How does a bill become law?
(The answer below assumes a bill begins in the Senate, but a bill may originate in the House as well.)
IN SENATE
IDEA– Conceived by Legislator, Legislative Committees, citizens, groups of citizens or copied from another state.
DRAFTING– Bills are drafted by Legislative Counsel and entered into legislative management system.
INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING– Filed by a Senator with Secretary of the Senate who assigns it a number and prints.
On next legislative day, read first time and referred to Committee by President of theSenate. Bills are routinely assigned by subject matter; discretion lies with President.
COMMITTEE ACTION– Committee considers and studies Bill, receives expert testimony and hears from all interested parties.
Committee alternatives are to: (1) Recommend Bill or Resolution Do Pass; (2) RecommendDo NOT Pass; (3) Recommend Do Pass with changes (amendments or substitutes); (4) Hold Bill.
Final Committee action reported to the Senate in a written report.
SECOND READING– Bill read second time on legislative day following Committee report.
THIRD READING AND PASSAGE– The following legislative day, third reading and debate; amendments and substitutes adopted; final vote taken by roll call and recorded on passage of all General Bills.
TRANSMITTAL TO HOUSE– Bill then Engrossed, signed by the Secretary of the Senate and transmitted to the House of Representatives.
IN HOUSE
FIRST READING– Bill read first time and referred to Committee by Speaker of the House.
SECOND READING– On next legislative day, read second time.
COMMITTEE ACTION– Committee considers and studies Bill, receives expert testimony and hears from all interested parties.
Committee alternatives are: (1) Recommend Bill or Resolution Do Pass;(2) Recommend Do NOT Pass; (3) Recommend Do Pass with changes (amendments or substitutes); (4) Report without recommendation; (5) Hold Bill.
Final Committee action reported to the House in a written report.
THIRD READING AND PASSAGE– The following legislative day, third reading and debate; amendments and substitutes adopted and final vote taken.
TRANSMITTAL BACK TO SENATE– Bill signed by the Clerk of the House of Representatives and transmitted back to the Senate.
If House makes changes, Senate must agree or disagree to changes. If the two Houses failto reach agreement on a measure, a Conference Committee may be established with three members from each House appointed by the Presiding Officer. To complete passage, bothHouses must agree to report of Conference Committee.
GOVERNOR’S SIGNATURE– Bill then Enrolled, signed by President of the Senate, Secretary of the Senate, Speaker of the House and Clerk of the House and sent to Governor for his approval or disapproval.Governor signs or vetoes Bill within time limit; assigns Act number to Bill. Governor sends Bill which is now an Act (Law) to the Secretary of State for filing, printing and safekeeping.
VETO: The Governor may approve or veto a Bill within six days after receipt when the General Assembly is in session. After the Session is concluded, he has forty days to approve or veto the Bill. If he fails to take action within the prescribed time, the Bill becomes a Law. If he vetoes the Bill, the General Assembly may override the veto by a two-thirds vote of each House at the next Session.