WASHINGTON STATE ACT. A bill adopted by the Legislature. actions of the House and to be the chief administra- ACTUARY. A legislative staff officer appointed by tive officer of the House. the Joint Committee on Pension Policy to prepare CODE REVISER. Operating under the supervision actuarial analyses of pension proposals and other of the Statute Law Committee, this person codi- items as directed by the Legislature. fies into the appropriate sections of the RCW those AD HOC COMMITTEE. A committee formed for a measures enacted into law by the Legislature and short duration, usually to study a specific issue. also codifies administrative rules adopted by execu- tive branch agencies. ADJOURN. To conclude a day’s session with a time set to meet again, or conclude a meeting. CODIFY. To consolidate, arrange and systematize the permanent legislation passed in a legislative session ADJOURN SINE DIE. To conclude a regular or spe- into a formal code organized by topic. cial session without setting a day to reconvene. COLLOQUY. A formal conversation in which one ADOPT. To approve formally. or more lawmakers recite a carefully written script, AGENCY REQUEST BILL. A request for legisla- designed to clarify legislative intent. tion proposed by an agency of the executive branch COMMITTEE. A portion of a legislative body of government. charged with examining matters specifically AGENDA. The proposed order of business for a referred to it. meeting. GLOSSARY COMMITTEE ON COMMITTEES. Committees AMEND. To modify, delete or add to a proposal. OF LEGISLATIVE TERMS in each house that select the chairs and members of AMENDMENT. Any change in a bill, resolution or standing committees. memorial. A committee amendment is an amend- COMPANION BILL. A bill introduced in the same ment proposed in a committee meeting. A floor form in both the House and the Senate. BILL REPORT. Summary of background and effect amendment is an amendment proposed on the floor A list of own- of bills, prepared by committee staff. CONCURRENCE CALENDAR. of a legislative chamber. house bills amended by the opposite body and APPEAL FROM DECISION OF THE CHAIR. BILLS ON CALENDAR. Printed volumes with yel- returned for possible concurrence. low covers distributed to each member’s floor desk. A parliamentary procedure for challenging the A resolution Includes the full text of bills and proposed commit- CONCURRENT RESOLUTION. decision of a presiding officer by asking the mem- relating to the internal operation of the Legislature, tee amendments on the pending calendar. bers to uphold or reject the decision. in which one house concurs in the action of the APPORTIONMENT. The division of the state into BOOST. A legislative procedure to move a bill other; it may originate in either house. directly from its introduction to the floor of the districts with distinct geographic boundaries and the A list of bills to House or Senate without going through the commit- CONFERENCE CALENDAR. allocation of the number of legislators or congress- which both bodies have appointed conferees to dis- tee process. men to be elected to represent each district. cuss differences and seek resolution. BUMPING. Slang term for suspending the rules to APPROACH THE BAR. A legislator’s physical A committee allow a bill to be advanced from second to third CONFERENCE COMMITTEE. movement from any place on the floor of either appointed to discuss specific differences of opinion reading without having the bill revert to the Rules house to the rostrum. between the House and Senate on bills which have Committee. APPROPRIATION. A legislative allocation of passed each house but with differing positions on money for a specific purpose. CALENDAR. A list or schedule of pending one or more amendments. business. AT EASE. A pause in the proceedings of either CONFIRMATION. Approval by the Senate of house, usually for an indefinite time. CALL OF THE HOUSE OR SENATE. A pro- gubernatorial appointments. cedure used to compel attendance of members. ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OPINION (AGO). CONFLICT OF INTEREST. Any interest, financial A formal expression of legal reasons and principles CALL TO ORDER. Notice given indicating the Leg- or otherwise, any business or professional activity, regarding statutory or common law questions from islature is officially in session. Also used to restore or any obligation which is incompatible with the state agencies or legislators. order during floor action. proper discharge duties. BAR OF THE HOUSE OR SENATE. The rostrum CAPITAL. Olympia, Washington. CONSENT CALENDAR. Bills with little or no within both houses behind which sit or stand the CAPITAL BUDGET. Appropriations made to state known opposition which are placed on a special President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House, and local agencies for building and construction calendar by the Rules Committee. and others as designated, for presiding over the projects. CONSTITUTION. The written instrument embody- body, recording, and processing legislation being CAPITOL CAMPUS. The grounds and group of ing the fundamental principles of the state that considered by the houses. buildings surrounding the domed Legislative