Nevada's Lawmaking: How Bills Become Laws

The process of a bill becoming a law in Nevada is a complex one, with many steps and potential obstacles. Ideas for legislation can come from a variety of sources, including state and local governments, elected officials, businesses, organizations, and citizens. From here, a legislator or legislative committee chair introduces the bill in one of the two houses of the Legislature: the Senate or the Assembly. The bill is then assigned a number, read for the first time, and referred to a committee. The committee can recommend that the bill passes as it is, with amendments, or not at all. If the bill moves forward, it is placed on the second reading, where further amendments may be proposed and adopted. The bill is then read a third time and, if passed, sent to the other house of the Legislature for further consideration. If the bill is amended in the second house, the originating house must agree with these changes. If both houses agree, the bill is adopted and sent to the Governor, who can sign it into law, veto it, or let it become law without their signature.

A bill starts with an idea

The Nevada legislative process is how programs and services are created and funded. The Nevada Legislature, consisting of the Senate and the Assembly, considers approximately 1,000 bills and resolutions every session. Ideas for these bills can come from state and local governments, elected officials, businesses, organizations, and citizens.

Developing the idea

Before presenting your idea to a legislator, it is important to do your research and develop your idea. Ask yourself the following questions:

• Is your idea already included in a law in the state of Nevada?
• Is your idea similar to other laws in another state?
• What do you want to achieve with your bill?
• Who will be affected by your bill?
• Will your bill cost the state money to implement? How will the bill be funded?
• Does this idea need to become a law, or can this issue be solved another way?

Presenting the idea

Once you have developed your idea, you can present it to a legislator in either the Assembly or Senate. If the legislator likes your idea, they may move forward and have it drafted into a bill.

Drafting the bill

When a legislator wants to turn an idea into a bill, they submit the idea to a legislative staff attorney. The attorney translates the idea into clear, concise language that follows existing laws and the Nevada State Constitution. Once the bill is drafted, it is returned to the legislator, who can then ask other legislators to add their names as co-sponsors.

It's introduced in the Senate or Assembly

The first step in the process of a bill becoming a law in Nevada is for the bill to be introduced in either the Senate or the Assembly. This is the first constitutional reading of a bill and the beginning of the legislative process. A legislator or legislative standing committee chair introduces the bill in one House of the Legislature where it is assigned a number, read aloud, and referred to a committee. The bill is then given its first reading, after which it is printed and delivered to the committee.

The committee then schedules a hearing to take testimony and gather information about the bill. If the committee decides the bill has merit, it may recommend that the House pass the bill as it is written or with amendments. If the bill is given a "Do Pass" recommendation, it is read a second time and placed on the General File for debate and a final vote. If the committee recommends "Amend and Do Pass", the bill is read a second time, and the proposed amendments are presented to the body. If the amendment is adopted, the bill is reprinted before moving on to the next step.

The bill is then read for the third time and debated by the full House. The bill may be passed, rejected, or further amended. If the bill is passed, it is sent to the other House of the Legislature for further consideration. If the bill fails to pass, it is considered dead and there is no further consideration unless the House should reconsider or rescind its previous action.

The bill is assigned a number and read for the first time

The process of a bill becoming a law in Nevada is a lengthy one, and it all starts with an idea. Ideas for bills can come from state and local governments, elected officials, businesses, organisations, and citizens. Once an idea has been formulated, it is submitted to a legislative staff attorney by a legislator or a state or local governmental agency to be drafted into a written form. The bill drafting attorney then translates the concept, ensuring it is clear and compatible with the Nevada State Constitution and other laws.

Once the bill has been drafted, it is introduced in either the Senate or the Assembly and given a number. This is the first reading, and it marks the official start of the legislative process. The bill is read aloud and then referred to as a committee. The committee will schedule a hearing to gather information and testimonies about the bill. If the committee decides the bill has merit, they may recommend that the House takes further action, such as passing the bill or amending it.

The first reading of a bill is a crucial step in the legislative process, as it sets the bill on its path through the Nevada Legislature. It is during this stage that the bill is assigned a number, which helps to identify and track the bill as it moves through the legislative process. The reading also allows for the bill to be presented publicly for the first time, providing transparency and allowing stakeholders to begin offering their input.

After the first reading, the bill moves to the committee stage, where it will be further scrutinised and amended if necessary. The committee plays a vital role in shaping the final version of the bill before it moves forward in the legislative process.

The committee can recommend the bill passes as is or with amendments

The committee can also recommend that the bill is postponed indefinitely or take no action on the bill. This means that the bill will not progress any further, and no vote will be taken on it. This usually happens if the committee does not support the bill or believes it needs significant changes.

If a bill is given a "Do Pass" recommendation by the committee, it will be read a second time and placed on the General File for debate and a final vote. This means that the committee believes the bill should be passed without any changes. On the other hand, if the committee gives an "Amend and Do Pass" recommendation, it means they suggest changes to the bill, which will be considered during the second reading.

During the second reading, the proposed amendments are presented and debated. If the amendment is adopted, the bill is reprinted with the new language and ordered to the General File for its third reading and final passage. If the amendment is not adopted, the bill is sent to the General File for its third reading and final passage in its original format.

The committee plays a crucial role in shaping the bill and deciding its fate. Their recommendations carry significant weight and can determine whether the bill will move forward, be amended, or be postponed indefinitely.

The bill is read a second time and placed on General File for debate and a final vote

Once a bill has been assigned a number, read for the first time, and delivered to a committee, the committee can make a variety of recommendations. If the committee recommends that the bill passes as it was written, it is placed on the second reading for the next legislative day.

A bill given a "Do Pass" recommendation is read a second time and placed on General File for debate and a final vote. If the bill is amended, it is reprinted before moving on to the next step.

The bill is then read a third time and debated. After this, there is a vote. If the bill passes in the house of origin, it goes to the other house and follows the same steps. If amendments are made in the second house, the house of origin must agree with them. If both houses agree, the bill is adopted. If they do not, the bill fails.

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