Tennessee's Lawmaking Process: Bills To Acts

In Tennessee, a bill can be introduced by a legislator in the body of which they are a member by filing it with the appropriate clerk. The bill must be typewritten on letter-sized paper and include the signature of the member or members sponsoring it. From there, the bill is examined by the Chief Clerk of the House or Senate, given a number, and distributed. A complex procedure follows, as 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.

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

For a bill to be introduced in Tennessee, a legislator must first file it with the appropriate clerk. This is done by submitting the bill, typewritten on letter-sized paper (8 1/2" by 11"), in a jacket of a distinctive colour. The cover must include the signature of the sponsoring member, or members, as well as the caption of the bill.

Once filed, the bill is examined by the Chief Clerk of the House or Senate to ensure it adheres to legislative rules. If the bill passes this stage, it is then given a number, which is placed on all copies, and distributed accordingly.

The Tennessee Constitution stipulates that no bill can become a law until it has been considered and passed on three separate days in each house. This requirement initiates a complex procedure. For instance, a bill must be filed with the Chief Clerk by 4:00 p.m. on the day before its introduction. If it is filed after this deadline, it will be held until the next legislative day.

The bill is then passed on its first consideration, followed by its second consideration on the next legislative day, during which it is referred to the appropriate standing committee by the Speaker. This committee stage is crucial, as it is where the details of the bill are scrutinised and amendments may be proposed.

In summary, the introduction of a bill in Tennessee involves a legislator filing it with the appropriate clerk, adhering to specific formatting and content requirements. This is followed by an examination by the Chief Clerk to ensure compliance with legislative rules and the assignment of a bill number. The bill then undergoes its first and second considerations, setting off a series of steps towards its potential enactment into law.

The bill is examined by the Chief Clerk and given a number

Once a legislator has introduced a bill, it is examined by the Chief Clerk of the House or Senate to ensure it adheres to legislative rules. The Chief Clerk will also check that the bill has been filed correctly, including that it is typewritten on letter-size paper (8 1/2" by 11") and is jacketed in a distinctive colour. The bill must also include the signature of the member or members sponsoring it, as well as the caption of the bill.

If the bill meets all the requirements, the Chief Clerk will assign it a number. This number will be placed on all copies of the bill. The bill is then distributed as required by the rules.

The process of assigning a number to the bill is an important step as it ensures that the bill can be easily identified and tracked as it moves through the legislative process. It also helps to ensure that the bill is properly considered and passed on three different days in each house, as required by the Tennessee Constitution.

After the bill has been examined and numbered by the Chief Clerk, it is ready to move on to the next stage of the process, which is being passed on first consideration. This involves the bill being filed with the Chief Clerk no later than 4:00 p.m. on the day before the date of its introduction. If the bill is filed on time and there are no objections, it will be passed on first consideration.

The bill must be passed on three different days in each house

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 a bill must be passed on first, second, and third consideration.

A bill must be filed with the Chief Clerk no later than 4:00 p.m. on the day preceding the date of introduction for it to be passed on first consideration. If there is no objection, the bill will pass on first consideration.

The next legislative day following the introduction of a bill, it is passed on second consideration and referred to the appropriate standing committee by the Speaker.

On the day a bill appears "on the calendar," it is open to debate and amendment by the entire body considering it. After being considered for the third time, it may be passed with or without amendment by a majority of the members. If the bill passes, it automatically goes to the Chief Engrossing Clerk.

The bill is passed on second reading and referred to a 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 will be passed on second consideration. This is when the bill is passed on its second reading and 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; the bill is recalled after seven days without any action being taken; the bill is placed on a committee consent calendar and reported as "recommended for passage" if there is no objection; or, in the case of House committees, the sponsor fails to appear before the committee on two occasions and does not request that the bill be rescheduled. In the case of Senate committees, if the sponsor fails to appear and does not request that the bill be rescheduled, it is returned to the Clerk's desk to be withdrawn from the Senate.

The committee chairman is responsible for reporting the actions taken 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. This could be the House Committee on Calendar and Rules, or the Senate Calendar Committee. The scheduling committee is responsible for setting the calendar and establishing the schedule of meetings for the various standing committees.

The bill will then be open for debate and amendment by the entire body considering it (House or Senate). This is a crucial step in the legislative process, as it allows for a thorough examination and discussion of the bill before it moves forward in the process of becoming a law.

The bill is enrolled and sent to the Governor for approval

Once a bill has been passed by both houses, it is enrolled by the Chief Engrossing Clerk in the house of origin. This step involves preparing the bill in the exact form passed by both houses and in a format suitable for approval by the two Speakers and by the Governor. After the Speakers sign the enrolled copy, it is automatically transmitted to the Governor for his action.

The Governor may then choose to sign the bill, veto it, or allow it to become law without their signature. If the Governor does not take action within ten days (Sundays excepted) of the bill being presented, it becomes a law without their signature. Additionally, the Governor has the constitutional authority to reduce or disapprove of any sum of money appropriated in any bill while approving other portions of such a bill.

If the Legislature is still in session, the Governor returns all bills and joint resolutions to the house of origin after taking action. After adjournment of the General Assembly, bills are returned by the Governor to the Office of the Secretary of State.

If the Governor has vetoed a bill or reduced or disapproved of an appropriation within a bill, the veto can be overridden, or the reduced or disapproved sums of money can be restored, by a majority vote of the membership to which each body is entitled under the Constitution.

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