How a Bill Becomes a Law - League of Women Voters of Wake County

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How a Bill Becomes a Law in NC

Drafting & Filing ➡

An idea for a bill may come from a concerned citizen or group or a legislator from either the Senate or House of Representatives. The bill must be sponsored by a legislator who asks nonpartisan staff to draft a bill and then files it in either the House or Senate. It receives a number and title (e.g., HB 123).

First Reading & Committee Referral ➡

The sponsoring legislator is responsible for introducing it in their chamber. The bill title is read aloud, and it is assigned to one or more committees.

Reference to Committee ➡

When a bill is introduced, the bill is assigned to a relevant committee for further study. Committees may hold hearings, consider amendments, and vote on whether to give the bill a “favorable report.” Most bills that don’t receive a favorable report stop here. Bills that are not assigned to a relevant committee stay in the House or Senate Rules & Operations Committee for the remainder of the session and do not progress. Many bills ultimately "die" in the Rules & Operations Committee.

Second & Third Readings ➡

If approved in committee, the bill is then introduced to the entire chamber by the Chair of the committee that recommended the bill. It is then debated and voted on during the second reading and then again during the third reading. It must pass both readings to move forward in the other chamber.

Consideration by Second House ➡

The bill then moves to the other chamber (House ↔ Senate) and repeats the same process of being introduced, debated and voted on during the second and third readings. If that chamber makes changes, a conference committee may be formed to reconcile differences.

Concurrence in Amendments ➡

If the second house makes amendments to the bill, the bill must be returned to the house of origin to be accepted. If the amendments are rejected, then the two presiding officers appoint a conference committee to be responsible for reconciling the differences in the bills. If both houses come to an agreement, then the two houses vote on the recommended bill text. If no agreement is reached, new conference members are appointed to try again. If the second recommended bill text is denied, the bill is defeated.

Enrollment, Ratification & Publication

A bill is “enrolled” once it has passed both chambers. The Governor then has 10 days to sign the bill into law, veto it, or allow the bill to become law without their signature. A veto override requires a 3/5 majority of members present in each chamber. Once the bill becomes law, it is published.

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