Answer:
The term "bill" is commonly used in the context of legislation. It refers to a proposal for a new law or a change to an existing law presented to a legislative body, such as a parliament or a congress, for consideration. When a bill is introduced, it goes through a series of steps before it can become law.
Step-by-step explanation:
1. Introduction: A member of the legislative body introduces a bill. It can be proposed by a government official, a committee, or even a private citizen.
2. Committee Review: The bill is assigned to a specific committee, usually based on its subject matter. The committee carefully reviews the bill, holds hearings, and gathers information to make an informed decision.
3. Floor Debate: If the bill is approved by the committee, it is then presented to the full legislative body for debate. During this stage, lawmakers discuss the bill's merits, propose amendments, and vote on its passage.
4. Voting: After the debate, the bill is put to a vote. If a majority of the legislators support the bill, it moves on to the next stage. If not, the bill may be rejected, amended, or returned to the committee for further review.
5. Approval by Both Houses: In bicameral systems, where there are two separate legislative bodies, the bill must be approved by both houses (e.g., the House of Representatives and the Senate) before it can proceed.
6. Conference Committee: If the two houses pass different versions of the bill, a conference committee may be formed to reconcile the differences and create a single unified version.
7. Presidential Approval: In countries with a presidential system, the bill must be signed by the head of state (e.g., the president) to become law. The president may also have the power to veto the bill, which means rejecting it.
8. Implementation: Once the bill is signed into law, it is implemented by the relevant government agencies. They are responsible for enforcing and interpreting the law.