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FOR SESSION OF THE MICHIGAN SENATE
When watching Senate Session, you will hear the following words or phrases. These make up the outline of the Calendar (or agenda) for each day’s session, though the order may be rearranged depending on the day’s priorities.
INVOCATION
Prayer given at the beginning of each day’s session.
ROLL CALL
Record of Senators attending session that day.
MOTIONS/COMMUNICATIONS
Formal proposal related to the conduct of business in the Senate.
MESSAGES FROM THE GOVERNOR
Official communications from the Governor which are read into the official record and published in the Senate Journal, the official printed record of all proceedings of the Senate. Generally, this includes messages concerning enrolled bills, proclamations and executive orders.
MESSAGES FROM THE HOUSE
Official communications from the House which are read into the official record. The most common message is related to bills.
CONFERENCE REPORTS
A report signed by the majority of the conferees of each chamber, consisting of agreements reconciling the different versions of a bill passed by the House and Senate. The same number of votes must approve a conference report in each chamber as it takes to pass the bill.
THIRD READING OF BILLS
The final reading of a bill before final passage, as required by the Constitution.
GENERAL ORDERS
An order of business under which the Senate meets as the Committee of the Whole to consider a bill or joint resolution. Generally this is a more informal meeting allowing unlimited debate. Votes are not recorded. This is used only in the Senate.
RESOLUTIONS
A document expressing the will of the House or the Senate (or both, in the case of
concurrent resolutions). Resolutions are used to urge state agencies or the Congress to take certain actions, to formally approve certain plans of governmental agencies; to conduct certain legislative business; or to establish study committees to examine issues. Some resolutions are also offered by members as an expression of congratulations, commemoration or tribute to an individual or group.
INTRODUCTION/REFERRAL
The formal presentation of a proposal to the body after it has been turned in by the sponsor and assigned a bill number. As required by the Constitution, this is the first reading of the bill. The bill is then sent, or referred, to a Senate committee.
STATEMENTS
Statements on topics, issues or items not properly before the Senate shall be limited to five minutes orally or, if submitted in writing, shall be no greater than 1000 words, except an oral dissent statement shall not be limited in length.
ADJOURNMENT
The conclusion of the day’s session. The final adjournment, sine die, ends the year’s session.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
An official report from a Senate committee on a bill or resolution with a specific recommendation for action. It will also include recommended amendments or substitutes, as well as roll call votes and attendance information for that committee.
PLEASE NOTE: WHEN A SHORT PAUSE IN SENATE SESSION IS NECESSARY, THE SENATE MAY MOVE TO "RECESS AT THE CALL OF THE CHAIR" OR "RECESS UNTIL (a time specified)".
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