For a detailed description of how a legislative bill becomes law, go to the Overview of the Legislative Process.

A Simplified Explanation of the Legislative Process

Legislation, or bills, start in the committee that covers the bill’s general topic. A suicide prevention bill could originate in a committee on health care, education, Veterans, or elsewhere, depending on the bill’s focus. The first step for any bill to succeed is to be referred to the committee, then to be scheduled for a public hearing, and then to gain a vote of support from the committee members to pass out of committee.

Next the bill must be debated on the floor, with all (or most) House (or Senate) members attending and voting. Not all bills are scheduled on the Floor Calendar.

If the bill passes the resulting vote, it goes on to the other chamber (the Senate or House), for a similar process, starting with the appropriate committee.

Once a bill passes both houses, it needs to receive funding in the general appropriations bill. This does not always happen, or the funding appropriated may be less than expected.

The Role of the Committee

Committees are bipartisan, but chaired by a member of the majority party. Committee members and chairs are appointed by their parties between the election in November and the start of Legislative Session in January. Often committee members serve on the same committees for several years, ensuring continuity of knowledge and legislator experience.

The role of the committee is to ensure that well-crafted legislation that has been through thorough review, and that has support from a majority of committee members is passed to the floor for a potential vote.

Note that not every bill is heard in committee, and not every bill makes it out of committee. Sometimes a bill that doesn’t succeed during one legislative session may be successful (usually with revisions) in a later year.