jr99(51)
(51)
Opinion of the attorney general: A formal reply by the attorney general to a specific question.
jr99(52)
(52)
Pair: A written agreement between 2 members on opposite sides of a question not to vote on the question if one or both are absent with leave, which permits the absent member to influence the outcome of a vote.
jr99(53)
(53)
Parliamentary inquiry: A request for an explanation of a legislative rule or procedure.
jr99(54)
(54)
Passage: Final approval in the first house of a bill introduced in that house if referring to action of one house and final approval of both houses of a bill introduced in either house if referring to action of both houses [see also subs.
(3) and
(16)].
jr99(55)
(55)
Petition: A request that one of the houses take a particular course of action.
jr99(56)
(56)
Point of order: A request that the presiding officer rule on a matter of parliamentary procedure.
jr99(57)
(57)
Precedent: A previous ruling, decision, or action used to interpret legislative rules.
jr99(57d)
(57d)
President: A member of the senate elected by the membership to preside over the senate and carry out the duties as described in the senate rules, the joint rules, and the statutes.
jr99(57m)
(57m)
President pro tempore: A member of the senate elected by the membership to carry out the duties of the president in his or her absence until the return of the president or until a president is elected.
jr99(57p)
(57p)
Presiding officer: The person presiding over the senate or assembly in session [see also subs.
(11),
(57d),
(57m),
(80), and
(81)].
jr99(59)
(59)
Privileged motions and requests: A group of motions and requests relating to basic questions concerning the meetings, organization, rules, rights, and duties of the senate or assembly and having the highest precedence for consideration. Privileged motions and requests take precedence over incidental, subsidiary, and main questions.
jr99(60)
(60)
Proposal: A resolution, joint resolution, or bill put before a house for consideration.
jr99(61)
(61)
Question: A statement before one of the houses for decision.
jr99(62)
(62)
Quorum: A majority of the current membership of one of the houses, unless otherwise required by the state constitution.
jr99(63)
(63)
Recess: A temporary suspension of business during a roll call day.
jr99(64)
(64)
Reconsideration: A motion to nullify a decision and again consider and vote on the question involved.
jr99(65)
(65)
Regular order of business: The regular sequence of deliberations on any legislative day.
jr99(66)
(66)
Regular session: The biennial session of the legislature established by the constitution and by section
13.02 of the statutes. The Wisconsin legislature convenes in the capitol on the first Monday of January in each odd-numbered year at 2 p.m. to take the oath of office, to select officers, and to organize itself for the conduct of its business, but if the first Monday falls on January 1 or 2, the legislature organizes on January 3. Daily meetings begin in January of each year and continue throughout the biennial session until the final adjournment of the biennial session. "Session" is also often used to refer to the daily meetings of the legislature.
jr99(67)
(67)
Rejection: An action for the adverse and final disposition of: a) a resolution or joint resolution for the biennial session of the legislature; b) an amendment or substitute amendment with regard to one specific document; c) the application of a motion to the current situation; and d) the report of a committee.
jr99(68)
(68)
Remain informal: A temporary suspension of proceedings in one of the houses.
jr99(69)
(69)
Request: A proposed action that does not require a vote because: a) unanimous consent has been asked for; b) the action is required if there are sufficient seconds; or c) the presiding officer has the authority to take or order the requested action.
jr99(70)
(70)
Rescind: An action by which one of the houses nullifies an action on a proposal so as to enable the house to again consider a proposal from a given stage. When a motion to rescind prevails, the house resumes its consideration of a proposal at the stage indicated in the motion.
jr99(71)
(71)
Resolution: A proposal expressing the opinion of one of the houses; changing the rules of one of the houses; or confirming a nomination for appointment.
jr99(73)
(73)
Roll call day: A legislative day on which any roll call is taken.
jr99(74)
(74)
Roll call vote: A vote on which each member voting is recorded by name.
jr99(75)
(75)
Rules of proceedings: The rules that govern the operations of the legislature and the conduct of legislative business. Rules of proceedings are found in the state constitution; the joint rules, senate rules, and assembly rules; custom, usage, and precedent in each house; the statutes; and parliamentary law.
jr99(76)
(76)
Ruling: The presiding officer's decision on a point of order.
jr99(77)
(77)
Senate chamber: The entire area south of the northernmost doors of the senate, including the floor, staff lobby, press lobby, visitor's galleries, and hallways, but excluding the offices of senate officers.
jr99(78)
(78)
Sergeant at arms: The officer elected by the members to perform and direct the police and custodial functions of one of the houses.
jr99(79)
(79)
Sine die adjournment: The final adjournment of a legislative session.
jr99(80)
(80)
Speaker: A member of the assembly elected by the membership to preside over the assembly and carry out the duties as described in the assembly rules, the joint rules, and the statutes.
jr99(81)
(81)
Speaker pro tempore: A member of the assembly elected by the membership to carry out the duties of the speaker in his or her absence until the return of the speaker or until a speaker is elected.
