A bill is introduced to the House of Representatives by any member. They place the bill into the "hopper" at the Clerk's desk in the House Chamber. The Clerk assigns the bill a legislative number and is referred to a committee that best matches what the bill is about. The committee then conducts public hearings to listen to multiple viewpoints on the bill. After the end of the hearings, the committee or a subcommittee decides what to do with the bill. They can either report the bill with or without amendments, or they can table the bill, which means no further action will be taken. If the bill is reported, it moves to the House Floor. Members of the house debate their opinions on the bill, and end with a vote. Votes may be taken electronically or verbally, and a simple majority is needed to pass the bill (218 out of 435). If the bill is passed, it is sent to the Senate. In the Senate, a similar process occurs, with the bill being assigned to a committee who debates and has the choice to report the bill with or without amendments. After a debate on the Senate floor, the bill is voted on, and needs a simple majority to pass (51 out of 100). After the bill has been passed in identical form by both the House of Representatives and the Senate, it is sent to the President. He can sign it, veto it, let it become law without signature, or pocket-veto it (if it is at the end of session). Once the President signs the bill, it is a law.