establishes power and duties of the government and BICAMERAL. Composed of two chambers or two Building, holding the offices of most of the state’s guarantees certain rights to the people. legislative bodies. The Washington State bicameral elected officials. CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT. Proposed legislature is made up of a House of Representa- CAUCUS. A group of legislators from the House change in the Washington State Constitution which tives and a Senate. or Senate who unite to promote an agreed-upon has been approved by two-thirds of both houses of BIENNIUM. Two-year period. The Washington State agenda, influence a particular area of policy, and to the Legislature. To be enacted, the proposed amend- fiscal biennium is from July 1 of odd-numbered decide on questions of policy or leadership. Typi- ment must be placed on the next general election years to June 30, two years later. cally, these take the form of political party (Demo- ballot and secure a simple majority of votes in favor BILL. A proposed law presented to the Legislature cratic/Republican) caucuses but may also include of adopting the measure. for consideration. members from multiple parties who join together to CONSTITUTIONAL MAJORITY. A majority of form a coalition. BILL BOOKS. Binders located adjacent to the cham- members elected to either the Senate or the House. ber or in committees containing all bills and amend- CHAIR. Presiding officer. In the Senate, a constitutional majority is 25; in the ments currently before or passed by the Legislature CHAMBER. Official hall for the meeting of a legis- House, it is 50. or committee. lative body. CONVENE. Assemble for an official meeting. BILL DIGEST. Section-by-section summary of a bill, CHAPTER NUMBER. A chapter number, in numer- COSPONSOR. Two or more persons proposing any prepared by the Code Reviser’s office. ical order, given to each bill enacted. The chapter document. BILL DRAFTING OFFICE. Located in the number is the number of the law. When codified the CUTOFF DATES. Time certain set by a legislative Pritchard Building in the Code Reviser’s office. chapter is inserted in the appropriate section of the body for specified action such as bill introduction, Drafts legislation to be introduced to the Leg- statutes known as the Revised Code of Washington committee action, or passage of bills by either house. (RCW). islature. (Officially named the Statute Law DAY CERTAIN. Adjournment with specific day to Committee.) CHERBERG, JOHN A. BUILDING. The four-story reconvene. building directly southeast of the Legislative Build- BILL HISTORY. A record of the action taken on DEBATABLE. Open for discussion or argument. bills, resolutions and memorials. ing containing offices of senators and staff and hearing rooms. DEBATE. Discussion of a matter following parlia- BILL INDEX. A list of legislative measures by sub- mentary rules. ject matter. CHIEF CLERK. A person elected by the members of the House of Representatives to record the official DEPARTMENT REQUEST BILL. A request for FISCAL NOTE. An estimate of the expected cost of devoted to committee hearings and caucuses in legislation proposed by a department of the state a measure to state and/or local government. Olympia or another location within the state. (also known as agency request bill). FLASH CALENDAR. A listing of bills on the sec- INTERN. A college or university student from a DISCHARGE. What happens to an elected official ond or third reading calendar for the next day’s higher education institution within the state, work- who has been recalled. agenda in the Senate. ing with the Legislature, who receives stipend and DISPUTE CALENDAR. Bills amended by one body FLOOR OF THE HOUSE OR SENATE. The credit hours. Legislative interns are assigned to where the second body refuses to concur and asks actual floor space, committed primarily to legisla- members’ offices during session and to committee the first body to recede. tors’ desks, on which the business of the Legislature staff during the interim. DISSENT. Difference of opinion. is conducted. INTRODUCTION OF BILLS. An order of busi- ness during which new bills are read into the DISTRICT. Area encompassing citizens represented FLOOR RESOLUTION. A written motion calling for action, which may be offered from the floor of record. SEE FIRST READING AND ORDER OF by a legislator. There are currently 49 legislative BUSINESS. districts, each having two House members and one either house. senator. GALLERY. Areas of both chambers where public INVOCATION. Prayer given prior to a session. The visitors may observe the Legislature in session. schedule for persons offering prayer is determined DIVISION. A method of voting by standing. by the presiding officer. GERMANE. Relating directly to a question. DIVISION OF QUESTION. Consideration of each JARRC. Joint Administrative Rules Review Com- item separately. GERRYMANDERING. Legislative district bound- mittee. Reviews agency rules to ensure consistency EFFECTIVE DATE. The date a bill, once passed, ary lines drawn to obtain partisan or factional with legislative intent. advantages. becomes law. Unless a different date is specified, JLARC. Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commit- bills become law ninety days after Sine Die. GovDelivery. A software application which allows tee. A joint, bipartisan committee which conducts EMERGENCY CLAUSE. A provision in a bill that the user to be notified by e-mail or text messages of performance audits, program evaluations and other allows a measure to become effective immediately legislative events such as committee hearing times oversight duties assigned by the Legislature. and agendas. upon the signature of the Governor. JOINT COMMITTEE. Committee which consists ENACTMENT. The passage of a bill by both houses GOVERNOR. The chief executive officer of a state. of members from both houses. and the signing by the Governor. GRANDFATHER CLAUSE. Inserted in a bill mak- JOINT MEMORIAL. A message or petition ENGROSSED BILL. A bill which includes all ing provisions nonapplicable to activities or per- addressed to the President and/or Congress of the amendments adopted on the floor of the house of sonnel involved prior to the enactment of the new United States, or the head of any other agency of the origin. legislation. federal or state government, asking for consideration ENROLLED BILL. A bill passed by both houses, which GREEN SHEET. The list of bills eligible for action of some matter of concern to the state or region. Pro- incorporates all amendments, and to which has been by the Senate Rules Committee. Green sheet bills posed amendments to the U.S. Constitution are also attached a certificate of enrollment indicating the date can be placed directly on the floor calendar if in the form of joint memorials. passed, votes cast on the bill, and the certifying officers’ approved by a majority of the members of the Sen- JOINT RESOLUTION. An act of the Legislature signatures. It is presented to the Governor for signature. ate Rules Committee. Similar to the House Rules which proposes an amendment to the state Consti- Consideration Calendar. ETHICS. Standard of moral conduct. Legislative eth- tution for reference to the people for acceptance or ics standards are set forth in Chapter 42.52 RCW GUBERNATORIAL APPOINTMENT. Designation rejection. To pass, joint resolutions must receive a and House and Senate rules. by the Governor to fill an office or position. two-thirds affirmative vote of the members elected in each house. EXECUTIVE ACTION. 1. Executive action of a HEARING. A legislative committee meeting at standing committee refers to final consideration of a which witnesses present testimony on matters under JOURNAL. Official record of action of legislative bill by the committee. 2. Executive action on a bill consideration by the committee. session. already passed by both houses refers to action taken HONORARY PAGE. A young person who is acting LAW. Common law is law set by precedent in court and by the Governor. as a nonpaid short-term page for either house. by interpretation of the Constitution and statute law. EXECUTIVE ORDER. A directive or command HOPPER. Box located in the bill drafting area Statute law is governing action or procedure approved from the Governor to agencies in the executive in which legislative measures are deposited for through the legislative process. branch. introduction. LEADERSHIP. The officers elected by their respec- EXECUTIVE REQUEST BILL. Request for legis- HOTLINE. Toll-free number (1-800-562-6000) oper- tive caucuses. lation proposed by the Governor. ated by the Legislative Information Center where LEAP. Legislative Evaluation and Accountability Pro- EXECUTIVE RULES COMMITTEE. citizens can leave a brief phone or e-mail message gram. A computer-based program developed by the See Facilities and Operations (F&O). to communicate their concerns and opinions to their Legislature to monitor the budgetary process. Admin- legislator, and/or the Governor. istered by a joint committee and staff. EXECUTIVE SESSION. A meeting of committee members to discuss and vote on bills they wish to HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Lower cham- LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR. Staff director of JLARC. report out of committee. These meetings are open ber of our two-body legislature. The House has 98 LEGISLATIVE BUDGET NOTES. Document provid- to the public but no testimony is taken. Note that in members who serve two-year terms. ing detail about the biennial operating budget. other contexts executive sessions are closed to the INDEFINITELY POSTPONE. To postpone without LEGISLATIVE BUILDING. The domed capitol public. setting a definite time for consideration. building of the state of Washington containing both EX OFFICIO. Holding one office by virtue of hold- INITIATIVE. A legislative power vested in the the House and Senate chambers and the offices of ing another office. Ex-officio members of a com- people. An initiative is proposed through a petition the Governor, Lt. Governor, Treasurer, Auditor and mittee have voice but may not vote. containing signatures of 8 percent of the number of Secretary of State. EXPULSION. The act wherein a body removes one voters voting in the last preceding regular guberna- LEGISLATIVE DIGEST AND HISTORY OF BILLS. of its members as provided under its rules. torial election. There are two types of initiatives: 1. A publication issued periodically containing the Initiative to the people. Original legislation by the FACILITIES AND OPERATION COMMITTEE. sponsors, titles, short digest of content, legislative voters, proposing a new law (or changing existing actions, and veto messages of the Governor for The Senate leadership committee that oversees mat- laws) without consideration by the Legislature. 