Plain-English definitions of the terms you'll see across Know Your Vote Kentucky. Everything here is specific to the Kentucky General Assembly — the rules and procedures differ from the U.S. Congress. For the process the terms describe, see How a bill becomes a law in Kentucky.
A proposed law introduced in the Kentucky House of Representatives. To become law, it has to pass the House, pass the Senate, and then go to the Governor — who can sign it, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. The General Assembly can override a veto with a majority of all members in each chamber (51 in the House, 20 in the Senate).
A statement that expresses the position of both chambers, but doesn't become law. Often used for official acknowledgments or to direct state agencies.
A formal action that requires approval from both the House and Senate. Commonly used for interim study requests, adjourning the session, ratifying federal constitutional amendments, or making official statements. Joint resolutions that have the force of law must be presented to the Governor; purely procedural ones (such as adjournment) do not (Ky. Const. § 56).
A resolution that only affects the Kentucky House itself — such as internal rules or ceremonial recognitions. The Senate doesn't have to approve it.
A proposed law introduced in the Kentucky Senate. To become law, it has to pass the Senate, pass the House, and then go to the Governor — who can sign it, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. The General Assembly can override a veto with a majority of all members in each chamber (51 in the House, 20 in the Senate).
A statement that expresses the position of both chambers, but doesn't become law. Often used for official acknowledgments or to direct state agencies. Introduced in the Senate.
A formal action requiring approval from both the Senate and House. Commonly used for interim study requests, adjourning the session, ratifying federal constitutional amendments, or making official statements. Joint resolutions that have the force of law must be presented to the Governor; purely procedural ones (such as adjournment) do not (Ky. Const. § 56). Introduced in the Senate.
A resolution that only affects the Senate itself. The House doesn't have to approve it.
'Sine die' is Latin for 'without a day' — meaning no return date is set. When the General Assembly adjourns sine die, the session is officially over. Any bills not yet passed are dead until the next session.
The bill has been assigned a chapter number in the Acts of the Kentucky General Assembly (session law) and filed with the Secretary of State. The LRC separately codifies the changes into the Kentucky Revised Statutes (KRS). Most laws don't take effect until 90 days after the General Assembly adjourns, unless an emergency clause or a specific effective date was included.
The committee is considering changes to the bill's text — in Kentucky these take the form of committee amendments or a committee substitute — before deciding whether to send it to the full chamber.
The bill is being reviewed by a specialized committee. Members may hold hearings, propose changes, and vote on whether to send it to the full chamber.
A revised version of the bill written by the committee. It replaces the original text but keeps the same bill number. Sometimes called a 'CS.'
The bill became law — by the Governor's signature, by the General Assembly overriding the Governor's veto, or by the Governor taking no action within the required timeframe. Most enacted laws don't take effect immediately — they become effective 90 days after the General Assembly adjourns, unless the bill included an emergency clause or specified a different date (Ky. Constitution § 55).
The bill has been formally printed in its final, amended form following passage in one chamber — the clean copy prepared for official transmittal to the other chamber.
Both the House and Senate have passed the bill. It has been reviewed for accuracy, signed by the leadership of each chamber, and sent to the Governor for action.
The bill did not receive enough votes to pass. It will not become law in this session.
Ky. Constitution § 46 requires each bill to be read on three separate days before a final vote — a genuine constitutional constraint. The first reading is a procedural step, usually just the bill's title, that officially starts the process.
A change proposed to the bill while it is being debated by the full chamber — not in committee. Any member of that chamber can offer a floor amendment.
The full House or Senate — members present — is voting on whether to pass the bill, as opposed to a vote only in committee.
The bill has passed both chambers and is waiting on the Governor's decision: sign it into law, veto it, or let it become law without a signature.
The bill is being reviewed by the assigned committee. Members may hold hearings, propose changes, and eventually vote on whether to send it to the full chamber.
A legislator has formally filed this bill. It has received a number but has not yet been voted on by any committee or the full chamber.
