How a Bill Becomes Law

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How a Bill Becomes a Colorado Law

HOUSE

Introduction
First Reading by the House Clerk
Assigned to Committee by Speaker of the House
Committee Hearing (where public testimony & amendments may be offered)
Committee Reports Offered (Committee reports are reports made by the committee of the status of a bill that was assigned to the specific committee)
House Floor and Second Reading (May include debate and additional amendments)
House Floor and Third Reading Final Passage

SENATE

Introduction
First Reading by the Senate Clerk
Assigned to Committee by Senate President
Committee Hearing ( may contain any amendments)
Committee Reports Offered
Senate Floor and Second Reading (May include debate and additional amendments)
Senate Floor and Third Reading Final Passage (without any additional amendments)
If a bill passes 2nd House without amendments, goes to the Governor; otherwise, to conference committee.

Conference Committee

A conference committee is actually two 3 - member committees, one from each house, meeting together to attempt to work out language acceptable to the Senate and House on some measure upon which agreement could not be reached through committee or floor amendments.

A majority of the members of the committee must agree before the conference committee report may be submitted to the Senate and House; moreover, neither body is obligated to accept the report, but usually they find common ground; particularly, when the alternative could be the failure of the bill.

GOVERNOR

Signed by the Governor and becomes Colorado Law.

If the Governor Fails to sign a bill within 10 days upon receiving a bill while the General Assembly is in session or within 30 days if the General Assembly is adjourned, the bill become Colorado Law.

Veto Policy:

If Vetoed, the Governor sends a veto message to the General Assembly and if the General Assembly decides to override the Governor's veto, it must have two-thirds votes of all Members from both the House and Senate.