LEGISLATIVE TERMS

BILL--A bill is a proposed statute, or law.

RESOLUTION--A joint resolution is a formal requirement separately adopted by both houses which must be approved by the Governor in order to become effective; it has the effect of law but is used in lieu of a bill where its effect is temporary or is for the purpose of initiating a study or making a memorialization in which the Governor as well as the legislature is to participate. A concerned resolution is also separately adopted by both houses but does not require action by the Governor; it is used for expressing the will of the legislature in legislative organizational matters, or establishing special study commissions and committees to which members are appointed, only by the legislature. Its effectiveness expires at the end of the legislative year. This is also the form used for proposing constitutional amendments, since they do not require the Governor's approval before being submitted to the voters for approval or rejection. (However, public questions, also submitted to the voters, are proposed by the bill-passing route.) Except in the case of constitutional amendments, concurrent resolutions may be adopted by voice vote, as may Assembly or Senate Resolutions, adopted by only one house.

STATUTE--A law enacted by state legislatures (or Congress). Laws enacted by municipalities are called ordinances.