How a Bill Becomes a Law

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How a Bill Becomes a Law
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Idea from the People of Arkansas
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Bill Drafting

• Legislator contacts staff for options and
  background information
• Staff researches topic
• Staff drafts bill
• Approved by legislator
• Bill prepared for introduction

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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

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Bill Readings

• Bill read aloud for the first and second time in
  chamber
• Bill assigned to committee

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Bills in Committee

• Bills presented and debated
• Committee recommends action

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Committee Actions

• Recommendations
• Do Pass
• Do Pass as Amended
• Do Not Pass

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Do Pass

• Do pass recommendation
• Committee recommends passage of bill with no
  changes

DO PASS
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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

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Do Not Pass

• Do Not Pass Recommendation
• Committee recommends that the full membership do
  not pass the bill

DO NOT PASS
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Bill Passage

• Bill read for third time
• Debated on chamber floor
• Vote

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Votes for Passage

• Majority Vote
• House 51 votes
• Senate 18 votes
• ¾ Vote of House and Senate
• Appropriation Bills
• Tax Increases
• Constitutional Amendments

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Bill Sent to Other Chamber

• Same Process begins in other Chamber
• Readings
• Committee
• Committee Recommendation
• Vote

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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 Governors Office

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Governors Actions

• Sign the Bill
• No Action
• Veto

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Sign Bill

• Governor signs bill
• Bill sent to Secretary of State for Act Number
• Message sent to originating chamber that bill
  became a law

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No Action

• Governor does not sign or veto the bill
• Bill becomes law without Governors signature

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Veto

• Bill returned to originating chamber with
  explanation for veto
• Reconsideration
• Possible vote to override veto

VETO