biennial session
A legislative session held every two years. • Most state legislatures have biennial sessions, usu. held in odd-numbered years. [Cases: States 32. C.J.S. States §§ 48–50.]
Search Results for: LEGISLATURE
lobby
lobby, vb. 1. To talk with a legislator, sometimes in a luxurious setting, in an attempt to influence the legislator’s vote (she routinely lobbies for tort reform in the state legislature). [Cases: Statutes 24. C.J.S. Statutes § 7.] 2. To support or oppose (a measure) by working to influence a legislator’s vote (the organization lobbied
legislative jurisdiction
A legislature’s general sphere of authority to enact laws and conduct all business related to that authority, such as holding hearings. [Cases: States 1. C.J.S. States §§ 2, 16.]
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engrossment
engrossment, n. 1. The preparation of a legal document (such as a deed) for execution. 2. The drafting of a resolution or bill just before a final vote on the matter in the legislature. 3. ENGROSSING.
lower chamber
In a bicameral legislature, the larger of the two legislative bodies, such as the House of Repre-sentatives or the House of Commons. [Cases: States 26. C.J.S. States § 40.]
enrolled bill rule
enrolled-bill rule. The conclusive presumption that a statute, once formalized, appears precisely as the legislature intended, thereby preventing any challenge to the drafting of the bill. [Cases: Statutes 283(2).C.J.S. Statutes §§ 74–75, 77.] “Under the ‘enrolled bill rule,’ an enrolled bill, properly authenticated and approved by the governor, is conclusive as to regularity of its
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vested rights doctrine
vested-rights doctrine. Constitutional law. The rule that the legislature cannot take away a right that has been vested by a court’s judgment; specif., the principle that it is beyond the province of Congress to reopen a final judgment issued by an Article III court. — Also termed doctrine of vested rights. [Cases: Constitutional Law 110.]
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companion bill
A bill introduced in the other house of a bicameral legislature in a substantially identical form.
statement of principle
statement of principle. In legislative drafting, a sentence or paragraph that explains the legislature’s purpose in passing a statute. • Although a statement of principle often resembles a preamble (usu. both do not appear in a single statute), it differs in that it typically appears in a numbered section of the statute.
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general court
General Court. The name of the legislatures of Massachusetts and New Hampshire. • “General Court” was a common colonial-era term for a body that exercised judicial and legislative functions. Cf. COURT OF ASSIS-TANTS.