Legislation is the system of laws created by a governing body that establishes rules and regulations for citizens. These laws are enforceable in the courts.
An idea to change or add a law starts with a legislator sponsoring the bill (usually called a proposal). The proposal is assigned a number, and drafted by legal staff so that it will have the proper legal language. Those who support the bill become cosponsors. When the bill is drafted, the presiding officer of each house formally introduces it. The bill is then given a first reading where it is debated and voted on. Once a bill passes the House and Senate, it becomes an Act.
A bill is usually referred to a committee that focuses on the topic of the bill. This is a way to ensure that the bill is getting the attention it needs. During this time, legislative service agencies research the bill to determine its impact and feasibility, for example, finding out whether it would conflict with federal law or that previous similar bills have not worked well.
Once a bill is out of committee, it is again debated and voted on in the full House or Senate. During this process, amendments to the bill are made. These may be proposed by legislators from either side of the aisle and approved by a majority vote.
If a bill is passed by both houses in identical form, it goes to the executive. The executive can choose to sign the bill into law or veto it by sending it back to the legislature with a veto message explaining why. The legislature can then pass a override with a three-fifths vote of the members of both chambers.