How the bill system works

Amidst all the sex, lies and video tape, the core of the John Ford Bribery Trial has to do with getting a bill passed -- a legislative bill for E-Cycle. Humphrey tells us how this works.

"Sometimes the Senate will draft the bill while other times they will look at bills already drafted," says Humphrey.

All bills are placed in a jacket and the senate is required to sign the jacket. Humphrey says it is then filed and sent to his office. Once received by Humphrey's office, it is given a number.

"We then go through of process of notice requirements," says Humphrey.

There are three considerations the bill has to go through. Immediately upon filing it's distributed to the public and to the press - this is called the first consideration.

It's then held until the next time the Senate is in session. At that time, the bill reaches second consideration -- this gives the public more time to know about the bill and a chance to approach their city council if they have issues. The bill then goes to the standing committee.

A standing committee is a group of senators that meet and sign bills such as the Finance Committee. Once the bill is passed to the chairman, he can start lobbying. But the Senator who proposed the bill still need to have the bill heard.

"To have a bill being hear, the Senator sponsoring the bill will contact the chairman to ask that it be put on the agenda," says Humphrey.

But - and this is the key point -- if the Senator proposing the bill doesn't get it to go through the committee the bill will die.