Oregon's Lawmaking Process: How Bills Become Laws

Laws in Oregon are created by the Oregon State Legislature, which consists of two legislative chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate. A bill, which is an idea for a new law or a change to an existing one, can be introduced by any member of either chamber and is then sent to a committee. The committee studies the bill and hears testimony from people in support of and in opposition to it before voting on whether to approve it. If a bill is approved by the committee, it returns to the chamber where it originated and is read or printed in the calendar three times. It may be amended and debated during the second reading and voted on during the third reading. If it passes in one chamber, it goes through a similar process in the other. Before a bill becomes law, it must be approved by both chambers of the legislature and then sent to the Governor for approval.

Anyone can propose a bill

In Oregon, ideas for bills can come from anyone—including legislators, community members, organisations, and even corporations. A bill is an idea for a new law, or a proposal to change or get rid of an existing law. Anyone can propose a bill, but only a member of the House of Representatives or the Senate can introduce one. The member who introduces the bill is called the chief sponsor.

Forward Together members meet with potential sponsors to share their stories, helping to inform the development of legislation as it is being created. This is an important part of the legislative process, as it allows for community input and ensures that laws are reflective of the needs and values of the people of Oregon.

Once a bill has been introduced, it gets assigned a number and is then 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 holds hearings where people can testify in support of or in opposition to the bill. Members of the committee can also suggest changes, known as amendments.

After considering all the information and proposed amendments, the committee will vote 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.

This process ensures that bills are thoroughly vetted and considered before becoming laws in Oregon. It allows for input from various stakeholders and experts, helping to create well-informed and thoughtful legislation.

Assigning a number to the bill

Once a bill has been introduced, it is assigned a number. This is an important step in the process of a bill becoming law in Oregon. The bill is then sent to a committee for review. The Oregon State Legislature, which creates laws in the state, has two chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate. Each chamber has its own set of committees. The House of Representatives has 13 committees, and the Senate also has 13 committees.

The committee plays a crucial role in scrutinising the bill. They study the proposed legislation to determine its potential value and effectiveness as a law. The committee may invite people to testify, providing an opportunity for individuals or groups to voice their support or opposition to the bill. This allows for a diverse range of perspectives to be considered. During these hearings, committee members can also propose amendments to the bill. Amendments are suggested changes to the bill's wording or content, which the committee then considers.

After thorough deliberations and hearings, the committee members cast their votes on the bill. For a bill to move forward in the legislative process, it must receive the support of more than half of the committee members. If the committee fails to vote or the bill is defeated, it cannot progress any further. However, if the committee approves the bill, it returns to the chamber (either the House or the Senate) where it originated.

In the chamber, the approved bill undergoes three readings. During the first reading, the bill's title is printed in the calendar, also known as the daily printed agenda of business, or it is read by the chamber's Clerk. The second reading allows for amendments and floor debates, providing an opportunity for further refinement and discussion. During the third reading, the moment of truth arrives, and members vote to pass or not pass the bill. Bills that fail to pass during the third reading are discontinued and do not advance further.

Bills that successfully pass through one chamber continue their journey by moving to the other chamber for a similar review process. For a bill to become a law, it must gain approval from both the House of Representatives and the Senate. It is essential that the bill passes with identical wording in both chambers. If amendments are made in one chamber, the bill must return to the originating chamber for approval of those changes.

Committee hearings

In Oregon, a bill is sent to a committee after being introduced by a member of the House of Representatives or the Senate, who is then known as the chief sponsor. The House of Representatives has 13 committees, as does the Senate. The committee then studies the bill to determine its potential as a law.

Forward Together leaders and supporters actively participate in committee hearings by sharing their stories and testifying. They also utilise written testimony for those who cannot attend in person. Supporters can contact committee members directly to express their views on a bill. Additionally, they organise days of action to share their experiences with legislators in person.

The bill, if approved by the committee, returns to the chamber (either the House or the Senate) where it originated. It is then read or printed in the calendar three times. During the second reading, the bill may undergo amendments and be debated on the full floor. If the bill passes the third reading, it moves on to the next step. Bills that don't pass the third reading do not proceed further.

Committee vote

Once a bill is introduced, it 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 its potential as a law. During this process, committees often hold hearings where people can testify in support of or against the bill. Members of the committee can also suggest amendments to the bill. After considering all the information and proposed changes, the committee will vote. 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.

The committee hearing plays a crucial role in the legislative process. It allows for detailed scrutiny of the bill and provides an opportunity for stakeholders to voice their opinions. Supporters and opponents of the bill can testify, presenting their arguments and evidence. This democratic process ensures that a diverse range of perspectives are considered before advancing the bill to the next stage.

During the committee hearing, members can propose amendments to the bill. These amendments could address concerns raised during the hearing or refine the bill to make it more effective. The committee carefully considers these proposed changes, weighing their potential impact on the bill's overall purpose. Amendments that are accepted become part of the bill as it moves forward.

The committee vote is a decisive moment for the bill's fate. If the committee supports the bill, it demonstrates a level of consensus and indicates that the bill has merit. At this point, the bill returns to the chamber (the House or Senate) where it originated and undergoes further readings and debates. On the other hand, if the committee fails to vote or rejects the bill, it effectively stalls the legislative process for that particular bill.

The committee vote is a critical checkpoint that ensures only bills with sufficient support and merit advance further. It encourages collaboration and careful consideration of proposed legislation, fostering a more thoughtful and inclusive law-making process in Oregon.

Governor's approval

In the state of Oregon, a bill that has passed both the House of Representatives and the Senate goes to the Governor for approval. The Governor has three options: they can choose to sign the bill, veto (or reject) the bill, or take no action. If the Governor signs the bill, it becomes law. If the Governor vetoes the bill, the House and Senate may override the veto by a two-thirds vote in each chamber, and the bill can still become law. If the Governor does not sign the bill but also does not veto it, the bill will automatically become law.

While the bill is with the Governor for a decision, members of the public, lobbyists, and activists may contact the Governor's office to urge them to sign or veto the bill. This can include calling, sending emails, and participating in social media campaigns.

If a bill is vetoed by the Governor and neither chamber of the legislature can muster a two-thirds majority to override the veto, the bill dies and does not become law. However, if just one chamber achieves a two-thirds majority, the bill will return to the other chamber for reconsideration.

The Governor's role in the legislative process is, therefore, a critical stage in the journey of a bill to become law in Oregon. Their approval is required, whether that is actively given through their signature or passively through their inaction on a bill. The public also has an important role to play in attempting to persuade the Governor to make a decision in their favour.

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