House Republican Press Release

November 5, 2008

Press Office: 860-240-8700

A VIEW FROM THE INSIDE

State Representative Ruth Fahrbach

With elections over, time to prepare for legislative process

With the elections now behind us, it is the time to think about legislative proposals, and making good on the commitments that were bandied about and discussed during the legislative campaigns.

This year will be the “long session” of the upcoming two-year term for state legislators, running from January until June. Legislators may introduce legislation until shortly after the session begins on Jan. 7 so now is the time to begin work for the 2009 legislative session. 

Contact your newly elected legislators to make them aware of legislation that you would like to see introduced: suggestions on ways to reduce spending; areas where you believe that there is waste in state government; and/or any other issues that may be a priority to you. 

Before a proposed piece of legislation becomes law, it must make its way through a thorough legislative process. After an individual legislator proposes a bill, it is sent to the “committee of cognizance”, where it must be subject to a public hearing and approved before ever coming before the full General Assembly for a vote.

For example, a proposed bill dealing with extending or suspending a tax, would need to be subject to a public hearing and would need to be voted on favorably by the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee before it is ever called for a vote in the state House or Senate.

In some cases, bills approved by one committee may need to go before other committees of cognizance for a favorable approval before being put on the calendar and called for a vote in either chamber of the General Assembly.

When the bill is approved by the state House and Senate, and the Governor receives the bill while the legislature is in session, he or she has five calendar days, exclusive of Sundays and holidays, in which to sign it or return it to the house in which it originated with a statement of his objections. In the latter case, the bill may be reconsidered and, if passed by at least two-thirds of the members of each house of the General Assembly, it becomes law.

If the Governor does not sign or veto the bill within five calendar days after the same has been presented to him or her, Sundays and holidays excepted, it automatically becomes law unless the General Assembly has adjourned the regular or special session.  If the General Assembly has adjourned, the Governor has fifteen days from the time it is received take action on the proposal.  These requirements are spelled out in the Constitution of the State of Connecticut. 

State Rep. Ruth Fahrbach represents the 61^st District, including Suffield, and parts of Windsor and East Granby, in the General Assembly.