The legislative process can be very lengthy and even complicated. This is a short explanation of how a bill becomes a law which should help you in understanding how the process works.

A bill may be introduced in either the Assembly or the Senate, where it is read by the Chief Clerk - First Reading and referred to a committee.  A committee is defined as a group of people appointed in the Assembly and Senate to study bills on a particular subject area and determine whether or not to recommend them to become law. A committee studies the bill and often holds public hearings on it. A public hearing is when you, your parents and other interested people can go and explain to the committee why you like or dislike the bill. The committee votes and reports the bill out of committee. The bill is then most often referred to the Rules Committee. The Rules Committee can either place the bill on the Calendar for second reading and debate before the entire Assembly or take no action. At the Second Reading, a bill is subject to debate and amendment before being given its Third Reading and final passage. After passing one House, the bill goes through the same procedure in the other house. If amendments are made in one house, the other House must agree. When the bill is accepted in both houses, it is sent to the Governor. The Governor signs the bill into law or may veto all or, in some cases, part of it. If this happens, the Legislature may override the veto with a 2/3 vote in each house. If the Governor fails to act on the bill, it may become a law without a signature.