How a Bill Becomes a Law
Senate
House
Bill is introduced in the Senate
Bill is Referred to an appropriate Senate standing committee
Bill is revised in subcommittee. If approved by the standing committee bill is sent to the full Senate
Bill is debated by the full Senate. If approved, it is sent to the House
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Bill is introduced in the House of Representatives
Bill is referred to an appropriate House standing committee
Bill is revised in subcommittee. If approved by the standing committee, it is sent to the Rules Committee
Rules Committee decides when the bill will be debated by the full House
Bill is debated by the full House. If approved, it is sent to the Senate. If the Senate has passed a related bill, it goes to a conference committee.
Conference committee irons out differences between the two versions of the bill
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Passsed version of the bill is sent to the president
President signs the bill (or allows it to become law without signing it)
Bill becomes a law
President vetoes the bill and sends it back to Congress
Congress overrides the veto with a two-thirds vote in both houses
Bill becomes a law
Compromise version of the bill is voted on by the full Senate
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Compromise version of the bill is voted on by the full House
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the senator and their staff research a problem and bring their ideas to a bill drafter to transform idea into proper legal form)
Introduced during the first 10 days of the legislative session (January) by filing it with the Clerk of the Legislature
Reference Committee determines which bills go to each one of the 14 standing committees
Most bills must have a public hearing where citizens can express their opinions.
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First time full Legislature has opportunity to debate and vote
Senators consider amendments
Stage where most compromises are met
Takes a majority, 25 votes, to move a bill to next step