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Glossary
- Motion
- A proposal, usually oral, made to the presiding officer and relating to procedure or action before a legislative body.
- Oath of Office
- An oath or vow taken by a public official prior to taking up his or her official duties.
- Order of Business
- The defined routine of procedure in the legislative body each day. It can be deviated from only by waiver of the rules by the full body.
- Override
- To pass a bill after the Governor has vetoed it. This requires a two-thirds vote of each house.
- Passage
- Favorable action on a measure before the legislature.
- President of the Senate
- The presiding officer of the Senate. He or she is designated as President by the majority party in caucus and then elected by the full membership of the Senate for a term of two years.
- President Pro Tempore of the Senate
- Literally, president "for a time." He or she performs specified duties as prescribed by the Senate Rules or the Senate President.
- Quorum
- The number of members required for the conduct of business.
- Readings
- The constitution requires that a bill be read three separate times on three separate days before it can be passed.
- Recess
- To end a day's session or a committee meeting.
- Repeal
- To delete a previously passed law.
- Roll call
- An electronic vote or the calling of the roll of names to determine the outcome of a vote on a legislative matter.
- Rules
- Provisions for the procedure, organization, officers, and committees of each house of the legislature.
