How a Bill Becomes a Law in Arizona

Roman Flores

Az History & Government

Period 3

5-9-00

Mr. Bentley

Flores 1

How a bill becomes a law in Arizona

A bill has to go through many different stages before it can become a law. Each year, Congress considers thousands of bills. Only a few hundred of these will become laws. The rest are destroyed by congressional committees, by negative voters in one or both houses of Congress, or by presidential vetoes. The process by which a bill becomes a law is complicated and may require a lot of effort.

Every bill starts with an idea. Some ideas come from members of congress, and citizens who write to their representatives suggest. To be considered by congress, however, ideas for bills must be sponsored by a representative. Then they will debate the bill. The rules for debate are complicated. In some cases, the house speeds up the debate process by meeting as a "Committee of the Whole," a special gathering of all house members. The rules for debating within a committee are more informal, so debates can proceed more quickly and easily.

Voting and final revisions are the next step. After a bill has been debated, it is brought to a vote. Voting is done in one of three ways. The simplest way is a voice vote, in which everyone who supports a bill is asked to say "yea" or "nay". A voice vote is usually used for bills that are clearly popular or unpopular. A more exact method of voting is the standing vote. This type, members are asked to stand up when in support or opposition. A third roll call vote. Each member's name is called individually and he/she is asked to say "yea", "nay", or "present". Present means no opinion.

The governor signs the bill, then it becomes a law ninety days after the end of the session. However, there is an exception. "If the legislature attaches the emergency clause an passes the bill by a 2/3 vote, the bill becomes a law instantly. The governor may veto the