Glossary of Common Terms

Biennium - The name for Minnesota’s two year legislative session. The first year is a budget year, where lawmakers set the state’s working budget for two years. In the second year, legislators work on the state bonding proposals – essentially taking care of any assets the state owns (roads, bridges, trails, higher education buildings, etc.).

Bonding Year - The second year of the Minnesota legislative biennium (in even-numbered years- 2008, 2010, 2012), where lawmakers decide which state priorities to fund. The state’s bonding can be considered like a credit card- it is how the state finances new improvements on projects that the state owns- trails, bridges, roads, higher education buildings, etc.). Lawmakers spend the majority of this session viewing state projects up for funding and then deciding where state bonds will be awarded. This can also be referred to as the “short session.”

Biennial Budget – Minnesota passes a working budget in the first year of the legislative biennium. This budget will last for the two years until the next budget year. It is possible, if the state is facing a deficit or revenue increase that budget projects will be considered in the second year of the biennium.

Biennial Budget Request – The Minnesota State Colleges and University request, passed by the Board of Trustees, which highlight what funding will be asked for at the state Legislature. The request is for funding to operate for two years. It includes line items for specific purposes, such as inflation.

Bonding Request – A listing of the Minnesota State Colleges and University’s priorities of projects to be funded on campuses. This is developed with input from campuses and ultimately approved by the Board of Trustees before going to the state Legislature.

Budget Year – The first year of the Minnesota legislative biennium (in odd-numbered years- 2007, 2009, 2011), where lawmakers set the state’s working budget for two years. It is important to note that the Minnesota State Legislature has to have a balanced budget before adjourning for session. This can also be referred to as the “long session.”

Conference Committee - After the Minnesota House and Senate pass bills on the similar topics (i.e. the state budget), a conference committee will be held. The conference committee members are appointed by the House or Senate, depending on where the bill originated. The conference committee typically has five members from each body, with majority party and minority party representation. The conference committee becomes the decision makers to iron out the difference between the House and Senate bills. Once a conference committee bill is passed, it goes back to the House and Senate for an up or down vote. No amendments can be made on the House or Senate floor to a conference committee bill. If the bill passes, it goes to the governor, if it does not pass, it goes back to conference committee for more work. The bill is not law until the governor signs it.

Congressional Delegation – This includes a state’s representatives to the U.S. Congress. The Minnesota congressional delegation contains two U.S. Senators and eight U.S. Representatives.

Continuing Resolution - If the federal government does not pass its working budget bills by October 1, the start of a new fiscal year, a C.R. or continuing resolution can be passed to keep funding at its current levels, under the current legislation until a new bill can be passed.

Government Relations - Minnesota State Colleges and University staff that work with state and federal legislators to make sure the system’s legislative requests are understood.

Governor’s Proposal - Before or at the start of the Minnesota state legislative session (typically in January), the governor will set priorities. In the budget year, the governor lays out where the state should fund or cut programs. In the bonding year, the governor provides insight on where state funds should be bonded. These proposals are recommendations only since the state lawmakers send the legislation to the governor. Depending on the party in power, the state legislator proposals may or may not align with the governor’s proposals.

HEA - This is the federal Higher Education Act which legislates all national higher education rules. It is set to be reviewed and updated every five years. However, this typically takes longer.

House Bill - In the budget year, the Minnesota House of Representatives will craft a bill on where its priorities lie for funding state programs. Members of the House will also craft a bill for bonding proposals in the second year of the biennium. These are typically referred to as the “House Bill.” However, use this term carefully, because the House has many committees. For instance, there will also be a higher education, K-12 education and environment (to name a few) House bill crafted in the session.

Legislative Session – Usually refers to the two-year biennium but can also be a description of a budget or bonding year in the context of state government. See also: Session.

Senate Bill - During the legislative session, the Minnesota Senate also crafts a bill on where its priorities lie for funding state programs. State senators will also craft a bill for bonding proposals in the second year of the biennium. These are typically referred to as the “Senate Bill.” However, use this term carefully, because the Senate has many committees. For instance, there will also be a higher education, K-12 education and environment (to name a few) Senate bill crafted in the session.

Session – This can be used to describe either the bonding year or the budget year in the context of state government. It can also be another term for biennium. See also Legislative Session.

Sine die – the Legislature can adjourn Sine die, this means that they will adjourn without a date-certain plan to reconvene. It happens at the end of each biennium in even-numbered years.