The LegiSchool Project
How a Bill Becomes Law
Video Viewing Guide
Video topic: The Legislative Process
Brief summary of video: The legislative process can be complicated, but this short video has
been designed to simplify the process so that everyone can understand this essential function of
government. Learn how a bill (or idea) makes its way through the legislative process and how
you can be a part of that process.
Key Words / Terms:
Amendment
Bill
Debate
Legislation
Veto
Preview questions on How a Bill Becomes Law:
 What do the terms LEGISLATOR and LEGISLATURE refer to?
 What are the two houses of the legislature?
 Explain the differences between the Assembly and the Senate. How many members are
there in the Assembly and the Senate? Roughly how many people does each Assembly
Member and each Senator represent in California? Are you surprised by these numbers?
Critical Thinking Questions
1.
If a bill is changed in any way during the legislative process, what is the word that refers
to this change? _________________________________________________________
2.
If a bill is passed in the Assembly, but is then amended in the Senate, is the Assembly
required to vote on the bill again with the amendments? Why do you think the system is
set up this way?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
3.
If the Governor vetoes a bill, can the legislature override that veto? If so, what
percentage vote would be required to do so? There are 80 members of the Assembly
and 40 members of the Senate. What constitutes a two-thirds majority for these
numbers?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
4.
Do you think it is difficult to obtain a two-thirds majority? Why or why not? What do you
think is the purpose of a two-thirds majority versus a simple majority (fifty-percent plus
one)? When does the legislature use the simple majority vote versus the two-thirds
vote?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
5.
Once a bill is passed by the legislature and signed by the governor, it becomes a
____________. Typically, when does a new law go into effect?
_____________________________________________________________________
For more information about the California Channel,
call: (916) 444-9792 or visit www.calchannel.com
For more information about the LegiSchool Project,
call: (916) 278-6906 or visit www.csus.edu/calst/legischool_project