Legislative Glossary

BILL: a proposal presented to the legislature for consideration
as a state law.

CALENDAR: daily lists issued by both houses which show legislation that will be acted upon that day at the discretion
of the presiding officer.

"CALLING THE QUESTION": a method of cutting off debate and calling for an immediate vote on whatever is being considered.

CAUCUS: a meeting of all the members of a political party of either house to make plans, discuss procedures or elect officers.

FLOOR DEBATE: a discussion conducted in either House or Senate advising support of, or opposition to, a proposed piece of legislation.

LOCAL LEGISLATION: proposals on local matters such as salaries, changes in charters, or resolutions calling for local referendums.

MAJORITY: number of votes required by the Constitution
to pass legislation, usually half the vote plus one. Special
types of legislation may require more.

MAJORITY LEADER: spokesperson of the political party that has the largest number of legislators in that house.

MAJORITY WHIP: the legislator, elected by party caucus, who
is responsible for seeing that majority party members are present and voting on issues deemed important to that party.

MINORITY LEADER: spokesperson of the political party which
has fewer votes in a body. Elected by that party's caucus.

MINORITY WHIP: legislator elected by the minority delegation
in either house. Whip is responsible for seeing that members of that party vote on issues deemed vital to the minority party.

"PUT IN THE HOPPER": the act of submitting proposed
legislation in either house.

QUORUM: number of members who must be present in
either house before any legislation can be considered.

RESOLUTION: proposals concerning non-statutory matters
such as executive appointments, creation of interim
committees or commissions, or a proposed amendment to the Constitution of Georgia. Even if passed by both houses, a resolution has no legal status unless it is acted upon.

TYPES OF RESOLUTIONS:

JOINT: resolution passed by both houses for a special purpose, such as joint meetings of House and Senate or adjournment.

PRIVILEGED:commendation for a particular person or group being honored by the Legislature. Passed by courtesy and does not require the Governor's signature.

AMENDMENT:a proposed change to the Constitution. Requires a 2/3 majority in both houses before being submitted to the electorate at a regular election.

STATUS SHEET: daily lists showing all of the proposed legislation before the General Assembly by the number of the bill or resolution, the committee assignment, and the date of any actions taken.

STATUTE: a law which is not properly part of the Constitution of the State of Georgia.