The Legislative Process

Legislative Process

Introduction

• The legislative process is the process by which a bill becomes a law
• It involves several stages, including introduction, committee review, floor debate, voting, and signing into law

Stages of the Legislative Process

1. Introduction
   • A member of the legislature introduces a bill in either the House of Representatives or the Senate
   • The bill is written in a specific format and typically includes a statement of purpose and the text of the proposed law
2. Referral
   • The bill is referred to a committee, which is responsible for reviewing and debating the bill
   • The committee may hold hearings, gather input from experts and the public, and mark up the bill (make changes or amendments)
3. Committee Review
   • The committee reviews the bill and may:
     • Approve the bill and send it back to the full chamber for consideration
     • Reject the bill and prevent it from moving forward
     • Amend the bill and send it back to the full chamber for consideration
4. Floor Debate
   • The bill is debated on the floor of the chamber where it was introduced
   • Members of the legislature may offer amendments, and there may be votes on these amendments
5. Voting
   • The bill is put to a vote in the chamber where it was introduced
   • If it passes, it is sent to the other chamber (e.g. from the House to the Senate, or vice versa) for consideration
6. Conference Committee
   • If the bill passes in both chambers but is not identical, a conference committee is formed to iron out the differences
   • The conference committee is made up of members from both chambers
7. Final Vote
   • The bill is put to a final vote in both chambers
   • If it passes, it is sent to the head of the executive branch (e.g. the President) for signing
8. Signing or Veto
   • The head of the executive branch signs the bill into law, or vetoes it
   • If vetoed, the bill is sent back to the legislature, which can try to override the veto with a two-thirds majority vote in both chambers

Legislative Process

Introduction

• The legislative process involves transforming a bill into a law through multiple stages
• These stages include introduction, committee review, floor debate, voting, and signing into law

Stages of the Legislative Process

• A bill is introduced in either the House of Representatives or the Senate by a member of the legislature
• The introduced bill includes a statement of purpose and the proposed law's text

Committee Review

• The bill is referred to a committee responsible for reviewing and debating it
• The committee may hold hearings, gather expert and public input, and mark up the bill
• The committee can approve, reject, or amend the bill before sending it back to the full chamber

Floor Debate and Voting

• The bill is debated on the floor of the introducing chamber
• Members can offer amendments, which may be voted on
• The bill is put to a vote in the introducing chamber
• If it passes, it is sent to the other chamber for consideration

Conference Committee and Final Vote

• If the bill passes in both chambers but is not identical, a conference committee iron out the differences
• The conference committee consists of members from both chambers
• The bill is put to a final vote in both chambers
• If it passes, it is sent to the head of the executive branch for signing

Signing or Veto

• The head of the executive branch signs the bill into law or vetoes it
• If vetoed, the bill is sent back to the legislature, which can override the veto with a two-thirds majority vote in both chambers

Learn about the steps a bill takes to become a law, from introduction to signing, including committee review, floor debate, and voting.