Glossary of Legislative Terms
A | B | C
| D | E | F | G
| H | I | J | K
| L | M | N | O
| P | Q | R | S
| T | U | V | W
| X | Y | Z
A
Across the Desk
The official act of introducing a bill or resolution. The measure is given
to the Chief Clerk or his or her representative at the Assembly Desk in
the Assembly Chamber or to the Secretary of the Senate or his or her representative
in the Senate Chamber. The measure then receives a number and becomes
a public document available from the bill room (or at www.leginfo.ca.gov).
Each proposed amendment to a measure also must be put across the desk
in the Assembly or Senate in order to be considered for adoption.
Act
A bill passed by the Legislature and enacted into law.
Adjournment
Termination of a meeting, occurring at the close of each legislative day
upon the completion of business, with the hour and day of the next meeting
being set prior to adjournment.
Adjournment Sine Die
Final adjournment of the Legislature; regular sessions of the Legislature,
and any special session not previously adjourned, are adjourned sine die
at midnight on November 30 of each even-numbered year.
Adoption
Approval or acceptance; usually applied to amendments, resolutions, or
motions.
Amendment
Proposal to change the text of a bill after it has been introduced. Amendments
must be submitted to the Legislative Counsel for drafting or approval.
Author's amendments - Amendments proposed by the bill's author. Author's amendments to a bill may be adopted on the floor prior to the Committee hearing on the bill with the Committee chair's approval.
Hostile amendments - Amendments proposed by another member and opposed by the author in a Committee hearing or during Assembly or Senate floor consideration.
Analysis of the Budget Bill
The Legislative Analyst's comprehensive examination of the Governor's
budget, available to legislators and the public about six weeks after
the Governor submits the budget to the Legislature.
Appropriation
The amount of money made available for expenditure by a specific entity
for a specific purpose, from the General Fund or other designated state
fund or account.
Appropriations Limit
A limitation in the California Constitution on the maximum amount of tax
proceeds that state or local government may appropriate in a fiscal year.
The limit is based on 1986-87 fiscal year appropriations, and is adjusted
annually.
Approved by the Governor
Signature of the Governor on a bill passed by the Legislature.
Archives
Refers to both location and contents of public records kept by the Secretary
of State, including copies of all measures considered at each session,
journals, Committee reports, and documents of historic value.
Assembly
The house of the California Legislature consisting of 80 members, elected
from districts determined on the basis of population. Two Assembly districts
are situated within each Senate district.
Assistant Chief Clerk
Performs the duties of the Chief Clerk of the Assembly in his or her absence.
Author
Member of the Legislature who introduces a legislative measure.
B
BCP (Budget Change Proposal)
A document prepared by a state agency, and submitted to the Department
of Finance, to propose and document budget changes to support operations
of the agency in the next fiscal year; used in preparing the Governor's
budget.
Bicameral
Refers to a legislature consisting of two houses (see Unicameral).
Bill
A proposed law, introduced during a session for consideration by the Legislature,
and identified numerically in order of presentation; also, a reference
that may include joint and concurrent resolutions and constitutional amendments.
Bill Analysis
A document prepared by Committee and/or floor analysis staff prior to
hearing the bill in that Committee or on the floor of the Assembly or
Senate. It explains how a bill would change current law and sometimes
identifies major interest groups in support or opposition.
Blue Pencil
The California Constitution grants the Governor "line item veto" authority
to reduce or eliminate any item of appropriation in any bill including
the Budget Bill. Years ago the Governor used an editor's blue pencil for
the task.
Bond Bill (general obligation bonds)
A bill authorizing the sale of state general obligation bonds to finance
specified projects or activities. Subsequent to enactment, a general obligation
bond bill must be approved by the voters.
Budget
Proposed expenditure of state moneys for the next fiscal year, presented
by the Governor in January of each year for consideration by the Legislature;
compiled by the Department of Finance, in conjunction with state agency
and department heads.
Budget Act
The Budget Bill after it has been enacted into law.
Budget Bill
The bill setting forth the spending proposal for the next fiscal year,
containing the budget submitted to the Legislature by the Governor.
