Term |
Description |
ACT
|
A Bill
passed or enacted by both chambers that becomes a public law or private
and special law. Does not
include resolves, constitutional resolutions, orders or other papers.
|
ACTPS
|
Private
& Special Laws
|
ACTPUB
|
Public
Laws
|
ADHERE
|
In
response to conflicting action on a Bill by one chamber, the other chamber
votes to stand adamantly by its previous action.
A vote to adhere to a negative action kills the Bill.
This motion is stronger than a motion to Insist and is the opposite
of the action to Recede.
|
ADJOURNMENT
|
The end
of the legislative day.
|
ADJOURNMENT
SINE DIE
|
Adjournment
Without Day. This is the
final adjournment of the session when all business has been completed.
|
AFTER
DEADLINE BILLS
|
A
request for a Bill after the cloture date.
These Bills must be approved by the Legislative Council before they
can be introduced.
|
ALLOCATION |
A legislative authorization to spend funds, other than from the General
Fund (e.g. federal funds, funds in dedicated accounts), for specific
purpose. |
AMEND |
To alter or modify a law or bill. |
AMENDMENTS
|
Suggested
changes that may clarify, restrict, expand, correct, or otherwise modify
the bill as printed.
|
AMD
|
Amendment
|
ANT. DIV REP. |
Anticipated Divided Report. The Committee vote has not yet been
finalized but so far it looks like a Divided Report is expected.
|
APPROPRIATION
|
A
legislative authorization to spend funds from the General Fund for a
specific purpose.
|
APPROPRIATIONS
TABLE
|
Once
Bills that affect state revenues are enacted in the House they are placed
on this table in the Senate. The
Bills usually stay on this table until late in the session when General
Fund resources are determined and can be divided among the tabled bills.
|
BICAMERAL
|
Term
used to refer to Legislatures having two chambers.
|
BIENNIUM
|
A
two-year period. Used to
describe the two-year cycle of the Legislature or the state budget.
|
BILL
|
A
proposal for a law. Refers
only to proposed public or private and special laws.
Generally referred to as an LD (Legislative Document).
|
BLAINE HOUSE |
The residence of Maine's Governors since 1920, named after James G. Blaine
(1830-1893), presidential candidate, US Secretary of State and Governor
of Maine. The Blaine House is located north of the State House on
the corner of Capitol and State Streets. |
BODY
|
Refers
to a chamber of the Legislature. The
House is one body and the Senate is another body.
|
BOND
ISSUE
|
Issuance
of a certificate of indebtedness by a governmental entity in return for
the money it borrows.
|
BUDGET
|
Estimate
of receipts and expenditures for a fiscal year or biennium.
|
BY
REQUEST
|
Introduction
of a Bill that the sponsor may not fully support but has submitted as a
service to a constituent.
|
CALENDAR
|
The
agenda of each chambers business. All
items taken up in the chambers must appear on a Calendar or Supplement.
Also referred to as the Advanced Calendar and Journal.
|
CAUCUS |
Members of a legislative group, most commonly a political party, to decide
on policies or strategies. |
CHAIR
|
Presiding
Officer. In the Senate it is
the President and in the House it is the Speaker. Joint Committees have both a House chair and a Senate
chair.
|
CHAMBER
|
Refers
to either the House or the Senate.
|
CLERK
OF THE HOUSE
|
Chief administrative officer of the House who is elected by the members of
the House each biennium. The Clerk is assisted by the Assistant
Clerk of the House, also elected by the members of the House each
biennium. |
CLOTURE
|
Deadline
for submitting completed requests for bills to be considered during the
legislative session.
|
CO
|
Convention
Order
|
COMMITTEE
AMENDMENTS
|
Amendments
offered by a Committee when the Committee reports a Bill to the
Legislature.
|
COMMITTEE |
A group of Legislators delegated to examine a certain subject or certain
proposals. Legislative committees can take different forms, the
most common use of the term is to refer to Joint Standing Committees
witch consist of 3 Senators and 10 Representatives. |
COMMITTEE CLERK |
Clerical assistant to a Committee who maintains custody of bills referred
to the committee; prepares notices for committee hearings and work
sessions; and reports bills out to the House or Senate after final
committee action is taken. |
COMMITTEE
REPORT
|
Committees
vote on a recommended action on a bill.
