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A
Delegate or Senator has an idea
for a bill, usually from a constituent. |
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He
or she presents the idea to the Division of Legislative
Services and requests that it be drafted
into a bill. The bill is signed by the patron,
introduced, and printed.
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The
bill is referred to
an appropriate committee. The members of the committee
consider the bill and decide what action to take. This
is when the public may speak.
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First
Reading: The bill title is printed in the Calendar
or is read by the Clerk, and the bill advances to second
reading. |
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Second
Reading: The next day the bill title appears in the
printed Calendar on second reading. Bills are considered
in the order in which they appear on the Calendar. The
Clerk reads the title of the bill a second time. A bill
on second reading is amendable and debatable. A bill
that has passed second reading with or without an amendment
is engrossed. If an amendment is adopted, the bill is
reprinted in its final form for passage.
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Third
Reading: The next day, the engrossed bill title appears
in the Calendar on third reading. The title is read a
third time by the Clerk. By recorded vote, the bill is
passed or failed.
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Communication: When
passed, the bill is sent to the other body, either by the
Clerk in a written communication or by a member in person,
informing the other body that the bill has passed.
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In
the other body: The bill goes through essentially
the same procedure as it did in the house of origin.
The bill title is printed in the Calendar or is read
by the Clerk. The bill is referred to a standing committee,
considered, and reported by the committee. The title
is read a second and a third time before passage.
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Committee
of Conference: If the House amends a Senate bill,
or the Senate amends a House bill, and the house of origin
disagrees with the amendment, a conference committee,
usually three members from each legislative body, may
be formed to resolve differences.
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Enrollment:
After being passed by both houses of the General Assembly,
the bill is printed as an enrolled bill, examined, and
signed by the presiding officer of each chamber.
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Governor: The
bill is then sent to the Governor for his approval. After
being signed by the Governor, the bill is sent to the Clerk
of the House (Keeper of the Rolls of the Commonwealth)
and is assigned a chapter number. All chapters of a session
are compiled and bound as the Acts of Assembly.
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Bills
that become law at a regular session (or the reconvened
session that follows) are effective the first day of July
following adjournment of the regular session unless otherwise
specified.
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