Act: Legislation enacted into law. A bill that has passed both houses of the legislature, been enrolled, ratified, signed by the governor or passed over the governor's office, and printed. It is a permanent measure, having the force of law until repealed.

Adoption: Approval or acceptance; usually applied to amendments, committee reports or resolutions.

Amendment: Any alteration made (or proposed to be made) to a bill or clause thereof, by adding, deleting, substituting or omitting.

Author: The person (usually a legislator) who presents a bill or resolution for consideration; may be joined by others, who are known as coauthors. See also: introducer, patron, sponsor.

Bill: Draft of a proposed law presented to the legislature for consideration.

Bipartisan: Having an affiliation or association with (or representatives of) both political parties or caucuses in a two-party system.

Cacus: A common term for the informal organization of each party in each house (chamber) or other grouping of members with common interest or characteristic interests. Can also be used a verb meaning to “meet”

Co-author: Member of either chamber added as a sponsor to a measure (bill or resolution) after it has been introduced.

Committee: A body of members appointed by the presiding officer (or another authority specified by the chamber) to consider and make recommendations concerning disposition of bills, resolutions and other related matters.

Constitution: A citizen residing within the district of a legislator.

Debate: Discussion of a matter according to parliamentary rules.

Floor: That portion of the legislative chamber reserved for members and officers of the assembly or other persons granted privileged access.

Gallery: Balconies of the chamber from which visitors may view the proceedings of the legislature.

Germaness: The relevance or appropriateness of amendments or substitutes.

House Resolution: Expresses the intent or will of the House and does not have the force of law Quorum: The required number of members prevent to transact business.

Joint Resolution: A resolution passed by both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

"a joint resolution called for mobilization of the National Guard and reserves".

Legislator: Elected member of a legislative body.

Legislature: The branch of state government responsible for enacting laws.

Motion: Formal proposal offered by a member of a deliberative assembly.

Partisan: Associated or affiliated with a single political party or caucus.

Point of Order: An objection raised by a legislator in a committee or on the floor that the rules of procedure are being violated and demand that the rules be enforced.

Reading: Presentation of a bill before either chamber by the reading the bill, its title or its number. A formal procedure required by constitution and rules that indicates a stage in enactment process.

Referendum: A general vote by the electorate on a single political question that has been referred to them for a direct decision.

Resolution: A document that expresses the sentiment or intent of the legislature or a chamber, that governs the business of the legislature or a chamber, or that expresses recognition by the legislature or a chamber.

Revision: The printing of, or the editorial process of preparing laws by repealing obsolete laws or consolidating the laws.

Session: (1) Period during which the legislature meets; (2) the daily meeting of the Senate or House.

Shell Bill: A measure introduced with amendments have little or no substantial effect which later be used as a vehicle for more substantive legal changes.

Shucked bill: A measure which has been so greatly changed from its original subject that the current language bears no relation to original.

Sine Die: Final adjournment of a session of the legislature

Statute: A formal enactment of the legislature of a more permanent nature. The term "statute" is used to designate written law, as distinguished from unwritten law.

Title: A concise statement of the subject and the contents of a bill.

Vote: Formal expression of a decision by the body.

Yield: Relinquishing of the floor by one member to another member to speak or ask a question.