Glossary of terms
This glossary provides definitions of the key terms used on this website and throughout the Indicators for Democratic Parliaments.
Download the glossary| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Bicameral | Denotes a parliament or legislature that has two separate chambers or houses. In some cases, they have equal but distinct privileges and powers, and are separated in structure and statute. A bicameral system has a significant impact on the way parliament works. |
| Bill | See: Proposal for a law. |
| Budget | A plan typically prepared by the executive and placed before parliament each year (depending on national statute) showing what money the government expects to receive (revenue) and how the government proposes to spend it (expenditure). |
| Bureau | See: Presidium. |
| By-law | A law or rule governing the internal affairs of an organization, or a secondary law. See also: Delegated legislation, Rules of procedure and Secondary legislation. |