PASSING A BILL

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• They usually origin in the executive branch
• Sometimes come from private citizens or special interest groups

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• A member will inform others of the bill
• The member (sponsor) will try to persuade others to be co-sponsors

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• The member will then drop the bill into the hopper (a box on the house clerk's desk)

4-THE FIRST READING

• The clerk of the house introduces the bill, gives it a # and a short title
• The bill is entered into the house journal and the congressional record for the day

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• The bill is printed and distributed to all of the house members

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• The speaker refers the bill to an appropriate standing committee

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• The chairman of the chosen standing committee refers it to a subcommittee
• The chairman also puts the bill on the calendar

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• The subcommittee holds a public hearing
• Interest groups, public finials and others attend
• Usually require travel

9

• The bill goes back to the full committee
• The chairman can decide to report the bill favorably to debate it on the floor

10-SECOND READING

• Sometimes the bill goes to the committee of the whole
• There is a general debate
• There is a second reading, section by section
• Sometimes there is a vote

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• Once approved, the bill is printed in its final form

12-THIRD READING

• The bill is read a final time
• A final vote is taken

13

• After being approved, the speaker signs the bill
• A page carries the bill to the Senate president's desk