Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law
Any Senate or General Assembly member may propose or sponsor a new law. Ideas for laws can come from many sources, such as citizens, interest groups, public officials or the Governor.
At the legislator’s direction, the idea is written as a bill. The legislator may ask other legislators to become co-sponsors.
The bill is introduced when the Senate Secretary or General Assembly Clerk reads the bill’s number, sponsor and title aloud during a legislative session.
The bill is usually sent to a committee which studies it and makes changes, if needed. These changes are called amendments. Committees have open meetings where the public may speak about the bill.
If the committee approves the bill, it is reported back to the House where it began, and its title is read again. This is the bill’s second reading.
When scheduled by the Senate President or General Assembly Speaker, the bill’s title is read for the third time, and it is debated and voted on. A bill passes if it receives a majority of votes (at least 21 in the Senate or 41 in the General Assembly).
The bill follows a similar path of first reading, committee consideration, second reading, third reading and final passage in the second House. After both Houses agree on the bill, it is sent to the Governor. In most cases, the bill becomes law when signed by the Governor.