This report is presented to the Legislature for consideration.
|
COMMITTEE
OF CONFERENCE
|
Appointed
when the two chambers cannot agree. This
is a final attempt to resolve disagreements and keep a Bill from being
killed.
|
COMMITTEE
OF THE WHOLE
|
All
members of a chamber when sitting as a committee.
|
COMMUNICATION
|
Letter
or other written message made to one or both chambers and appearing on the
Calendar.
|
CON RES
|
Constitutional
Resolution
|
CONCUR
|
Agree.
When both chambers agree it is a concurrent matter.
When the chambers disagree it is a non-concurrent matter.
To Recede and concur calls for the chamber to agree with the action
of the other chamber.
|
CONCURRENCE
|
Agreement
between the two chambers.
|
CONFIRMATION
|
Approval
of an appointment. Typically
used for Gubernatorial appointments where a Committee holds a public
hearing and makes a recommendation to the Senate.
The Senate votes whether to accept or reject the recommendation.
|
CONFIRMATION SESSION |
A session of the Senate alone where decisions are made regarding the
confirmation of gubernatorial appointments. This is typically a
one day session and no other business may be conducted during this time. |
CONSENT CALENDAR |
In the House, a bill that does not involve a gain or loss of revenue and
that has received a unanimous "ought to pass" or "ought to pass as
amended" committee report is placed on the consent calendar. If
there is no objection, after two legislative days, the bill is
considered passed to be engrossed. |
CONSTITUTIONAL
RESOLUTION
|
The
only way to amend the Maine Constitution.
Must be passed by 2/3 of each chamber and then approved by a
majority of voters in a statewide election.
|
(DEAD)
|
Denotes
that the item will have no further action taken and has been placed in the
legislative file.
|
DEBATE
|
Formal
argument and discussion between members of a chamber following Rules of
Order.
|
DIVIDED
REPORT
|
If
Committee members disagree on a recommended action multiple reports are
submitted for the Legislature to consider.
|
DIVISION
|
Only
the total number of votes for and against a motion are recorded (no names
or individual votes are recorded).
|
DOORKEEPER |
The employee in each chamber who controls the entrances to the chambers.
The doorkeeper of each chamber is appointed by the presiding officer of
the chamber. During Roll Calls it is the doorkeepers
responsibility to deny access and exit to and from the chamber.
|
EFFECTIVE
DATE
|
The
date on which a law goes into effect.
This is 90 days after Adjournment Sine Die unless specifically
stated in the Bill.
|
EMERGENCY
BILL
|
A
measure that is passed to take effect immediately upon signing by the
Governor or some other date (less than 90 days) as specified in the Bill.
Bills introduced in the second year of the biennium must be of an
emergency nature (except for budgetary matters).
|
EMERGENCY
CLAUSE
|
A
section of the bill that sets the effective date of the measure.
|
EMERGENCY
PREAMBLE
|
Language
in the Bill that sets out the reasons why the Legislature considers the
measure to merit emergency treatment.
|
ENACT
|
To pass
and send to the Governor for signature.
|
ENACTING
CLAUSE
|
Formal
enacting language required by the Maine Constitution.
|
ENACTMENT
|
The
process whereby a Bill becomes an Act.
