Legal Question in Constitutional Law in California

Re: Bill becoming a law.

A bill is first raised in either the Senate or the House of Representatives. It is given a number and then will pass through one or more hearings in various committees. If the bill is voted out of the committee it is then presented to the entire Senate (or House). If is passes it then goes to the other legislative body (i.e., Senate to House or vice versa.) Then the process is repeated. If the bill is passed it goes to the Governor for his signature. If the bill is amended before it is passed, it goes to another committee to review the changes, then back to the other body for consideration of the amendments.

The governor may sign the bill, not sign and allow it to become law or veto. If vetoed, the bill still may become law if passed with a supermajority - generally 2/3 or 3/4 of the possible votes.

The final way is that in some states, including California a bill is presented by referendum for a vote of the people. The promoters have to acquire sufficient signatures to get it on the ballot. If is passes it is law.