Glossary
A committee created by order of the Speaker or President (or both in the case of a joint select committee) or by resolution or statute for a particular purpose or task. A select or special committee is automatically dissolved upon completion of the assigned task or upon reaching its specified termination date.
An employee of the House of Representatives or Senate responsible for maintaining order in the chambers, halls, galleries, corridors, and committee rooms of the Statehouse and Senate building; enforcing the rules; and serving subpoenas and warrants issued by the House or Senate or any duly authorized officer or committee. The House Sergeant-at-Arms also is responsible for maintaining order in the areas of the Vern Riffe Center that are under the exclusive use and control of the House.
A meeting convened by the House of Representatives or Senate in its chamber during which the House or Senate conducts its official business. The term "session" may also be used to refer to the "Biennial Session."
A motion to bring up an issue for any particular day and hour for consideration under a suspension of the regular order of business upon a vote by the membership.
The member who introduces a bill, resolution, or amendment, sometimes referred to as the primary sponsor. The sponsor's name appears first, often followed by cosponsors, in the heading of a bill, resolution, or amendment. Both the House of Representatives and the Senate permit a bill or resolution to list two joint sponsors.
A committee established at the beginning of a General Assembly. Most standing committees are organized by subject matter so that most bills referred to a particular committee address related topics.
A report of all legislative action on all bills, joint resolutions, concurrent resolutions, and simple resolutions introduced during a particular General Assembly. Status reports for the current and several past General Assemblies appear on the General Assembly's website at the Legislation link.
A committee created to study a subject of interest to the General Assembly. As a result of its study, the committee may publish a report, make recommendations, or propose legislation.
A committee formed under the supervision of a standing committee. A standing subcommittee functions similarly to a standing committee in that it considers several bills during a General Assembly. An ad hoc subcommittee is appointed to consider a single issue and is dissolved once its task is complete.
A redrafted version of a bill, usually substantially amended, that replaces a preceding version.
A provision enacted by the General Assembly that places an expiration date on an entire act or part of an act.
An additional appropriation for a purpose or agency that is made subsequent to the initial appropriation for the purpose or agency for that fiscal year or biennium.
Dispensing with the operation of the House or Senate Rules by motion.