A legislator has formally filed this bill with the General Assembly. It now has a bill number and is typically referred to a committee by the Speaker or Senate President.
The full House or Senate voted to approve the bill. It now moves to the other chamber, where it may be referred to a committee before being scheduled for a floor vote.
The bill cleared one chamber and has been sent to the other. It may be referred to a committee before a floor vote in that second chamber.
The bill cleared one chamber (House or Senate) and has been sent to the other for consideration.
The bill has been placed on the calendar and is scheduled for a vote by the full chamber. This is one of the last steps before a floor vote.
The bill was submitted to the Legislative Research Commission (LRC) before the legislative session officially began. Prefiling lets members get a head start on drafting.
The bill was sent back to committee after already reaching the floor. This usually happens to allow further amendments or to slow the bill's progress.
The bill has been assigned to a smaller group of legislators who specialize in this policy area. The committee will review it and decide whether to advance it — hearings with outside testimony may or may not be scheduled.
The committee reviewed the bill and recommends the full chamber vote yes on it. The bill now moves to the floor for debate and a vote.
The committee recommends the bill, but replaced the original text with a revised version. The substitute can be a minor tweak or a major rewrite — it's still the same bill number.
A routine paperwork step that doesn't change the bill itself. Real progress happens when a committee or the full chamber actually votes.
The second required reading of the bill. At this point the bill is typically referred to a committee for review.
The Governor has approved and signed the bill. It will be delivered to the Secretary of State and assigned a chapter number in the Acts of the Kentucky General Assembly. Most laws take effect 90 days after the session adjourns — unless the bill included an emergency clause or specified a different effective date.
The bill has been set aside. In practice, tabling almost always signals the end of a bill's progress for the session — though it stops short of a direct up-or-down vote on the bill's merits.
The final required reading before the full chamber votes. In the first chamber, a bill that passes on third reading moves to the other chamber; in the second, it moves to enrollment and the Governor.
The General Assembly voted to pass the bill despite the Governor's veto. Kentucky requires only a majority of the members elected in each chamber (51 in the House, 20 in the Senate) to override — a notably lower bar than the federal two-thirds (Ky. Constitution § 88).
The Governor rejected the bill. The General Assembly can attempt to override the veto — which requires a majority of the members elected to each chamber (51 House members and 20 Senators) under Ky. Constitution § 88.
A legislator who formally signs on to support a bill someone else introduced. Co-sponsors show that a bill has broader support, but they didn't introduce it.
A smaller group of legislators that focuses on a specific policy area, such as Education or Judiciary. Committees hold hearings, dig into the details of bills, and decide whether to send them on to the full chamber.
Kentucky's state legislature. It has two chambers: the House of Representatives (100 members) and the Senate (38 members). It convenes in Frankfort each January — up to 60 legislative days in even-numbered years and 30 in odd-numbered years.
One of the two chambers of the Kentucky General Assembly. It has 100 members, each representing a district across the state. Members serve 2-year terms.
One of the two chambers of the Kentucky General Assembly. It has 38 members, each representing a district across the state. Senators serve 4-year terms, with roughly half up for election every two years.
The nonpartisan staff agency that supports the Kentucky General Assembly. The LRC provides bill drafting services, conducts policy research, and handles the legislature's day-to-day operations. It is overseen by a statutory committee of House and Senate leaders (KRS 7.090).
The floor leader for the party that holds the most seats in the chamber. Coordinates party members during debate and works to advance the majority's legislative priorities on the floor.
The leader of the party that doesn't hold the most seats in the chamber. Coordinates the minority party's response to legislation and represents its members.
A party leader who keeps track of how members plan to vote and works to line up support for the party's position on key votes.
The leader of the Kentucky Senate, chosen by Senate members from among themselves. The President sets the Senate's agenda, assigns members to committees, and runs floor proceedings.
The leader of the Kentucky House of Representatives, chosen by House members from among themselves. The Speaker decides which bills get floor time, assigns members to committees, and keeps order during debate.
