Abbreviations

IS - Introduced in the Senate

IH- Introduced in the House

Definitions

This phrase indicates that a bill has been introduced in either the House or the Senate. In the Senate, any number of senators may introduce a single bill; in the House, a limit of 25 representatives may cosponsor a bill. Many bills are actually committee bills and therefore are introduced under the name of the (sub)committee's chairperson as a formality.

RFS - Referred in Senate

RFH- Referred in House

This phrase indicates that, after being introduced, a bill has been directed to the committees that have jurisdiction over the subject with which the bill is concerned. (Bills are referred by the Speaker in the House and the presiding officer in the Senate.)

RDS - Received in Senate

RHS - Received in House

This phrase indicates that a bill has been accepted for consideration in one house.

RCS - Reference Change Senate

RCH - Reference Change House

This phrase indicates a change in the referral of a bill, which requires the unanimous consent of the members of the house in question.

RS - Reported in the Senate

RH - Reported in the House

This phrase accompanies a committee's report of its findings and recommendations to the parent house after it has examined a bill. The version of the bill as reported includes changes, if any, that have been recommended by the committee.

PCS - Placed on Calendar Senate

PCH - Placed on Calendar House

This phrase accompanies a bill that is pending before committees of either house. The bill is assigned a calendar number, which determines when it will be considered by that house.

CPS - Considered and Passed Senate

CPH - Considered and Passed House

This phrase indicates that, after being debated, a bill has been voted on and passed by one of the two houses.

EAS - Engrossed amendment Senate

EAH - Engrossed amendment House

This phrase accompanies the final copy of a bill that has been passed by one house and certified by the clerk of the House or the secretary of the Senate. It includes the amendments to the text from floor action.

ES - Engrossed in the Senate

EH - Engrossed in the House

This phrase accompanies the final copy of a bill that has been passed by one house and certified by the clerk of the House or the secretary of the Senate.

RAS - Referred w/Amendments Senate

RAH - Referred w/Amendments House

This phrase indicates that an engrossed bill has been passed from one house to the other, requesting concurrence.

ENR - Enrolled

This phrase accompanies the final copy of a bill that has been passed in identical form by both houses. It must be certified by an officer of the house of origin (the clerk of the House or the secretary of the Senate) and then sent on for the signatures of the Speaker of the House, the president of the Senate, and the U.S. president. An enrolled bill is printed on parchment.