What is the legislative process?
In Texas, as in the Congress and most other states, the lawmaking process involves four major stages: introduction, committee action, floor action, and enrollment. In a bicameral legislature like Texas’, with both a house and a senate, the first three stages must occur in each of the houses consecutively. After the house in which the bill is introduced completes action on the measure, the bill is sent to the second house, where the process is repeated through the three stages. The fourth stage, enrollment, occurs in the originating house after both houses have agreed on the final form of the proposal. See How a Bill Becomes a Law.
In Louisiana, as in the Congress and most other states, the lawmaking process involves four major stages: introduction, committee action, floor action, and enrollment. In a bicameral legislature like Louisiana’s, with both a house and a senate, the first three stages must occur in each of the houses consecutively. After the House in which the bill is introduced completes action on the measure, the bill is sent to the second House, where the process is repeated through the three stages. The fourth stage, enrollment, occurs in the originating house after both Houses have agreed on the final form of the proposal.
All bills normally go through a similar series of steps in both the Senate and the Commons. Introduction: The process begins when a bill is introduced. First Reading: The bill is “read” for the first time, without debate, and printed. Second Reading: The principle of the bill is debated. It is then voted on and the bill is sent to a parliamentary committee. Committee Stage: A committee hears witnesses, examines the bill clause by clause and submits a report recommending the bill be accepted as is or with amendments, or that it not proceed any further. Report Stage: Additional amendments to the bill may be moved, debated and voted on. Third Reading: The bill is debated a final time and voted on. Message: Once passed, the bill is sent to the other House, where the process starts again from first reading. Royal Assent: The Governor General or a deputy gives the bill Royal Assent. About Parliament: A Parliament is made up of one or more sessions. A session can last a few days or several ye
