PROPOSING LEGISLATION

Proposed new laws are known as "bills" until they are enacted -- i.e., until they pass both chambers and become law.  Any bill may begin in either the House or Senate -- except bills raising revenue, which must originate in the House.

In an effort to provide adequate consideration of legislation, the state Constitution requires that a bill must be considered on three separate days in each chamber.

THE COMMITTEE SYSTEM

Much of the Senate's important work is done in committees.  When a bill is introduced, it is printed for legislators and the public to view, and referred to the appropriate legislative committee.  For example, a bill that would affect public schools would ordinarily be referred to the Education Committee.

There are 22 permanent -- or standing -- committees in the Senate.  The committees may be broken into subcommittees by the chairman to handle more complex legislation.

The President Pro Tempore appoints the chairman, vice chairman and members of each Senate committee as well as any special or temporary committee the Senate authorizes.  Though the amount of time a Senator has served in the Senate is considered when the President Pro Tempore makes committee assignments, a Senator often requests to serve on committees that reflect the Senator’s interests or interests in the district.

A majority of committee members -- a quorum -- must be present to conduct a meeting.  All meetings are open to the public.  However, on rare occasions, the committee may conduct some business in private -- or executive -- session.

HEARINGS ON BILLS 

In addition to voting on legislation, committees can hold public hearings on a bill or package of bills to gain input from the public and interested parties.  A committee member, or anyone interested in the legislation, may ask the chairman to hold hearings.  Persons known to be for or against a bill or who are recognized experts representing groups affected by the legislation are usually notified of the hearings so they may testify.

COMMITTEE  REPORTS

Committees are not required to approve -- or "report out" -- legislation.  One of the chief functions of committees is to screen out undesirable or unnecessary bills before they reach the full Senate.  However, the arbitrary refusal of a committee to report a bill can be remedied by a motion to discharge the committee from further consideration of the bill.  Such a motion requires a majority vote of 26 in the Senate and cannot be made until after the committee has had the bill for 10 legislative days.

If the motion carries, the bill goes to the full Senate for consideration.

LEGISLATION ENACTED

In most cases, a bill becomes law after it is approved on three different occasions in the House and Senate and signed by the Governor.  However, a bill can also become law on its own if the Governor fails to sign or veto the measure within 10 days of receiving it.

If the Governor vetoes a bill, it is returned to the General Assembly along with a letter stating the Governor’s objections to it.  However, a bill may be enacted over the Governor's veto with the approval of two-thirds of the members of each chamber.

How a Bill Becomes a Law