jr99(82)
(82)
Special committee: A committee created by resolution, or a special committee or temporary special committee created by a written order pursuant to the rules of a house, to investigate specific matters during a session or committee work period, and report to the senate or assembly.
jr99(83)
(83)
Special order of business: Any proposal ordered by the senate or assembly to be given consideration at a specified time and taking precedence over the regular orders of business at that time.
jr99(84)
(84)
Special session: The convening of the legislature by the governor to accomplish a special purpose for which convened.
jr99(85)
(85)
Stage: One of the formal steps in the legislative process.
jr99(86)
(86)
Standing committee: A permanent legislative committee.
jr99(87)
(87)
Subsidiary motions: A group of motions that change, or delay or accelerate the consideration of, a proposal before a house. Subsidiary motions have lower precedence than privileged and incidental questions, but higher precedence than main motions.
jr99(88)
(88)
Substitute amendment: An amendment that, if accepted, takes the place of the original proposal. The term more accurately describes a "substitute bill" or "substitute resolution."
jr99(89)
(89)
Sufficient seconds: The support of the requisite number of members necessary to initiate certain procedures, pursuant to the rules of each house.
jr99(90)
(90)
Suspension of the rules: A motion requiring the support of two-thirds of the members present and by which a special action on a specific proposal is accomplished despite the existence of a rule blocking the action. Any suspension of the rules is temporary.
jr99(92)
(92)
Unanimous consent: A request for a specific purpose; if an objection is not heard, it is assumed that the request has the consent of the entire body.
jr99(93)
(93)
Veto: The action by which a bill or a part thereof is rejected by the governor.
jr99(94)
(94)
Voice vote: A vote taken by asking the members in favor of a question to say "aye" simultaneously and then the members opposed to likewise say "no."
2011-2012 SESSION SCHEDULE
As Concurred in January 3, 2011, and as amended by 2011 Senate Joint Resolution 15
To create the session schedule for the 2011-2012 biennial session period.
Resolved by the senate, the assembly concurring, That:
Section
1. 2011-2012 session schedule. (1) Biennial session period. The legislature declares that the biennial session period of the 2011 Wisconsin legislature began on Monday, January 3, 2011, and that the biennial session period ends at 12 noon on Monday, January 7, 2013.
(1m)
Budget deadline extended. The deadline of Tuesday, January 25, 2011, set by section
16.45 of the statutes for introduction of the executive budget bill or bills, submittal of the state budget report, and delivery of the governor's budget message, is extended to Tuesday, March 1, 2011.
(2)
Scheduled floorperiods and committee work periods. (a)
Unreserved days. Unless reserved under this subsection as a day to conduct an organizational meeting or to be part of a scheduled floorperiod of the legislature, every day of the biennial session period is designated as a day for committee activity and is available to extend a scheduled floorperiod, convene an extraordinary session, or take senate action on appointments as permitted by joint rule
81.
(b)
Inauguration. Pursuant to section
13.02 (1) of the statutes, the inauguration of the members of the 2011 legislature, and the organizing for business of the 2 houses, commences at 2 p.m. on Monday, January 3, 2011.
(c) Floorperiod. A floorperiod commences on Tuesday, January 11, 2011, at 10 a.m., and ends on January 11, 2011.
(d) Floorperiod. A floorperiod commences on Tuesday, January 25, 2011, at 10 a.m., and, unless adjourned earlier, ends on Tuesday, February 10, 2011.
(e) Floorperiod. A floorperiod commences on Tuesday, February 22, 2011, at 10 a.m., and, unless adjourned earlier, ends on Thursday, February 24, 2011.
(f) Floorperiod. A floorperiod commences on Tuesday, March 8, 2011, at 10 a.m., and, unless adjourned earlier, ends on Thursday, March 10, 2011.
(g) Bills to governor. No later than Thursday, March 24, 2011, at 4:30 p.m., the chief clerk of each house shall submit to the governor for executive action thereon all enrolled bills originating in the chief clerk's house and having been passed by both houses, in regular, extraordinary, or special session, on or before Thursday, March 10, 2011.
(h) Floorperiod. A floorperiod commences on Tuesday, April 5, 2011, at 10 a.m., and, unless adjourned earlier, ends on Thursday, April 14, 2011.
(i) Floorperiod. A floorperiod commences on Tuesday, May 10, 2011, at 10 a.m., and, unless adjourned earlier, ends on Thursday, May 19, 2011.
(j) Floorperiod. A floorperiod commences on Tuesday, June 7, 2011, at 10 a.m., and, unless adjourned earlier, ends on Thursday, June 30, 2011, but this floorperiod may not be adjourned until the general fund executive budget bill has been passed by both houses.
(k) Nonbudget bills to governor. No later than Thursday, August 4, 2011, at 4:30 p.m., the chief clerk of each house shall submit to the governor for executive action thereon all enrolled bills, except the general fund executive budget bill, originating in the chief clerk's house and having been passed by both houses, in regular, extraordinary, or special session, on or before Friday, July 29, 2011.
