How a resolution moves through General Convention

When our representatives gather at General Convention they take council together through a legislative process. That process begins with resolutions that are proposed by Deputies, Bishops, Committees, Commissions, Provinces, and Diocese of the Episcopal Church. Resolutions, when adopted by the House of Deputies and the House of Bishops, become the Acts of the General Convention and govern the way we live our understanding of the Christian faith as a community of believers.

Resolutions have four sources:

"A" resolutions are submitted by Committees, Commissions, Agencies and Boards

"B" resolutions are submitted by Bishops

"C" Resolutions are submitted by Dioceses or Provinces

"D" Resolutions are submitted by Deputies

The Presiding Bishop and the President of the House of Deputies assign each resolution to one of the parallel or joint legislative committees in the House of Bishops and in the House of Deputies. They also designate the resolutions to start in one House or the other. Parallel committees meet jointly to review resolutions and hold hearings, but vote separately on their recommendations. Resolutions with funding implications also go to the Program, Budget & Finance Committee for review.

The committees decide if the resolutions are accepted as is, or are amended or combined with another resolution. The committees then decide to whether to endorse the resolution.

Resolutions then go to the House of Bishops and House of Deputies where they are debated, sometimes amended, and then voted on. Once a resolution is adopted by one House, it then goes to the other for debate, amendment and adoption. Both Houses must concur on a resolution for it to be adopted by General Convention.