Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1921-01-14
HOW OUR LAWS ARE MADE

At this time, with both congress and
the state legislature in session and
demands being made on both bodies fof
all sorts of new laws II will be a mat
ter of interest to many persons te
know Just the process by which lasS
is made from the raw material of an
idea
The real work of an American iegis-
lative body. either congress or a legis-
lature, is done through committees ap-
pointed by the presiding officer of each
branch of the law making bo,iy. There
are a number of variations 10 the
process which depend upon the condi-
tions surrounding each bill The fol-
lowing procedure is the regular one
followed where no amendments or
changes are made In the original bill
With few exceptions a bill may ORR
ginate in either branch of the legisla-
ture but az the procedure is the same
in each house we will assume bill to
be presented in the house OF represen-
tatives- First the idea must be written
in the proper form Of law. When 4
member arises and presents this TO
the leisglature it is called "'bill" and
is regularly numbered. II Is then re-
ferred to the appropriate committee.
The committee holds meeting and
takes the bill under ADJUSTMENT. Any
citizen interested may appear before
the committee and present his argu-
ment for or against the bill In the
committee meeting is the first place
the general public comes in direct con-
tact with the legislature in making a
law. The committee agrees upon re-
port on the measure. If its report is
unfavorable the bill is dead for that
time. If a favorable committee re-
port is made the bill is then entered
In its regular turn on the house calen-
dar and when it's turn arrives is taken
mp for consideration by the house. Be
fore coming TO a vote the bill must
be read before the house three times.
each on a different day. After thu
third reading. if no amendments have
been offered the house votes on the
bill. If the majority vote yes" the
measure is then sent to the senate. In .
the senate the same process is follow 1
ed by referring the bill to a committee.
Here again the public may appear and
present argument for or against the
measure 4 favorable committee re-
port places the measure on, the senate
calendar and in due time it is read
three times before that body AMI then
a vote is taken A favorable vote
passes the measure and ii is then
sent TO the Governor. Here gain the
public may present argument for or
AGAINST the measure. After reaching
the Governor the bill may become a
law IN either one of two ways. The
Goverenor may sign it, or he NAV al
low ii TO remain unsigned or disap-
- - H...
law without his signature. Should
he disapprove IL within ten days (
write his objections and return the :
measure to the house IN which it orr
ginated Should both branches of the =
Legislature again pass the measure r
each giving it a two-thirds majority
vote it becomes a law in spite Of the
objections of the Governor.
Amendments or changes in the word
ing of the measure at any time during
its passage produce a great variety Of
which must be met by
special rules and regulations. The
most common one is where n simple
amendment has been made either by
the committee Of by some member
while the measure is before the house
for discussion.
The regular presiding officer then
calls some member of the house to
,ct as presiding officer and the meas
lre is open for a general discussion
If the amendments. The house is said
@ be acting as a committee OF the
whole house Each amendment is
yoted upon separately by this COM
nittee of the whole house and finally
he measure as amended is voted upon
rhe regular presiding officer then re-
,umes his seat and the house is in
egular session again and the measure
$ voted upon for its final passage.
Often a measure is desired by both
of the legislature but they
10 not agree as to its scope or word
nx. Such a measure Is passed by one.
nd sometimes both houses. then Is
eferred to a joint committee composed
+ members from both houses appoint
d especially for that particular meas
re. II this joint committee can agree
non the measure ii usually passes
9th houses without further debate or
Here is a list of the committees now
citing for our Idaho legislature.
The titles of the various committees
dictates the nature OF the measures
ach considers and also shows the
reat scope of the work coming before
se legislature.
II you wish any particular measure
become law you can find out from
lis hist which committee will have 1t R'
charge and direct your energies to
at committee. 4 favorable COM
ittea report does not always mean
at the measure viii pass. but It adds
-eatlv OF the favorable chances Of its ="
usage. An unfavorabie committee o
port does not always mean that the ea'
easure is dead but it does mean that sen
It passes it has rocky road to me
'se'' car
5 SENATE COMMITTEES. ter,
NJ. l-......l..t., anrNnir ft,ianfs mo