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