Glossary
The date on which a law can first be applied and enforced. In most cases, the effective date is the 91st day after a law has been filed with the Secretary of State.
A person/all persons qualified to vote in an election.
A clause that must be included in any bill, other than a bill that levies a tax or makes an appropriation for current expenses, if the bill is to take effect immediately upon passage by the General Assembly and approval by the Governor. The clause, as constitutionally required, sets forth the reasons a bill is an emergency measure. The clause is voted on separately by the legislature and requires an affirmative vote of 2/3 of the members of each house. If the emergency clause is approved, the bill as an emergency measure is voted on and also requires a 2/3 majority vote to pass.
The commitment of funds against a state agency's appropriations for the purchase of goods or services.
The preparation of a copy of a bill by incorporating all of its amendments. The House or Senate Clerk's office engrosses a bill before it is sent to the Rules and Reference Committee and before it is sent to the other house.
A printed version of a bill that is prepared when the bill has passed both houses in identical form. The enrolled bill is signed by the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate and becomes an act awaiting the Governor's approval.
A person who is automatically made a member of a certain committee or board by virtue of a particular office or position held. Although ex officio members may be voting members of a committee or board, often they serve in a nonvoting capacity.
The complete biennial financial plan that the Governor is required to submit to the General Assembly not later than four weeks after its organization (or not later than March 15 in years of a new governor's inauguration). In addition to the Governor's requested appropriations for the operations of state government, the executive budget may include the Governor's proposals for law changes needed for its implementation, as well as other budget-related information such as historical expenditures, revenue analyses, and supporting documentation.
Any written or printed order, directive, rule, or regulation promulgated by the Governor to: (1) exercise his or her constitutional authority as "chief executive," (2) enforce state laws, (3) exercise responsibilities as commander-in-chief of the armed forces and civil defense forces of the state, or (4) in the role of "agent" of the state legislature, exercise powers delegated by statute to administer and implement particular state laws and programs.