How A Bill Becomes A Law in Arkansas
From the ACLU of Arkansas
1. All Bills Start As Ideas, And Anyone Can Have An Idea!
You can generally get a lawmaker to help you draft a bill, but in Arkansas, only a Representative or Senator can introduce a bill and guide it through the General Assembly.
2. Filing
The bill is drafted and a lawmaker files it with the Clerk of the House or the Secretary of the Senate, and it is assigned a number. Bills that begin in the House are assigned an “HB” number, and bills that begin in the Senate are assigned an “SB” numbler.
3. Committee
It is signed by the sponsor(s) and read twice to the entire body of the House and Senate. It is assigned to a committee, and then presented. Committees are where the opportunities for public input are greatest. All meetings of the legislature are open to the public.
4. Committee Vote
The sponsor explains it and brings in expert testimony to support it. Those who oppose the bill also present their case. It is the responsibility of the committee to examine a bill carefully and make one of three recommendations: pass, do not pass, or do pass as amended. They may also table or defer action on a bill. House committees generally have 20 members, and it takes 11 votes to pass a bill. Senate committees generally have eight members, and it takes five votes to pass a bill.
5. Sent To Floor For Debate
If a bill passes committee, then it heads to the floor where legislators discuss the bill and explain why they agree or disagree with it. If a committee recommends changes, amendments must be adopted before the bill is ready for a final vote. The bill may be amended, pass, or fail. Most bills require a simple majority, but some require a two-thirds or three-quarters vote.
6. Sent To Second Chamber
Once passed by the one chamber, the bill is sent to another chamber where it begins in committee again and follows a similar process. A bill from the Senate goes to the House. A bill from the House goes to the Senate. If the bill fails in either chamber, it cannot advance any further. The bill will either fail, be amended, be tabled, sent to interim study, or pass.
7. Governor
After passing both chambers, the bill goes to the Governor who can sign the bill or veto the bill. Within five days, a bill will become law with or without the Governor’s signature. A simple majority vote of both chambers will override a Governor’s veto.