Tennessee's Lawmaking: How Bills Become Laws

The process of a bill becoming a law in Tennessee is a complex one. It involves multiple considerations, referrals, and votes, and can include amendments, vetoes, and overrides. The bill must be introduced, numbered, and passed on first consideration before being passed on second consideration and referred to a committee. After this, it is passed on third consideration, where it is open to debate and amendment by the entire body. Following this, the bill is sent to the chief engrossing clerk, who retransmits it to the other body. If the bill passes in one house and is amended in the other, it goes back to the first house for action on the amendment. After being passed by both houses, the bill is enrolled and sent to the governor for approval, who may sign it, veto it, or allow it to become law without a signature.

A legislator introduces a bill by filing it with the appropriate clerk

The first step in the process of a bill becoming a law in Tennessee is the introduction of the bill by a legislator. This is done by filing the bill with the appropriate clerk. The bill must be typewritten on letter-sized paper (8 5" by 11") and placed in a manuscript cover with a distinctive colour. The cover must include the signature(s) of the member(s) sponsoring the bill, as well as the caption of the bill.

Once the bill has been introduced, it is examined by the Chief Clerk of the House or Senate to ensure it conforms to legislative rules. This is a crucial step as it sets the bill on its path through the legislative process. The Chief Clerk will also assign a number to the bill, which will be placed on all copies, before distributing them as required under the rules.

The Tennessee Constitution requires that a bill must be considered and passed on three different days in each house. This means that a complex procedure follows the introduction of the bill. The bill must be filed with the Chief Clerk by 4:00 p.m. on the day before its introduction. If the bill is filed after this deadline, it will be held for introduction on the next legislative day.

The bill is then passed on first consideration, which means there are no objections from the members. This is followed by the second consideration, where the bill is passed on its second reading and referred to the appropriate standing committee by the Speaker.

The process of introducing a bill is a critical step in the legislative process, as it sets the stage for the bill's journey through the legislative system. It is important that the bill is filed correctly and follows the required format, or it may face delays or even rejection.

The Chief Clerk examines the bill and assigns it a number

The Chief Clerk examines the bill to ensure it conforms to the legislative rules. This is an important step in the legislative process, as it ensures that the bill meets the necessary standards and requirements before it can proceed further. The Chief Clerk will scrutinise the bill to make sure it adheres to the formatting and procedural guidelines set out by the Tennessee legislature. This includes checking that the bill is typewritten on letter-sized paper (8 1/2" by 11") and that it is jacketed in the correct manuscript covers with the necessary signatures and the caption of the bill.

Once the Chief Clerk is satisfied that the bill meets all the legislative rules, they will assign it a number. This number is an official designation that helps identify and track the bill as it moves through the legislative process. The number is placed on all copies of the bill, ensuring that it can be easily referenced and accessed by legislators and other stakeholders.

The process of numbering the bill is crucial as it brings order and organisation to the legislative process. It allows for efficient distribution and management of the bill as required under the rules. Each bill is given a unique number, which becomes its identifier throughout the legislative journey.

The Chief Clerk's examination and numbering of the bill are administrative but vital steps. They ensure the bill's compliance with procedural requirements and facilitate its smooth progression through the legislative system. This stage acts as a quality check, ensuring that only bills that meet the necessary standards progress further in the process of becoming law in Tennessee.

The Chief Clerk's role in examining and numbering bills is, therefore, a critical gatekeeping function in the legislative process. It helps maintain the integrity of the process by ensuring that only properly prepared and conforming bills advance to the next stages of consideration and debate. This step sets the foundation for the bill's future progression and potential enactment into law.

The bill is passed on first consideration

For a bill to be passed on first consideration in Tennessee, it must be filed with the Chief Clerk no later than 4:00 p.m. on the day preceding the date of introduction. If a bill is filed after this deadline, it will be held until the next day the house is in session. Any pre-filed bills that conform with this rule are introduced under the proper order of business. There being no objection, the bill is then passed on first consideration.

