Unit Three: The Process

The Legislative Process

The legislative process can seem like a maze. The Uniform Rules and publications from the Legislative Affairs Agency provide some guidance. But the best way to learn is by observing the process yourself. For example, select a bill and follow it through committees and to the floor. There are some areas where this process can be something less than straightforward, however. Be aware of:

committee substitute bills (which can take the legislation in a different direction)
committee referrals (which can be used to kill a bill by giving it too many hurdles to jump, or by assigning a bill to a committee with a chairman known to be unfriendly to the objective of the bill)
bill title changes (which can limit or expand potential amendments)
the content of amendments (which effectively can "gut" a bill or increase its scope)

The role of legislative staff is an important aspect of the process, too, particularly as the issues Alaska faces become more complex. No legislator can read every piece of legislation. Here is where the staff research (and sometimes staff opinions) come into play. Sometimes conveying concerns about legislation to the staff can be just as effective as talking to a legislator.

Committees are where most of the heavy lifting is done in a legislative session. Committees take testimony before reporting bills out, so typically this is where public opinion is most effective. The longer a bill lingers in the committee of first referral, the dimmer its prospects become. Therefore it is crucial to weigh in early in the process.

A constituent’s own legislators may not be on the relevant committees. So it’s advisable for constituents to keep those lawmakers apprised of what they favor and oppose.

Floor Sessions

Daily Order of Business: When the House and Senate meet, each body follows a daily order of business, like an agenda for a business meeting. Here's what it looks like:

Roll Call
Invocation or meditation
Pledge of Allegiance
Certification by the chief clerk or secretary as to the
Correctness of the journal of the previous day
Journal approved or ordered changed
Introduction of guests
Messages from the governor
Messages from the other house
Communications
Reports of standing committees
Reports of special committees
Introduction of resolutions
Introduction, first reading and reference of bills
Consideration of daily calendar:
- Second reading of bills of house
- Second reading of bills of other house
- Third reading of bills of house
- Third reading of bills of other house
- All other matters up for final action in the house
Unfinished business
Announcement of committee meetings
Special orders (not set for a particular hour)
Adjournment

Funding for the 2003 update and web project was provided by the University of Alaska.

Gavel to Gavel Alaska Home Page