Drafting
and Introduction
The Delegates and Senators meet with their constituents to develop proposals
to be introduced as bills. They work with the legislative staff to draft a bill
that would create a new law or change the current law. In January, when the General
Assembly meets in Richmond, the Delegates and Senators introduce their bills
in their respective houses.
Committee
Action
After a bill is introduced, it is referred to the appropriate
standing committee.In the House, bills are referred by the
Speaker. In the Senate, bills are referred by the Clerk of
the Senate. The standing committees have meetings or conduct
public hearings to address the bills referred to them. In these
meetings, legislators and the public may present their opinions
on the bill.
After listening
to the testimony, the committee will vote to recommend the
passage or defeat of the bill. They may also offer changes
(called amendments) at this time. If the committee recommends
passage of the bill, it then goes before the entire House
and Senate for consideration.
Floor
Action
In accordance with our state Constitution, the title of the
bill must be read on the House and Senate floor three times.
The bill may be amended after it has been read a second time.
The bill may be debated on the third reading. A final vote
is taken after the third reading. If
the bill passes, it is then sent to the other body where it
follows a similar process of committee action, floor debate,
and voting. If the bill passes both houses without any amendments,
it then goes to the Governor. If the bill is amended, it is
then returned to the body from which it originated for approval.
If each house insists on its own form of the bill, a committee
of conference is usually created. A
compromise report from the committee is sent to each house
for approval, then sent to the Governor.
Governor’s
Action
The Governor may:
• sign
the bill into law.
• take
no action and after a specified time, the bill becomes law without
his signature.
• amend
the bill and return it to the General Assembly.
• veto
the bill and return it to the General Assembly. If the
bill is vetoed, the House of Delegates and Senate may override
the Governor’s veto with approval of two-thirds of
the members of both houses
|
