How a Bill Becomes a Law in Washington State

1. Which branch of government is responsible for making laws in Washington State?

• Executive
• Judicial
• Legislative
• Administrative

2. What is the first step in the legislative process for a bill?

• The bill is introduced in either the House or the Senate
• The bill goes to a policy committee
• The bill is debated on the floor of the legislature
• The governor signs the bill into law

3. What is the purpose of a policy committee?

• To review the financial impact of a bill
• To determine the schedule for debating a bill
• To review bills related to specific topics
• To represent the interests of lobbyists

4. What is the role of a fiscal committee?

• To analyze the cost of a bill and its impact on the budget
• To determine the rules of behavior during legislative debates
• To introduce amendments to a bill
• To persuade lawmakers to support certain bills

5. What is the purpose of a rules committee?

• To review bills related to specific topics
• To analyze the financial implications of a bill
• To determine how and when a bill will be debated
• To represent the interests of the public

6. What is the purpose of the three readings of a bill?

• To introduce the bill, allow for debate, and hold the final vote
• To analyze the financial impact of the bill
• To maintain order and decorum during legislative debates
• To represent the interests of the public

7. What happens during the second reading of a bill?

• The bill is introduced
• The bill is voted on
• Debate occurs
• The bill is amended

9. What is the role of a lobbyist?

• To introduce bills to the legislature
• To analyze the cost of a bill and its impact on the budget
• To try to influence lawmakers to support certain bills
• To maintain order and decorum during legislative debates

10. What is the purpose of a legislative caucus?

• To review bills related to specific topics
• To determine the rules of behavior during legislative debates
• To discuss strategies and positions on bills before voting
• To represent the interests of the general public

11. After the House OR Senate passes a bill, where does it go?

• To the Governor to be signed
• It must go to the other side: the House or the Senate, where it follows the same process all over again
• It gets vetoed
• Published for public review