How a Bill
Becomes a Law
Idea from the People of
Arkansas
Bill Drafting
• Legislator contacts staff for options and
background information
• Staff researches topic
• Staff drafts bill
• Approved by legislator
• Bill prepared for introduction
Introduction
• Must be introduced by
legislator
• More than one legislator
can sponsor
• Bill given to Chief Clerk
of the House or
Secretary of the Senate
Bill Readings
• Bill read aloud for the first and second time in
chamber
• Bill assigned to committee
Bills in Committee
• Bills presented and
debated
• Committee
recommends action
Committee Actions
• Recommendations
– Do Pass
– Do Pass as Amended
– Do Not Pass
Do Pass
• Do pass recommendation
– Committee recommends
passage of bill with no changes
DO PASS
Do Pass as Amended
• Amendments
– Change wording of bill
– Add or take away parts of bill
– Change amount or funding source
• Approval
– Engrossed into bill
• Not Approved
– Returned to committee
Do Not Pass
• Do Not Pass Recommendation
– Committee recommends that the
full membership do not pass the bill
DO NOT PASS
Bill Passage
• Bill read for third time
• Debated on chamber
floor
• Vote
Votes for Passage
• Majority Vote
– House 51 votes
– Senate 18 votes
• ¾ Vote of House and Senate
– Appropriation Bills
– Tax Increases
– Constitutional Amendments
Bill Sent to Other Chamber
• Same Process begins in other Chamber
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Readings
Committee
Committee Recommendation
Vote
Bill Returns to Original Chamber
• Bill passed in other chamber returned
to originating chamber
• Any amendments from other chamber
are considered by originating chamber
• Prepared for transmittal to Governor’s
Office
Governor’s Actions
• Sign the Bill
• No Action
• Veto
Sign Bill
• Governor signs bill
• Bill sent to Secretary
of State for Act
Number
• Message sent to
originating chamber
that bill became a law
No Action
• Governor does not
sign or veto the bill
• Bill becomes law
without Governor’s
signature
Veto
• Bill returned to
originating chamber
with explanation for
veto
• Reconsideration
• Possible vote to
override veto
VETO