(L) Budget bill to governor. No later than the later of Thursday, August 4, 2011, at 4:30 p.m., or 4:30 p.m. on the 4th Thursday after the general fund executive budget bill is passed by both houses in identical form, the chief clerk of each house shall submit to the governor for executive action thereon any enrolled general fund executive budget bill originating in the chief clerk's house and having been passed by both houses, in regular, extraordinary, or special session.
(m) Floorperiod. A floorperiod commences on Tuesday, September 13, 2011, at 10 a.m., and, unless adjourned earlier, ends on Thursday, September 22, 2011.
(n) Floorperiod. A floorperiod commences on Tuesday, October 18, 2011, at 10 a.m., and, unless adjourned earlier, ends on Thursday, November 3, 2011.
(o) Bills to governor. No later than Thursday, December 8, 2011, at 4:30 p.m., the chief clerk of each house shall submit to the governor for executive action thereon all enrolled bills originating in the chief clerk's house and having been passed by both houses, in regular, extraordinary, or special session, on or before Thursday, November 3, 2011.
(p) Floorperiod. A floorperiod commences on Tuesday, January 17, 2012, at 10 a.m., and, unless adjourned earlier, ends on Thursday, January 26, 2012.
(q) Floorperiod. A floorperiod commences on Tuesday, February 14, 2012, at 10 a.m., and, unless adjourned earlier, ends Thursday, February 23, 2012.
(r) Last general-business floorperiod. The last general-business floorperiod commences on Tuesday, March 6, 2012, at 10 a.m., and, unless adjourned earlier, ends on Thursday, March 15, 2012.
(s) Bills to governor. No later than Thursday, March 22, 2012, at 4:30 p.m., the chief clerk of each house shall submit to the governor for executive action thereon all enrolled bills originating in the chief clerk's house and having been passed by both houses, in regular, extraordinary, or special session, on or before Thursday, March 15, 2012.
(t)
Limited-business floorperiod. A floorperiod commences on Tuesday, April 24, 2012, at 10 a.m., and, unless adjourned earlier, ends on Thursday, May 3, 2012, which is limited to matters allowed under joint rule
81m (2) to legislative and congressional redistricting, and to considering resolutions offered for the purpose of extending the commendations, condolences, or congratulations of the legislature to a particular person, group, or organization, or of recognizing a particular event or occasion.
(u) Bills to governor. No later than Thursday, May 10, 2012, at 4:30 p.m., the chief clerk of each house shall submit to the governor for executive action thereon all enrolled bills originating in the chief clerk's house and having been passed by both houses, in regular, extraordinary, or special session, on or before Thursday, May 3, 2012.
(v)
Veto review floorperiod. A floorperiod, limited to matters allowed under joint rule
82 (1) (a) to
(f), commences on Tuesday, May 22, 2012, at 10 a.m., and, unless adjourned earlier, ends on Wednesday, May 23, 2012.
(w) Bills to governor. No later than Wednesday, June 13, 2012, at 4:30 p.m., the chief clerk of each house shall submit to the governor for executive action thereon all enrolled bills originating in the chief clerk's house and having been passed by both houses, in regular, extraordinary, or special session, on or before Wednesday, May 23, 2012.
(3) Interim period of committee work; no further introductions. Upon the adjournment of the May veto review floorperiod, there shall be an interim period of committee work ending on Monday, January 7, 2013. Unless the legislature is convened in one or more extraordinary or special sessions, no additional 2011 legislation may be offered during this interim period of committee work.
(4) Special and extraordinary sessions. (a) Adjournment. Except for consideration of executive vetoes or partial vetoes, a motion adopted in each house to adjourn a special or extraordinary session pursuant to this joint resolution shall constitute final adjournment of the special or extraordinary session.
(b) Bills to governor. No later than 4:30 p.m. on the first Thursday occurring 2 full weeks after the day a bill is passed by both houses in identical form after May 23, 2012, in special or extraordinary session, the chief clerk of the house in which it originated shall submit it to the governor for executive action thereon.
(c) Veto review. A special or extraordinary session shall reconvene upon a call of a majority of the members of the joint committee on legislative organization solely for the consideration of executive vetoes or partial vetoes if an enrolled bill passed by both houses during the special or extraordinary session was vetoed or partially vetoed.
(5)
End of term. The biennial term of the 2011 legislature ends on Monday, January 7, 2013. Pursuant to section
13.02 (1) of the statutes, the inauguration of the members of the 2013 legislature will be on Monday, January 7, 2013.
Section
2. Notice of 2013 session organization. Notice is hereby given that the biennial session of the 2013 legislature will hold its first meeting, pursuant to section
13.02 (1) of the statutes, on Monday, January 7, 2013, and that the meeting will begin at 2 p.m.
Alphabetical Index
Revised by Legislative Reference Bureau
(January 2011)
A
Joint Rule
Act, definition99 (1)
Acts, Wisconsin:
index to, legislative reference bureau prepares 77 (5), (6)
numbered in continuous sequence for biennium 79 (6)
