A Public Policy PrimerInfluencing public policy surrounding early care and education begins with a basic understanding of our representation, bills and laws.Representatives are People Like UsA representative is an official who is someone like you, elected by you, and who helps establish policies and laws for our society. Representatives do not always know what's important to the people who elected them. Your representatives need to be told about what you think is important. Remember, the more active you are, the more clearly your voice will be heard.How a Bill Becomes a LawBoth the Texas and the Federal governments have a similar structure when it comes to proposing bills and making laws. Suggestions for a law can come from anyone, including legislators, interest groups, citizens – but legislation, a bill, can only officially be introduced by a member of the legislature. The member who introduces the piece of legislation is known as the chief sponsor of the bill. First, a bill is assigned a number and sent to committee. If the bill passes through committee, then the bill is debated on the floor. After debate, the bill goes to a vote. This process takes place in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. If the bill passes in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, it is sent to a conference committee to resolve any disputes about the bill. The final bill, approved by both chambers, is sent to the President (or Governor) for signature or veto. If the bill is approved, it becomes law. The Texas Legislature is UniqueAs opposed to the federal legislature, which meets every year in Washington D. C., the Texas Legislature only meets every other year, in odd-numbered years. As a result of this schedule, the time window to pass legislation in Texas is very short. Diagram of How Bill Becomes Law in the State of Texas |
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