Chapter 7
Glossary
Every odd phrase you’ll see in a bill’s history or on a ballot, in plain English.
Adjourned sine dieThe final adjournment of a session, with no date set to return. On the floor →
AdoptedApproved, for an amendment or resolution. On the floor →
Amendment (H-8001, S-5212)A proposed change to a bill, numbered by the chamber that filed it. Bills & amendments →
AppropriationA law that spends money. Appropriations bills are exempt from the funnel. The Legislature →
As HSB 785In Funnel’s history, an action taken on the study bill before it got its current number. Bills & amendments →
At riskFunnel status: a funnel deadline is less than a week away and the bill hasn’t met it. The funnel →
Attached toA bill linked to its companion in the other chamber so one can be substituted for the other. Bills & amendments →
CalendarThe list of bills eligible for floor debate. On the floor →
Carried overStill alive after the first session of a General Assembly. Bills & amendments →
CaucusAll members of one party in one chamber; also a precinct meeting of party members. The Legislature →
Committee reportA committee’s recommendation on a bill, such as “recommending passage” or “recommending amendment and passage”. The Legislature →
Companion billThe same bill filed in both chambers. Bills & amendments →
ConcurAccept the other chamber’s changes to a bill. On the floor →
Conference committeeMembers of both chambers who negotiate a compromise version of a bill. On the floor →
Constitutional majorityA majority of all members: 51 in the House, 26 in the Senate. Needed to pass a bill. On the floor →
ConventionA party meeting that picks nominees when a primary is inconclusive or for a special election. Elections →
Correctional impact statementEstimate of how a bill would change prison populations and costs. Bills & amendments →
DeferredAction postponed. On the floor →
Died at end of sessionFunnel status: didn’t pass before the General Assembly ended. Bills & amendments →
Do passA committee’s recommendation that a bill pass. The Legislature →
Effective dateWhen a law takes effect: usually July 1, sometimes immediately. The Legislature →
Enacting clause“Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Iowa”; a strike-everything amendment replaces everything after it. Bills & amendments →
EnrolledThe final version passed by both chambers, signed by their presiding officers and sent to the Governor. Bills & amendments →
ExcusedAbsent with permission; not counted as a no vote. On the floor →
ExplanationThe plain summary printed at the end of a bill. Funnel shows it as “What’s in it”. Bills & amendments →
Explanation of voteA written note in the Journal explaining how a member voted or would have voted. On the floor →
Fiscal noteNonpartisan estimate of a bill’s cost to the state. Bills & amendments →
FunnelOne of two deadlines each session that bills must meet to stay alive. The funnel →
General AssemblyIowa’s Legislature, and also the two-year period it serves (the 91st, 92nd…). The Legislature →
GermaneOn topic. Amendments must be germane to the bill. On the floor →
HF / SFHouse File / Senate File: a bill. Bills & amendments →
HJR / SJRJoint resolution, mostly used to propose constitutional amendments. Bills & amendments →
HSB / SSBHouse or Senate Study Bill: a committee draft. Bills & amendments →
Immediate messageSending a bill to the other chamber right away. On the floor →
Indefinitely postponedKilled without a direct vote on the bill. On the floor →
InsistRefuse to drop a change the other chamber has rejected; leads to a conference committee. On the floor →
Item vetoThe Governor striking individual items from a spending bill while signing the rest. The Legislature →
Joint RulesRules both chambers adopt together, including the funnel deadlines (Joint Rule 20). The funnel →
Journal (H.J., S.J.)The official daily record of each chamber, including every roll call. On the floor →
Laid on the tableSet aside indefinitely; it can be “taken from the table” later. On the floor →
Lobbyist declarationA public statement that a lobbyist’s client is for, against or undecided on a bill. Money & lobbying →
LSALegislative Services Agency: nonpartisan staff who draft bills and analyze them. The Legislature →
LSB numberA bill’s drafting number before it’s introduced. Bills & amendments →
Message from House/SenateOfficial notice that the other chamber passed or changed a bill. On the floor →
Minority impact statementEstimate of a criminal-law bill’s effect on minority Iowans. Bills & amendments →
Motion to reconsiderA request for a new vote, often used to hold a bill in place. On the floor →
Not germaneRuled off topic, so it can’t be considered. On the floor →
Out of orderRuled against the rules, so it can’t be considered. On the floor →
Party-line voteMost of each party voted opposite ways. On the floor →
Per diemDaily expense pay for legislators, which ends at 110 days (first session) or 100 days (second). The Legislature →
Placed on calendarApproved by committee and eligible for floor debate. On the floor →
Pocket vetoWhen the Governor doesn’t act within 30 days on a bill passed at the end of session, it’s vetoed. The Legislature →
Point of orderA challenge that something breaks the rules. On the floor →
Projected winnerFunnel: civicAPI has called the race. “Apparent winner” means every county is in and the leader is ahead by 5+ points. Elections →
RecedeDrop a change the other chamber rejected. On the floor →
Referred toSent to a committee. The Legislature →
Refuse to concurReject the other chamber’s changes to a bill. On the floor →
RenumberedA study bill reintroduced with a new HF or SF number after committee approval. Bills & amendments →
Retention electionA yes-or-no vote on keeping a judge. Elections →
Revenue Estimating ConferenceNonpartisan panel that forecasts state revenue; spending is limited to 99% of its estimate. The Legislature →
Roll callA recorded vote listing how each member voted. On the floor →
SessionOne year of a General Assembly. The Legislature →
Special electionAn election to fill a vacant seat mid-term. Parties nominate at conventions. Elections →
Special sessionA session called outside the regular one, usually by the Governor. The Legislature →
SponsorThe legislator or committee that introduced a bill or filed an amendment. Bills & amendments →
Strike everythingAn amendment replacing the whole bill. Bills & amendments →
SubcommitteeUsually three legislators who hold the first public meeting on a bill. The Legislature →
Substituted forA chamber takes up the other chamber’s companion bill in place of its own. Bills & amendments →
SuccessorA new version of a bill under a new number, replacing the original. Bills & amendments →
Suspension of rulesSetting aside the normal rules, usually to move quickly; takes extra votes. On the floor →
Time certainDebate scheduled for a specific time. On the floor →
Two-thirds67 in the House and 34 in the Senate; needed to override a veto. On the floor →
Unfinished business calendarWhere bills that were debated but not finished wait. On the floor →
Veto overridePassing a bill over the Governor’s veto with two-thirds of each chamber. The Legislature →
WithdrawnPulled by its sponsor. On the floor →
Yeas and naysYes and no votes. On the floor →