The Legislative Process: Second & Third Reading

NC House of Representatives Chamber

Once a bill passes third reading in the chamber in which it was introduced, the bill is sent to the other house, where it goes through the same process as in the first house. Thus, the bill will be referred to committee, and if approved, debated and voted on at the second and third readings on the floor. If the second house makes changes to the bill, the bill must return to the house of origin with a request that that body concur in the changes made by the second house. The bill is ready to be enrolled and signed into law if the original house concurs in the changes made by the second house. If the original house objects to the amendments adopted in the second house, the two presiding officers may appoint members to a conference committee which seeks to reconcile the differences between the two chambers. If the conference committee reaches an agreement on the disputed subject, the committee reports to each house and the two houses vote on the recommended text. If either house rejects the conference committee's recommendation, new members to the conference committee may be appointed to try again, otherwise the bill is defeated.

The Legislative Process: Enrollment, Ratification, and Publication

NC Senate Chamber

A bill is enrolled after is passes both houses. In North Carolina, a clean, engrossed copy is prepared, including all amendments, with space for the signatures of the two presiding officers, and the governor, if necessary. (The enrolled copy is taken to each presiding officer during the daily session.) Each officer signs the enrolled copyand when the second signature is affixed, the bill is said to have been ratified. If the bill is a local law, it becomes law at that point. All public bills other than bills making appointments, proposing constitutional amendments, or revising districts are presented to the Governor on the day following ratification for the Governor's approval or veto. If the Governor signs the bill or takes no action on the bill within ten days after presentation, the bill becomes law. After adjournment of the General Assembly, the Governor has 30 days to act on a bill. The Governor is required to reconvene the General Assembly if a bill is vetoed after adjournment, unless a written request is received and signed by a majority of the Members of both houses that it is not necessary to reconvene. If the Governor vetoes a bill, the bill is returned to the original house where 3/5 of present and voting members can vote to override the veto. If the original house votes to override the veto, the bill is sent to the second house where 3/5 of present and voting members must also vote to override the veto before the bill can become law. After it becomes law, the term "bill" is no longer used. The enrolled act or law is given a chapter number and is published under that number in a volume called "Session Laws of North Carolina."