Bills must be typewritten on letter-size paper (8 1/2" by 11") and jacketed in manuscript covers of different and distinctive colours. The cover must contain the signature(s) of the member(s) sponsoring the bill, as well as the caption of the bill.

The bill is then examined by the Chief Clerk of the House or Senate to ensure it conforms to legislative rules. It is then given a number, which is placed on all copies, and distributed as required.

The Tennessee Constitution provides that no bill shall become a law until it has been considered and passed on three different days in each house. This means that after being passed on first consideration, a bill must still undergo a somewhat complex procedure.

The next step in the process is for the bill to be passed on second consideration. This takes place on the next legislative day following the introduction of the bill.

The bill is passed on second consideration and referred to the appropriate standing committee

The process of a bill becoming a law in Tennessee is a complex one. After a bill has been passed on first consideration, it must then be passed on second consideration. This occurs on the next legislative day following the introduction of the bill. At this point, the bill is referred to the appropriate standing committee by the Speaker.

The bill will remain with the committee until one of the following actions is taken: the sponsor of the bill explains the bill to the committee and a majority vote is cast in favour of recommending the bill for passage; after seven days, the bill is recalled by a majority of the members of the Senate or House; the bill is placed on a committee consent calendar and reported as "recommended for passage" if no objection is raised; or, in the case of House committees, if the sponsor fails to appear before the committee on two occasions, the bill is returned to the Clerk's desk, and in the case of Senate committees, if the sponsor fails to appear before the committee, the bill is returned to the Clerk's desk to be withdrawn from the Senate.

The committee chairman is responsible for reporting the committee's actions on the bill to the Chief Clerk. If the bill is recommended for passage by the committee, it is then referred to the scheduling committee, which is either the House Committee on Calendar and Rules or the Senate Calendar Committee.

The House Committee on Calendar and Rules is composed of several key members, including the speaker, speaker pro tempore, majority and minority leaders, caucus chairmen, and two members of the majority and minority parties. This committee sets the calendar and establishes the schedule of meetings for the various standing committees.

On the other hand, the Senate Calendar Committee is made up of the majority and minority floor leaders, and their role is solely to act as a scheduling committee. They do not engage in determining the merits of a bill but ensure that every bill referred to them is placed on the calendar.

The bill is passed on third consideration and may be amended

The third and final consideration of a bill in Tennessee is a crucial stage in the legislative process, as it involves a thorough debate and provides an opportunity for amendments before a final vote. This stage ensures that the bill is carefully scrutinized and can be modified to address any concerns or changes that may have arisen during the previous considerations.

On the day a bill appears "on the calendar," it is open to debate and amendment by the entire body considering it, which can be the House or the Senate. This action takes place under the order of business known as "Calendar." During this stage, legislators can propose changes or additions to the bill, and these amendments are considered and voted on. This back-and-forth discussion allows for a more refined and consensus-driven piece of legislation to emerge.

After the bill has been thoroughly debated and amended, it is called up for passage. At this point, the bill is considered for the third time, and legislators engage in a final discussion or debate. This consideration ensures that all aspects of the bill have been examined, and any remaining concerns or clarifications can be addressed before the final vote. The bill may be passed with or without amendments, depending on the majority vote of the members present.

The procedure for passing the bill on the third consideration can occur in two ways. The first is when the debate has been exhausted, meaning all those wishing to speak have done so, and the Speaker calls for the question. The second way is by a motion for the "previous question," which requires a two-thirds vote of those present and automatically ends the debate, leading directly to a vote. This step ensures that the legislative process remains efficient and timely.

Once the debate concludes, a vote is taken on the bill, and the crucial question is asked: "Shall the bill be passed on third and final consideration?". If the vote on the bill's passage carries, it automatically proceeds to the next stage, where it is sent to the Chief Engrossing Clerk for further processing. This stage of the legislative process in Tennessee highlights the collaborative nature of lawmaking, allowing for amendments and ensuring that a bill undergoes a rigorous review before becoming a law.

Frequently asked questions