House and Senate Floor Calendars

The day-to-day work of the Legislature takes place both in the Standing Committees (where bills receive a public hearing and discussion by members of the Committee) and on the "floor" of the House and Senate. "Floor action" may consist of Committee of the Whole debate, 2^nd reading, or 3^rd reading and final passage of bills.

The House and Senate typically convene at 9:00 or 10:00 a.m. each morning, recess at mid-day from 12 Noon until 1:30 or 2:00 p.m., and adjourn for the day around 4:00 p.m.  This schedule allows time for the Standing Committees to meet and work on bills assigned for their initial consideration (Committee meetings are usually scheduled prior to convening each morning, over  the noon hour or following afternoon adjournment, see "Committee Meeting Calendars" on this Website).

The standard order of business for the House and Senate while in session each day is set out in House Rule 2-1 and Senate Rule 4-1.  The House and Senate "Floor Calendars" at the left provide the daily convening time for the House and Senate and set out the list of bills scheduled for consideration that day on 2^nd and 3^rd reading (these readings normally take place during the morning session) and bills on "General File" which is simply a list of bills that are awaiting debate by the full House or Senate sitting as the Committee of the Whole (Committee of the Whole debate is typically scheduled for the afternoon session.)