It is the last step before a measure is sent to the Governor for
approval.
|
ENGROSSED
|
The
process of preparing the Bill or Resolve for Enactment. A new document is compiled to include any amendments and
changes that have been adopted by both chambers.
|
ERRORS BILL |
A bill generally introduced each year to remedy nonsubstantive, technical
errors in enacted laws.
|
FAILURE OF ENACTMENT |
The status of a measure which fails to get enough votes for passage, such
as an emergency bill that receives less than two-thirds the elected
membership of a chamber. |
FINALLY
PASSED
|
Resolve/Resolution
enacting language.
|
FIRST
READING
|
The
first time a Bill is reported out of Committee the Legislature votes to
accept or reject the Report of the Committee and any Committee Amendments
or Floor Amendments from the other body.
|
FISCAL
NOTES
|
Prior
to reporting out a Bill, Committees must indicate whether a Bill will
increase or decrease state revenues or expenditures as well as if the Bill
constitutes a mandate. The
Fiscal Note describes the fiscal impact of the Bill.
|
FISCAL YEAR |
For State Government, the 12-month period from July 1st to June 30th for
which the budget is formulated. Municipal and County governments
may operate on different 12-month fiscal years. |
FLOOR |
Within the chamber while that chamber is in session, as in floor amendment
or floor debate. Floor actions are distinguished from actions
taking place elsewhere (e.g. lobbying or committee actions) outside the
chambers. |
FLOOR
AMENDMENT
|
Amendments
offered by legislators in the chamber.
|
FLOOR LEADER |
Refers to Democratic and Republican leadership position in the Senate and
the House. |
FORTHWITH
|
To send
an item immediately.
|
GERMANE |
Relevant. Unlike congressional practices allowing all manner of
riders to bills, Maine's legislative rules limit amendments to those
that are relevant to the purpose of the bills as evidenced by its title. |
GOVERNOR'S BILL |
A measure proposed by the Governor. A Governor's bills has a
legislative sponsor and/or cosponsors. |
GRANDFATHER CLAUSE |
A provision in a proposal that exempts some party from the proposal's
coverage on the basis of the party's present status (e.g. a provision
that current license holders are "grandfathered" and are not required to
comply with additional licensing requirements imposed by the proposal). |
GOVERNMENT EVALUATION ACT (GEA) |
Law (3 MRSA 951-953) establishing system for periodic review of executive
branch agencies and independent agencies of State Government by the
Legislature. The Act replaced the functions of the former
legislative Audit and Program Review Committee. |
HC
|
House
Communication
|
HIGHWAY
TABLE
|
Same as
the Appropriations Table for Bills requiring Highway Fund resources.
|
HO
|
House
Order
|
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
One of the two chambers of the Maine Legislature that are vested with the
legislative power of the State. The House is composed of 151
representatives elected for two-year terms. |
HOUSE RULES |
Rules adopted by the House of Representatives that govern procedures in
that body, the duties of officers and rights and duties of members. |
HP
|
House
Paper. Denotes that the item
originated in the House.
|
HS
|
House
Sentiment
|
IB
|
Initiated
Bill (by petition signatures)
|
INDEFINITELY
POSTPONED
|
Kills
the item if both bodies agree
|
INSIST |
A parliamentary procedure whereby a chamber, in response to conflicting
action on a bill by the other chamber, votes to stand by its previous
action. It can be accompanied by a request for a Committee of
Conference. Insist is similar but less adamant than an action to
Adhere and is the opposite of an action to Recede.
|
INTRODUCTION |
The first presentation of a measure for consideration by the Legislature. |
JO
|
Joint
Order
|
JOINT
COMMITTEES
|
Committees
made up of both House and Senate members.
|
JOINT
CONVENTION
|
A
meeting of members from both chambers for a particular purpose; usually to
listen to a speaker.
|
JOINT
ORDERS
|
Used
for administrative or organizational functions within the Legislature.
Orders may be used to express the Legislature’s will that an
action be taken (to direct a state agency to do something or convey the
legislature’s opinion or sentiment).
