Final answer:
A motion to refer a matter to a committee when no business is pending is an incidental motion. The House and Senate use standing, joint, conference, and special or select committees to manage and process legislation.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a motion is made to refer a matter to a committee when no business is pending, it belongs to a class of motions known as incidental motions. Incidental motions are those that arise incidentally and must be decided immediately. There are four types of committees in the House and the Senate: standing committees, joint committees, conference committees, and special or select committees. Each serves a unique purpose in managing the flow and development of legislation.
Standing committees are the first to review proposed bills and play a significant role in determining which bills move forward. Joint committees explore a few key issues and are purely informational. Conference committees reconcile different bills passed by both chambers, although they can sometimes be bypassed in the legislative process. Lastly, special or select committees are temporary and established to address specific issues or conduct investigations.