Basics of the Legislative Process: In Pictures
(Process and terminology may vary slightly from state to state)
For
you verbal folks, click here for a written
explanation.
In a
bicameral legislature (most stateswith the notable exception
of Nebraskahave two houses of the legislature, generally, a
House and Senate) the bill may simultaneously
go through the equivalent process in the other chamber, or may automatically
proceed to the other chamber after passage in the first.
Governor's
Signature: The final version of the bill as passed by both chambers
must be signed by the governor to become law.
Lifespan:
Each legislative session starts with a clean slate; bills not voted
on in the previous session must be reintroduced to be active.
Many
thanks to Citizens for Midwifery for material adapted from their web
site. Click here to go there for
a lot of other great information and contact to others in your community
who are interested in birth issues.