Orders may also be used to establish a legislative study or
authorize a committee to report out legislation.
|
JT RES
|
Joint
Resolution.
|
JOINT
RESOLUTION
|
Issued
by the House and Senate to express special recognition or opinion.
|
JOINT RULES |
Rules adopted by both the House and the Senate at the outset of a first
regular session. The rules govern the procedures to be followed in
all areas of joint legislative activity, including filing of bills,
cloture dates, committee composition and actions, studies and
confirmations. In order to take any action contrary to the
procedures set forth in the joint rules, each chamber must agree to a
suspension of the rules. The joint rules may be amended by a
two-thirds vote in each chamber. |
JOINT SELECT COMMITTEE |
A Committee of legislators established pursuant to the Joint Rules and
convened for a specific, finite purpose. A select committee
consists of 3 senators and 10 representatives unless otherwise specified
by the order creating the committee. |
JOURNAL |
The record of daily proceedings published by the Clerk and Secretary of
the Senate pursuant to Article IV, Part Third, Section 5 of the
Constitution of Maine. The journals do not contain debate. A
transcription of floor debates is found in the Legislative Record.
|
LAW |
Measure passed by both chambers and approved by the Governor (or veto
overridden). |
LAWS OF THE STATE OF MAINE |
The bound collections of all public laws, private and special laws,
constitutional resolutions, resolves, selected joint resolutions and
other significant legislative papers passed in a session. Also
includes the Revisor's Report. The Laws of the State of Maine is
published by the Office of the Revisor of Statutes each session. |
LD
|
Legislative
Document. A number assigned
when the Bill is received by the Clerk or Secretary, printed, and
distributed to the public.
|
LEGISLATIVE AIDE |
Professional partisan staff assistants to the Legislature, responsible to
members of their respective parties for constituent work, media
relations and other duties. |
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL |
The legislative body having authority over operation of the Legislature,
including approval of bills for introduction and administrative and
personnel matters other than personnel matters within the separate
control of the House or Senate. The 10 members are composed of the
President, Speaker, Democratic and Republican Floor Leaders and
Assistant Floor Leaders. |
LEGISLATIVE
DAY
|
A day
on which a chamber convenes to do legislative business.
|
LEGISLATIVE
FILE
|
The
place where items are placed once they have been disposed of other than
being enacted and sent to the Governor for signature.
|
LEGISLATIVE
RECORD
|
A
complete transcript of chamber sessions including debate.
|
LOBBYIST |
Generally refers to a person or group who, as the agent of another person
or group, opposes or supports the enactment of bills. Representing
another person or a group at a public hearing does not, in itself,
constitute lobbying.
|
LR
|
Legislative
Request Number. Assigned by
the Revisor of Statutes when a request for a Bill is made.
LR numbers are used to track a bill until it is printed as a
Legislative Document (assigned an LD number).
|
MAJORITY LEADER |
A member of either chamber selected by the members of the majority party
in that chamber to act as their spokesperson and caucus leader.
According to Statute, the Majority Leader and Assistant Majority Leader
may only serve 3 two-year terms.
|
MANDATE |
An action by the State that requires a local unit of government to expand
or modify its activities so as to necessitate expenditures of additional
local revenues. The Maine Constitution requires the State to fund
90% of the local cost of state mandates. The Constitution does
provide that the Legislature may exempt specific expenditures from this
requirement by a 2/3 vote of all members of each chamber. |
MASONS MANUAL |
The standard reference manual of legislative rules regarding parliamentary
procedures. These rules govern legislative procedures in
situations not addressed by the House or Senate rules and the Joint
Rules. |
MEMORIALS
|
Joint
Resolutions used to petition individuals or entities to take some action.
|
MINORITY LEADER |
A member of either chamber selected by members of the minority party in
that chamber to act as their spokesperson and caucus leader.
According to Statute, the Minority Leader and Assistant Minority Leader
may only serve 3 two-year terms.
|
MRSA
|
Maine
Revised Statutes Annotated
|
NEW
DRAFT
|
When
changes are so extensive a New Draft of a Bill may be used in place of an
amendment. New Drafts are
assigned a new Legislative Document number (LD).
|
NON-CONCURRENCE
|
The
House and Senate are not in agreement.
|
ONTP
|
Ought
Not to Pass
|
ORDER |
Document requiring some legislative action (e.g. a Joint Order) or
expressing some legislative sentiment. Common orders include
congratulatory orders that recognize the accomplishment of some person,
orders in memoriam expressing the legislature's regret at the death of
some person, study orders, orders to committees to report out bills
heard, orders to recall bills from the files or from the Governor's desk
prior to signature, and orders to print additional documents.
|
OTP-A
|
Ought
to Pass as Amended
|
OUGHT
NOT TO PASS REPORT
|
If this
is a unanimous report from Committee, the Bill is placed in the
Legislative File, a Communication is sent by the Committee chairs to the
chambers and no further action is taken.
|
OUT OF ORDER |
A departure from parliamentary procedure or a violation of the rules.
