terminology

Select Legislative Terminology

BIENNIUM

The two-year period by which North Dakota and Minnesota budgets are set. Unless called into special session, lawmakers in North Dakota meet once during the biennium, while Minnesota lawmakers have a flexible schedule, which means by law, they are not required to meet annually but are authorized to do so.

BILL

A proposal calling for a new law, a change in current law, the repeal of current law, or a constitutional amendment is drafted into a bill for consideration by the legislative bodies.

CAUCUS

House and Senate members of the same political party or faction meet a “caucus” to elect leadership and discuss priorities.

COMPANION BILLS

In Minnesota, identical bills can be introduced in the House and the Senate. The bills can be passed out of both chambers into committees for further action. If both bills return to the House and Senate floor, a conference committee would be appointed to work out the differences. Companion bills are not used in North Dakota as typically a bill is introduced in the House or the Senate, is referred to a committee. Once it returns to the House or Senate floor it is voted on and if passed, sent to the second house. If the bill is amended by the second house, a conference committee ultimately is appointed to work out the differences.

CONCURRENCE

When changes or amendments are made to a proposal, the original body can concur or not concur. Concurrence is an action in which one body approves or adopts a proposal or action taken by the other house.

CONFERENCE COMMITTEE

A group of members from the House and Senate appointed to resolve differences in a proposal passed by both chambers in different forms.

CONSENT CALENDAR

Typically non-controversial bills that are awaiting their second reading.

FISCAL NOTE

Fiscal notes are intended to be an objective assessment on the price tag on proposed legislation on the change in expenditures and revenues that will result from a bill.

INTERIM

The months between adjournment of one regular session and the next is referred to as the “interim.” When the legislature is not in session, committees continue to work on assigned studies and often produce legislation to introduce in the following session.

JOURNALS

The official records of the House and Senate. Records are recorded and posted on their respective legislative websites.

LOBBYIST

Lobbyists are individuals who are hired, or act on their own behalf to influence action in a particular manner. Information on how to register as a lobbyist, rules and reporting requirements can be accessed from each state’s Secretary of State office.

REFERENDUM

Legislatures can refer law making proposals to the voters by passing a referendum. The referendum would be placed on the ballot for a vote.

#FMWFAdvocacy

Public Policy Staff

KATHERINE GRINDBERG Executive Vice President 701.516.2114 kgrindberg@fmwfchamber.com

CALE DUNWOODY Director of Public Policy 701.306.2235 cdunwoody@fmwfchamber.com

202 First Avenue North | Moorhead, Minnesota 56560 218.233.1100 | fmwfchamber .com

This guide was developed by the Public Policy committee and adopted by the Board of Directors of the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce.