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THEY REPRESENT YOU HOW A BILL BECOMES A Law in Washington, Albany AND NEW YORK CITY In general, a bill, which is a draft for a law, is processed in the United States Congress (Senate and House of Representatives) and in the New York State Legislature as follows: 1. The bill is introduced in either or both houses and assigned to the appropriate committee for study. Express your opinion to the committee chairperson or member(s). 2. The committee may hold public hearings. Arrangements may be made to testify at these hearings. 3. The committee can “kill” the bill by failing to report it back to the legislative body for debate and action; report it as submitted (in effect recommend passage); report it as amended by the committee; or draft and report a new bill. 4. When reported, the bill is voted on by the entire house. Before the vote is taken, let your legislator hear from you. 5. When finally passed in the same form by both houses, the bill is sent to the President or Governor, who may sign or veto it. Let your executive hear from you. 6. A bill may be passed over a veto by a two-thirds vote from each house of the legislative body. Let your legislator hear from you. HOW A BILL BECOMES A LAW IN NEW YORK CITY The making of laws in the city provides similar opportunities for citizen action. The City Council of 51 members is a single house legislature. There are standing committees for Finance, Land Use, Governmental Operations, General Welfare, Environment, etc. Each committee holds regular public hearings on proposed laws. The City Council members meet at least twice a month for “Stated Council Meetings.” The mayor is required to hold public hearings before signing or vetoing a bill. TABLE OF CONTENTS Legislative Districts for New York City A New Voting System for New York Alphabetized List of Representatives Community Boards How to Communicate with Elected Officials What Is The Census? How Vacancies are Filled City Council Elections How a Bill Becomes a Law in Washington, Albany and New York City

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