Unless done under suspension of the rules, an action out of order is
prohibited. |
OVERRIDE |
A shorthand way of referring to the legislative act of overriding a
Governor's veto. |
P &
S
|
Private
and Special Law
|
PAGE |
A floor assistant appointed by the presiding officer, who acts as a
messenger, distributes documents and keeps legislators' document books
up to date. Honorary pages, sponsored by individual legislators,
are appointed from time to time by the presiding officer of each
chamber. |
PAIR VOTE |
A procedure whereby a member who is present, instead of voting, pairs his
or her vote with a member who is absent and who, had that member been
present, would have voted on the opposite side of the question. A
paired vote does not count toward the number required for a vote; thus
if a two-thirds vote of elected membership is necessary, a paired vote
will not be counted toward fulfilling the two-thirds. Pairing is
currently authorized by Senate Rules with the prior consent of the
President of the Senate. Pairing is not permitted under the House
Rules. |
PAPER |
A document before the Legislature, i.e. Senate Paper or House Paper. |
PEOPLE'S VETO |
The procedure established in the Constitution of Maine by which the voters
may petition for a Referendum on the question of whether legislation
passed by the Legislature but not yet in effect should take effect. |
PERFORMANCE-BASED BUDGETING |
Budgeting method currently used by State Government that allocates
resources based on the achievement of measurable objectives derived from
an agency's strategic plan and consistent with an agency's statutory
responsibilities. |
POINT OF INFORMATION |
A request from a legislator to the presiding officer for clarification of
a procedural matter. |
POINT OF ORDER |
An objection raised by a legislator that one of the rules is being or has
been violated. |
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE |
The presiding officer of the Senate, elected by the members of the Senate.
According to Statute, the President of the Senate may only serve 3
two-year terms.
|
PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE |
Also called President Pro Tem. The temporary presiding officer of
the Senate appointed by President of the Senate to preside when the
President is absent or leaves the podium for any reason. |
PRIVATE & SPECIAL LAWS |
Laws that are enacted to address particular persons or institutions and
that, due to their limited scope, are not codified in the Maine Revised
Statutes Annotated (MRSA). An example of a private and special law
is the creation of or change in a water district charter. |
PUBLIC
HEARING
|
An
opportunity for the legislative sponsors to explain the purpose of a bill
and members of the general public, state officials and lobbyists to
express their views.
|
PUBLIC
LAWS |
Laws of general scope and application codified in the Maine Revised
Statutes Annotated (MRSA). Most laws are public laws. Some
portions of public laws are not, however codified in the MRSA.
Appropriations clauses, transition clauses and some other provisions are
unallocated, i.e. they are not assigned places in the MRSA. |
QUORUM |
The minimum number of members of a chamber, committee or other group that
must be present before that group may conduct official business. |
QUORUM CALL |
A parliamentary procedure to determine whether a quorum exists in either
chamber. |
RECALLED
FROM THE LEGISLATIVE FILES
|
A dead
bill can be reconsidered if an order is passed by 2/3 of both chambers.
|
RECEDE
AND CONCUR
|
Back up
and agree with the other chamber.
