How a Bill Becomes a Law in Colorado
Legislation – How a Bill Becomes Law I. Membership of Colorado Legislature House of Representatives: 65 members (33 votes needed to pass or defeat a bill) Senate: 35 members (18 votes needed to pass or kill a bill) II. Pro-Choice Composition of Colorado Legislature In 2007, Colorado’s General Assembly had overwhelming pro-choice majorities in both chambers. House of Representatives: 40 pro-choice representatives and 25 anti-choice representatives Senate: 20 pro-choice senators, 11 anti-choice senators, and 4 mixed-choice senators (i.e., pro-choice who sometimes vote anti-choice, or anti-choice who sometimes vote pro-choice). II. Legislative Committees House Committees Agriculture, Livestock & Natural Resources ,Appropriations ,Business Affairs & Labor Education, Finance, Health and Human Services, Judiciary, Local Government State, Veterans, & Military Affairs, Transportation & Energy Senate Committees Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Energy, Appropriations, Business, Labor & Technology Education, Finance, Health and Human Services , Judiciary, Local Government ,State, Veteran, and Military Affairs, Transportation III. Process A. Introduced in either House or Senate A Representative or Senator introduces the bill and is called the sponsor. There may be other Representatives or Senators who also support the bill and co-sponsor it. B. First Reading The bill is read on the floor of the House or Senate and is assigned a number and a committee of reference (see above lists) by either the Senate President or Speaker of the House, depending upon which chamber the bill was first introduced into. The bill may be assigned to more than one committee of reference. C. Committee Hearing(s) 1. Committees are often regarded as the “workshops” of the General Assembly. All bills are sent to these committees immediately following the first reading. The details of bills are carefully analyzed at committee meetings. It is at these meetings, which are open to the public, that interested citizens express their views by testifying in support or opposition to bills being considered. 2. The committee must decide whether to amend the bill or to vote on it as it is. Then the committee votes and either: · Passes the Bill · Postpones Indefinitely (PI's) or kills the Bill · Refers the Bill to another committee 3. If the Bill is referred to another committee, that committee also holds a hearing and votes on the Bill. 4. Review the information about your legislator provided in this binder to determine which committee(s) he or she sits on. If one of our bills is sent to that committee(s) you’ll receive information from us prior to a committee vote as well as prior to a floor vote. We also encourage you to attend committee hearings if possible. D. Second Reading If the bill is passed by the committee(s), it is read again on the House or Senate floor. The Representatives or Senators must choose to amend the bill or not to amend it, and then vote to pass it or not. E. Third Reading The final passage stage for a bill in each chamber. All votes are recorded and appear in the Journals. Debate is usually limited. F. Process repeats in other chamber of legislature. If the bill passes the first chamber it is introduced into, then it goes to the other chamber and the process repeats. G. Conference Committee If the Bill passes both chambers and the versions of the Bill passed in each chamber are different (due to amendments), it is discussed in a conference committee. Three legislator’s from the House and three legislators from the Senate are appointed to the conference committee. These six legislators work out one version of the bill. H. Final Vote in House and Senate The compromise bill worked out by the conference committee is then voted on again by both chambers. I. Sent to the Governor for Signing If the compromise bill passes both chambers, it is sent to the Governor for his/her signature. The Governor can: · Sign the Bill (make it law) · Not Sign the Bill (eventually it becomes law) · Veto the Bill J. If the Governor Signs the Bill: the bill becomes law. K. If the Governor Does Not Sign the Bill: The bill becomes law within 10 days during session or 30 days if the session is adjourned. L. If the Governor Vetoes the Bill: The bill is sent back to both chambers of the legislature. In order to override the veto, they must pass the bill by a 2/3 majority vote. If both chambers obtain a 2/3 majority vote the bill becomes law. If either chamber fails to obtain a 2/3 majority vote, the bill dies. Please review the flow chart on the following page that illustrates this process.
Legislative Process Flow Chart Bill Introduced ß 1st Reading ß Committee Hearing PI Pass Refer ß 2nd Reading Pass Fail ß 3rd Reading Pass Fail ß Referred to Other Chamber 1st Reading ß Committee Hearing PI Pass Refer ß 2nd Reading Pass Fail ß 3rd Reading Pass Fail ß Conference Committee Reintroduced in Both Chambers Pass Fail ß Governor Signs Does not Sign Vetoes ß Back to Legislature Overturn Fail to Overturn
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