How a bill becomes a law

How a bill becomes a law…First Reading

Per the Virginia Constitution, every bill must be read three times before each body of the General Assembly. For the first reading, the bill title is printed in the Calendar or is read by the Clerk, and the bill advances to second reading.

How a bill becomes a law…Second Reading

The next day the bill title appears in the printed Calendar on second reading. Bills are considered in the order in which they appear on the Calendar. The Clerk reads the title of the bill a second time. A bill on second reading is amendable and debatable. If an amendment is adopted, the bill is reprinted in its final form for passage. A bill that has passed second reading with or without an amendment is called “engrossed.”

How a bill becomes a law…Third Reading

The next day, the engrossed bill title appears in the Calendar on third reading. The title is read a third time by the Clerk. By recorded vote, the bill is passed or defeated.

How a bill becomes a law…Communication and Crossover

When passed, the bill is sent to the other body, either by the Clerk in a written communication or by a member in person, informing the other body that the bill has passed.

Cross-over is the date when the house of origin must have taken action on a bill or the bill dies. Crossover is also when the bills passed by one house must have crossed over to the other. It usually occurs midway through the legislative session.

How a bill becomes a law…Legislation in the other body

Legislation, when initially received by the other body, is read a first time and referred to the appropriate committee. If the committee reports the bill to the floor, it is on its second reading. When the bill is on third reading, any amendment(s) or substitute(s) will be considered, and the passage of the bill is debated and voted on.

How a bill becomes a law…Conference Committees

If the House amends a Senate bill, or the Senate amends a House bill, and the house of origin disagrees with the amendment, a conference committee, usually three members from each legislative body, may be formed to resolve differences. The version agreed upon by the conference committee is then submitted to each house for action.

How a bill becomes a law…The Governor in Virginia

The bill is then sent to the Governor for approval. He or she may sign it into law, make suggested amendments, or veto it. The General Assembly meets six weeks after the session to consider the Governor’s action.

How a bill becomes a law…Reconvened Session

The Governor, having a month to act on the legislation that has been sent to him or her has three options: sign, amend, or veto. The Assembly meets in a reconvened session to act on the amendments (which must pass both houses) and the vetoes (which to be overturned, must pass each house with a 2/3rds majority). In cases where a Governor’s amendment fails to pass both houses, the Governor has two weeks to either sign the non-amended bill or veto it. If the bill is vetoed, it returns to both houses for action.

How a bill becomes a law…Enactment

Bills that become law at a regular session (or the reconvened session that follows) are effective the first day of July following adjournment of the regular session unless otherwise specified.

Center Priorities (.pdf)

Bulletin Inserts
Child Support (.pdf)
Environment (.pdf)
Housing Trust (.pdf)
Indigent Defense (.pdf)
Payday Lending (.pdf)
Minimum Wage (.pdf)

Advocacy Resources
Advocacy Guide (.doc)
Advocacy Portal (link)
Lending Info. (.ppt)
Richmond Map (.pdf)

For Small Groups
Eco-Stewardship (link)
Prayers for Creation (link)
Poverty Diet (link)

Policy Briefs
EITC (.doc)
TANF Child Support (.doc)
Payday Loans (.doc)
Healing Creation (.doc)
Child Ombudsman (.doc)
Affordable Housing (.doc)
Indigent Defense (.doc)
Minimum Wage (.doc)
Wage & EITC (.doc)
VA Tribes (.link)

Actions
Lending Petition (link)
Title Petition (link)
Wage Petition (link)

Reports
Budget Analysis (.pdf)
Food Stamps (.doc)
Lottery Study (link)

FAQ's (link)

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