|
RECOMMIT |
A common expression for the action whereby a bill that has been reported
out of Committee is returned to that Committee or to another Committee
for further consideration. The proper motion is to Commit the bill
to committee. |
RECONSIDERATION |
An action whereby a chamber or committee returns to revote on a prior
action in order to amend or reverse that decision. The motion must
be made by a legislator who voted on the prevailing side of the previous
vote and requires majority approval. If made after the legislative
day following the original vote in a chamber, a two-thirds vote to
suspend the rules is necessary for reconsideration. The paper must
be in the possession of the chamber voting for reconsideration. |
REDISTRICTING |
The decennial (10 year) redrawing of legislative district lines following
a census. |
REFER |
The common expression for the committee recommendation to refer a bill to
another Committee. |
REFERENCE
|
Committee
assigned to work on an item
|
REGULAR SESSION |
A session of both chambers, during which the Legislature carries on its
customary business. There are two regular sessions in each
biennium. Statutory adjournment for the first regular session is
the third Wednesday in June in odd-numbered years. For the second
regular session, statutory adjournment is the third Wednesday in April
in even-numbered years. During the first regular session, a
legislator may submit legislation on any topic before cloture. In
the second session, the Constitution of Maine limits bills to budgetary
matters, bills in the Governor's call, direct initiatives, legislation
derived from committee studies during the interim and legislation of an
emergency nature. The Legislative Council reviews each
legislator's requests for legislation in the second regular session to
determine whether it meets Constitutional requirements. |
(REMARKS)
|
Debate
or statements made by members that will appear in the Legislative Record
for that body.
|
REPEAL |
To revoke or annul an existing law. |
REPORTER |
The employee in each chamber who transcribes all floor debate for
insertion into the Legislative Record. |
RESOLU
|
Resolution
|
RESOLV
|
Resolve
|
RESOLVE LAW |
Laws having a temporary or limited purpose that do not amend the general
public laws (e.g., a resolve to allow in individual to sue the State). |
RESOLVES
|
Resolves
have the force of law but do not amend statutes directly and are of very
limited duration. Resolves
are narrow in scope (the instrument for a one time occurrence such a
temporary study commission).
|
RESOLUTION |
An expression of the will of the Legislature that does not have the effect
of law. The Legislature sometimes expresses its views on federal
matters through a resolution directed to the US Congress or President.
A resolution is similar to an order but generally is reserved for the
most solemn occasions. This is NOT the same as a Resolve or a
Constitutional Resolution. |
REVISOR'S REPORT |
An annual report of the Revisor of Statutes that makes technical
corrections (such as corrections of misspellings and typgraphical
errors) that the Revisor has made to the statutory database pursuant to
1 MRSA chapter 4. |
ROLL
CALL
|
Members
names and how they voted are recorded.
|
SC
|
Senate
Communication
|
SEAT NUMBER (HOUSE ONLY) |
The number corresponding to the number of each representative's seat in
the House chamber. Seat numbers can be used as an address for
interoffice mail. This number relates only to seating placement
and not to district number. Seats are assigned by the Speaker
taking into consideration the seniority and physical needs of the
members. In the Senate, seats are assigned by the majority leader
in consultation with the President based on seniority and physical
needs. In the Senate, seats are not designated by seat numbers. |
SECOND
READING
|
When
Floor Amendments can be offered to Bills.
|
SECRETARY
OF THE SENATE
|
Chief
administrative officer of the Senate who is elected by the members of the
Senate each biennium. The Secretary is assisted by the Assistant
Secretary of the Senate, also elected by the members of the Senate each
biennium.
|
SELECT
COMMITTEE
|
A
committee of legislators convened for a specific, finite purpose.
|
SENATE |
One of the two chambers of the Maine Legislature. The Senate is
required under the Constitution of Maine to consist of an odd number of
members, from 31 to 35. Currently it has 35 members who serve
two-year terms. |
SENATE RULES |
Rules governing procedure in the Senate, including provisions regarding
the powers and duties of the Senate officers and floor procedures in the
Senate |
SENTIMENT
|
Used to
express congratulations or recognition of a person or event.
|
SERGEANT-AT-ARMS |
The employee in either chamber who is responsible for maintaining order in
the chamber and who serves as escort to the committee named to deliver
messages to the Governor or the other body. The Sergeant-at-Arms
supervises the distribution of materials to legislators. |
SESSION |
Period during which the Legislature assembles and carries out its
business. There are three basic types of sessions: regular
session, special session and confirmation session. |
SO
|
Senate
Order
|
SP
|
Senate
Paper. Denotes that the item
originated in the Senate.
