How A Bill Becomes A Law

A bill may be introduced in either the Senate or House of Representatives, but the procedure by which a bill becomes a law is much the same, wherever the bill originates.  In this story, the bill is introduced in the Senate by a member, or members of that body after the bill is filed with the Secretary of the Senate, it is given a number and unless a majority demands it be read in full, it is read the first time by title only in open session of the Senate.  It is then referred to a standing committee

The committee studies the bill and often holds public hearing on it.  The committee will then meet to consider the information it has gathered.   It may approve the bill with or without amendments, draft a new bill on the same subject incorporating the desired changes, or take no action.

The committee is now ready to report back to the Senate.   If the majority is in favor of the bill as introduced with certain amendments, the chairman recommends the bill for passage.  The committee report is read in open session of the Senate, and the bill is then referred to the rules committee

If the report is accepted by both houses, the bill is signed by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House in open sessions of each body, and then is sent for the governor's signature.

Within five days, if the Legislature is still in session, or twenty days after its adjournment, the governor may sign the bill  or veto all or any section of it.  The Legislature can override the veto by a two-thirds vote of both houses.  If the governor fails to act on the bill it becomes law without a signature.

After the bill has been recommended for passage by the standing committee which it was originally referred, the Rules Committee can either place it on the second reading of the calendar for debate before the entire body, or take no action.

If the conference committee cannot agree, a free conference committee may be appointed with power to rewrite the amendment or even write an entirely new bill.   when the conferences reach agreement, they report to their respective houses.   Their report is either accepted or rejected without any changes.

After passing in the Senate, the bill will go through an almost identical procedure in the House.  If the bill is passed by the House, but is amended by that body, the Senate must concur in the amendments,.  If the Senate does not accept the changes in the bill, a conference committee may be requested on the differences.

When the bill appears on the calendar for second reading, it is subject to amendment.  It is then returned to the Rules committee where it must receive a favorable vote before being placed on the third reading calendar for final passage.  This referral to Rules is often bypassed by vote of the Senate and the bill placed on the final passage immediately following its second reading.  Depending upon the degree of controversy, debate may last a few mites to several hours or even several days.