Absent - Not present in Chamber.

Absent with Leave - Not present at session with permission for absence.

Act - A measure passed by both houses and approved by the Governor, or which has become effective without his signature.

Adjournment - Termination of a daily session.

Adjournment Sine Die - Final termination of the second regular session of each two-year General Assembly or a special legislative session.

Amendment:

Committee - "HCA" or "SCA" - Changes proposed to the original bill by the committee.

Floor - "HA" or "SA" - Changes offered as a House or Senate amendment to a bill by a legislator during floor debate.

Conference - "CCA" - An amendment to a bill recommended by the conference committee.

Bill - Draft of proposed law presented to the legislature by a member of the General Assembly for consideration.

Bill, Consent - A bill considered noncontroversial by a committee. In the Senate a consent bill can only be amended in committee.

Bill History - Record of all the action on any given proposal.

Bill Summary - Brief summary of the content and changes to law proposed in a bill.

Calendar:

Consent - A special calendar for non-controversial bills (see Senate Rule 45).

Formal/Perfection - List of bills recommended do pass by a committee which are ready for action by entire body. Bills must be taken up in the order presented on the calendar.

Informal/Perfection - List of bills previously taken up for consideration, but not finally acted on. Bills may be taken up in any order.

Third Reading - The final reading of and voting on a bill before it is reported to the other House.

Committee:

Standing - A committee of continuous existence to which bills are referred for consideration by subject.

Conference - A temporary group of five members from each house, selected to resolve differences in a bill as passed by each house.

Concurrent Resolution - See resolutions.

Conference Committee Report (CCR) - Report from a conference committee detailing recommendations on a bill.

Conference Committee Substitute (CCS) - Bill drafted by the Conference Committee.

Co-Sponsor - One or more persons proposing any bill or resolution.

Division Vote - A request that members stand (Senate only) to be counted when the outcome of a voice vote is unclear.

Effective Date - The date on which actions specified in a bill become operative.

Emergency Clause (EC) - A statement in the bill indicating the act shall take effect after signature of the Governor and prior to the normal effective date (August 28).

Enacting Clause - The clause at the beginning of the bill which contains the preamble "BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI, AS FOLLOWS:", and lists, usually in "Section A", the sections repealed and reenacted.

Engrossed/Perfected - An official copy of a bill as passed by one house incorporating all changes.

Enrolled - The final copy of a bill passed by both houses.

First Read - Bill offered, read by title and ordered printed.

Filibuster - Prolonged discussion of a bill to delay legislative action (Senate only).

Fiscal Note - An estimated amount of increase or decrease in revenue or expenditures and the present and future fiscal implications of pending legislation.

Floor - That portion of the chamber reserved for members and officers of the assembly.

Gallery - The area of the chamber open to the general public.

Hearing - Public discussion and appearance on a proposal scheduled by a committee.

House (H) - A lower house in a bicameral legislature, in Missouri commonly known as the House of Representatives.

Interim - The interval between regular sessions.

Introduction - The formal presentation of a legislative proposal for consideration.

Joint Resolution - Proposal to change the State Constitution which, if passed, goes to the voters for their approval or a proposal to amend the U.S. Constitution.

Joint Rules - Rules that govern the procedures to be followed in all areas of joint activity between the House and Senate.

Journal - An official daily record of the action taken and proceedings of the respective houses.

Legislative District - That division of the state represented by a legislator distinguished by geographical boundaries and given a numerical designation.

Lobbyist - A person who, acting in the course of his employment or for a fee, represents himself or others in opposing or furthering legislation.

Majority Floor Leader - The person responsible for scheduling and managing the day to day floor debate, elected by the members of the majority party.

Message - Communication from one house to the other, or from the Governor, concerning legislative or gubernatorial action on bills, resolutions or executive appointments.

Minority Floor Leader - The leader of the minority party, elected by the members of the minority party.

Motion - Proposition presented for action by a legislative body.

Officers - That portion of the legislative staff elected by the members of the Senate, with the exception of the Lieutenant Governor who is the President of the Senate by Constitution. This includes the President Pro Tempore, Secretary of the Senate, Engrossing and Enrolling Director, Sergeant-at-Arms, Doorkeeper and the Chaplain.

Override - To pass a bill after the Governor has vetoed it.

Out of Order - Not proper under parliamentary rules and procedures.

Pending - A substitute bill, amendment or motion offered but not acted on.

Point of Order - Calling attention to a potential breach of order or rules.

Prefiled Bill - Proposed legislation filed during the interim.

President - The presiding officer of the senate who may be the Lieutenant Governor or a senator presiding in his absence.

President of the Senate - The Lieutenant Governor.

Quorum - The required number of members present to transact business (18).

Recede - Withdraw from an amendment or position on a matter.

Reconsideration - A motion which allows a previous vote to be annulled and the matter voted on again.

Referred - To send a bill to a committee.

Regular Session - The time periods established by the State Constitution for meetings of the General Assembly.

Re-referred - To reassign a bill from one committee to a different committee.

Resolution - A formal expression of the will, wish or direction of one or both houses.

Joint Resolution - A temporary measure which dies when its subject matter is completed. This form is used in submitting a question to a vote of the people. It requires the same treatment as a bill in its passage through both houses and has the force of law, but it does not require the Governor's signature.

Concurrent Resolution - Expresses the opinion or will of both houses and is adopted by both houses, It does not have the force of law. This form is used for such purposes as memorializing Congress on particular matters, ratifying amendments to the United States Constitution, to express recommendations and condolences and requesting action of state officials and departments.

Rules - Rules are used to regulate principles and methods of procedure.

Administrative Rules - Rules developed by a department in order to implement programs and statutes enacted by the General Assembly.

Joint Rules - Govern the relationship and affect matters between the two houses.

Standing Rules - Adopted by each house for the duration of the session to govern matters affecting only one house.

Senate (S) - The upper house in Missouri's bicameral legislature.

Session - The period during which the legislature meets.

Regular Session - The annual session.

Daily Session - Each day's meeting.

Joint Session - The meeting of the two houses together.

Extraordinary Session (also called Special Session) - Called by and limited to matters specified by the Governor.

Veto Session - Short session to attempt to override the Governor's veto of bills.

Statutes - Compilation of all laws presently in effect, prepared in volumes by the Division of Legislative Research.

Substitute, Committee - "HCS" or "SCS" - A bill recommended by a House or Senate committee in lieu of the bill referred.

Substitute, Floor - "HS" or "SS" - A bill offered on the floor of the House or Senate in lieu of the bill being debated.

Table - To lay aside for future discussion, usually with a view to postponing or shelving the matter indefinitely.

Third Reading - The measure is "read at length" before a final vote is taken.

Title - A concise statement of sections in and the subject of a bill.

Truly Agreed To and Finally Passed - A bill passed by both houses of the legislature.

Unanimous Consent - A request to suspend the rules for a specific purpose.

Veto - The rejection by the Governor of a bill passed by the legislature.