What is meant by markup?
Following legislative hearings, a committee decides whether to report a measure, in which case it chooses a specific measure and perfects it through amendment. A business meeting for this purpose is called a markup. Both chambers require a minimum quorum of one-third of a committee’s members to hold a markup session, and some committees establish a higher one. The process may be formal for controversial measures or relaxed for ones less contentious. In leading a markup, the chairman generally chooses the legislative vehicle, and presents it for consideration and amendment. This vehicle may be an introduced bill, or another version prepared by committee staff at the direction of the chair. Many individuals attempt to influence the content of measures, sometimes suggesting alternative language. A Member may offer an amendment containing alternative language, and a majority of a quorum is needed to adopt an amendment.
