How a Bill Becomes a Law

Of course this is a simplified version of what actually happens in law making. A bill can originate in either the House or Senate.

Our example bill originated in the House of Representatives.

1.
 A concerned citizen, group, or legislator suggests legislation.
2.
 A Representative authors a bill.
3.

The bill is filed with the clerk and numbered.
4.
 The bill is read for the first time and the speaker assigns it to a committee.
5.
 The Committee Chair may assign it to a subcommittee. If so,
6.
 The Subcommittee recommends it to the Full Committee
1. Favorable, without prejudice or unfavorable to original bill
2. Favorable, without prejudice or unfavorable to original bill, as amended
3. Unfavorable to bill, favorable, or without prejudice to proposed committee substitute
4. Refer to another standing subcommittee
OR
With approval of Standing Committee Chair to floor
1. Favorable
2. Favorable, as amended
3. Unfavorable to bill, favorable to committee substitute
7.
Full Committee meets & reports to floor (#6 goes directly to this step if not assigned to subcommittee)
1.

Favorable
2. Favorable, as amended
3. Favorable as to committee substitute, unfavorable as to bill
4. Without prejudice
5. Postponed indefinitely
6. Unfavorable/minority report attached
8.
Bill goes to second reading - amendment, debate, votes on passage - if passed.
9.
Bill goes to third reading - amendment, debate, votes on passage - if passed.
10.
 Delivered to Senate desk.
11.

Bill read for the first time - Chairman of Rules assigns to committee.
12.
Committee meets and reports to floor

1.

 Favorable
2. Favorable, as amended
3. Unfavorable to bill, favorable to committee substitute
13.
 Second reading amendment - debate, votes on passage - if passed.
14.
 Third reading amendment - debate, votes on passage - if passed.
15.
 Returned to the House with amendments, as committee substitute.
16.
 If House concurs, go to step 17. If House refuses to concur, go to step 18.
17.
 To enrollment (step 4 goes directly to this step, if not returned to the House).
18.
 Conference Committee of House and Senate members.
19.

House and Senate adopt conference report.
20.

Bill goes to enrollment.
21.
 Bill goes to Secretary of State to be made law - if not subject to veto. If subject to veto:
22.
 Bill goes to Governor who may
1. Sign act
2. After 10 days without signature
3. Veto - go to step 24
23.
 Bill goes to Secretary of State to be made law.
24.
 Returned to the House of origin.
25.
 Three-fifths present and voting of each House overrides veto.