What follows is the “fairly by the book” way a bill goes through the Indiana General Assembly (IGA). Hundreds of bills are introduced every year in both the Senate and the House.
1st Reading
The bill is read to the assembly where it was introduced (Senate or House) and assigned to a specific committee.
If the bill is not given a hearing, it does not go forward. About 75% of bills never receive a hearing.
If the bill is given a hearing: this is when testimony from the public can be heard. Supporting. Opposing, and neutral positions are heard.
The committee then discusses and votes on the bill. If it doesn’t pass in committee? The bill does not go forward. If it passes the committee vote? It goes for 2nd reading.
2nd Reading
This is on the floor of the Senate or House. Amendments are proposed and voted on at this point.
3rd Reading
This is an up or down vote on the bill (passed out of committee, with or without amendments.) If it fails to receive a majority of the votes? It doesn’t go forward. If it receives a majority of votes? It passes that chamber (Senate or House,) the bill goes to the other chamber.
Bills that passed the House go to the Senate. Bills that passed the Senate go to the House. Second verse, same as the first. The bill goes through the same process in the other chamber.
The main difference is if the bill passed by the first chamber is amended by the second chamber. The bill then goes to a conference committee.
Bills that pass both chambers become “engrossed actions” and then go to the Governor’s desk.
Governor’s Desk
The Governor can sign the bill, veto the bill, or take no action.
In Indiana, a Governor’s veto can be overridden by a simple majority vote in both chambers. This is quite different than the 2/3 majority required at the Federal level to override a veto.
At the Federal level, there is a “pocket veto.” This is when the legislature will end the session before action by the President is required, the engrossed action will not become law. In Indiana, the engrossed action will become law without the Governor’s signature.