Post on 14-Jan-2015
description
…And all the roadblocks on the way!
How a Bill Becomes Law
Bills typically come from one of four sources:◦ Constituents ◦ Elected officials themselves◦ Interest groups◦ State agencies
The legislative process is a multi-faceted process with lots of potential stumbling blocks.
How a Bill Becomes Law
Steps in the process:◦ Drafting and introduction:
Revisor’s Office House Research and Senate Counsel Role of the Member
◦ Committee hearing: Bills must navigate every committee in which
they may have an impact (tuition work group would have required four committee stops).
Bill Is open to amendment in this process.
How a Bill Becomes Law
Steps in the process (cont):◦ Floor debate and vote:
Both chambers must pass a version off the floor.
Bill is open to amendment in this process.◦ Conference committee:
If there are differences between the two versions, representatives of the House and Senate meet to work them out.
Bills must be IDENTICAL in order to be sent to the Governor.
How a Bill Becomes Law
Back the floors:◦ Once a conference committee reaches
agreement the final version must be re-passed by both chambers.
◦ A “conference report” is not amendable. Off to the Governor:
◦ Signature◦ Veto
How a Bill Becomes Law
How a Bill Becomes Law
What Bill the bill didn’t teach us…
The legislative process can often be full of roadblocks.
In some situations, one member can prevent a bill from moving through the process. For example:◦ Committee chairs◦ Leadership◦ Authors
Sometimes, it’s not that simple!
Committee deadlines can cause bills to “die.” At the start of each session joint deadlines between
the House and Senate are agreed upon. Those deadlines are:◦ 1st policy deadline: The date at which a bill must be
heard in its first policy committee in one of the two chambers
◦ 2nd policy deadline: The date at which a bill must be passed through all its policy committee stops
◦ 3rd deadline: Bills must be through all policy and finance committees
There are exceptions to these deadlines:◦ Rules Committee◦ Tax and Capital investment bills
Sometimes, it’s not that simple!
There are alternative ways to pass bills.
These alternate ways can work, but they can also be very tricky. They include:◦ Offered as a committee amendment◦ Offered as a floor amendment ◦ Included in an omnibus bill
MSCSA’s legislative agenda was, in part, moved in some of these alternative ways due to the roadblocks discussed earlier.
Other ways to pass your bills?
PSEO Advertising legislation:◦ Received a hearing in the House E-12 Policy
Committee and passed on a 10-1 vote.◦ Chair of House Higher Education requested
the bill to his committee and refused to hear.
◦ Bill was heard in the Senate E-12 Policy Committee and was tabled.
◦ Nearly identical language was later added to the policy omnibus bill on the House floor.
◦ Language survived conference committee and was included in the conference report.
Real Life Example
PSEO Cont:◦ The conference report was awaiting action
on the Senate floor. ◦ Senate Majority Leader objected to this
provision and initially refused to bring the report up for a vote.
◦ Language repealing our change was included in a different bill.
Real Life Example
Be able to present on relevant research topics at regional meetings
Rep & Alt should be working together and maintain constant contact
Communicate with GC Rep and campuses in region regularly to gather feedback on legislative and policy issues facing the region or the state.
Attend all regional meetings and conferences to represent your region and report back on initiatives you and your region are taking on.
Stay in contact with Kerrie, ask questions, and participate in discussion/debate. Feel free to contact at any time.
HAVE FUN!
Expectations
Serve on the MSCSA Platform Committee representing their region(s)
Conduct independent research on important legislative/policy issues in higher ed.
Assist the MSCSA in organizing their regions to attend Advocacy events.
Set the legislative agenda for the year and make recommendations for the Platform document.
Ask questions and engage in the issues!
Duties
Please pair up for this project! Work together to answer as many of
the questions as possible! With the exception of questions 9 and
10, answers can be found on legislative websites or sites linked to these pages:◦ www.house.mn◦ www.senate.mn
Let’s do some research!