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How A Bill Becomes A Law
How A Bill Becomes A Law
How A Bill Becomes A Law
FIRST READING
The bill is filed with the Bills and Index Service and the same is numbered and reproduced.
Three days after its filing, the same is included in the Order of Business for First Reading.
On First Reading, the Secretary General reads the title and number of the bill. The Speaker refers the
bill to the appropriate Committee/s.
SECOND READING
The Committee Report is registered and numbered by the Bills and Index Service. It is included in the
Order of Business and referred to the Committee on Rules.
The Committee on Rules schedules the bill for consideration on Second Reading.
On Second Reading, the Secretary General reads the number, title and text of the bill and the following
takes place:
Period of Sponsorship and Debate
Period of Amendments
Voting which may be by:
a) viva voce
b) count by tellers
c) division of the House; or
d) nominal voting
THIRD READING
The amendments, if any, are engrossed and printed copies of the bill are reproduced for Third Reading.
The engrossed bill is included in the Calendar of Bills for Third Reading and copies of the same are
distributed to all the Members three days before its Third Reading.
On Third Reading, the Secretary General reads only the number and title of the bill.
A roll call or nominal voting is called and a Member, if he desires, is given three minutes to explain his
vote. 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.
If the bill is disapproved, the same is transmitted to the Archives.
CONFERENCE COMMITTEE
A Conference Committee is constituted and is composed of Members from each House of Congress to
settle, reconcile or thresh out differences or disagreements on any provision of the bill.
The conferees are not limited to reconciling the differences in the bill but may introduce new provisions
germane to the subject matter or may report out an entirely new bill on the subject.
The Conference Committee prepares a report to be signed by all the conferees and the Chairman.
The Conference Committee Report is submitted for consideration/approval of both Houses. No
amendment is allowed.
A joint resolution having the force and effect of a law goes through the same process.