Definition

• Pro forma means, in Latin, "as a matter of form." A pro forma session is a brief meeting with either the House or the Senate where no voting takes place and no legislation is discussed or passed.
  
  

Reason

• Typically, a pro forma session is held just to satisfy constitutional requirement that states each House or chamber must seek another House or chamber's permission if they recess for more than three days. To satisfy this rule, a pro forma session is called where the members meet briefly for this purpose only.
  
  

Agenda

• When a pro forma session is called, the agenda is fairly simple, and typically very few members show up for it. It generally consists of an opening prayer and routine announcements, and non-legislative speeches are sometimes given. The meeting then adjourns. No official business ever takes place at a pro forma session. It is only held to satisfy constitutional guidelines.