Download presentation
Presentation is loading. Please wait.
Published byKristina Blair Modified over 9 years ago
1
CHAPTER 7: THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS Part II
2
Procedural Tools of Leadership Committee Membership –The presiding officers exercise influence by appointing committee membership. Selection of Committee Chairs –The presiding officers appoint the committee chairs. Committee Jurisdiction –The presiding officers assign bills to committees.
3
Presiding Officers May Oppose A Bill A bill may be a threat to the officer’s backers and financial supporters. The backers of a bill may have been uncooperative thus the officers may punish them. The bill’s opponents may have more bargaining power. The bill’s backers may feel the passage of the bill might financially cripple a favorite program.
4
Committee Powers and Functions See pg. 269 Committees are “little legislatures”. Committees are extensions of the presiding officers. In committee the bills may be –rewritten –edited Division of Labor –Bills are marked up in each committee. Competency –The seniority system allows the chairs to become experts in a subject if returned to the same committee year after year.
5
Committee Powers and Functions (cont.) Bureaucratic Oversight –Committees may also hold hearing to see that bureaucrats are carrying out public policy. –Several factors make bureaucratic oversight difficult: short legislative session movement of members from one committee to another short term for legislators when compared to top administrators.
6
Committee Powers and Functions (cont.) The Calendar –Scheduling a bill is crucial to passage and success.
7
The Floor of the House As bills reach the House floor, a loudspeaker system allows votes for or against. Most legislators vote on who is supporting a bill and who is against it. –Floor leaders: representatives who are trying to get a bill passed.
8
The Floor of the Senate The senate floor is similar to the house with one exception, the filibuster. Senate rules allow a senator to speak unlimitedly to try to prevent a vote on a bill. The presiding officer controls those who speak.
9
The Conference Committee Conference committees are composed of five members of each house appointed by the respective presiding officers. Today, conference committees iron out differences between each of the bills. –Conference committee reports
10
How a Bill Becomes Law Introduction to the Senate Assignment to committee Senate Committee Action Senate Calendar Senate Floor Introduction to the House Assignment to a committee House Committee action House calendars House floor
12
Institutional Leadership Tools The Legislative Budget Board: Members and presiding officers influence the budgeting process. The Legislative Council: The presiding officers appoint committee membership which oversees bill drafting and research. The Legislative Audit Committee: The presiding officers, members of this committee, audit agency expenditures. The Sunset Advisory Commission: This commission with the presiding officers as members reviews state agencies.
13
Restraints on the Powers of the Presiding Officers Personality –leadership style The Team –legislator coalitions The Lobby and Bureaucracy –coalition of presiding officers, bureaucrats and lobby insures success The Governor –the threat to veto and line-item veto give power The Political Climate –scandal may limit the power of the presiding officers. Political or Economic Ambition –political credits, interest group support, and presiding officer’s role may serve as a stepping stone to other offices.
Similar presentations
© 2025 SlidePlayer.com. Inc.
All rights reserved.