Final answer:
A legislative committee amends and votes on bills during the markup stage, crucial for a bill's progression through the lawmaking process, leading to its potential passage into law.
Step-by-step explanation:
A legislative committee plays a pivotal role in the process by which a bill becomes a law. During the markup stage, committee members discuss, debate, and amend the bill before voting on whether it should advance to the floor for further consideration by the full legislative body. If a bill is deemed favorable, it is sent to the respective chamber—the House of Representatives or the Senate—accompanied by a committee report that explains the majority's reasoning for supporting the bill, outlines any minority dissent, and presents cost and impact estimates. The legislative process requires the bill to pass through both chambers and be reconciled into a single unified version before it can be presented to the governor or the president for final approval.