Legislative Glossary

Term Definition Acronym
Term:
Pamphlet Law
Definition:
Printed copies of the individual laws available from the Department of State in pamphlet or "slip" form.  Also available in .PDF format from the Secretary of State's website.
Term:
Passage
Definition:

Favorable floor action on a bill.

Term:
President of the Senate
Definition:

The presiding officer of the Senate. The Senate President is elected by the full membership of the Senate for a term of two years.

Term:
President Pro Tempore of the Senate
Definition:

A senator who is elected by the full membership of the Senate for a term of two years. The Senate President Pro Tempore presides over the Senate Chamber whenever the Senate President is absent and no other senator has been designated to preside.

Term:
Proclamation
Definition:

The formal pronouncement issued by the Governor, or jointly by the Senate President and House Speaker, calling the Florida Legislature into a special session. It describes the subject matter and the length of the session. Also referred to as "the Call."

Term:
Proof of Publication
Definition:

A certified newspaper notice (required by the Constitution) of intent to file certain types of legislation. The notice is attached to the filed claim or local bill and remains a part of the permanent file.

Term:
Proposed Committee Bill (PCB)
Definition:
A draft legislative measure taken up by a committee for the purpose of considering whether to introduce it in the name of the committee.
Acronym:
PCB
Term:
Proviso
Definition:
Language used in a general appropriations bill to qualify or restrict the way in which a specific appropriation is to be expended.
Term:
Public Records Law
Definition:
A law providing that public records may be inspected at reasonable times, under reasonable conditions, and under the supervision of the person who has custody of the records. The Legislature may enact exemptions to the law.
Term:
Public Review Period, Constitutional
Definition:

A 72-hour public-review period required by the Constitution before a vote on final passage of a general appropriations bill may take place. Section 1(e) of Article VII requires a 72-hour period after third reading before the final passage of a bill increasing state revenues.

Term:
Partisan
Definition:
Associated or affiliated with a single political party or caucus.
Term:
Point of Order
Definition:
A question by a member to the presiding officer calling attention to a breach of order or of the rules.