2. ters relating to staff, the physical plant and equipment, each bill, memorial, resolution and gubernatorial Initiative to the Legislature. Original legislation by appointment. and operational matters. The corresponding House the voters, proposing a new law (or changing exist- committee is called EXECUTIVE RULES. ing laws) for consideration by the Legis- lature at LEGISLATIVE ETHICS BOARD. Nine-member FIRST READING. First of three readings required to its next regular session. If not enacted, it is placed board with four legislators and five nonlegislators. pass measures. Bill on first reading are introduced on the next general election ballot. Authority to interpret and apply the state ethics law and referred to standing committees. SEE INTRO- for legislators and staff by training, advisory opin- INSURANCE BUILDING. Lying directly to the east ions, and complaints. DUCTION OF BILLS. of the Legislative Building, the Insurance Building FISCAL. Relating to financial matters. The state fis- houses the Insurance Commissioner, the Office of LEGISLATIVE INFORMATION CENTER cal year (FY) is July 1 through June 30. Financial Management and the State Auditor. (LIC). Located on the first floor of the Legisla- tive Building in which staff is available to answer FISCAL COMMITTEES. Committees in each INTERIM. Time between regular legislative questions about the legislature and the legislative house that create the budgets and review the fiscal sessions. process and provide copies of all bills and legislative impact of pending legislation (for example, Ways INTERIM COMMITTEE ASSEMBLY. A legisla- documents. and Means, Appropriations, Transportation, etc.). tive practice during the interim of having some days LEGISLATIVE INFORMATION SPECIALIST. MOTION TO RECONSIDER. A motion which, if it PREFILING. The act of introducing a bill prior to An employee of the Legislative Information Center succeeds, would place a question in the same status the beginning of session. Prefiling starts on the first (LIC) who can answer questions about the legisla- as it was prior to a previous vote on that question. Monday in December prior to the commencement ture and provide copies of bills, amendments, and MOVE. A formal request for action. of the session, or twenty days prior to a special session. other legislative documents. NEWHOUSE, IRVING R. BUILDING. A two- PRESIDENT. Presiding officer of the Senate and LEGISLATIVE INTENT. If the words of a law can- story building southeast of the Legislative Building, Lieutenant Governor of the state. not be clearly interpreted as written, the court may it houses office space for senators and staff. PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE. A senator elected refer to the journal and bill reports to establish the by the Senate to discharge the duties of presiding intent of the Legislature in passing certain bills. NULL AND VOID CLAUSE. Language specifying that a measure is invalid unless funding is provided officer in the Lieutenant Governor’s absence. LEGISLATIVE MANUAL. Biennial publication in the budget by a specified date. PREVIOUS QUESTION. A motion to close debate that contains the rules of each body, joint rules, bio- OATH OF OFFICE. Oath taken by members-elect and bring the pending question or questions to an graphical and other information about the Legisla- immediate vote. ture and state government. of the Legislature prior to being seated. O’BRIEN, JOHN L. BUILDING. The four-story PRIME SPONSOR. The originator or first name on LEGISLATIVE REPORT. Summary of legislation a bill or amendment that has been introduced. passed during one or more legislative sessions. building southwest of the Legislative Building con- taining House members’ and staff offices, hearing PRITCHARD, JOEL, M. BUILDING. The former LEGISLATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES (LSS). rooms, and other House facilities. library building South of the Legislative Building. A legislative agency which provides joint adminis- OFM. Office of Financial Management. The chief It houses Senate staff, the Statute Law Committee, trative services such as printing, graphics, videogra- the public cafeteria and other legislative offices. phy, photography, mail services, facilities support, executive agency for evaluating the budget, prepar- supply, and technology support to the House, Sen- ing fiscal notes, and providing fiscal policy analysis PROCLAMATION. An order issued by the Gover- ate and legislative agencies. LSS also manages the to the Governor. nor, such as a proclamation calling a special session gift shop, the Legislative Information Center and OPERATING BUDGET. Two-year plan for fund- of the legislature. Legislative Hotline. ing ongoing activities of state agencies, except PROVISO. A clause