Oregon's Idea-To-Law Process: A Comprehensive Guide

Ideas for new laws or changes to existing laws in Oregon can come from anyone, be it legislators, community members, organisations, or even corporations. A member of the House of Representatives or the Senate introduces the bill, becoming the chief sponsor. The bill is then sent to a committee, which studies it and holds hearings where people can testify in support of or against the bill. If the committee approves, the bill returns to the chamber where it was introduced and is read or printed in the calendar three times. It can be amended and debated during the second reading and voted on during the third reading. If it passes in the House of Representatives, the bill goes through a similar process in the Senate. Before becoming law, a bill must be approved by both chambers of the legislature and the Governor.

Anyone can propose a bill

In Oregon, anyone can propose a bill—this includes legislators, community members, organizations, and even corporations. If you have an idea for a new law, or want to change or get rid of an existing law, you can introduce a bill to the Oregon State Legislature.

The Oregon State Legislature has two legislative chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate. A bill can be introduced by any member of either chamber, and that person is then called the chief sponsor. Once introduced, the bill is assigned a number and sent to a committee. The House of Representatives and the Senate each have 13 committees.

The committee then studies the bill to determine if it would make a good law. Committees often hold hearings where people can testify in support of or against the bill. Committee members can suggest amendments to the bill, and after hearing all the information and proposed changes, the committee votes. If the majority of the committee supports the bill, it moves on to the next step. If the committee doesn't vote or the bill is defeated, it cannot proceed.

If the bill is approved by the committee, it returns to the chamber where it was introduced and is read or printed in the calendar three times. During the second reading, the bill may be amended and debated on the full floor. For the third reading, members vote to pass or not pass the bill. If the bill doesn't pass on the third reading, it does not advance further.

If a bill passes in the House of Representatives, it goes through an identical process in the Senate. For a bill to become a law, it must be approved by both chambers of the legislature, with the same wording, before it can go to the Governor for approval.

Introducing a bill

In Oregon, a bill is an idea for a new law, or a proposal to change or get rid of an existing law. Ideas for bills can come from anyone – legislators, community members, organisations, or even corporations. However, only a member of the House of Representatives or the Senate can introduce a bill, and the member who does so is called the chief sponsor.

Forward Together members meet with potential sponsors to share stories and help inform the development of legislation as it is being created.

Once a bill has been introduced, it is assigned a number and sent to a committee. The House of Representatives and the Senate each have 13 committees. The committee studies the bill to see if it would make a good law and often holds hearings where people can testify in support of or in opposition to the bill. Members of the committee can suggest amendments, which are changes to the bill for the committee to consider. After this process, the committee will vote on the bill. If more than half of the committee members support the bill, it moves on. If the committee doesn't vote or the bill is defeated, it cannot progress.

If a bill is approved by the committee, it returns to the chamber (the House or the Senate) where it was introduced and is read or printed in the calendar three times. To pass the first reading, the bill title is printed in the calendar (the daily printed agenda of business) or is read by the Clerk of the chamber. During the second reading, the bill may be amended and debated on the full floor. In the third reading, members vote to pass or not pass the bill. Bills that don’t pass on the third reading do not move on in the process.

If a bill passes in the House of Representatives, it goes through a similar process in the Senate. Before a bill becomes law, it must be approved by both chambers of the legislature. The bill must pass with the same wording in both the House and the Senate before it can go to the Governor.

Sending to committee

Once a bill has been introduced by a member of the House of Representatives or the Senate (the member who introduces the bill is known as the chief sponsor), it is sent to a committee. The bill is first assigned a number, and then it is passed on to one of the 13 committees in the House of Representatives or one of the 13 committees in the Senate.

The committee then studies the bill to determine if it would be a good law. They often hold hearings, where people can testify in support of or against the bill. Members of the committee can suggest changes, known as amendments, which the committee will then consider. After hearing all the information and proposed changes, the committee will vote on the bill. If the majority of the committee supports the bill, it moves on to the next step. However, if the committee doesn't vote or the bill is defeated, it cannot proceed further.

If the bill is approved by the committee, it returns to the chamber (the House or Senate) where it was first introduced. It is then read or printed in the calendar three times. During the first reading, the bill title is printed in the calendar (the daily agenda of business) or read by the Clerk of the chamber. In the second reading, the bill may be amended and debated on the full floor. The third reading is when members vote to pass or not pass the bill. If the bill doesn't pass on the third reading, it does not advance further.

Committee hears the bill

Once a bill is introduced by a member of the House of Representatives or the Senate, it is assigned a number and sent to a committee. The House of Representatives has 13 committees, as does the Senate. The committee then studies the bill to determine its potential as a law. This involves hearings where people can testify in support of or against the bill. Committee members can suggest amendments to the bill, which are considered by the committee. After this process, the committee votes on the bill. If the majority of the committee supports the bill, it moves on to the next step. If the committee doesn't vote or the bill is defeated, it cannot proceed further.

During committee hearings, supporters and opponents of the bill can share their stories and testify. Those unable to attend in person can submit written testimony, and supporters can also call committee members to express their views.

If a bill is approved by the committee, it returns to the chamber (the House or Senate) where it originated. Here, it is read or printed in the calendar three times. During the first reading, the bill title is printed in the calendar or read by the Clerk of the chamber. The second reading allows for amendments and debate on the floor, and during the third reading, members vote to pass or not pass the bill. Bills that don't pass on the third reading do not proceed further.

If a bill passes in the House of Representatives, it undergoes a similar process in the Senate. For a bill to become a law, it must be approved by both chambers of the legislature, with the same wording, before going to the Governor for approval or veto. If amendments are made in the Senate to a House bill, or vice versa, the bill must return to the original chamber for approval with the amendments.

Governor approval

Once a bill has passed in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, it is sent to the Governor for approval. The Governor has three options: they can sign the bill, veto (or reject) the bill, or take no action. If the Governor chooses to veto the bill, the House of Representatives and the Senate may override the veto with a two-thirds majority vote in each chamber. If the Governor does not sign the bill but also does not veto it, the bill will automatically become law. While the bill is awaiting the Governor's decision, it is common for supporters and opponents of the bill to contact the Governor's office and express their opinions, often through phone calls, emails, and social media campaigns. This is done to urge the Governor to either sign or veto the bill, depending on their stance.

The Governor's role in the legislative process is crucial, as they have the power to approve or reject a bill that has already passed through both chambers of the Oregon State Legislature. The Governor's decision can be influenced by various factors, including their own political beliefs, the input of their advisors and constituents, and the potential impact of the bill on the state. In some cases, the Governor may also choose to take no action on a bill, allowing it to become law without their signature. This could be a strategic decision or a result of other factors, such as a lack of time to fully consider the bill before the decision deadline.

The process of a bill becoming a law in Oregon involves multiple steps, and the Governor's approval is the final stage. Before reaching the Governor, a bill must be introduced by a member of the House of Representatives or the Senate, assigned to a committee, studied and voted on by the committee, and then passed by both chambers of the legislature. This collaborative process ensures that laws are thoroughly reviewed and debated before receiving final approval from the Governor.

The Governor's power to veto a bill is an important check on the legislative branch, ensuring that only bills that meet the Governor's approval become laws. However, the legislature also has the ability to override a veto, demonstrating the balance of powers between the executive and legislative branches in Oregon's government. This process underscores the importance of collaboration and consensus-building in law-making, as well as the role of public opinion and advocacy in influencing the Governor's decision.

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