Advocacy Glossary
Sine die
What does sine die mean?
Sine die is Latin for without a day. Adjourning sine die means a legislative session has officially ended with no set date to meet again.
Why it matters for advocates
In Florida, the regular session ends sine die with a tradition called the hanky drop, when sergeants at arms in both chambers drop handkerchiefs at the same moment.
Bills that have not passed both chambers by sine die are dead for that session. The final days before it are the busiest, and the most unpredictable, of the year.
Related terms
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