|
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE |
The presiding officer of the House of Representatives elected by the
members of the House each biennium. According to Statute, the
Speaker of the House may only serve 3 two-year terms.
|
SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE |
Also called Speaker Pro Tem. The temporary presiding officer of the
House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House to
preside in the Speaker's absence or whenever the Speaker leaves the
podium for any reason.
|
SPECIAL SESSION |
A session of both chambers, called by the Governor or on the Legislature's
own initiative, where the Legislature meets to carry on certain pressing
business. In the event of a special session called by the
President of the Senate and Speaker of the House, the first order of
business is ratification of the call by a majority of the members of
each political party. Typically, the Legislature considers a
limited number of proposals, and the session may last several days.
There is no statutory adjournment dates for special sessions.
|
SPONSORS
|
A Bill
must have a legislative sponsor unless its introduction is authorized by
an act or resolve. A bill may
have up to 10 sponsors: one primary, one lead cosponsor from the other
chamber and eight cosponsors from either chamber.
In addition to introducing their own legislation, legislators may
also act as sponsors for bills proposed by other people or groups.
|
SS
|
Senate
Sentiment.
|
STANDING
COMMITTEE
|
Committee
established by House or Senate Rules that conducts business for that body.
|
STATUTE |
The general term for acts of the Legislature. Statutes are
distinguished from other bodies of law, such as department rules,
constitutional provisions and common law developed by the courts.
Statute may also refer to the bound volumes of the law, or the MRSA
(Maine Revised Statutes Annotated). |
STUDY |
Interim work conducted by a group or committee of legislators (and, in
some cases, other parties) to provide a more complete or through
knowledge of a subject than is usually possible during the regular
session. Studies may be authorized by the Legislative Council.
Generally, studies result in a study report that often includes proposed
legislation. |
STUDY REPORT |
A report presented by a group directed to study or investigate a
particular subject or problem; frequently includes proposals for
legislation. |
STUDY
TABLE
|
Same as
the Appropriations and Highway Table for orders proposing Legislative
Study Committees that require budget and staff resources.
|
SUBSTITUTING BILL FOR REPORT |
Action whereby a chamber chooses to accept the original bill instead of
any report of a committee modifying the bill. |
SUGGESTED
COMMITTEE
|
Committee
assignment originally suggested by the Clerk and Secretary.
When the Bill is taken up for Reference by the legislators the
actual committee assignment may change.
|
SUMMARY |
A brief description of the content of a measure which appears at the end
of a legislative document or amendment. By Joint Rule, a summary
is required to be prepared by the Revisor's Office. It is removed
from the bill at engrossment and is not enacted as law. |
SUSPENSION OF THE RULES |
In order to take any action contrary to the procedures set forth in the
Joint Rules, Senate or House Rules, the chamber must agree to suspension
of the Rules. |
SUPPLEMENT
|
Additions
to the chambers Calendar.
|
TABLED
|
Item is
set aside. No further action
is taken while the item is tabled.
|
UNANIMOUS CONSENT |
The procedure by which action is taken without a vote, also referred to as
an action under the gavel or under the hammer. Distinguished from
a division or a roll call vote, each of which results in a vote count. |
UNANIMOUS
REPORT
|
All
members of a Committee agree on a recommended action to be presented to
the chambers.
|
VETO
|
The
Governor chooses not to sign an enacted Bill and returns it to the
Legislature with his objections. A
2/3 vote is required by both chambers to enact the Bill despite the
objections of the Governor.
|
WITHOUT
REFERENCE
|
The
Bill goes directly to the floor of the chamber for debate and action.
This usually occurs when the Bill is an emergency and there isn’t
time for a Committee to undertake review.
|
WORK
SESSION
|
Allows
Committee members to discuss bills and vote on the Committees
recommendation, or report, to the Legislature, Work Sessions are open to
the public but addressing the Committee during a Work Session is by the
Committee’s invitation only.
|
YEAS AND NAYS |
When a member asks for the yeas and nays they are requesting a Roll Call
vote which records each members vote. |