It
may seem that legislators have a language all their own.
Below are some frequently used phrases and their meanings
to assist you in understanding what is happening on the floor
of the House or Senate.
"Waive
the reading"
Members use this phrase in motions to eliminate the reading
of documents.
"Sending
to the Clerk's desk a report"
This is how the Chair of a committee reports the legislation
the committee has acted upon favorably. The Chair does not
report unfavorable action on legislation.
"Leave
of absence"
If a legislator needs to be absent from a daily session, the
legislator will ask his or her deskmate to state the reason
for the absence and to request permission for the absence from
the presiding officer.
"Point
of Personal Privilege"
This phrase is used by a legislator to request to speak on
a matter of great interest to him or her. Usually this privilege
is requested just after the opening of the daily session and
before any legislation is considered.
"Point
of order."
Members use this phrase to question a procedure which is being
followed. Members may raise a point of order at any time during
a debate.
"Dispense
with the constitutional reading"
This motion is usually made by the Floor Leader and is a time
saving procedure. If the motion is agreed to, then the Clerk
does not have to read the title (summary) of the bill or bill(s).
There is a constitutional requirement that a bill's title must
be read unless the body moves to dispense (eliminate) its reading.
"en
bloc"
Bills may be acted upon en bloc or in groups. The House and
Senate often advance or pass bills en bloc to save time in
the legislative process.
"The
Chair recognizes the Senator or Delegate from…"
The presiding officer says this when calling on each member
who wishes to speak in a debate.
"Will
the Senator or Delegate from … yield for a question?"
Members
wishing to question another member may ask that member to rise
and respond to a question. Even though a member is requesting
answers from another member, he or she still addresses all
remarks to the presiding officer.
"Shall
the bill(s) pass?"
This
question is put to the body by the presiding officer when a
bill is voted on for passage. In order for a bill to pass,
a minimum of a majority of members voting must vote "Yea".
This is a recorded vote.
"Shall
the amendment(s) or substitute be agreed to?"
This
question is put to the body by the presiding officer when the
amendment(s) or substitute are voted on for agreement. In order
for amendments to be adopted, a majority of members voting
must say "Yea". This is a voice vote unless the presiding
officer is in doubt of the outcome.
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