Michigan's Lawmaking Process: Bills To Acts

The process of a bill becoming a law in Michigan can be complicated, but it's important for citizens to understand it in order to participate in the political process. In Michigan, the main role of the bicameral legislature, which consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives, is to make laws. During a two-year legislative session, 3000 to 4000 bills may be introduced, with each bill going through a multi-step process that includes both the legislative and executive branches. This paragraph will outline the steps a bill takes to become a law in Michigan, from its introduction to the legislature to its enactment by the governor.

A legislator develops an idea for a new law or changes to an old one

The process of turning a bill into a law in Michigan begins with a legislator, who develops an idea for a new law or changes to an existing one. This idea can be influenced by the public, special interest groups, and lobbyists. For example, in Michigan, groups such as labor, business, the legal and medical professions, teachers, farmers, and veterans are recognised as special interests due to their well-established organisations. In addition, corporate lobby groups representing various industries, such as pharmaceuticals, energy, insurance, and banking, can also play a significant role in shaping a legislator's ideas for new laws or changes.

Legislators work with these diverse groups to address public needs and develop ideas for new legislation. This collaborative process ensures that a range of perspectives and interests are considered when formulating potential laws. It is important to note that the legislator's idea for a new law or changes to an existing one should not conflict with the state or federal constitutions, as the Michigan legislature is vested with the power to create laws within this framework.

Once a legislator has developed an idea, it can be introduced as a bill in either the Senate or the House of Representatives, which together form the bicameral Michigan legislature. This introduction marks the beginning of the legislative process, where the bill will undergo multiple stages of review, discussion, and potential amendments before it can become a law.

The legislator's role in this process is crucial, as they initiate the journey of an idea becoming a law. They work closely with various stakeholders to ensure that the proposed legislation aligns with the needs and interests of the public and relevant special interest groups. By doing so, legislators play a vital part in shaping the legal landscape of Michigan, always keeping in mind the boundaries set by the state and federal constitutions.

The bill is introduced in either house of the Legislature

In Michigan, a bill may be introduced in either the Senate or the House of Representatives. Senate bills are filed with the Secretary of the Senate, while House bills are filed with the Clerk of the House.

Once introduced, a bill is given a number starting with "HB" for the House of Representatives or "SB" for the Senate. Copies of the bill are then made available in hard copy and online. The Michigan State Constitution requires that any bill must be printed and distributed to each house at least five days before passage, to prevent hasty or ill-considered legislation and allow interested parties to become familiar with the bill.

After the first reading and assignment to a committee, the committee may take several actions, including reporting the bill with or without recommendations, offering amendments, replacing the bill with a substitute bill, referring it to another committee, or postponing it indefinitely. The decision on whether a bill gets a hearing is made by the committee chair.

If the bill goes to a second reading, the House or Senate debates the bill and considers amendments from committee members and the floor. If the bill is passed by the originating chamber, it then moves to the other chamber to repeat the process. If changes are made to the original bill, it goes back to the originating chamber for a vote on those changes. If the amendments are significant, it may be referred to a conference committee made up of members from each chamber to work out the differences. If both chambers agree, the bill is sent to the Governor for signature.

The bill is referred to the relevant committee

Once a bill is introduced in either the House or the Senate, it is sent to the relevant committee to be reviewed and debated. In the Senate, the bill is referred to the proper committee by the Majority Leader, and in the House, the Speaker of the House refers the bill to the relevant committee. All bills involving an appropriation must be referred either directly to the Appropriations Committee of the respective chamber or to an appropriate standing committee and then to the Appropriations Committee.

The committee members will then consider the legislation, and the chairperson will decide whether there will be a public hearing on the bill. If there is a public hearing, the bill sponsor, interested parties, and the public will have a chance to testify before the committee about the bill to urge passage, rejection, or suggest changes. There may be multiple days of testimony if there is significant interest in the bill or if the subject is particularly complicated.

After considering the bill and hearing testimony, the committee can choose to take a variety of actions. Typically, the committee will do one of the following:

• Take no action on the bill
• Report the bill with a favorable recommendation
• Report the substituted or amended version of the bill with a favorable recommendation
• Report the bill with the recommendation that it be referred to another committee

The House Rules require most bills to be referred to a second committee before being sent to the floor. Taking no official action on the bill usually means that there is not enough support on the committee to move the legislation or that the members want to take more time to consider the issue or ponder further changes. In both houses, a majority vote of the members serving on a committee is necessary to report a bill. If a committee does not report a bill, the bill can be forced out of the committee by a motion to discharge from the chamber floor. A majority vote of the full chamber is required to move a bill from committee to the floor without the recommendation of the committee.

The committee decides whether there will be a public hearing on the bill

The Committee Decides

Once a bill has been introduced to either the Senate or the House of Representatives, it is sent to a committee. The committee is responsible for considering the bill and deciding whether to recommend it, amend it, or reject it. The committee chairperson plays a crucial role in this process as they have the power to decide whether a bill will be given a hearing. If the chairperson decides in favour of a hearing, the bill sponsor, interested parties, and the public will have an opportunity to testify and present their arguments for or against the bill. The hearing can span multiple days, especially if the bill is complex or generates significant public interest.

The Decision

After the hearing, the committee can take several actions. They may choose to take no action on the bill, which usually indicates a lack of support or a need for further consideration. Alternatively, they can report the bill with a favourable recommendation, suggesting amendments or substitutions to improve it. The committee also has the option to recommend that the bill be referred to another committee for further review. In the Michigan House of Representatives, most bills are required to be referred to a second committee before advancing to the floor. If a committee does not report a bill, members of the chamber can force the bill out of committee through a motion to discharge. This motion requires a majority vote of the full chamber.

The bill is reported from the committee with or without amendments

Once a bill has been introduced in either the House or the Senate, it is sent to one of the committees that deals with that issue. The committees usually have five to seventeen members and may have subcommittees. The committee then considers the bill and the chairperson decides whether there will be a public hearing on the bill. If there is a public hearing, the bill sponsor, interested parties, and the public will have a chance to testify before the committee about the bill to urge passage, rejection, or suggest changes. After considering the bill and hearing testimony, the committee can choose to take a variety of actions, including reporting the bill with a favorable recommendation, no recommendations, or with unfavorable recommendations; offering amendments; replacing the bill with a substitute bill; referring it to another committee; or postponing it indefinitely so it never gets a hearing.

If the committee reports the bill favorably, with or without amendments, or in the form of a substitute bill, the committee report is printed in the journal under the order of business "Reports of Standing Committees" in the House, and in the Senate under "Committee Reports." Journals are the official records of the actions of the House of Representatives and the Senate, and they are published online following each day's session. Upon being reported favorably from the committee, the bill and recommended committee amendments (if any) are placed on the order of "General Orders" in the Senate. In the House, the bill and amendments are referred to the order of "Second Reading."

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