what does it mean when a bill is referred to the attorney general

by Prof. Henderson Brown IV 8 min read

What is the role of the Attorney General?

In the House, bills then are referred by the Speaker, on the advice of the nonpartisan parliamentarian, to all committees that have jurisdiction over the provisions in the bill, as determined by the chamber’s standing rules and past referral decisions. Most bills fall under …

How is a bill referred to the Senate?

While varying from one jurisdiction to the next due to statutory and constitutional mandates, the role of attorney general typically includes: Issuing formal opinions to state agencies Acting as public advocates in areas such as child support enforcement, consumer protections, antitrust …

What is Bill?

In most common law jurisdictions, the attorney general or attorney-general is the main legal advisor to the government. The plural is attorneys general. In some jurisdictions, attorneys general also have executive responsibility for law enforcement, prosecutions or even …

What is an amendment to a bill called?

Aug 14, 2020 ·

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Where is the first place a bill is referred to?

First, a representative sponsors a bill. The bill is then assigned to a committee for study. If released by the committee, the bill is put on a calendar to be voted on, debated or amended. If the bill passes by simple majority (218 of 435), the bill moves to the Senate.

How do bills get referred in the House?

Any member in the House of Representatives may introduce a bill at any time while the House is in session by simply placing it in the “hopper” at the side of the Clerk's desk in the House Chamber. The sponsor's signature must appear on the bill.

What does it mean when a bill is referred to committee?

The President Pro Tempore ofthe Senate or the Speaker of the House of Representatives can choose not to refer the bill to a committee. In this event, the bill “dies. “ If the bill is to advance, it is referred to a committee for review. The committee takes action on the bill.

What is the final step in a bill becoming a law?

After both the House and Senate have approved a bill in identical form, the bill is sent to the President. If the President approves of the legislation, it is signed and becomes law.May 5, 2020

Who is the only person that can introduce bills?

The first step in the legislative process is the introduction of a bill to Congress. Anyone can write it, but only members of Congress can introduce legislation. Some important bills are traditionally introduced at the request of the President, such as the annual federal budget.

WHO declares laws unconstitutional?

The Supreme Court
You Be The Supreme Court!

As a member of the Supreme Court, or the highest court in the judicial branch, you have the power to: Declare laws unconstitutional; and. Interpret/Make meaning of laws.

What does it take to introduce a bill to Congress?

A bill can be introduced in either chamber of Congress by a senator or representative who sponsors it. Once a bill is introduced, it is assigned to a committee whose members will research, discuss, and make changes to the bill. The bill is then put before that chamber to be voted on.Apr 6, 2022

What happens if the House and the Senate versions of a bill are different?

After the conference committee resolves any differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill, each chamber must vote again to approve the final bill text. Once each chamber has approved the bill, the legislation is sent to the President.

What do committees do?

Committees monitor on-going governmental operations, identify issues suitable for legislative review, gather and evaluate information, and recommend courses of action to the Senate.

What are the 7 steps for a bill to become a law?

How a Bill Becomes a Law
  • STEP 1: The Creation of a Bill. Members of the House or Senate draft, sponsor and introduce bills for consideration by Congress. ...
  • STEP 2: Committee Action. ...
  • STEP 3: Floor Action. ...
  • STEP 4: Vote. ...
  • STEP 5: Conference Committees. ...
  • STEP 6: Presidential Action. ...
  • STEP 7: The Creation of a Law.

When can a bill become law without President's signature?

If the bill is signed in that ten-day period, it becomes law. If the president declines to either sign or veto it – that is, he does not act on it in any way – then it becomes law without his signature (except when Congress has adjourned under certain circumstances).

What happens if the President vetoes a bill?

If the President vetoes the bill it is sent back to Congress with a note listing his/her reasons. The chamber that originated the legislation can attempt to override the veto by a vote of two-thirds of those present. If the veto of the bill is overridden in both chambers then it becomes law.

What does "Senate read and referred" mean?

When the House is in session, bills can be introduced. Senate legislation begin with the letter "S." The title of a bill is read aloud on the House...

How are Senate-originating bills different from house-originating bills?

Bills Introduced in the Senate Start with S, which stands for Senate, followed by a number, and it follows the same format as a House Bill. Samples...

How is a bill introduced in the Senate?

A bill is presented in the Senate by depositing it on the presiding officer's desk or by formally introducing it on the Senate Floor. A bill clerk...

What's the abbreviation for House and Senate bills?

H.R.-House Resolution S. - Senate Bill A bill is a legislative proposal that is presented to Congress. Bills from each house are allocated a number...

When does a bill get a house or Senate number?

When a bill is introduced, it is given a name depending on the chamber in which it was introduced, such as H.R. or H.J.Res. For House-originated bi...

How does a bill become law in the Senate?

When the assigned committee agrees on a bill, it is voted on, and if it passes, it is sent to the Senate Floor. Markup refers to the process of goi...

When does a Senate bill originate in the Senate?

Last modified on May 25, 2018 A Senate bill is a proposed piece of legislation that originated or was amended in the United States Senate. If passe...

What is the role of an attorney general?

As chief legal officers of the states, commonwealths, District of Columbia, and territories of the United States, the role of an attorney general is to serve as counselor to state government agencies and legislatures, and as a representative of the public interest.