Budget Change Proposal
See BCP.
Budget Year
The fiscal year addressed by a proposed budget, beginning July 1 and ending
June 30.
C
COLA
Cost-of-living adjustment.
Cal-SPAN (The California Channel)
The cable television channel that televises Assembly and Senate proceedings.
Call of the House
On motion from the floor to place a call of the house, the presiding officer
directs the Sergeant-at-Arms to lock the chambers(2) Any group of legislators
who coalesce formally because of their ../common/ interest in specific
issues.
Chair
The current presiding officer, usually in the context of a Committee hearing.
Call the Absentees
Order by the presiding officer directing the reading clerk to call the
names of Members who have not responded to the roll call and bring in
the absent Members (by arrest, if necessary) to vote on a measure under
consideration. Action is not taken on an item under call until the call
is lifted, at which time it must be immediately voted on..
Capital Outlay
Generally, expenditures to acquire or construct real property.
Capitol Press Corps
Those members of the press who cover events in the Capitol.
Casting Vote
The deciding vote the Lieutenant Governor may cast in the case of a tie
vote in the Senate.
Caucus
(1) A closed meeting of legislators of one's own party.
(2) Any group of legislators who coalesce formally because of their ../common/ interest in specific issues.
Chair
The current presiding officer, usually in the context of a Committee hearing.
Chamber
The Assembly or Senate location where floor sessions are held.
Chapter
When a bill has been passed by the Legislature and enacted into law, the
Secretary of State assigns the bill a "chapter number" such as "Chapter
123, Statutes of 1992," which is subsequently used to refer to the measure
in place of the bill number.
Chapter Out
When, during a calendar year, two or more bills amend the same section
of law and more than one of those bills becomes law, the bill enacted
last (and therefore given a higher chapter number) becomes law and prevails
over the bill or bills previously enacted (see Double Joint).
Check-in Session
Certain weekdays when legislators do not meet in formal legislative sessions,
they are required to "check in" with the Chief Clerk of the Assembly or
Secretary of the Senate. Mondays and Thursdays are ordinarily floor session
days. Check-in days are typically Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Chief Clerk
An Assembly employee elected by Assembly Members at the beginning of every
two-year session to serve as principal parliamentarian and record keeper
of the Assembly. Responsible for all Assembly daily and weekly publications.
Coauthor
A member of either house whose name is added to a bill as a coauthor by
amending the bill, usually indicating support for the proposal.
Codes
Bound volumes of law organized by subject matter. The code sections to
be added, amended, or repealed by a bill are identified in the title of
the bill.
Committee of the Whole
The Assembly or Senate meeting as a Committee for the purpose of receiving
information.
Companion Bill
An identical bill introduced in the other house. This procedure is far
more ../common/ in Congress than in the California Legislature.
Concurrence
The approval by the house of origin of a bill as amended in the other
house. If the author is unwilling to move the bill as amended by the other
house, the author requests "nonconcurrence" in the bill and asks for the
formation of a conference Committee.
Concurrent Resolution
A measure introduced in one house that, if approved, must be sent to the
other house for approval. The Governor's signature is not required. These
measures usually involve the internal business of the Legislature.
Conferees
Members of a conference Committee.
Conference Committee
Usually composed of three legislators (two voting in the majority on the
disputed issue, one voting in the minority) from each house, a conference
Committee meets in public session to forge one version of a bill when
the house of origin has refused to concur in amendments to the bill adopted
by the other house. For the bill to pass, the conference Committee version
must be approved by both Assembly and Senate. Assembly conferees are chosen
by the Speaker; Senate conferees are chosen by the Senate Committee on
Rules.
Confirm
The process whereby one or both houses approve the Governor's appointments
to executive offices, departments, boards, and commissions.
Consent Calendar
File containing bills that received no dissenting votes in Committee.
Constituent
A person who resides within the district represented by a legislator.
Constitutional Amendment
A resolution proposing a change to the California Constitution. It may
be presented by the Legislature or by initiative, and is adopted upon
voter approval at a statewide election.
