Final answer:
A bill is a legislative proposal for any law; it goes through a process of drafting, committee review, amendments, debates, and votes in both legislative chambers before possibly becoming law.
Step-by-step explanation:
A bill begins as an idea that can come from various sources, including lawmakers, interest groups, or citizens. It is then drafted and sponsored by a member of the legislature, often after soliciting support from other legislators. Once a bill is officially introduced, it is assigned to a committee where it undergoes debate, potential amendments, and a vote to determine if it should be sent to the legislative floor. During this stage, many bills do not advance and effectively 'die' in committee. If a bill is successful in committee, it goes through a markup process and is subsequently debated and voted on in the House or the Senate.
If both chambers pass the bill, it may require reconciliation to align any differences between the two versions. A final version must then be passed by both chambers before being sent to the President for approval, at which point it can become law. This complex process requires consensus and collaboration across the legislative body.