LEGISLATIVE TERMS

EXECUTIVE SESSION – a closed meeting of a committee to discuss and act on bills and resolutions. An executive session is open only to committee members, committee staff and the media.
FISCAL NOTE – a statement prepared by the Legislative Fiscal Office estimating the effect a bill would have on state and/or local expenditures and revenue.
FLOOR – the area of the legislative chamber where the senators sit. When a committee advances a bill “to the floor,” that means the bill is being sent to the full Legislature for consideration.
GENERAL FILE – the first stage at which a bill is considered by the full Legislature. Bills on General File may be amended, returned to committee, indefinitely postponed or advanced to Select File.
HEARING – a regularly scheduled committee meeting to receive public comment on proposed bills and resolutions.
INDEFINITELY POSTPONE (IPP) – to kill a bill.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY – the committee and floor debate records for any bill. A history includes transcripts of the bill’s hearing and all floor debate.
LEGISLATIVE JOURNAL – official record of legislative floor action, including all motions, the number of yeas and nays on each vote, etc.
PRIORITY BILL – a bill that has priority status and generally is considered ahead of other bills in debate. Each senator may select one priority bill, each committee may select two priority bills, and the speaker may select up to 25 priority bills.
SELECT FILE – the second stage at which a bill is considered by the entire Legislature. Bills on Select File may be amended, returned to committee, indefinitely postponed or advanced to Final Reading.
STANDING COMMITTEE – a permanent committee with a subject-matter jurisdiction related to an area of public policy. Almost all bills and resolutions are referred to one of the 14 standing committees.
VETO – the power of the governor to reject bills passed by the Legislature. The governor has five days, excluding Sundays, to either sign or veto a bill. The Legislature then has an opportunity to override the veto.