Beacon Hill Jargon
Welcome to Beacon Hill, where the lingo flows almost as fast as the legislation. If you're new to the Massachusetts political scene or even if you've been at it for a while, you’ve probably found yourself nodding along in meetings while furiously Googling terms like "Joint Rule 10" or "outside section" under the table. You’re not alone—Beacon Hill’s jargon is a language all its own, and even seasoned professionals occasionally stumble.
At InstaTrac, we get it. The legislative process is already complex, and the last thing you need is to feel like you’re playing catch-up because someone dropped a term like "study order" or "engrossment" without blinking. So, let’s break down a few of those more obscure terms—the ones people say confidently but don’t always fully understand—and make you feel a little more at home in the process.
1. Joint Rule 10
What you hear: "The bill didn’t make it out by Joint Rule 10, so now we’re scrambling."
What it means: This is the deadline for committees to report out bills (except the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing)—it’s the first Wednesday in February during the second year of the legislative session. If your bill doesn’t make it out by then, it’s often seen as a death sentence (unless it gets an extension). Basically, it’s the legislative equivalent of tax day: circle it on your calendar and plan accordingly. Download the 2025-2026 Important Dates document here.
2. Study Order
What you hear: "That bill got sent to study."
What it actually means: It’s probably dead. A study order is a resolution given on Joint Rule 10 day to "study" a bill further, but it’s really more of a polite way to kill it off quietly. Think of it as the legislative version of, "We’ll circle back on this later."
3. Engrossment
What you hear: "The bill is headed to engrossment."
What it means: This is the final version of a bill after all the amendments have been made and everyone’s had their say. It’s the polished version that gets voted on before heading to the governor’s desk. Fun fact: the term comes from an old practice of writing bills in large, "engrossed" letters to make them easier to read.
4. Outside Section
What you hear: "That policy change was slipped into an outside section of the budget."
What it actually means: Outside sections are policy changes tacked onto the appropriations bill (aka the annual budget). They’re not about actual funding but are often used to sneak in measures that might not pass as standalone bills. If you hear someone talking about an outside section, pay attention because it could be a big deal.
5. Resolve
What you hear: "The legislature passed a resolve on the issue."
What it actually means: A resolve isn’t a law—it’s more of a formal statement of intent or a directive to take a specific action, like conducting a study or forming a commission. It’s a way for lawmakers to address an issue without enacting a binding law.
6. Emergency Preamble
What you hear: "They’re adding an emergency preamble to make it effective immediately."
What it means: Normally, a law takes effect 90 days after being signed. But if there’s an urgent need, an emergency preamble allows it to go into effect the second the governor signs it. You’ll often see this with spending bills or disaster responses.
7. Formal Session vs. Informal Session
What you hear: "We’ll wait for the next formal session to move this forward."
What it means: Beacon Hill has two types of sessions—formal and informal—and they’re not interchangeable.
Formal Session is where the big, controversial stuff happens. Roll call votes (recorded votes) are taken, major debates unfold, and legislators address significant bills. If you want to see democracy in action (or drama), this is the session to watch.
Informal Session, on the other hand, is like the legislature’s low-stakes sibling. These are used for routine, non-controversial actions—think passing local bills or minor procedural items. There are no roll call votes, and just a few legislators need to show up to do business really. But it is important to note that any single legislator can object to a measure and stop it in its tracks.
8. Conference Committee
What you hear: "We’re waiting for the conference committee to reconcile the differences."
What it means: When the House and Senate pass different versions of a bill, it’s like two chefs arguing over a recipe. Enter the conference committee, a six-person panel—three members from each chamber—that hammers out the final version of the bill. The committee’s compromise is then sent back to both chambers for an up-or-down vote. No amendments, no additional edits—just a straight yes or no. If a bill lands here, it’s in the legislative pressure cooker.
9. Enactment
What you hear: "The bill is up for enactment next week."
What it means: Enactment is one of the final steps before a bill becomes law. After both chambers agree on the same language, the bill is sent to the governor for signing. Enactment is essentially the legislature saying, "This is done on our end—your move, Governor." It’s the legislative equivalent of sealing the envelope and putting it in the mail.
Here’s the thing: no one expects you to walk onto Beacon Hill on day one and know all of this. Even the most experienced policy professionals have moments where they lean over to a colleague and whisper, "Wait, what does that mean again?" The key is to stay curious, ask questions when you need clarity, and keep learning.
At InstaTrac, we’re here to help. Whether you’re tracking legislation, analyzing votes, or just trying to decode the jargon, we’ve got the tools and expertise to make you feel like a pro—even if you’re still learning the ropes. Check out our Beacon Hill Terminology guide for a detailed glossary of terms that can help you crack the code of legislative language. Also, consider a trial with our legislative intelligence software, MassTrac to get the competitive edge.
Training Sessions: Don’t forget to join our twice-weekly training sessions to learn how to maximize MassTrac’s features. Sessions are held every Wednesday at 2 p.m. and Friday at 10 a.m.