How a Bill becomes a Law
State government affects the lives of everyone in Oklahoma. When you drive on a road, when you go to school, when you go to a library or park, the experience is impacted by state government.
The laws that authorize, regulate, or fund those services start as bills drafted and submitted to the legislature by individual legislators. Every February, bills start either in the Senate or the House of Representatives. If the bill is heard, it is assigned to a committee, whose members either approve, disapprove, or amend the bill. If approved, the bill goes to a vote of the full House or Senate.
The bill is then submitted to a committee in the other chamber, where again it is approved, disapproved, or amended and put to a vote of the entire House or Senate. Once a bill is passed in both chambers, it goes to the Governor, who can either veto it or sign it. If signed, or if the House and Senate override a veto, the bill becomes law.
Information provided by Dr. Bob L. Blackburn, OHS Executive Director