in a bill that sets out specific LEGISLATOR. Elected member of either the House transportation. exceptions to the general law. of Representatives or Senate. OPR. Office of Program Research. The House non- PULL. Slang term for moving a bill. For example, LEGISLATURE. The body made up of the members partisan research and committee staff located in Rules Committee members may move (pull) bills of both the House of Representatives and the Senate. the John L. O’Brien Building. Equivalent to Senate from the Green sheet to the floor for action by the Committee Services. full Senate or from the white sheet to the green LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR. Presiding officer of sheet, or members may vote to pull a bill from a the Senate. ORDER OF BUSINESS. The usual order of daily activities of a body, set out in its rules. committee to the floor. LOBBYIST. A person who tries to get legislators ORDER OF CONSIDERATION. A list of measures PUT THE QUESTION. When the presiding officer to introduce or vote for measures favorable and instructs the body what it is about to vote on. against measures unfavorable to an interest that he anticipated to be acted upon by the House or Senate or she represents. on a particular day. QUORUM. A majority of members of the group con- cerned. This means a majority of those elected to LSC. Legislative Service Center. A legislative agency PAGE. High school students who assist the House or Senate during regular legislative sessions. Each either house; in a committee, this means a majority providing planning, data and information process- of members assigned to the specific committee. ing services, equipment and training in support of page is appointed by a member for one week for the Legislature and legislative agencies. Policy and which they receive a stipend. RCW. See Revised Code of Washington. administrative supervision are provided by the Joint PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY. Question posed to RECALL. The recall is the vote of the people which, Legislative Systems Committee and the Legislative chair for clarification of a point in the proceedings. in effect, tries the elective public officer on charges Systems Administrative Committee. PASSAGE OF BILL. The act of passing a bill by brought against the officer. All elective public offi- LTC. Legislative Transportation Committee. A joint either or both houses of the Legislature. cers except judges of courts of record are subject to recall and discharge from elective offices. committee composed of eleven senators and twelve PDC. Public Disclosure Commission. Oversees the representatives which conducts transportation studies reporting of information filed by lobbyists, state RECEDE. To withdraw from an amendment in which between legislative sessions. agencies, legislators, candidates and political com- the other house refused to concur. MAJORITY LEADER. Leader of the majority party mittees on the amount of money spent on the politi- RECODIFY. To reorganize existing sections, chap- in the state Senate. In the House, second in command cal process and enforces the campaign laws. ters or titles of a code, usually to conform to a to the Speaker. Elected by the majority caucus in each PENALTY CLAUSES. Sections of bills which lay scheme set forth in new legislation. body. out criminal or civil penalties for violation of the RECOMMITTED BILL. A procedure whereby a bill MAJORITY PARTY. The party numbering the most law. is referred back to a standing or conference committee members in a legislative body. PENSION POLICY, JOINT COMMITTEE. Com- for further consideration. A bill may be recommit- MAJORITY REPORT. Document bearing the signa- mittee which reviews proposed changes to retirement ted at any time, usually on second or third reading. tures of a majority of the members of a committee laws and recommends changes. Recommitment of bills can be used to kill a bill during the final days of a session. recommending a particular action on a measure. PETITION. A formal request. RECONSIDER. To vote again on a question previ- MANSION. The official residence of the Governor, PER DIEM. Payment in lieu of living expenses. located directly west of the Legislative Building. ously before the body. PICTORIAL DIRECTORY. Publication containing RED BOOK. The Legislative Manual. MEASURE. Any matter before a body such as a bill, pictures and biographical material about the state- memorial or resolution. wide elected officials and members of the Legisla- REDISTRICTING. Redrawing the boundaries of MEDIA DIGEST. Compilation of print media about ture. Known as the “baby book.” areas of representation to make them equal in popu- lation. Generally done once each decade. legislative activities for a certain period. Also called PLURALITY. The person or alternative with the “daily clips.” most votes between two or more choices; as REFER. To send a measure to a committee for study MEMBERS. Legislators having taken the oath of opposed to a “simple majority,” meaning 51 per- and consideration. office. cent or more of those present and voting. A “con- RE-REFER. To reassign a measure to a different MINORITY PARTY. A party numbering less than a stitutional