How a Bill Becomes a Law

A constituent contacts a representative and requests legislation.

The representative submits a request for legislation to the Office of Legislative Research and General Council. The appropriate attorney reviews existing law, researches the issues, drafts the legislation, and reviews the legislation for statutory and constitutional concerns.

A copy of the legislation is given to the representative. The representative approves the legislation for introduction during the session.

The legislation is numbered and copies are delivered to the docket clerk in the House of Representatives, billroom, and the internet.

The bill is introduced by title and read the first time then referred to the Rules Committee where the bill is examined for proper form and final impact.

The Rules Committee reports back to the House, orders that the bill be printed with the fiscal note for distribution, and recommend to the Speaker of the House the standing committee to which the Speaker should send the bill.

The assigned standing committee--in public session--holds a meeting to review the bill. The committee may amend, hold, table, substitute, or make a favorable recommendation on the bill.

The committee report is read to the House of Representatives and adopted by motion. This is considered the second reading of three constitutionally required readings. The bill is then placed on the calendar for the third reading.

The bill is read to the House by title a third time and then explained by the sponsoring representative who answers any questions that may be asked. Other representatives may speak and propose amendments to the bill.

A motion for the "previous question" closes debate and stops further amendments to the bill. In order for the bill to pass, the bill must receive a minimum of 38 votes, which is majority of the 75 possible.

If passed in the House, the bill is sent to the Senate with a communication informing the Senate that the bill has passed the House and requesting further action by the Senate.

The bill is read by title the first time and referred to the President of the Senate who assigns the bill to a standing committee. The committee may amend, hold, table, substitute, or make a favorable recommendation on the bill. In the Senate, a motion for "previous question" requires a majority vote in committee. This motion is not allowed on the Senate floor.

The committee report is read to the Senate and the bill is placed on the second reading calendar.

The bill is then read a second time and debated. It is voted upon and must pass in order to advance to third reading.

The bill is then read a third time and debated. To pass, the bill must receive a minimum of 15 votes, which is a majority of the 29 possible.

After the bill has passed both houses, it is signed by both presiding officers and examined by the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel in a process called enrolling. The office prepares bills in final form with all amendments included and returns it to the House of Representatives. This enrolled bill is an exact, accurate, and official copy of the enacted bill.

The final bill is printed and sent to the governor for his signature. If the governor fails to sign the bill, the bill automatically becomes law without his signature. The governor has the power to veto the bill and send his objections to the presiding officers of the House and Senate.

A bill at a legislative session is effective 60 days following adjournment, unless another date is specified within the bill.