Consultant
Ordinarily, a professional staff person who works for a legislative Committee.
Contingent Effect
Section in a bill indicating that it is to become operative only upon
the enactment of another measure (to be distinguished from double jointing).
Contingent Funds
The funds from which moneys are appropriated by the respective houses
for their operating expenses.
Convene
To assemble a meeting. Each house of the Legislature usually convenes
twice a week.
D
Daily File
Publication produced by each house for each day the house is in session.
The publication provides information about bills to be considered at upcoming
Committee hearings and bills that are eligible for consideration during
the next scheduled floor session. Pursuant to Joint Rule 62(a), any bill
to be heard in Committee must be noticed in the Daily File for four days,
including weekend days. The Daily File also contains useful information
about Committee assignments and the legislative calendar.
Daily History
Produced by the Assembly and Senate respectively the day after each house
has met. The History lists specific actions taken on legislation. Each
measure acted upon in that house the previous day is listed in numerical
order.
Daily Journal
Produced by the Assembly and Senate respectively the day after a floor
session. Contains roll call votes on bills heard in policy Committees
and bills considered on the floor, and other official action taken by
the body. Any official messages from the Governor are also included. A
Member may seek approval to publish a letter in the Journal on a specific
legislative matter. At the end of a legislative session, the Journals
are bound.
Desk
The long desk in front of the presiding officer's rostrum where much of
the clerical work of the body is conducted. Also, a generic term for the
staff and offices of the Secretary of the Senate and the Chief Clerk of
the Assembly.
Desk Is Clear
Statement by the presiding officer that there is no further business before
the house.
Digest
Prepared by the Legislative Counsel, it summarizes the effect of a proposed
bill on current law. It appears on the first page of the printed bill.
District
The area of the state represented by a legislator. Each district is determined
by population and is designated by a number. There are 40 Senate districts
and 80 Assembly districts.
District Bill
A bill that generally affects only the district of the Member of the Legislature
who introduced the bill.
Do Pass
Motion that, if adopted by a Committee, moves a bill to the floor or to
the next Committee.
Do Pass As Amended
Committee motion that a bill be passed with the recommendation that the
floor adopt specified amendments.
Double Joint
Amendments to a bill providing that the amended bill does not override
the provisions of another bill, where both bills propose to amend the
same section of law (see Chapter Out).
Double Refer
Legislation recommended for referral to two policy Committees for hearing
rather than one. Both Committees must approve the measure to keep it moving
in the process. Typically used for sensitive subject areas that transcend
the jurisdiction of one policy Committee. Bill referrals are made by the
Assembly and Senate Committees on Rules for their respective houses.
Dropped
Author has decided not to pursue the passage of the bill.
E
Enacting Clause
The following phrase at the beginning of the text of each bill: "The people
of the State of California do enact as follows."
Engrossment
When a bill is amended, the printed form of the bill is proofread by staff
to assure that the amendments are inserted properly. After being proofread,
the bill is "correctly engrossed" and is thereupon deemed to be in proper
form.
Enrollment
Whenever a bill passes both houses of the Legislature, it is ordered enrolled.
In enrollment, the bill is again proofread for accuracy and then delivered
to the Governor. The "enrolled bill" contains the complete text of the
bill with the dates of passage certified by the Secretary of the Senate
and the Chief Clerk of the Assembly. A resolution, when enrolled, is filed
directly with the Secretary of State.
Ex Officio
(literally: out of or because of one's office) The act of holding one
office by reason of holding another. For example, the Lieutenant Governor
is, ex officio, a member of the Regents of the University of California.
Executive Session
A Committee meeting restricted to Committee members and specifically invited
persons.
Expunge
A motion by which an action taken in a floor session is deleted from the
Daily Journal (for example, "Expunge the record").
Extraordinary Session
A special legislative session called by the Governor by proclamation to
address only those issues specified in the proclamation; also referred
to as a special session. Measures introduced in these sessions are numbered
chronologically with a lower case "x" after the number (for example, AB
28x).
F
File
See Daily File.
File Number
The number assigned to a measure in the Assembly or Senate Daily File.
