Florida Senate: How Bills Become Laws

The process of a bill becoming a law in the Florida Senate involves several steps. Firstly, a legislator sponsors a bill, which is then referred to one or more committees related to its subject matter. The committee(s) study the bill, hold public hearings, and decide whether to amend, pass, or fail it. If a bill is passed by a committee, it moves on to other committees or the full house. The full house then votes on the bill, and if it passes, it is sent to the other house for review. This process repeats in the second house, with the bill potentially moving back and forth between houses until a consensus is reached. Once a bill has passed both chambers, it goes to the Governor, who can sign it into law, let it become a law without their signature, or veto it.

A bill is filed by a representative or senator

The committees can choose to approve, defeat, or amend the bill. If the bill is defeated at this stage, the idea is dead for the rest of the session. If the bill passes through the committees, it is then brought before the entire chamber of the House and Senate.

The bill is subject to a second reading and amendments, then a third reading and debate on a different day, before final passage. After passing in the Senate, the bill goes through the same procedure in the House of Representatives. If amendments are made in the second house, the house of origin must concur for the bill to move forward.

The bill is referred to committees for review

When a bill is filed, it is referred to one or more committees related to the bill's subject for review. This process allows the idea to be thoroughly discussed and debated by legislators, the public, and those specific people who the bill will affect. Committees may hold public hearings on the bill. Through the committee process, the bill is discussed and debated, and amendments or changes can be added to the bill.

Committees have several options when considering a bill. They can approve the bill, defeat the bill, or choose to amend the bill. If a bill is defeated in committee, that idea is dead for the rest of the session. A favorable report moves the bill to the calendar. A policy and steering committee may place the bill on a special order calendar for debate before the entire body. The bill is then subject to a second reading and amendments, then a third reading and debate on a different day, before final passage.

Committees can approve, defeat or amend the bill

Committees play a crucial role in the legislative process in Florida, as they have the power to approve, defeat, or amend a bill. When a bill is filed, it is referred to multiple committees related to the bill's subject matter. These committees study the bill, hold public hearings, and decide whether to amend, pass, or fail it.

The committee process allows for in-depth discussion and debate among legislators, the public, and those directly impacted by the bill. Amendments or changes can be proposed during this stage, allowing for a more refined and widely accepted version of the bill. The committee's options are to approve, defeat, or amend the bill. If a bill is defeated in committee, it is dead for the remainder of the session.

If a bill passes in one committee, it moves on to other committees of reference or the full house. The full house then votes on the bill, and if it passes, it is sent to the other house for review. This process ensures that a bill undergoes rigorous scrutiny and allows for input from various stakeholders before becoming a law.

The committee process is a critical step in the legislative journey of a bill, as it provides an opportunity for detailed analysis, public input, and potential amendments. It is during this stage that the fate of a bill can be determined, as committees have the authority to approve, defeat, or amend it, shaping the final version that may eventually become law.

The bill is voted on by the entire body of members

Once a bill has been thoroughly discussed and debated by the legislators, public, and those specific people who the bill will affect, it is ready to be voted on by the entire body of members. This vote typically takes place during the annual 60-day legislative session. A bill passes by receiving a majority of the votes in that chamber.

Before the vote, a bill is referred to one or more committees related to the bill's subject. The committee studies the bill and decides if it should be amended, pass, or fail. If passed, the bill moves to other committees or to the full house.

The bill is then subject to a second reading and amendments, then a third reading and debate on a different day, before final passage. If the bill passes in one house, it is sent to the other house for review. A bill goes through the same process in the second house as it did in the first. A bill can go back and forth between houses until a consensus is reached.

Each bill must be passed by both chambers before it becomes a law. If both chambers approve the bill, it goes to the Governor’s office for consideration.

The bill is sent to the Governor for consideration

Once a bill has been passed by both the Florida Senate and the House of Representatives, it is sent to the Governor for consideration. The Governor has three options: they can sign the bill, veto it, or allow it to become a law without their signature. If the Governor chooses to veto the bill, the Florida Legislature can overturn this decision with a two-thirds vote in both chambers. If the Governor does nothing, the bill will automatically become law after 7 or 15 days.

The process of a bill becoming a law in Florida begins with a legislator sponsoring a bill, which is then referred to one or more committees related to the bill's subject. The committee studies the bill and decides if it should be amended, passed, or failed. If passed, the bill moves to other committees or to the full house. The full house then votes on the bill. If it passes in one house, it is sent to the other house for review, where it goes through the same process. A bill can go back and forth between houses until a consensus is reached.

The Florida Legislature meets once a year for 60 days. Bills are filed by Representatives and Senators for consideration during the session. When a bill is filed, it is referred to several committees to be reviewed by smaller groups of members. Through the committee process, the bill is discussed, debated, and amendments can be added. This process allows the idea to be thoroughly discussed by legislators, the public, and those specific people who the bill will affect. After passing out of committees, the bill is brought before the entire chamber of the House and Senate.

Committees have several options when considering a bill: they can approve, defeat, or amend it. If a bill is defeated in committee, that idea is dead for the rest of the session. Once the bill has passed each of the committees to which it is assigned, it is available to be voted on by the entire body of members. A bill passes by receiving a majority of the votes in that chamber. Each bill must be passed by both chambers before it becomes a law.

Frequently asked questions