majority” is 51 percent or more of those committee. majority of members in a legislative body. elected to the House or Senate. REFERENDUM. Recently passed legislation MINORITY REPORT. Document carrying POINT OF ORDER. A demand or request by a referred by the Legislature to the voters for their signature(s) of a minority of the members of a com- member for a legislative body to adhere to its rules rejection or enactment. mittee recommending an action different from the of procedure. REFERENDUM MEASURE. The legislative power majority. POLICY COMMITTEES. Committees in each whereby the electorate may call back recently MOOT. A term indicating that a motion is not timely house that examine bills and other matters related enacted laws for voter consideration. It originates because it can no longer affect an action or event. to specific policy areas (for example, Education, in a petition containing signatures of 4 percent of Health and Welfare, etc.). those registered and voting at the last preceding MOTION. A proposal that the Senate or House take regular gubernatorial election. a certain action. POSTPONE TO A DAY CERTAIN. To defer con- sideration until a later time or day. RELIEVED. A committee may be relieved of further act is found unconstitutional, the remainder of the THIRD READING. The final consideration of a bill consideration of any bill in either house by a majority act will remain intact. before either house. The bill can be debated, tabled, vote of the members of the particular house. SHORT TITLE. An abridged description of a Senate Bill referred, but not amended. Final passage takes a constitutional majority. REPEAL. To revoke or abrogate by legislative action. SINE DIE. To conclude a regular or special session REPEALER CLAUSE. The section of a bill that without setting a day to reconvene. TITLE OF BILL. Description of bill or act which encompasses the intent of the bill. lists which RCW sections and chapters of law are SPEAKER. Presiding officer of the House of revoked and abrogated by the proposed legislation. Representatives. TITLE-ONLY BILL. A bill which contains nothing REPORTING OUT. Action by a committee on a more than a title and a number. It is introduced in SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS. A motion to order to have a vehicle on which to amend sub- measure which moves the measure out of the com- take up a specified measure at a specific time. mittee. Committee reports include do pass, do not stance at a later time. pass, amend, substitute, refer to another committee, SPECIAL SESSION. A session of no more than 30 TRANSPORTATION BUDGET. Appropriations for or no recommendation. days, convened by the Governor or the Legislature, highways, bridges, ferries, transit, vehicle licensing, following adjournment of the regular session. The and traffic enforcement. REVISED CODE OF WASHINGTON. A codifica- Legislature, upon two-thirds vote of all members, tion of current statutes as enacted and amended. may call itself into special session. TVW. Washington State version of C-SPAN, broad- casting state government meetings and activities. ROLL CALL. Record of how members voted on a SPONSOR. Member offering a bill, amendment, particular issue or question. resolution or memorial. UNFINISHED BUSINESS. Business which has been laid over from a previous day. RSS. A software program or application that notifies STANDING COMMITTEES. Committees set up the user when a bill has changed status. by the Legislature to last for the entire length (two UNICAMERAL LEGISLATURE. A legislative RULES CONSIDERATION CALENDAR. The years) of a legislature. body having only one house, such as a city council. Nebraska has the only unicameral state legislature. list of bills eligible for action by the House Rules STATE OFFICIALS. The nine elected statewide Committee. Bills from this calendar can be placed administrative officers: Governor, Lieutenant VETO. Rejection of a bill by the Governor. Governor directly on the floor calendar, if approved by a Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, has power to veto sections of bills but cannot make majority of the members of the House Rules Com- Treasurer, Auditor, Commissioner of Public Lands, any additions. The Governor can also veto appro- mittee. Similar to the Senate Green Sheet. Insurance Commissioner and Superintendent of priation items. To pass a bill over a Governor’s veto RULES REVIEW CALENDAR. The list of bills Public Instruction. takes a two-thirds vote of both houses and is known as overriding a veto. eligible to be moved to the Rules Consideration STATUS SHEET. A daily publication during session Calendar by the House Rules Committee. Pulls giving status of bills pending or acted upon by the WAC. Washington Administrative Code. States how from this calendar to the Rules Consideration Cal- Legislature. state agencies shall organize and adopt rules and endar require a vote by the majority of members of regulations. WACs and rules and regs refer to the House Rules Committee. Similar to the Senate STATUTE. A law enacted by the Legislature. agency guidelines adopted pursuant to the Adminis- White Sheet. STATUTE LAW COMMITTEE. See Code Reviser. trative Procedure Act. RULE