How does a bill become law? Public Policy & the Environment ENV 2011 Credit to Mara Smith for this helpful summary

Learning Objectives Understand the process Identify challenges and influences Relate to previous material

What is a bill? A legislation proposal. But when passed by the House and the Senate and approved by President BillLaw

The Bill to Law Process Legislation is drafted and introduced to House & Senate Bill moves to appropriate committee revisions, additions and a report Floor- 2nd reading, reported out of committee Open debate & negotiation 3rd reading- must vote

The Bill to Law Process Con’t Conference Committee Senior members from each house Work out differences and prepare written report Report must be approved by House and Senate The President Sign- signing statement Veto Pocket Veto

Challenges & Influences Is this process efficient? Bias; what power does the majority party hold? What power does the minority party hold? What is the check on process? President- ability to influence interpretation of bill

How does this relate to previous material? Policy Making Process (O’Connor & Sabato) Issue Attention Cycle (Downs) Diffusion of Power