Greatest Hits Vol I

Legislative 101

How our government is designed to function:

• 3 branches, with checks and balances• Common law vs. statutory law• Legislature enacts, executive signs into law,

courts review• Powers reserved to the states (States Rights Gist)• Role of federal government vs. state government• Reciprocity of state laws

Where do laws come from?

Sources of Law:• US Constitution and Bill of Rights• State Constitutions• Legislation• Regulations• Executive Orders

how a bill becomes a law.….

•introduced•committee process•House and Senate floor•conference committee•Governor - signs or vetoes•veto override

how a bill becomes a law….

I’m Just a Bill on Capital Hill:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEJL2Uuv-oQ

A BILLTo establish a United States Health Service to provide high quality comprehensive health care for all Americans.

How a Bill Becomes a Law

• Bill is introduced and given 1st reading• Bill is assigned to a committee• Committee sends bill back to the Floor• Bill is read a 2nd time• Amendments may be added• Bill is read a third and final time• Final Vote

How a Bill Becomes a Law

• Bill goes to other legislative body for consideration

• Bill must go through same process • Final Vote in other body• If two bodies do not agree on final version of bill,

the bill must go to conference committee• If bill passes both bodies, it goes to the Governor

and if signed this bill becomes a law

Veto Override

• Or the Governor may veto the bill and return it to the legislature

• Legislature may vote to reconsider vetoed bill • A two thirds vote is required in both bodies to

override the veto

Bill Tracking

• South Carolina Legislation set up a free account to track bills: http://www.scstatehouse.gov/

• Federal Legislationhttp://thomas.loc.gov/