SUSPENDED. To temporarily set aside a STRIKE OUT. To delete language from a bill or WALIS. Washington Legislative Information System. rule. resolution. A number of different types of services, including RULES. Regulating principles used in the conduct of STRIKING AMENDMENT. Amendment remov- a data processing system, which provides accurate legislative business. ing everything after the title and inserting a whole up-to-date information on legislative actions. RULES COMMITTEE. Committee responsible new bill. WASHINGTON STATE REGISTER. A monthly for setting the daily calendar of the Senate and SUBCOMMITTEE. Selected members of a commit- publication which lists all proposed new agency House. The President of the Senate and Speaker tee designed to study a special area of concern and WAC rules and regs as well as proposed amend- of the House, respectively, serve as chair of these then report to the whole committee their findings ments, meeting notices, etc. committees. and recommendations. WAYS AND MEANS. The chief revenue and appro- SCOPE AND OBJECT. A parliamentary ruling SUBSTITUTE. A bill which replaces an entire bill or priations committee in the Senate. The committee by the presiding officer as to whether a proposed resolution. is responsible for deciding the ways in which state amendment fits within the subject matter of the monies will be spent and the means that will be SUNSET. A program for review of state agencies, used to raise the tax revenues. bill under consideration. Senate and House rules programs and statutes by JLARC and OFM. prohibit amendments which change or expand the WHIP. An assistant to the majority or minority leader, scope and object of a bill. SUNSET PROVISION. A date certain for a law to the duties of the whip include counting votes, automatically be repealed unless renewed by the checking attendance and maintaining caucus disci- SECRETARY OF THE SENATE. A person elected Legislature. by the Senate members to record the official actions pline on partisan issues and procedural questions. of the Senate and to be the chief administrative offi- SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET. Changes in the second WHITE SHEET. The list of bills eligible for consid- cer of the Senate. year of the biennium to funds allocated in the origi- eration to be moved to the Green Sheet by the Sen- nal capital, operating, or transportation budgets. SECOND READING. The reading of a bill for the ate Rules Committee. Pulls from the White Sheet to second time, in full, in open session, opening it to SUPREME COURT. The highest court of the state. the Green Sheet do not require a vote. Similar to the amendatory action. Comprised of nine elected justices who serve stag- House Rules Review Calendar. gered six-year terms. SELECT COMMITTEE. A committee appointed to WITHDRAW A MOTION. To recall or remove a consider a particular topic for a limited time. Used SUSPENSION CALENDAR. Special calendar of motion according to parliamentary procedure. interchangeably with special committee. noncontroversial bills created by the House Rules WITHIN THE BAR. Refers either to a legislator’s Committee. The only question on the floor is accep- SENATE. Upper chamber of our two-body legisla- presence within the bar of the house or to his or her tance of committee recommendations and advance- physical presence on the floor of the Legislature. ture. The Senate has 49 members who serve four- ment to third reading. Closely related to the consent year terms. calendar occasionally used in the Senate. WORK ROOM. An office in each house where the SENATE COMMITTEE SERVICES. The Senate bills are processed, roll call information retained TABLE. To set aside a matter for possible consider- and bills engrossed, enrolled, etc. nonpartisan research and committee staff located in ation at a future time. the John A. Cherberg Building. Equivalent to House WORK SESSION. Informal discussion of a measure Office of Program Research. TEMPLE OF JUSTICE. The building directly north or topic by a committee. No executive action or of the Legislative Building housing the Supreme amendments are permitted. SERGEANT AT ARMS. Enforces protocol of the Court and offices of the Supreme Court Clerk, House or Senate and provides security for the legis- Commissioner, Reporter of Decisions, and the Law YIELD. To relinquish the floor of the House or Sen- lative offices. Library. ate to allow another member to speak. SESSION. Official meeting of the Legislature. The TERM. Duration of office of an elected official. Constitution provides for one 105-day regular ses- If you are a person with a disability and need a sion during odd-numbered years and one 60-day TERM LIMITS. Restrictions on the length of service special accommodation, please contact the House at regular session during even-numbered years each for elected offices. (360) 786-7271, or the Senate at (360) 786-7189. biennium. THIRD HOUSE. An association whose member- TTY 1-800-833-6388. SEVERABILITY CLAUSE. A section of a bill ship includes most of the professional lobbyists in For reprint, phone the Legislative Information Center which instructs the court that if one section of the the state. (360) 786-7573. Revised 10/28/2019