. The Legislature appropriates money by passing bills that authorize agencies to spend money for certain purposes.
Such bills must originate in the House of Representatives.
Biennial
Occurring every 2 years. The Montana Legislature meets biennially in odd-numbered years.
Bill
A proposal introduced in the Legislature to enact a new law or amend or repeal an existing law.
Caucus
A group of legislators with a common interest.
Although the term usually is used to describe the Democratic and Republican caucuses, it can also be used to describe other groups of legislators, such as an Indian Caucus.
As a verb, “to caucus” means to have a meeting.
Chamber
Either of the houses of a bicameral Legislature.
The term also can be used to refer to the room in which each house meets.
Chief Clerk of the House
An employee appointed by the Speaker of the House to supervise all House employees, oversee the handling of bills, and keep House records.
Committee of the Whole
The entire body of a chamber, such as the House or Senate, sitting as a committee for the transaction of business.
When the House or Senate considers a bill on second or third reading, it meets as a Committee of the Whole.
Concurrence
Agreement by one chamber to a proposal or action taken by the other chamber.
Conference committee
A committee consisting of members from each chamber.
The purpose of the committee is to resolve differences in a bill that has been passed in different versions by each chamber.
Constituent
A resident of the district that a legislator has been elected to represent.
Convene
To officially begin the meeting of a legislative body.
Daily agenda
A list of bills to be considered by each chamber during the day’s business.
District
A geographical area of the state from which a senator or representative is elected.
District boundaries are determined every 10 years following the completion of the census. Each district is designated by a number.
There are 50 Senate districts and 100 House districts.
Effective date
The date on which a law takes effect. Most laws take effect on October 1 following a session unless the bill specifically states otherwise.
Bills appropriating money take effect on July 1 following a session.
Bills providing for the taxation of or the imposition of a fee on motor vehicles take effect on January 1 following passage and approval.
Enact
To pass a new law
Engrossing
The incorporation of all amendments and all appropriate technical corrections into the text of a bill.
Enrolling
Preparing a bill in the final form that it passes the Legislature.
First reading
The point in the legislative process when a bill is assigned to a committee for a public hearing.
Fiscal note
A page or pages attached to a bill that estimates the financial impact of a bill on the government.
Floor sessions
That part of a legislator’s work day that takes place when the full House or Senate meets in its chambers to conduct business.
Gallery
The balcony area above a legislative chamber. The public can watch the floor sessions from here.
Hearing
Public discussion scheduled by a standing committee for the purpose of gathering information on a bill.