| |
|
1. Idea Developed
 A legislator decides to sponsor a bill, sometimes at the suggestion of a constituent, interest group, public official, or the Governor. The legislator may ask other legislators in the same Chamber to join him or her as cosponsors |
2. Bill Drafted
 At the legislator's direction, the Office of Legislative Services, a non-partisan agency of the legislature, provides research and drafting assistance and prepares the bill in proper technical form.
|
 |
|
3. Bill Introduced
 During a session, the legislator gives the bill to the senate secretary or assembly clerk who reads the bill's title aloud. This is known as the first reading. The bill is printed and released to the public. |
4. Committe Reference
 The Senate President or Assembly Speaker usually refers the bill to a committee for review, but may send the bill directly to the second reading (#6) in order to speed up its consideration. |
|
|
5. Committee Action
 When scheduled by the chair, the committee considers the bill at a meeting open to the public. The committee may report the bill to the Senate/Assembly as is, wtth amendments, or with a substitute bill. If the bill is not considered or reported, it remains in the committee. |
6. Second Reading
 When the bill is reported to the floor (or referred directly without committee review), its title is read aloud for the second reading. The bill is eligible for amendment on the floor. After the bill is given a third reading, the Senate or Assembly may vote to return it to the second reading for any further amendments. |
|
|
7. Third Reading
 When scheduled by the Senate President or Assembly Speaker, the bill is given a third reading and is considered on the floor. The bill may not go through the second and third reading on the same day, except by an emergency vote of 3/4 of the members (30 votes in the Senate, 60 in the Assembly) |
8. Senate/Assembly Vote
 The bill passes when approved by a majority of the authorized members (21 votes in the Senate, 41 in the Assembly) and is sent to the other Chamber. If a final vote is not taken, the bill may be considered at another time or may be returned to a committee by a vote of the Senate/Assembly. |
|
|
9. Second Vote
 The bill is delivered to the second House where it goes through the same process. If the second vote amends the bill, it is retuned to the first Chamber for a vote on the changes. A bill receives legislative approval when it passes both Chambers in identical form. |
10. Governor's Action
 After final pasage, the bill is sent to the Governor. The Governor may sign it, conditionally veto it (returning it for changes), or veto it absolutely. The Governor may veto single line items of appropriation bills. Bills passed in the last ten days of a two-year session may be "pocket vetoed". |
|
|
11. Law
 A bill becomes law upon the governor's signature or after 45 days if no action is taken. If vetoed,, a bill may become law if the legislature overrides the veto by a 2/3 vote (27 in the Senate, 54 in the Assembly). A law takes effect on the date specified in its text or, if unspecified, the July 4th following its passage. |
|
