How A Bill Becomes A Law Flashcards
A bill is given a corresponding number and calendared for First Reading
- Numbering/Calendaring for First Reading
The Secretary General reads only the title and number of the bill, and the Speaker refers the bill to the appropriate Committee/s.
- First Reading
The Committee where the bill was referred to evaluates it to determine the necessity of conducting public hearings.
If the Committee finds it necessary to conduct public hearings, it schedules the time thereof, issues public notices and invites resource persons from the public and private sectors, the academe, and experts on the proposed legislation.
If the Committee finds that no public hearing is needed, it schedules the bill for Committee discussion/s.
- Committee Consideration/Action
The Committee Report withs its approved bull version is submitted to the Committee on Rules for calendaring Second Reading.
- Calendaring for Second Reading
The Secretary General reads the number, title and text of the bill, and the following takes place:
a. Period of Sponsorship and Debate - The author of the bills delivers sponsorship speech on the floor. Members of the HOR engage in debate, interpellation, etc. to highlight the pros and cons of the bill.
b. Period of Amendments - It incorporates necessary changes in the bill proposed by the committee or introduced by the members of the House themselves on the floor.
c. Voting - Members vote on the second reading version of the bill. If approved, the bill is calendared for third reading.
- Second Reading
Printed copies of the bill’s final version are distributed to the Members 3 days before the scheduled Third Reading. The 3-day period can be dispensed with when the President certifies to the necessity of the bill’s immediate enactment to meet a public calamity or urgency.
- Printing and Distribution of Copies of the Bill’s Final Version Printed copies of the bill’s final version are distributed to the Members 3 days before the scheduled Third Reading. The 3-day period can be d
The Secretary General reads only the number and title of the bill.
A roll call or nominal voting is held. No amendment on the bill is allowed at this stage.
The bill is approved by an affirmative vote of a majority of the Members present, and the yeas and nays are entered in the Journal.
- Third Reading
A similar bill should also be introduced in the Senate and it should also follow the same procedures (First Reading, Second Reading, Third Reading)
- Senate Action on the Same Bill
If the HOR-approved version is compatible with that of the Senate’s, the final version’s enrolled form is printed.
If there are certain differences, a Bicameral Conference Committee is called to reconcile conflicting provisions of both versions of the Senate and the HOR. Conference committee submits report on the reconciled version of the bill, duly approved by both chambers. The reconciled version in its enrolled form is printed.
- Bicameral Conference Committee
Copies of the bill, signed by the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives and certified by both the Secretary of the Senate and the Secretary General of the HOR, are presented to the President. The final copy of the bill that is being presented to the president is known as the enrolled bill.
- Presentation of the Bill to the President
There are 3 ways by which a bill may be approved:
1. If the President signs the bill.
2. If the bill is vetoed, the same, together with a message citing the reason for the veto, is transmitted to the House where the bill originated. If the Congress decides to override the veto, both chambers shall proceed separately to reconsider the bill or the vetoed items of the bill. If the bill or its vetoed items are passed by a vote of 2/3 of the Members of each house, such bill or items shall become a law.
3. If the President neither communicates his veto of the bill to the House where it originated, nor signs it within 30 days after the date of receipt thereof; the bill becomes a law as if he had signed it.
- Approval of the Bill
The bill becomes a Republic Act and is assigned a number.
- Assignment of Republic Act Number