The file number changes each day as bills move on or off the Daily File.
File numbers are assigned to measures on second and third reading; in
conference; unfinished business (a bill amended in the other house and
awaiting concurrence in amended form); and Governor's appointments. Legislation
is taken up on the Assembly or Senate floor in chronological order according
to file number. Items considered on the floor are ordinarily referred
to by file number.
Final History
The publication printed at the end of every session showing the final
disposition of all measures.
Finance Letter
Revisions to the Budget Bill proposed by the Department of Finance and
addressed to appropriate Committee chairs in the Assembly and Senate.
First Reading
Each bill introduced must be read three times before final passage. The
first reading of a bill occurs when it is introduced.
Fiscal Bill
Generally, a measure that contains an appropriation of funds or requires
a state agency to incur additional expense. The Legislative Counsel's
designation of whether a bill is a fiscal bill appears at the end of the
Digest found in the printed bill. Fiscal bills must be heard by the Assembly
and Senate Appropriations Committees in addition to the policy Committees
in each house.
Fiscal Committee
The Appropriations Committee in the Assembly and the Appropriations Committee
in the Senate, to which each fiscal bill is referred upon approval by
policy Committee. If the fiscal Committee approves a bill, it then moves
to the floor.
Fiscal Deadline
The date on the legislative calendar by which all bills with fiscal effect
must have been taken up in a policy Committee and referred to a fiscal
Committee. Any fiscal bill missing the deadline is considered "dead" unless
it receives a rule waiver allowing further consideration.
Fiscal Year
The 12-month period on which the state budget is planned, beginning July
1 and ending June 30 of the following year. The federal fiscal year begins
October 1 and ends September 30 of the following year.
Floor
(1) The Assembly or Senate Chamber.
(2) The term used to describe the location of a bill or the type of session, connoting action to be taken by the house. Matters may be said to be "on the floor."
Floor Manager
The legislator responsible for taking up a measure on the floor. This
is always the bill's author in the house of origin, and a Member of the
other house designated by the author when the bill is considered by the
other house. The name of the floor manager in the other house appears
in parentheses after the author's name in the second or third reading
section of the Daily File.
Floor Pass
A visitor may not observe the Assembly or Senate from the rear of the
chamber without a floor pass. Assembly passes are issued by the Speaker's
office; Senate passes are issued by the President pro Tempore's office.
Passes are not required for the viewing area in the gallery above the
chambers.
Foreign Amendments
Amendments not drafted by the Office of Legislative Counsel.
Four-Day File Notice
As set forth in Joint Rule 62(a), the requirement that each bill in the
first Committee of reference be noticed in the Daily File for four days
prior to the Committee hearing at which it will be considered. At a second
or subsequent Committee of reference, a notice of only two days is required.
G
Germaneness
Referring to the legislative rule requirement that an amendment to a bill
be relevant to the subject matter of the bill as introduced. The Legislative
Counsel may be asked to opine on germaneness, but the matter is subject
to final determination by the full Assembly, or the Senate Committee on
Rules.
Governor's Budget
The spending plan submitted by the Governor in January for the next fiscal
year (see Budget).
Grandfathering
When a preexisting situation is exempted from the requirements of a new
law.
H
Handbook
The 3" x 5-3/4" hardbound edition of "California Legislature" published
for each two-year legislative session. Contains indexed versions of the
Assembly, Senate, and Joint Rules; biographies of members; and other useful
information. Published by the Chief Clerk of the Assembly and Secretary
of the Senate.
Hearing
A Committee meeting convened for the purpose of gathering information
on a subject or considering specific legislative measures.
Held in Committee
Status of a bill that fails to receive sufficient affirmative votes to
pass out of Committee.
Hijack
Adoption of amendments that delete the contents of a bill and insert provisions
on a different subject (see Germaneness). May occur with or without the
author's permission.
House
In California, refers to either the Senate or the Assembly.
I
Inactive File
The portion of the Daily File containing legislation that is ready for
floor consideration, but, for a variety of reasons, is dead or dormant.
