Kansas Lawmaking: Bills To Laws

The process of a bill becoming a law in Kansas involves several steps and requirements. The Kansas Legislature, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate, allows any member of Congress to introduce legislation. The bill is then referred to a committee, where it is researched, discussed, and amended. Following this, the bill undergoes floor debate and votes, leading to its introduction to all members of its chamber of origin. If passed by one chamber, the bill is referred to the other chamber, where it may be considered, rejected, or amended. In the event of differing versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences, and both chambers must pass the new version. The final step involves the governor's approval, who can sign the bill into law or veto it.

Bills are introduced by members of Congress

Bills are typically introduced by members of Congress in the month of January. Any member of Congress may introduce legislation. The bill is given a number according to the order and chamber it was introduced and is then referred to a committee within the chamber of origin. For example, the tenth bill introduced by a state senator on an issue related to school transportation would be assigned the number SB10 and would most likely be referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Education. House bills (HB) start at number 2001 and Senate bills (SB) start at number 1. They are numbered in the order in which they are introduced.

The committee in which the bill is introduced is not necessarily where it will ultimately reside. The bill is then assigned a chairperson, who decides whether the bill will be dead-ended or given a hearing or "mark-up" for further action. The chairperson then decides whether to hold a vote to move the bill out of the committee. Once a bill is voted out of the committee, it is introduced to all members of its chamber of origin. In the House of Representatives, the speaker of the house determines if and when a bill will come before the full body for a vote. In the Senate, this is the function of the majority leader.

Each chamber of the legislative branch has a different process for voting on and amending bills after they are introduced. Once a bill is introduced, it is assigned to a committee whose members will research, discuss, and make changes to the bill. The bill is then put before that chamber to be voted on. If the bill passes one body of Congress, it goes to the other body to go through a similar process of research, discussion, changes, and voting.

Bills are assigned to committees

In Kansas, once a bill is introduced, it is assigned to a committee. Committees are subsets of legislators tasked with crafting, reviewing, debating, and amending bills on a particular topic. They are created by the presiding officers of each chamber and are subject to approval by the full body. Committees are comprised of both Republicans and Democrats, and at the start of each biennium, members are chosen by the presiding office of each chamber.

For example, the tenth bill introduced by a state senator on an issue related to school transportation would be assigned the number SB10 and would most likely be referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Education.

Each committee has a chairperson, vice-chairperson, and ranking minority party member. The chairperson decides whether a bill will dead-end or be given a hearing or a "mark-up" for further action. They also decide whether to hold a vote to move the bill out of the committee.

Once a bill is voted out of the committee, the next opportunity for action is an introduction to all members of its chamber of origin. In the House of Representatives, the speaker of the house determines if and when a bill will come before the full body for a vote. In the Senate, this is the function of the majority leader.

Committees research, discuss, and make changes to the bill

Once a bill is introduced, it is assigned to a committee. Committees are subsets of legislators tasked with crafting, reviewing, debating, and amending bills on a particular topic. They are created by the presiding officers of each chamber and are subject to approval by the full body. Committees are comprised of both Republicans and Democrats, with a chairperson, vice-chair, and ranking minority party member. The chairperson decides whether a bill will be given a hearing or a "mark-up" for further action.

The committee or, sometimes, a legislator will introduce language that would make several changes to the law. Proposed changes to the law are indicated in italics. Language added to a bill is indicated by the use of italics, while removed text is indicated by the use of strikethrough. Replaced language is indicated by using both of these functions. These changes could be as small as a single word or number or span several paragraphs and pages.

The committee will introduce, discuss, and vote on amendments. If the committee votes to pass the bill, it will be sent back to its chamber of origin for a full vote. In the House of Representatives, the speaker of the house determines if and when a bill will come before the full body for a vote. In the Senate, this is the function of the majority leader. Each chamber of the legislative branch has a different process for voting on and amending bills after they are introduced.

Bills are voted on by the chamber of origin

The Kansas Legislature consists of two chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate. Each Kansan is represented by one member in each chamber. Any member of Congress may introduce legislation, and the bill is given a number according to the order and chamber it was introduced. For example, the tenth bill introduced by a state senator on an issue related to school transportation would be assigned the number SB10 and would most likely be referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Education.

Once a bill is introduced, it is assigned to a committee whose members will research, discuss, and make changes to the bill. The committee in which the bill is introduced is not necessarily where it currently resides. The committee or a legislator will introduce language that would make several changes to the law. Proposed changes to the law are indicated in italics. Language added to a bill is indicated by the use of italics, while removed text is indicated by the use of strikethrough.

After the committee stage, the bill is put before the chamber of origin to be voted on. In the House of Representatives, the speaker of the house determines if and when a bill will come before the full body for a vote. In the Senate, this is the function of the majority leader. Each chamber of the legislative branch has a different process for voting on and amending bills after they are introduced. A bill cannot be passed on the day it is introduced unless there is an emergency declared by two-thirds of the members present in the house where the bill is pending.

Bills are passed to the other chamber

The Kansas Legislature consists of two chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate. Each Kansan is represented by one member in each chamber. Once a bill has been passed by one chamber of Congress, it is then referred to the other chamber.

Upon receiving a referred bill, the second chamber may consider the bill as it was received, reject it, or amend it. The bill is then put before that chamber to be voted on. If the bill passes one body of Congress, it goes to the other body to go through a similar process of research, discussion, changes, and voting.

If the House and Senate versions of a bill vary after passing both chambers, a conference committee is created to reconcile the two different versions of the bill. If no agreement can be reached, the bill dies. If the conference committee is able to come to a consensus, both the House and Senate must pass the new version of the bill. If either chamber does not pass this version, the bill dies.

Often, the House and Senate committees of jurisdiction will negotiate provisions of non-controversial bills to avoid conference.

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