Final answer:
The middle five steps of the legislative process focus on committee stages, including requesting agency comments, holding hearings, perfecting the measure, sending it back to the full chamber, and providing a detailed committee report.
Step-by-step explanation:
The middle five steps of the legislative process typically include a range of actions where a committee plays a central role in shaping legislation. After a bill is introduced and sent to the appropriate committee, the middle steps are as follows:
- The committee requests written comments from relevant executive agencies.
- Hearings are held to gather additional information and views from non-committee experts.
- The committee works to perfect the measure by amending the bill or resolution.
- Once the language is agreed upon, the committee sends the measure back to the full Senate or House, depending on where the committee is situated.
- The committee provides a report describing the purpose of the measure, the majority opinion supporting it, and a minority view, if present, including cost estimates and impact analysis.
In the modern legislative process, these steps can be altered or circumvented, especially through the budgeting process which can turn a measure into an omnibus bill, facilitating swift legislation.