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How “Bill” Becomes Law - Courtesy of the AZ State legislature

Jul 10, 2003

Follow the Paper Trail, Courtesy of the AZ State legislature

After being written in proper form an Arizona Bill then is introduced in the House by a Member, group of members, or a Committee. Bill is then assigned a number, read to and referred by the Speaker to the appropriate standing committee(s) and to the Chief Clerk for printing and distribution.

Committees consider Bill, and reports recommendations to Whole House Committee on Rules to determine if Bill is constitutional and in proper form. Committees on Rules then places Bill on Active Calendar and the Speaker sets the order in which the measure will be considered.

The committee of the Whole Informal session of the entire House membership Debate, amend, recommendations on Bills on the Calendar. A Third Reading Roll Call where every member present must vote (unless excused) No member may vote for another member. If passed by House, Bill moves on to the Senate.

If passed by the Senate, Senate may make amendments, then Bill is sent back to the House. Names called alphabetically, and unless excused, each Senator present must vote on each measure. The Committee of the Whole Entire membership of Senate acts as one committee. They Debate, make amendments and recommendations on the Bills on the Calendar.

Committee on Rules?’ agenda becomes the calendar for the committee of the Whole and after 5 days the President designates which measures are to be placed on the Active Calendar of the committee of the whole. Committees consider Bill, including testimonies, or statements from citizens, then reports recommendations to entire Senate.

Second reading, President refers Bill to appropriate standing committees. House Bill is First read in the Senate and laid over one day.

If Bill is identical to measure originally passed by House, it goes to the Governor. If Bill comes back to House in a different form, Bill may be accepted in new form and sent to the Governor. Bill may be rejected and sent to a Conference Committee. Bill sent to Conference Committee is made up of Representatives appointed by the Speaker and Senators appointed by the President, each with their own idea of how Bill should be passed. Conference Committee ?‘mends?’ Bill by accepting original version, or adding new material by deleting language or in some way compromising disagreements. A Conference Committee Report is sent back to each House for adoption, and after Final passage, is sent to the Governor.

After Bill is received by the Governor having been passed by both the House and Senate, the Governor may sign Bill or allow Bill to become law without his/her signature if he/she takes no action during the next 5 days (or 10 days after adjournment). Then Bill becomes Law, part of the Arizona revised statutes.

The Governor may veto Bill, but must return Bill to House and Senate stating the reason(s) The House and Senate may override the Governor?’s veto by a two thirds vote (or a three fourths vote if it?’s an emergency measure). . . ☺