The legislator who introduced the bill. They're its main advocate as it moves through the process — though the actual drafting is often done by Legislative Research Commission staff.
A member of the Kentucky House of Representatives. Kentucky has 100 representatives, each elected from a geographic district to a 2-year term.
A member of the Kentucky Senate. Kentucky has 38 senators, each elected from a geographic district to a 4-year term.
A smaller working group inside a committee that focuses on a narrower topic. Subcommittees often do the first detailed review of a bill before the full committee votes.
A proposed change to a bill's text. Amendments can be offered in committee or on the floor by any member.
The official schedule of bills waiting for a floor vote. Being 'placed on the calendar' means a bill is next in line for the full chamber to vote on.
A formal committee meeting to consider a bill. The committee may hear testimony from experts, advocates, state agencies, or the public — though Kentucky committees can also vote on bills without scheduling formal testimony sessions.
A vote in which a chamber accepts the other chamber's amendments to a bill it already passed. If it concurs, the bill advances to the Governor. If it refuses, the chamber may recede from its own amendments, the bill may die, or both chambers can agree to form a conference committee to negotiate a compromise. Concurrence votes cluster near the end of session.
A temporary joint group of House and Senate members that's set up to work out the differences when the two chambers pass different versions of the same bill. Both chambers have to approve the final compromise.
The compromise version of a bill produced by a conference committee. Both chambers have to vote yes or no on it as written — no more amendments are allowed.
A motion to pull a bill out of committee without the committee's approval. In Kentucky, it has to be filed a day ahead of time, and it's rarely used.
A provision that makes a law take effect as soon as it becomes law, instead of waiting until its normal effective date later that year. Adding one requires the concurrence of a majority of the members elected to each chamber, with the reasons for the emergency entered in each chamber's journal (Ky. Constitution § 55).
An official estimate of how much a bill would cost (or save) state or local government if it becomes law, prepared under KRS 6.955–6.960. A bill's sponsor, a committee or its chair, or the chamber can request one; when prepared, it is attached to the measure before the chamber takes final action.
A vote in which the full House or Senate — members present — votes on whether to pass a bill, as opposed to a vote only in committee. This is the chamber's official decision.
The months between regular sessions when the General Assembly isn't formally in session. Interim joint committees — made up of House and Senate members — meet monthly in Frankfort to study issues and take testimony, and legislators may pre-file bills for the next session. Much of the groundwork for upcoming legislation is laid here.
A request to hold another vote on something that was just decided. Under chamber rules, typically only a member who voted on the prevailing side may make this motion.
The minimum number of members that have to be present for the chamber to do official business. In Kentucky, that's a majority of each chamber — at least 51 of 100 House members, or 20 of 38 Senators.
A vote where each legislator's position is recorded by name. This creates a public record of exactly how your representative voted.
When every member agrees to something without holding a formal vote — for example, skipping a procedural reading or waiving a rule. Any single member can object and block it.
A multi-day pause near the end of a Kentucky regular session. After both chambers finish passing bills, they recess so the Governor has 10 days — Sundays not counted — to sign, veto, or let bills become law without a signature (Ky. Constitution § 88). The General Assembly then reconvenes for its final days to consider veto overrides — each requiring a majority of the members elected to each chamber — before adjourning sine die.
Members shout 'aye' or 'nay,' and the presiding officer decides which side is louder. No individual votes are recorded, so you can't look up how your rep voted on a voice vote.
The official count of yes votes (yeas) and no votes (nays) on a bill or amendment.
The geographic area a Kentucky House member represents. Kentucky has 100 House districts and every Kentuckian lives in one. Your House rep is elected only by voters in your district.
The geographic area a Kentucky Senator represents. Kentucky has 38 Senate districts, each electing one Senator and covering a larger area than a House district. Every Kentuckian lives in one — you have both a House rep and a Senate rep.
An online encyclopedia of American politics. Ballotpedia profiles include a legislator's background and campaign history.
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