Law is a constantly changing and evolving field, and lawyers must keep up with the changes in order to offer their clients the best legal services possible. As such, many attorneys have started to explore the concept of new law. It can be difficult to define this term, but understanding the basics of it will allow you to take advantage of its potential as a means of expanding your practice and adding value to your clients.
Congress and how it works
The Congress is the lawmaking branch of our federal government. Its job is to create, enact, and amend laws that govern the nation. In order to become a law, a bill must be introduced by either the House of Representatives or the Senate. Once the bill is introduced, it goes through a process of research, discussion, and changes before being put before the chamber for vote. If a bill passes one chamber, it goes to the other for similar proceedings.
Congressional lawmaking processes
A bill that is introduced into the House of Representatives or the Senate must be examined by a staff person and given a number. It will then be assigned to a committee whose members will research, discuss and make changes before it is put before the relevant chamber for voting. If the bill is approved by both chambers, it becomes law.
How a bill is enacted in the State of New York
A law that has passed both houses of the Legislature will be adopted into law when it has been signed by the Governor. The Governor has ten days (not counting Sundays) to sign or veto a bill. If he fails to sign or veto it within that time period, the bill becomes law automatically.
It is important for all lawyers to understand how the process of drafting legislation works. It is usually done by a staff of the Legislative Bill Drafting Commission, and sometimes an interest group or lawyer from outside the Legislature may submit an idea for a bill.
How a bill is introduced in the Senate
A bill that is presented to the New York State Legislature must be introduced in the Senate by a member of the Senate or a member of a standing committee of the Assembly. It will be examined and corrected by a staff person, and it will then be given a number. It will then be sent to the appropriate standing committee, and it will be entered into the Senate computer, deemed to have had first and second readings, and printed.
In the case of a Senate bill, it must be examined and drafted by a staff member of the Legislative Bill Drafting commission, and then sent to the Introduction and Revision office, and then to the appropriate standing committee, and then to the Senate computer, deemed to have had its first and second readings, and printed.
What happens after a bill is passed by the Senate?