Glossary
Definitions used in this framework.
Legislative terms have specific meanings that vary across chambers. The definitions below describe the general usage as applied within this framework.
- Bill
- A formal proposal for a new law or for a change to existing law, introduced in a legislative chamber and assigned a unique identifier. A bill becomes enacted law only after completing all required procedural steps in the relevant jurisdiction.
- Resolution
- A formal expression of opinion or procedural action by a legislative body. Resolutions may be simple (one chamber), concurrent (both chambers), or joint. Most resolutions do not have the force of law; concurrent and joint resolutions are sometimes used for procedural matters that do.
- Committee
- A standing or special subgroup of legislators assigned to consider bills in a defined subject area. Most legislative work — hearings, expert testimony, drafting changes, voting on whether to advance a bill — occurs in committee rather than on the chamber floor.
- Sponsor
- The legislator who formally introduces a bill. The sponsor is responsible for the bill's progress through the chamber and is typically listed first on the bill record.
- Co-sponsor
- A legislator who joins the sponsor in supporting a bill at or after introduction. Co-sponsors do not introduce the bill themselves but signal endorsement and may participate in advancing it.
- Amendment
- A proposed change to the text of a bill or to existing law. Amendments may be offered in committee or on the floor and may be adopted, defeated, or withdrawn. A heavily amended bill may differ substantially from the version originally introduced.
- Session
- A defined period during which a legislative body convenes and conducts business. Sessions vary in length and structure across jurisdictions; some legislatures meet annually, some biennially, and some hold special sessions outside the regular calendar.
- Roll call vote
- A recorded vote in which each legislator's position (yea, nay, present, or absent) is individually documented. Roll call votes contrast with voice votes, which are not individually recorded.
- Enacted law
- A bill that has completed all procedural requirements — passage by the chamber or chambers, executive action where applicable, and any other steps required by the jurisdiction — and has taken effect or is scheduled to take effect.
- Legislative calendar
- The schedule that governs when a chamber meets, when bills are scheduled for hearings or floor action, and when procedural deadlines fall. The calendar shapes which bills receive consideration and when.
- Passage rate
- The ratio of bills passed to bills introduced over a defined period, typically a session. Passage rate is a normalized measure of throughput; absolute counts and the underlying definitions of "passed" must be reported alongside the ratio for the figure to be interpretable.