What is the People's Lawyer podcast?

The People’s Lawyer is a biweekly podcast from NAAG that explores the role of state and territory attorneys general as chief legal officers and their work protecting the rule of law and the U.S. Constitution.

What is an attorney general?

Attorneys-General in common law jurisdictions, and jurisdictions with a legal system which is partially derived from the common law tradition, share a common provenance.

Who is the Attorney General of Australia?

The Attorney-General is the minister responsible for legal affairs, national and public security, and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation. Michaelia Cash is the current Attorney-General.

What is the main legal advisor to the government?

In common law jurisdictions, main legal advisor to the government. In most common law jurisdictions, the attorney general or attorney-general (sometimes abbreviated AG) is the main legal advisor to the government. The plural is attorneys general. In some jurisdictions, attorneys general also have executive responsibility for law enforcement, ...

What is the role of the Attorney General of Kenya?

In Kenya the Attorney General is the Principal Legal Adviser to the Government and ex officio Member of Parliament and Cabinet. His duties include the formulation of legal policy and ensuring proper administration of Kenya's legal system including professional legal education. Assisting the Attorney General in the performance of his duties as Principal Legal Adviser to the Government are:

What is the mission of the Attorney General of Ireland?

The Mission of the Office of the Attorney General is to provide the highest standard of professional legal services to Government, Departments and Offices. The Attorney General of Ireland is the legal adviser to the Government and is therefore the chief law officer of the State.

When was the Attorney General of Tonga established?

The office of Attorney General was established in Tonga in 1988, and was held jointly with the portfolio of Justice Minister until the two were separated in 2009. The Attorney General is defined as the "Chief Legal Advisor to Government".

Who is a power of attorney?

The term was originally used to refer to any person who holds a general power of attorney to represent a principal in all matters. In the common law tradition, anyone who represents the state , especially in criminal prosecutions , is such an attorney.

Who codifies administrative rules adopted by executive branch agencies?

Operating under the supervision of the Statute Law Committee, this person codifies into the appropriate sections of the RCW those measures enacted into law by the Legislature and also codifies administrative rules adopted by executive branch agencies.

Who approves gubernatorial appointments?

Approval by the Senate of gubernatorial appointments.

What is a notice given to the Legislature?

Notice given indicating the Legislature is officially in session. Also used to restore order during floor action.

What is an amendment in a meeting?

The proposed order of business for a meeting. AMEND. To modify, delete or add to a proposal. AMENDMENT. Any change in a bill, resolution, or memorial. A committee amendment is an amendment proposed in a committee meeting. A floor amendment is an amendment proposed on the floor of a legislative chamber.

What is the ACT?

ACT. A bill adopted by the Legislature. ACTUARY. A legislative staff officer appointed by the Select Committee on Pension Policy to prepare actuarial analyses of pension proposals and other items as directed by the Legislature. AD HOC COMMITTEE.

What is legislative staff?

A bill adopted by the Legislature. A legislative staff officer appointed by the Select Committee on Pension Policy to prepare actuarial analyses of pension proposals and other items as directed by the Legislature. A committee formed for a short duration, usually to study a specific issue.

What is chapter number?

A chapter number, in numerical order, given to each bill enacted, for example, Chapter 383 of the Laws of 2008. The chapter number is the number of the law. When codified in the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) the chapter is inserted in the appropriate section of the statutes. CHERBERG, JOHN A. BUILDING.

How to write a bill?

Step 2: At the request of the sponsoring legislator (s), the Legislative Reference Bureau drafts the text of the bill. Step 3: Chief Clerk of House (or Senate) assigns a bill number to the bill. Step 4: Speaker of House (or President Pro Tempore of Senate) ...

What is an amended version of a bill?

1. Amended Versions of the Bill: The law may be amended as it travels through the legislature as a bill. A review of the different versions of the bill indicating which provisions were added or deleted during the legislative process may be useful in determining legislative intent. 2.

What is the step 7 of the bill?

Step 7: If the bill (1) requires an expenditure of funds or (2) results in a loss of revenue for the Commonwealth, the bill must be sent to the Appropriations Committee while it is being considered. The Appropriations Committee provides a fiscal note for each bill it receives that indicates how much the law would cost the Commonwealth if enacted.

What is the Pennsylvania legislature called?

The Pennsylvania state legislature is called the Pennsylvania General Assembly. There are two houses: the House of Representatives and the Senate. This is a summary overview of the Pennsylvania legislative process: Step 1: The idea for a bill is conceived and developed by one or more legislators. Step 2: At the request of ...

What is the main source of legislative history for Pennsylvania laws?

3. Debate and Comments in the Pennsylvania House and Pennsylvania Senate Journals: Both the Pennsylvania House and the Pennsylvania Senate publish an official journal that records debate and comments about bills. These debates and comments are the main source of legislative history for Pennsylvania laws.

What are the types of documents that are created during the Pennsylvania legislative process?

Some but not all of these documents are useful for legislative history purposes. 1. Amended Versions of the Bill: The law may be amended as it travels through the legislature as a bill.

What is the final version of a law?

The final version of the law will sometimes include a preamble or other information that includes some expression of the legislature's intent in creating the law. << Previous: FAQs.

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