HOW A BILL BECOMES A LAW

Bill Drafting

Anyone can write a bill, but in most states, only a member of the legislature can file and sponsor a bill. Sometimes bills are drafted by interest groups or constituents who present them to or work with a lawmaker sympathetic to their cause. A legislator may also develop language for a bill by listening to his or her constituency and then working to solve the issue.

AS AN ADVOCATE YOU CAN:

Visit a legislator and request that a bill be drafted to fund services, address a problem or change a policy. Advocates can also work with a legislator to craft specific legislative language that addresses their issue.

Bill Introduction

A legislator may introduce a bill in the body of which he or she is a member by filing it with the appropriate clerk. A bill is given a caption/title and number. The bill number allows the legislator and the public to track the progress of the bill.

AS AN ADVOCATE YOU CAN: COMMITTEES

Issue a press release; Schedule an appointment to meet with their state legislator or an important committee chair; Write a letter or email to your representatives or a local news source; Attend committee hearings or town halls; Post a message on their website, Facebook or Twitter accounts applauding the bill’s introduction or pointing out the possible harm of unfavorable legislation.

Committees are of central importance to the state legislative process. In general, legislation is more thoroughly debated, and more likely to be significantly amended in committee than on the floor. Committee hearings are also the point in the legislative process where citizens are most likely to have the opportunity to voice public support for or concerns about legislation.

AS AN ADVOCATE YOU CAN:

write to committee members and encourage a hearing on a bill(s) of concern. If possible, it is also helpful to meet with committee chairs to discuss legislation, and where they stand on a particular issue. For committee hearings, advocates can prepare and submit oral and/or written testimony. It is always helpful to recruit fellow advocates or allies to show strong numbers during hearings on key legislation.

Floor Action

Presiding officers decide when a bill will be brought to the floor for debate or a vote. When a statement appears “on the calendar,” it is open to debate and amendment by the entire body (House or Senate). Following the debate, the bill is called for a vote and may be voted down or passed with or without an amendment(s) by a majority vote of the legislative body.

AS AN ADVOCATE YOU CAN:

Contact key legislators in advance of a floor vote and ask them to vote for or against a bill or to ask them to speak either in favor of or opposition to a bill. Advocates may provide talking points for legislators who support their position.

Second Chamber

Following passage by the chamber of origin, a bill will be sent to the second chamber where the steps from introduction to floor action will be repeated. The second chamber may decide not to hear the bill in committee, vote the bill down, amend the bill or pass the bill.

GOVERNOR’S ACTION

Upon receiving a bill, each governor has a certain number of days to sign, veto, or depending on the state, allow the bill to become law without a signature.

AS AN ADVOCATE YOU CAN:

Write letters, op-eds, and/or issue a press release urging the governor to sign or veto the bill if a governor seems hesitant to sign a bill or appears to be in favor of signing a bill that may have negative consequences. When a governor signs a bill, advocates may pack the bill signing ceremony, if one is held. If a governor vetoes a bill, advocates may issue a press release. Finally, advocates may also wish to give an award to the legislators or other elected officials who supported their work.