How Idaho Laws Are Made

"Sine die" is Latin for "without a day." When the Legislature adjourns sine die, it ends the session with no scheduled date to reconvene. On Tally Idaho, bills from sessions that have adjourned sine die are marked as closed.

A proposed change to the text of a bill. Amendments can be offered in committee or on the floor. If an amendment passes, the bill is reprinted with the changes incorporated.

A legislative authorization to spend a specific amount of public money for a specific purpose. The Legislature must appropriate funds before any state agency can spend them.

A legislature with two chambers. Idaho's Legislature is bicameral — the Senate (35 members) and the House of Representatives (70 members).

A proposed law. A bill only becomes law after passing both chambers and being signed by the Governor (or the veto being overridden). Until then it is a "bill," not a law.

A meeting of members of the same political party within a chamber. Caucuses are where parties coordinate strategy, elect leaders, and discuss upcoming votes.

After the Governor signs a bill, it is assigned a chapter number in the Idaho Session Law and eventually codified into the Idaho Code. "Chaptered" means it is now permanent law.

A measure that must pass both chambers but does not require the Governor's signature and does not have the force of law. Often used for procedural matters or expressions of legislative opinion.

A temporary joint committee formed when the House and Senate pass different versions of a bill. Members from both chambers negotiate a compromise. Both chambers must then approve the final version.

A committee's recommendation that the full chamber approve a bill. "Do Pass" means approve as-is; "Do Pass as Amended" means approve with the committee's changes.

Language in a bill that makes it take effect immediately upon the Governor's signature rather than waiting for the standard July 1 effective date. Requires a two-thirds vote to include.

A bill that has been updated to incorporate all amendments adopted during floor debate. The engrossed version is the official text sent to the other chamber.

The final, clean version of a bill after it has passed both chambers in identical form, before it is sent to the Governor. The enrolled bill is what the Governor actually signs.

A written estimate of the financial impact of a proposed bill — how much it would cost or save the state. Prepared by the Division of Financial Management. Bills with significant costs may face more scrutiny.

The main chamber where all members of the Senate or House meet to debate and vote. "On the floor" means a bill is being considered by the full membership, as opposed to in committee.

When a committee takes no action on a bill, allowing it to die at the end of the session. One of the most common ways bills fail — they are quietly held rather than formally killed.

The permanent, codified collection of all Idaho statutes. When a bill becomes law, its provisions are inserted into the appropriate title and chapter of the Idaho Code.

A committee that meets between regular legislative sessions to study specific issues and prepare recommendations or draft legislation for the next session.

A formal statement from the Idaho Legislature addressed to the U.S. Congress or another government body, expressing the Legislature's position on a federal issue. Passes both chambers but carries no binding legal force.

A person paid to advocate for or against legislation on behalf of an organization, company, or interest group. Lobbyists must register with the state. They frequently testify in committee hearings.

The floor leader of the majority party in a chamber, responsible for scheduling legislation and managing the party's legislative agenda.

A document expressing the Legislature's opinion or request to Congress, the President, or a federal agency. Has no force of law.

The floor leader of the minority party in a chamber. Coordinates the minority party's response to legislation and represents the minority in procedural matters.

A vote where members of each party vote as a bloc — Republicans on one side, Democrats on the other. Tally Idaho flags bills where the final vote broke sharply along party lines.

Not applicable in Idaho. The Idaho Constitution requires the Governor to take action on a bill — sign it, veto it, or let it become law without signature — within a fixed time period.

The presiding officer of the Idaho Senate, elected by Senate members. The Lieutenant Governor is the constitutionally designated President of the Senate but the Pro Tem handles day-to-day presiding duties.

Latin for "for the time being." Used to designate a temporary presiding officer — e.g., the Senate President Pro Tempore presides in the Lieutenant Governor's absence.

The minimum number of members required to conduct official business. In Idaho, a majority of each chamber constitutes a quorum — 36 of 70 House members, or 18 of 35 Senators.

A temporary break in legislative proceedings, within a session. Different from adjournment, which ends a day's work, and sine die, which ends the session entirely.

A measure expressing the opinion or will of the Legislature, or directing an internal action. Unlike a bill, a resolution does not become law.

A vote in which each member's individual position (yea, nay, or absent) is recorded. All votes on Tally Idaho are roll call votes — you can see exactly how every legislator voted.

The period during which the Legislature is officially in business. Idaho holds a regular session beginning in January each year. The Governor can also call special sessions for specific purposes.

The presiding officer of the Idaho House of Representatives, elected by House members. The Speaker controls the floor schedule and committee appointments.

An extraordinary legislative session called by the Governor outside the regular annual session, limited to the specific subjects the Governor designates.

The legislator who introduces a bill and champions its passage. A bill can have one primary sponsor and multiple co-sponsors. Committees can also sponsor bills.

A permanent committee that meets each session to review bills in a specific subject area — e.g., Health & Welfare, Education, Judiciary & Rules. Most bills live or die in committee.

A law enacted by the Legislature and signed by the Governor. All Idaho statutes are compiled in the Idaho Code.

A completely rewritten version of a bill that replaces the original. Committee substitutes are common when a committee wants to substantially change a bill's approach.

To postpone or set aside a motion or bill indefinitely. Tabling a bill is often equivalent to killing it for the session.

The Governor's rejection of a bill passed by the Legislature. A vetoed bill is returned to the Legislature with the Governor's objections. The Legislature can override a veto with a two-thirds majority in both chambers.

A vote in which members call out "aye" or "nay" and the presiding officer judges which side is louder. Individual votes are not recorded. Tally Idaho only shows roll call votes, where individual positions are on the record.