An author may move a bill to the inactive file, and move it off the inactive
file at a later date. During the final weeks of the legislative session,
measures may be moved there by the leadership as a method of encouraging
authors to take up their bills promptly.
Initiative
A legislative proposal to change statutory law or the California Constitution,
submitted directly by members of the public rather than by the Legislature,
and requiring voter approval at a statewide election. To qualify for a
statewide ballot, a statutory initiative must receive signatures equal
to 5 percent, and a constitutional amendment initiative must receive signatures
equal to 8 percent, of the votes for all candidates for Governor at the
last gubernatorial election.
Inquiry System
A database containing bill analyses, bill status, bill text, votes, and
other useful information for bill tracking and research by legislative
employees in Sacramento and district offices. The system is maintained
by the Legislative Data Center, which is a part of the Office of Legislative
Counsel.
Interim
The period of time between the end of a legislative year and the beginning
of the next legislative year. The legislative year ends on August 31 in
even-numbered years and in mid-September in odd-numbered years.
Interim Study
The assignment of the subject matter of a bill to the appropriate Committee
for study during the period the Legislature is not in session.
J
Joint Committee
A Committee composed of equal numbers of Assembly Members and Senators.
Joint Resolution
A resolution expressing the Legislature's opinion about a matter within
the jurisdiction of the federal government, which is forwarded to Congress
for its information. Requires the approval of both Assembly and Senate
but does not require signature of the Governor.
Joint Session
The Assembly and Senate meeting together, usually in the Assembly Chamber.
The purpose ordinarily is to receive special information such as the Governor's
State of the State address.
Journal
See Daily Journal.
K
L
Laws
The rules adopted by formal governmental action that govern our lives
in various respects.
Lay On The Table
A motion to temporarily postpone consideration of a matter before a Committee
or the house, such that the matter may later be brought up for consideration
by a motion to "take from the table."
Legislative Advocate
An individual (../commonly known as a lobbyist) engaged to present to
legislators the views of a group or organization. The law requires formal
registration with the Secretary of State if an individual's lobbying activity
exceeds 25 contacts with decision makers in a two-month period.
Legislative Analyst
The Legislative Analyst, who is a legislative appointee, and his or her
staff provide thorough, nonpartisan analysis of the budget submitted by
the Governor; also analyze the fiscal impact of other legislation and
prepare analyses of ballot measures published in the state ballot pamphlet.
Legislative Counsel
The Legislative Counsel (who is appointed jointly by both houses) and
his or her legal staff are responsible for, among other things, drafting
all bills and amendments, preparing the Digest for each bill, providing
legal opinions, and representing the Legislature in legal proceedings.
Legislative Counsel's Digest
See Digest.
Legislative Data Center
Department of the Office of Legislative Counsel that maintains the Inquiry
System, operates the database under which legislation is drafted and conveyed
to the Office of State Publishing to be printed, and otherwise provides
technological support to the Legislature.
Lieutenant Governor
The President of the Senate, as so designated by the California Constitution,
allowing him or her to preside over the Senate and cast a vote only in
the event of a tie. If the Governor cannot assume his or her duties or
is absent from the state, the Lieutenant Governor assumes that office
for the remainder of the term or during the absence.
Line Item Veto
See Blue Pencil.
Lobbyist
See Legislative Advocate.
Lobbyist Book
The Directory of Lobbyists, Lobbying Firms, and Lobbyist Employers published
every legislative session by the Secretary of State; available to the
public for $12.00 from the Legislative Bill Room at the State Capitol,
or from the Secretary of State's office at www.ss.ca.gov/prd/ld/cover.htm.
Photos and addresses of lobbyists are included with a list of the clients
each represents. Employers of lobbyists are also listed alphabetically.
Lower House
The Assembly.
M
Majority Floor Leader
Assembly Member who is an issues and political strategist for the Assembly's
majority party, second in command to the Assembly Speaker. Elected by
the members of the Assembly's majority party.
Majority Leader
Senator who is an issues and political strategist for the Senate's majority
party, second in command to the Senate President pro Tempore. Elected
by the members of the Senate's majority party.
