If the bill passes the floor vote, it will cross over to the other house, and the committee hearing process is repeated. During the process, the bill may be amended or held by any committee. If the bill passes through the committees and a floor vote in the second house, it will be sent on to the governor for approval. If the bill passes the second house in a form different from that passed by the first house, a conference committee will work out differences, then send the bill on to both houses for a floor vote. The legislative process is summarized in the following graphic.
Blue shapes represent opportunities for public participation in the process.
More detailed information about the legislative process can be found in the Citizen's Guide to Participation in the Legislative Process, courtesy of the State Legislature. Click here to go to the Citizen's Guide . For information on aquatic resources related bills currently before the state legislature, click here .