second reading

American  

noun

1. the stage in the consideration of a legislative bill that provides an opportunity for debate and amendment.

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second reading British  

noun

1. the second presentation of a bill in a legislative assembly, as to approve its general principles (in Britain), or to discuss a committee's report on it (in the US)

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Etymology

Origin of second reading

First recorded in 1640–50

Example Sentences

The government's bill last month passed its second reading in the House of Commons.

From BBC

He told Nandy that a week after the second reading of the 'Hillsborough Law', which would impose a duty of candour on public officials, the appearance of Mr MacKenzie was considered a "backward step".

From BBC

Maybe only on second reading do we realize that we’ve been reading a kind of Dear John letter to America.

From Los Angeles Times

Unusually the bill will have two days, rather than one, for an initial debate on the bill as a whole - known as second reading.

From BBC

He said a second reading debate would normally be a vote "just on the principles of a bill and then you deal with the implementation" at later stages.

From BBC