Majority Vote
A vote of more than half of the legislative body considering a measure.
Constituted by 41 votes in the Assembly, and by 21 votes in the Senate.
Majority Whip
One of the members of the majority party's leadership team in the Assembly
or Senate; responsible for monitoring legislation and securing votes for
legislation on the floor.
Mason's Manual
The reference manual that governs matters of parliamentary procedure that
are not covered by the Legislature's own written rules.
May Revision
Occurring in early May, the updated estimate of revenues and expenditures
that replaces the estimates contained in the Governor's budget submitted
in January.
Measure
A bill, resolution, or constitutional amendment that is considered by
the Legislature.
Minority Floor Leader
The highest-ranking minority party post in each house; chief policy and
political strategist for the minority party.
Minority Whip
One of the members of the minority party's leadership team in the Assembly
or Senate; responsible for monitoring legislation and securing votes for
legislation on the floor.
Minutes
An accurate record of the proceedings (see Daily Journal).
Motion
A formal proposal for action made by a legislator during a CCommitteehearing
or floor session.
N
Nonfiscal Bill
A measure not having specified financial impact on the state and, therefore,
not required to be heard in an Assembly or Senate fiscal CCommitteeas
it moves through the legislative process. Nonfiscal bills are subject
to different legislative calendar deadlines than fiscal bills.
O
Officers
Those Members and employees of the Legislature who are elected by the
membership of each house at the beginning of each session to perform specific
functions on behalf of the house. Assembly officers include the Speaker,
Speaker pro Tempore, Chief Clerk, and Sergeant-at-Arms. Senate officers
include the President pro Tempore, Secretary of the Senate, and Sergeant-at-Arms.
On Call
A roll call vote in a CCommitteeor an Assembly or Senate floor session
that has occurred but has not yet been concluded or formally announced.
Members may continue to vote or change their votes as long as a measure
remains "on call." Calls are usually placed at the request of a bill's
author in an effort to gain votes. Calls can be lifted by request any
time during the CCommitteehearing or floor session, but cannot be carried
over into the next legislative day.
On File
A bill on the second or third reading file of the Assembly or Senate Daily
File.
Out of Order
A parliamentary ruling by the presiding officer of a CCommitteeor the
house that a matter is not, at that time, appropriate for consideration
by the body.
Override
Enactment of a bill despite the Governor's veto, by a vote of two thirds
of the members of each house (27 votes in the Senate and 54 votes in the
Assembly).
P
Parliamentary Inquiry
A procedural question posed by a legislator during a CCommitteehearing
or floor session. A member must be recognized for this purpose and the
question answered by the CCommitteechair or presiding officer.
Pass on File
A bill is taken up during a floor session by its author or floor manager
according to its order in the Assembly or Senate Daily File. An author
may choose to "pass on file," thus temporarily giving up his or her opportunity
to take up a measure on the floor.
Passage
Adoption of a measure by the Assembly or the Senate.
Per Diem
(literally: per day) Daily living expense payment made to legislators
when a house is in session.
Petition
A formal request submitted to the Legislature by an individual or group
of individuals.
Point of Order
A request that the presiding officer remedy a breach of order or of the
rules.
Point of Personal Privilege
Assertion by a Member that his or her rights, reputation, or conduct have
been impugned, entitling the Member to repudiate the allegations.
Postpone
A motion to delay action on a matter before the house.
President of the Senate
See Lieutenant Governor.
President Pro Tempore of the Senate
(literally: for the time) Highest-ranking member of the Senate; also chairs
the Senate CCommitteeon Rules. Elected by Senators at the beginning of
each two-year session.
Presiding
Managing the proceedings during a floor session. In the Assembly, the
presiding officer can be the Speaker, Speaker pro Tempore, or any other
Assembly Member appointed by the Speaker. In the Senate, the presiding
officer can be the President, President pro Tempore, or any other Senator
appointed by the President pro Tempore.
Press Conference
A presentation of information to a group of reporters. Press conferences
are frequently held in Room 1190 of the Capitol, the Governor's press
room, which is available to Members on a reservation basis (445-4571).
