Any legislator can propose a bill, which is then drafted and introduced in a legislative session. The bill is sent to a committee for review, possible changes, and public hearings. If approved by the committee, the bill receives a second reading in its chamber and is debated and voted on. If it passes with a majority vote, it follows the same process in the other chamber. Once both chambers agree on the bill, it is sent to the President to be signed into law, though the President can veto it, subject to a potential legislative override of the veto.

1. How a bill becomes a law

2. How it starts Any senator or General Assembly member can propose a bill. Ideas for laws can come from many sources including citizens.

3. Moving on up At the legislator’s direction, the idea is drafted as a bill. The bill is introduced when the Senate Secretary reads aloud the bill’s number, sponsor and title during a legislative session.

4. Continuing the process Once the bill is read, it is sent to a committee which studies it and makes changes if needed. Public meetings are held for the bill.

5. The bill’s 2nd reading If the bill gets approved by the committee then bill, goes back to the house and the bill gets read again. That is the bill’s 2nd reading.

6. The bills 3rd go around The bills title will be read will be scheduled by the Senate President and the Assembly Speaker. Then it is debated and voted on. The bill will be passed counted by the majority of the votes received which will be (21 votes at least by the senate or 41 by the General Assembly)

7. Next up The Bill follows a similar path of first reading, committee consideration, second reading, third reading and final passage in the second house. After both houses both agree on the bill, it is sent to the President. In most cases the bill is signed into law with the Presidents signature.

8. What could happen The President can veto the bill by refusing to sign it and returning it to the legislature with noted objections or changes. Sometimes a veto can be overruled and the Bill is passed into law.

9. Sites http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/78/Bill_law_veto.gif http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/kids/howbill.asp http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/bil2lawd.html www.google.com