Kara Sears
The process of turning an idea into a law in Massachusetts involves several steps. Firstly, there is the recognition that there ought to be a law. This is followed by the filing of a petition, which is then heard by a committee that holds a public hearing and hears testimonies from the public, government officials, and office holders. The committee then issues a report, which directs the measure's path, either towards rejection or towards the first reading. The bill is then read a second time, and debate begins. It proceeds to the committee on bills in the third reading, where it is reviewed. Following this, the bill is read a third time, and floor debate continues. The bill is then passed to be engrossed by one legislative branch, after which the second legislative branch considers it. Amendments may produce conflicting versions, which are then enacted and sent to the governor. Finally, the idea becomes a law.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of steps | 13 |
| Step 1 | There Ought to be a Law! |
| Step 2 | Petition is Filed |
| Step 3 | Hearing is Held and Testimony Heard |
| Step 4 | Committee Report Directs the Measure's Path - Rejection or On to First Reading |
| Step 5 | Bill Read a Second Time, Debate Begins |
| Step 6 | Bill Proceeds to the Committee on Bills in the Third Reading |
| Step 7 | Bill is Reviewed by the Committee on Bills in the Third Reading |
| Step 8 | Bill Read a Third Time, Floor Debate Continues |
| Step 9 | Bill Passed to be Engrossed by One Legislative Branch |
| Step 10 | Second Legislative Branch Considers Bill |
| Step 11 | Amendments Produce Conflicting Versions |
| Step 12 | Bill Enacted and Sent to Governor |
| Step 13 | The Idea Becomes Law! |
What You'll Learn
A proposal for a law can come from the public
In Massachusetts, the public can propose a law by first filing a petition for legislation in the House or Senate. This petition must be accompanied by a bill that is then assigned a number and referred to a committee. The committee then holds a public hearing and hears testimony regarding the petition from the public, government officials, and office holders.
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A petition for legislation is filed in the House or Senate
The process of an idea becoming a law in Massachusetts begins with a petition for legislation, which can be filed by a legislator, offered by the governor, or filed by a legislator at the request of a member of the public. This petition is then accompanied by a bill that is assigned a number and referred to a committee.
The committee then holds a public hearing, allowing for testimonies from the public, government officials, and office holders. After the hearing, the committee issues a report, which directs the measure's path, either towards rejection or towards the first reading.
The first reading
The bill is then read a second time, and debate begins. Following this, the bill proceeds to the Committee on Bills in the third reading, where it is reviewed once more.
The third reading
The bill is then read a third time, and floor debate continues. If the bill passes this stage, it is passed to be engrossed by one legislative branch.
The second legislative branch
The second legislative branch then considers the bill, and any amendments made produce conflicting versions.
The bill is enacted
Finally, the bill is enacted and sent to the governor. Once the governor approves, the idea becomes a law.
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A public hearing is held
Once a petition for legislation is filed in the House or Senate, the committee holds a public hearing. The public hearing allows the committee to hear testimony regarding the petition from the public, government officials, and office holders. After the hearing is held, the committee issues a report.
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The committee issues a report
Once the committee has held a public hearing and heard testimony regarding the petition from the public, government officials, and office holders, it will issue a report. This report will direct the measure's path, either towards rejection or towards the first reading and the beginning of debate.
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The bill is read a second time, and debate begins
Once the bill has been read a second time, debate begins. This is the first time that the bill is debated in the Massachusetts General Court. The bill is debated in the branch of the legislature in which it was introduced. The bill is debated by the members of the branch, who may propose amendments to the bill. If the bill is amended, it is then sent to the other branch of the legislature, where it is read a second time and debated. If the bill is not amended, it is sent to the Committee on Bills for a third reading.
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Frequently asked questions
The process starts with the idea that a member of the public believes should become law.
A petition for legislation is filed in the House or Senate, accompanied by a bill that is assigned a number and referred to a committee.
The committee holds a public hearing and hears testimony regarding the petition from the public, government officials, and office holders.
After the hearing, the committee issues a report.
The bill is read a second time, and debate begins.
