How a Bill Becomes Law

It is a long arduous journey for a bill to become law. It can “die”, be defeated, or amended at every step on the way to becoming a law. Each step takes time. There is often a rush to get the “bill through” before the legislative session ends. Some bills just run out of time.

• If the bills that come out of the chambers are different (for example, amendments are added in one chamber and not the other), the bills go to a conference committee where it is decided how to create one bill or to go with one of the bills-either the senate or house version.
• If both chambers vote in favor of the bill, and the bill in both chambers is the same, it is sent to the Governor for signature. If he signs, the bill becomes law.
• The Committee members vote to support or oppose the bill if the Committee Chair brings it for a vote. If the bill gets a majority vote, it moves to the whole House or Senate chamber for a vote.
• If it passes, the bill is sent to the opposite chamber where it is again introduced to the respective Committee and the process repeats.
• The Committee listens and questions interested parties who testify about the bill, either supporting, opposing, or supporting with amendments. They also accept written testimony.
• At the Committee hearing, the sponsor presents the bill.
• The Committee decides whether to hold a hearing. If the Committee chooses not to hold a hearing, the bill “dies in Committee”.
• It is introduced in Committee
• A bill must be sponsored by a Delegate or a Senator
• The bill that is passed out of the reconciliation committee must be passed again by the committees and chambers.