How a Bill Becomes a Law
Mar 31, 2015
How a Bill Becomes a Law
Idea from the People of Arkansas
Bill Drafting
• Legislator contacts staff for options and background information
• Staff researches topic• Staff drafts bill• Approved by legislator• Bill prepared for introduction
Introduction
• Must be introduced by legislator
• More than one legislator can sponsor
• Bill given to Chief Clerk of the House or Secretary of the Senate
Bill Readings
• Bill read aloud for the first and second time in chamber
• Bill assigned to committee
Bills in Committee
• Bills presented and debated
• Committee recommends action
Committee Actions
• Recommendations– Do Pass– Do Pass as Amended– Do Not Pass
Do Pass
• Do pass recommendation– Committee recommends
passage of bill with no changes
DO PASS
Do Pass as Amended
• Amendments– Change wording of bill– Add or take away parts of bill– Change amount or funding source
• Approval– Engrossed into bill
• Not Approved– Returned to committee
Do Not Pass
• Do Not Pass Recommendation– Committee recommends that the
full membership do not pass the bill
DO NOT PASS
Bill Passage
• Bill read for third time
• Debated on chamber floor
• Vote
Votes for Passage
• Majority Vote– House 51 votes– Senate 18 votes
• ¾ Vote of House and Senate– Appropriation Bills– Tax Increases– Constitutional Amendments
Bill Sent to Other Chamber
• Same Process begins in other Chamber– Readings– Committee– Committee Recommendation– Vote
Bill Returns to Original Chamber
• Bill passed in other chamber returned to originating chamber
• Any amendments from other chamber are considered by originating chamber
• Prepared for transmittal to Governor’s Office
Governor’s Actions
• Sign the Bill
• No Action
• Veto
Sign Bill
• Governor signs bill• Bill sent to Secretary
of State for Act Number
• Message sent to originating chamber that bill became a law
No Action
• Governor does not sign or veto the bill
• Bill becomes law without Governor’s signature
Veto
• Bill returned to originating chamber with explanation for veto
• Reconsideration• Possible vote to
override veto
VETO