SCR 8405
In CommitteeSenate
Bills/to house of origin
Returning bills to their house of origin.
This status may be delayed. See Action History below for the latest updates.
How does a bill become law?
- Introduced: The bill is filed and assigned a number.
- Committee: A subject-matter committee holds hearings, takes public testimony, and decides whether to advance the bill.
- Floor Vote: The full chamber (House or Senate) debates and votes on the bill.
- Opposite Chamber: The bill repeats the committee and floor vote process in the other chamber.
- Governor: The Governor reviews the bill and decides whether to sign or veto it.
- Signed: The bill has been signed into law.
AI Analysis
This resolution sets procedures for handling pending legislation at the end of the 2025 Regular Session, ensuring that bills not yet passed by both chambers are transferred between chambers for final consideration, and that all records are preserved for any future special session. It also standardizes bill numbering for any special session to continue the regular session’s sequence.
- At the end of the 2025 Regular Session, the Senate must send all pending House-originated bills (and similar measures) to the House, where they will be assigned to the House Rules Committee for third reading.
- Similarly, the House must send all pending Senate-originated bills (and similar measures) to the Senate, where they will be assigned to the Senate Rules Committee for third reading.
- All pending bills and related documents (e.g., journals, dockets) must be retained by the Secretary of the Senate and Chief Clerk of the House in their current status at adjournment SINE DIE.
- Bills introduced during any special session of the 2025–26 legislature must use the same numbering sequence as the 2025 Regular Session (i.e., continue the numbering from where the regular session left off).
Who is affected
- Legislative leadership and committee staff (House Rules Committee and Senate Rules Committee) — The House and Senate rules committees will receive and process pending legislation from the other chamber at the end of the regular session, affecting how those bills advance or expire.
- Legislative support staff (Secretary of the Senate and Chief Clerk of the House) — Staff in the offices of the Secretary of the Senate and Chief Clerk of the House will be responsible for preserving all pending bills and related documents at session end, ensuring continuity into any special session.
- State legislators (senators and representatives) — Lawmakers who introduce or sponsor bills that do not pass by the end of the regular session will see those measures carried forward (with same number) if a special session is held.
Pro/Con Analysis
Stronger case for benefits
Potential Benefits (3)
Standardizes inter-chamber bill transmission procedures at session end, reducing procedural uncertainty and potential loss of legislation due to administrative error or timing disputes.
Local GovernmentRef: Section 1 (1)Ensures continuity of legislative records and bill status through mandatory retention of pending measures and related documents at adjournment SINE DIE, supporting transparency and accountability.
Local GovernmentRef: Section 2Continuation of bill numbering into special sessions improves legislative efficiency and reduces confusion for staff, legislators, and the public tracking legislation across sessions.
Local GovernmentRef: Section 3
Who Is Most Affected
Legislative leadership and committee staff (House Rules Committee and Senate Rules Committee) benefit from clearer procedural expectations and reduced workload ambiguity when receiving and processing transferred bills, especially during time-sensitive special sessions.
Support staff (Secretary of the Senate and Chief Clerk of the House) gain procedural clarity on document retention responsibilities, reducing risk of noncompliance with public records laws and ensuring consistent archival practices.
State legislators gain predictability in bill continuity — measures that stall near session end won’t be lost but can be revived in special session with same number, preserving legislative intent and reducing redundant re-introduction.
The public and media benefit indirectly through improved transparency and consistency in legislative process — preserved records and consistent numbering make it easier to track bills across sessions.
Lobbyists and advocacy groups benefit from reduced legislative churn — they can continue monitoring and engaging with pending bills across special sessions without having to relearn new bill numbers or re-file materials.