Action Codes
Bills that note one of the following codes, usually, take effect immediately.
  • A = Appropriation
  • E = Election
  • I = Immediate - The budget bill and budget related bills providing for appropriations related to the budget bill passed by a majority vote takes effect immediately upon being signed by the Governor or upon a date specified in the legislation
  • T = Tax Levy - Any bill that imposes, repeals, or materially alters a state tax. Legislative Counsel determines whether a bill is a tax levy.
  • U = Urgency - A clause adopted by the House by a two-thirds vote of the elected members
Bill
A draft of a proposed law introduced by a member of the Legislature. (Assembly Bill 4000 = AB 4000 or Senate Bill 10 = SB 10)
Chapter
After a bill has been signed by the Governor, the Secretary of State assigns the bill a "Chapter Number" such as "Chapter 123, Statutes of 1992," which is subsequently used to refer to the measure rather than the bill number.
Concurrent Resolution
A measure that can be introduced in either house, but must be approved by both houses and filed with the Secretary of State to take effect. These measures usually involve the business of the Legislature. (e.g., adoption of the Joint Rules.)
House Resolution
A document that is the expression of one house. House resolutions are generally used to amend house rules or to create committees.
Joint Resolution
Expresses an opinion about an issue pertaining to the federal government; forwarded to Congress for its information. Joint resolutions require the approval of both the Assembly and Senate but does not require the signature of the Governor to take effect.
Veto
The formal action when the Governor disapproves a bill. A two-thirds vote of each house is necessary to override the veto and make the bill become law.