Previous Question
If a Member seeks to cut off all further debate on a measure, he or she
may call the previous question to seek to compel the body to vote immediately
on the issue.
Principal Coauthor
A Member who is so designated on a bill or other measure, indicating that
the Member is a primary supporter of the measure.
Privilege of the Floor
Permission given, by the presiding officer, to view the proceedings from
the floor of the Chamber, rather than from the gallery. Members request
that permission on behalf of constituents or other guests.
Put Over
A motion to delay action on a measure until a future date.
Q
Quorum
A simple majority of the membership of a CCommitteeor the Assembly or
Senate; the minimum number of legislators needed to begin conducting official
business. The absence of a quorum is grounds for immediate adjournment
of a CCommitteehearing or floor session.
Quorum Call
Transmitting the message that members are needed to establish a quorum
so that proceedings may begin.
R
Reading
Presentation of a bill before the house by reading its number, author,
and title. A bill is on either first, second, or third reading until it
is passed by both houses.
Reapportionment
Revising the allocation of congressional seats based on census results.
Also used to refer to redistricting (the revision of legislative district
boundaries) to reflect census results.
Recess
(1) An official pause in a CCommitteehearing or floor session that halts
the proceedings for a period of time but does not have the finality of
adjournment.
(2) A break of more than four days in the regular session schedule such as the "Easter recess."
Reconsideration
A motion giving the opportunity to take another vote on a matter previously
decided in a CCommitteehearing or floor session.
Referendum
The method, used by members of the public, by which a measure adopted
by the Legislature may be submitted to the electorate for a vote. A referendum
petition must be signed by electors equal in number to 5 percent of the
votes for all candidates for Governor at the last gubernatorial election.
Rescind
A motion to revoke an action previously taken.
Resolution
See Concurrent Resolution and Joint Resolution.
Roll Call
Recording the vote of each member of a CCommitteeor of the full Assembly
or Senate. CCommitteeroll calls are conducted by the CCommitteesecretary,
who calls each member's name in alphabetical order with the name of the
chair called last. Assembly roll calls are conducted electronically, with
each Member pushing a button from his or her assigned seat. Senate roll
calls are conducted by the Reading Clerk, who reads each Senator's name
in alphabetical order.
Rule Waiver
Exemption to the Assembly, Senate, or Joint Rules, for which formal permission
must be granted.
Rules
Principles formally adopted to govern the operation of either or both
houses. These include Standing Rules of the Assembly, Standing Rules of
the Senate, and Joint Rules of the Senate and Assembly.
S
Second Reading
Each bill introduced must be read three times before final passage. Second
reading occurs after a bill has been reported to the floor from CCommittee
Second Reading File
The portion of the Daily File that lists measures that have been reported
out of CCommitteeand are ready for consideration on the floor. Measures
stay on the second reading file for one day before moving to the third
reading portion of the File.
Secretary of the Senate
A Senate employee serving as principal parliamentarian and record keeper
for the Senate, elected by Senators at the beginning of each two-year
session. The Senate Secretary and his or her staff are responsible for
publishing the Senate daily and weekly publications.
Section
Ordinarily, a portion of the California Codes or other statutory law;
alternatively, a portion of the text of a bill. The text of code sections
is set forth in bills as proposed to be amended, repealed, or added.
Senate
The house of the California Legislature consisting of 40 members elected
from districts apportioned on the basis of population, one-half of whom
are elected or re-elected every two years for four-year terms.
Sergeant-At-Arms
Employee responsible for maintaining order and providing security for
the Legislature. The Chief Sergeant-at-Arms in each house is elected by
the Members of that house at the beginning of every legislative session.
Session
The period during which the Legislature meets. The Legislature may meet
in either regular or special (extraordinary) session.
Short CCommittee
A hearing of a CCommitteeattended by less than a quorum of the members
of the CCommittee
Sine Die
See Adjournment Sine Die.
Speaker
The presiding officer of the Assembly, elected by the membership of the
Assembly at the beginning of the two-year session. This is the highest-ranking
Member of the Assembly.
