Understanding The Process Of Bills Becoming Laws In Pa

Understanding the intricacies of how a bill becomes a law in Pennsylvania is crucial for citizens who want to actively engage in the legislative process and advocate for policies that align with their interests. The journey of a bill to a law in Pennsylvania involves multiple steps, from its conception as an idea to its final enactment, with various opportunities for public input and advocacy. This process is explained by parliamentarians from the state's Senate and House, offering valuable insights into the legislative landscape.

A bill must be sponsored by a Senator or Representative

For a bill to be introduced in Pennsylvania, it must be sponsored by a Senator or Representative. In fact, a bill can have more than one sponsor, and the more sponsors a bill has, the more likely it is to become a law. This is especially true if the sponsors represent both major political parties relatively equally. The bill can be started in either the Senate or the House.

Once a bill has been introduced, it is assigned a title, a number, and a printer number. If a bill is amended, which most are, the bill number stays the same, but the printer number changes. Therefore, it is important to always check the printer number to ensure you have the most current version of the bill.

After being introduced, the bill is assigned to a committee. If the bill is introduced in the Senate, the President, or President Pro Tempore, of the Senate assigns it to the appropriate committee. If it is introduced in the House of Representatives, the Speaker of the House follows the same procedure. The committee then reviews the bill and decides whether it should be sent to the full chamber for consideration.

The committee may hold public hearings or otherwise allow the public to express its opinion as to whether the bill should become law. Individuals interested in a bill that is in a committee may wish to contact the Chair of that committee to discuss their views and/or to ask for public hearings on the bill.

The more sponsors a bill has, the more likely it is to become law

In Pennsylvania, a bill must be sponsored by one or more Senators or Representatives. The more sponsors a bill has, the more likely it is to become law – especially if sponsors represent both major political parties relatively equally.

A law begins as an idea that is brought to the state legislature by a member of the Senate or of the House of Representatives, by the Governor, or by an individual. The vast majority of laws begin as ideas that ordinary individuals or organizations present to their State Legislators. The Legislator then takes the idea to the lawyers in the Legislative Reference Bureau to "draft" it in the form of a "bill". Once the bill is drafted, it is assigned a title, a number, and a printer number when it is introduced. If a bill is amended (and nearly all are), the bill number remains the same but the printer number changes. Therefore, it is important to always check the printer number to assure that you have the most current version of the bill.

When a bill is introduced in the Senate, the President, or President Pro Tempore, of the Senate assigns it to the appropriate committee. If it is introduced in the House of Representatives, the Speaker of the House follows the same procedure. The committee reviews the bill and decides whether it should be sent to the full chamber for consideration. The committee may hold public hearings or otherwise allow the public to express its opinion as to whether the bill should become law. Individuals interested in a bill that is in a committee may wish to contact the Chair of that committee to discuss their views and/or to ask for public hearings on the bill. The committee has the option of amending the bill or of keeping it in its original form. The committee also has the option of deciding not to "report" the bill back to the full chamber for further consideration or final passage. When that happens, the bill is said to "die in committee" and will not be considered further.

The process of a bill becoming a law in Pennsylvania is a long and complex one, but the more sponsors a bill has, the more likely it is to become law.

A bill can be started in the Senate or the House

A bill can be started in either the Senate or the House of Representatives. A bill must be sponsored by one or more Senators or Representatives. The more sponsors a bill has, the more likely it is to become law, especially if sponsors represent both major political parties relatively equally. A bill is assigned a title, a number, and a printer number when it is introduced. If a bill is amended, the bill number remains the same, but the printer number changes. Therefore, it is important to always check the printer number to ensure that you have the most current version of the bill.

When a bill is introduced in the Senate, the President, or President Pro Tempore, of the Senate assigns it to the appropriate committee. If it is introduced in the House of Representatives, the Speaker of the House follows the same procedure. The committee reviews the bill and decides whether it should be sent to the full chamber for consideration. The committee may hold public hearings or otherwise allow the public to express its opinion on whether the bill should become law.

Individuals interested in a bill that is in a committee may wish to contact the Chair of that committee to discuss their views and/or to ask for public hearings on the bill. The committee can choose to amend the bill, keep it in its original form, or decide not to "report" the bill back to the full chamber for further consideration or final passage. When that happens, the bill is said to "die in committee" and will not be considered further.

After a committee reports a bill to the full Senate or House, it goes to the floor calendar for a "second consideration" by the entire body. Legislators who are not members of the committee to which the bill was first assigned now have the opportunity to offer amendments to the bill. On "third consideration," Senators or Representatives can offer amendments to the bill only with the unanimous consent of their colleagues or upon a successful motion to suspend the chamber's rules.

A bill must be considered on three separate days in both the Senate and the House

For a bill to become a law in Pennsylvania, it must be considered on three separate days in both the Senate and the House. This is a requirement set by the Constitution of Pennsylvania.

The first consideration occurs on the day the bill is introduced and assigned to a committee. There are no floor debates or amendments allowed at this stage. The bill is then sent to the appropriate committee, which reviews it and decides whether to send it to the full chamber for consideration. The committee may hold public hearings or gather public opinion to determine whether the bill should become law.

After the committee has reviewed the bill, it is reported to the full Senate or House for "second consideration." At this stage, the bill is open to amendments from legislators who are not members of the original committee. On "third consideration," Senators or Representatives can only offer amendments if they have unanimous consent from their colleagues or upon a successful motion to suspend the rules of the chamber.

Prior to the final passage vote, legislators can debate the bill and attempt to persuade others to join their position. A final vote is then taken, and a majority of 26 out of 50 Senators and 102 out of 203 Representatives must vote "aye" for the bill to pass in their respective chambers. Certain appropriation bills require a two-thirds majority for passage.

The Governor can sign a bill, veto it, or take no action

Once a bill has been passed by both the House and the Senate, it is sent to the Governor for consideration. At this stage, the Governor has three options: they can sign the bill, veto it, or take no action. If the Governor approves of the bill, they will sign it, and it will become law. However, if they disagree with all or part of the bill, they can veto it and send it back to both chambers of the Legislature, along with a "veto message" explaining their reasons. The Legislature then has the power to override the Governor's veto with a two-thirds majority vote in both chambers, and the bill will become law despite the Governor's objections.

On the other hand, if the Governor takes no action on a bill within ten calendar days while the Legislature is in session, the bill will automatically become law. If the Legislature is not in session, the Governor has thirty days to act before the bill automatically becomes law. This means that even without the Governor's explicit approval, a bill can still become law if they choose to do nothing. This step is crucial, as it represents the final stage of the legislative process and determines whether the bill will be enacted or not.

The Governor's role in this process is significant as it allows them to exert influence over the passage of a bill. By signing or vetoing a bill, the Governor can shape the legislative agenda and ensure that it aligns with their priorities and the interests of the state. However, the Legislature also has the power to override a veto, demonstrating the system of checks and balances inherent in the law-making process. This process underscores the collaborative nature of law-making, requiring cooperation and negotiation between the Governor and the Legislature to enact legislation successfully.

It is worth noting that the Governor is not the only actor involved in this stage. Simultaneously, the Attorney General reviews the bill to ensure it fits into existing law. This parallel review process ensures that any potential legal conflicts are identified and addressed before a bill becomes law. Overall, the Governor's role in signing, vetoing, or taking no action on a bill is a critical aspect of the legislative process in Pennsylvania, shaping the state's legal landscape.

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