How to Participate in Committee Meetings

Many Idaho residents may be curious about the process a bill goes through before becoming law in the Gem State.

The process begins when a member of the legislature or a standing committee introduces a bill as an resolution (R.S.) In committee, legislators examine the bill’s content, discuss its potential impact, and hold public hearings to gather additional feedback. The committee may then approve, amend, or reject the bill.

If the bill makes it through the committee, it moves to the legislative floor where it will undergo a final debate and vote unless other legislative actions intervene. If the bill passes, it moves to the opposite chamber, where it will go through another round of readings, debates, and votes.

Once both chambers have approved the bill, it is sent to the governor, who has the power to sign it into law or veto it. If signed, the bill becomes law; if vetoed, the legislature has the option to override the veto with a two-thirds majority vote in both chambers.

Testifying Before Legislative Committees.

Link to the official Idaho legislature website instructions.

https://legislature.idaho.gov/resources/committeetestimony/