How to Propose a Bill in Arizona
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The "Tea Party" political movement is a conservative grassroots effort that aims to propose legislation in the United States Congress of its own agenda.Mark Wilson/Getty Images News/Getty Images
Gather a grassroots effort if you are not already a member of the Arizona Legislature. Since the United States and its respective states are a federal republic, only representatives can propose pieces of legislation. Yet, citizens still have a heavy say in what bills are considered on the floors of the Arizona Senate and House. The House of Representatives is larger than the Senate. Thus, its politicians are more localized. Consider either creating an on-line petition or sending a signed letter to your representative, since he is easier to persuade because his district is smaller and more susceptible to a mobile group of activists. - 2
The head of the respective legislative body in Arizona decides which bills get a first reading.Pool/Getty Images News/Getty Images
Attempt to read the bill for the first time. Lawmakers in Arizona read aloud proposed legislation in their respective chamber. The Speaker of the House must approve all first readings in the Arizona House of Representatives, and the Senate President must approve all in the Arizona Senate. A piece of legislation dies immediately if it does not receive a first reading. - 3
Different committees are assigned different bills in Arizona.Alex Wong/Getty Images News/Getty Images
Ensure the bill survives its committee hearings. All bills are heard in a committee prior to being read a second time in the Arizona House. Many die during their committee hearings, which is not uncommon for unpopular legislation. The head of the committee will decide which bills will be heard and when. - 4
If a bill passes its specific committee, it will be proposed in one of the Arizona legislative chambers.Pool/Getty Images News/Getty Images
Have the bill read for the second time. At this point, if the bill is initially read and checked by a committee, it will be voted on by the chamber it was proposed in. If the Senate has proposed the bill, it will be voted on after a committee has approved it. The bill then "crosses the courtyard" to the other chamber for revisions and another vote, then a final vote by both the Senate and House of Representatives. - 5
Janet Napolitano was the 21st Governor of Arizona, being in office from January 6, 2003 until January 21, 2009.Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images News/Getty Images
Have the bill signed into law. The Governor of Arizona usually signs bills into law unless issuing a veto or ignoring it completely. The governor might ignore a bill because he does not wish to be associated with that particular piece of legislation. If the governor does issue a veto, the Legislature of Arizona can override their decision with a two-thirds super majority.