Speaker Pro Tempore
Member, appointed to this office by the Speaker, who presides over a floor
session of the Assembly at the request of the Speaker.
Special Order of Business
Occasionally a bill is of such importance that advance notice is given
as to when it will be considered by the Assembly or Senate. Notice is
given during a floor session by requesting unanimous consent to set the
bill as a special order of business on a specific date and time. This
assures adequate time for debate and allows all Members the opportunity
to be present.
Special Session
See Extraordinary Session.
Sponsor
The Member of the Legislature, private individual, or group who develops
a measure and advocates its passage.
Spot Bill
A bill that proposes nonsubstantive amendments to a code section in a
particular subject; introduced to assure that a bill will be available,
subsequent to the deadline to introduce bills, for revision by amendments
that are germane to the subject of the bill.
State Auditor
Head of the Bureau of State Audits, which conducts financial and performance
audits of the state and local government agencies at the request of the
Joint Legislative Audit CCommittee
State Mandate
State legislative enactment or administrative regulation that mandates
a new program or higher level of service on the part of a local government,
the costs of which are required by the California Constitution to be reimbursed.
Statutes
Enacted bills, which are chaptered by the Secretary of State in the order
in which they become law.
Stop the Clock
The term used to describe the process of continuing legislative business
after the passage of a deadline imposed by legislative rule.
SubCommittee
A subgroup of a full Committee, appointed to perform work on one or more
functions of the Committee.
Summary Digests
Digests of each bill enacted in a two-year session, as prepared and compiled
by the Legislative Counsel. The measures are listed by chapter number,
reflecting the order in which they were signed into law.
Suspend the Constitution
A motion to waive requirements that the California Constitution imposes,
but permits to be waived in a specified manner. A motion to suspend requires
an extraordinary vote.
T
Table
See Lay on the Table.
Tax Levy
Any bill that imposes, repeals, or materially alters a state tax. The
Legislative Counsel indicates in the title and Digest of the bill whether
the bill is a tax levy.
Third House
Collective reference to lobbyists (see Legislative Advocates).
Third Reading
Each bill introduced must be read three times before final passage. Third
reading occurs when the measure is about to be taken up on the floor of
either house for final passage.
Third Reading Analysis
A summary of a measure that is ready for floor consideration. Describes
most recent amendments and contains information regarding how Members
voted on the measure when it was heard in Committee. Senate floor analyses
also list support or opposition by interest groups and government agencies.
Third Reading File
That portion of the Daily File listing the bills that are ready to be
taken up for final passage.
Title
The material on the first page of a bill that identifies the provisions
of law affected by the bill and the subject matter of the bill.
Two-Thirds Vote
In the Assembly, 54; in the Senate, 27. Required, for example, for urgency
measures and most measures making appropriations from the General Fund.
U
Unanimous Consent
The consent of all of those Members present, ordinarily presumed to exist
in the absence of objection.
Unfinished Business
That portion of the Daily File that contains measures awaiting Senate
or Assembly concurrence in amendments adopted by the other house. Also
contains measures vetoed by the Governor for a 60-day period after the
veto.
Unicameral
A legislature consisting of one house (Nebraska has the only unicameral
state legislature).
Upper House
The Senate.
Urgency Measure
A bill affecting the public peace, health, or safety, containing an urgency
clause, and requiring a two-thirds vote for passage. An urgency bill becomes
effective immediately upon enactment.
Urgency Clause
Section of a bill stating that the bill will take effect immediately upon
enactment. A vote on the urgency clause, requiring a two-thirds vote in
each house, must precede a vote on the bill.
V
Veto
The Governor's formal rejection of a measure passed by the Legislature.
The Governor may also exercise a line item veto, whereby the amount of
an appropriation is reduced or eliminated, while the rest of the bill
is approved (see Blue Pencil). A veto may be overridden by a two-thirds
vote in each house.
Voice Vote
A vote that requires only an oral "aye" or "no," with no official count
taken. The presiding officer determines whether the "ayes" or "noes" carry.
W - X - Y - Z
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