The legislative process, while simple on the surface, can be complex to the point where even lawmakers shrug their shoulders. Here’s a breakdown of the typical state legislative process.
- A Bill is Proposed. Members of the Senate and House begin filing their new sponsored bills at the end of the calendar year, usually November/December. Around January, these proposals are assigned bill numbers and referred to legislative committees within their respective bodies (i.e. House or Senate).
- Public Hearings and Votes. Over the following months, the committees hold a series of meetings and public hearings where members of the public can voice their opinions on the bill. Amendments can be made, followed by a committee vote. If the bill is passed in committee, it moves on to the full House or Senate respectively, where it will continue to be amended and ultimately voted on again by the entire body.
- Crossover Period. If a bill survives the full floor vote, it moves on to the opposite body for yet another series of hearings, amendments, and votes.
- Governor Signs or Vetoes. If a bill survives both bodies, it lands on the governor’s desk, where it can be signed into law or vetoed. If a bill is vetoed, there will need to be another vote on whether to uphold the veto.
Of course, it isn’t always this smooth. Bills can pass or fail at any point, or they can be tabled, rereferred, or retained for further study (i.e. yeeted into the void until it can be proposed again next session). Sometimes bills that fail get tacked onto other bills as amendments in a last-ditch effort to get it passed.
The good news is, following a piece of legislation is easy if you know where to look. State websites keep calendars, archives, and journals available to the public, as well as ways to look up bills and amendments. To learn more about how to read a bill, check out my post How to Read a Piece of Legislation.
Feature photo from iStock.com