For more information:
http://leg.wa.gov/legislature/Pages/Bill2Law.aspx Legislative Process Overview:
http://leg.wa.gov/legislature/Pages/Overview.aspx Reed's Parliamentary Rules:
http://leg.wa.gov/LawsAndAgencyRules/ReedsRules/Pages/default.aspxHow a Bill Becomes a Law• A bill may be introduced in either the Senate or House of Representatives by a member.
• It is referred to a committee for a hearing. The committee studies the bill and may hold public hearings on it. It can then pass, reject, or take no action on the bill.
• The committee report on the passed bill is read in open session of the House or Senate, and the bill is then referred to the Rules Committee.
• The Rules Committee can either place the bill on the second reading calendar for debate before the entire body, or take no action.
• At the second reading, a bill is subject to debate and amendment before being placed on the third reading calendar for final passage.
• After passing one house, the bill goes through the same procedure in the other house.
• If amendments are made in the other house, the first house must approve the changes.
• When the bill is accepted in both houses, it is signed by the respective leaders and sent to the governor.
• The governor signs the bill into law or may veto all or part of it. If the governor fails to act on the bill, it may become law without a signature.
