Legal Definitions - senate bill

A senate bill is a proposed law that has been formally introduced into the Senate, which is typically the upper chamber of a legislative body (such as the U.S. Congress or a state legislature). For a senate bill to become law, it must generally be approved by the Senate, then passed by the other legislative chamber (e.g., the House of Representatives or State Assembly), and finally signed by the executive (e.g., the President or Governor).

• Example 1 (Federal Infrastructure): A group of U.S. senators introduces a bill, designated S. 123, aimed at allocating federal funds for repairing bridges and roads nationwide. The bill outlines specific projects and funding mechanisms.

  This proposal is a senate bill because it originated and was formally introduced within the U.S. Senate, beginning its journey through the federal legislative process in that chamber.

• Example 2 (State Property Tax Reform): In the state of California, a senator proposes a bill to amend the existing property tax assessment methods for commercial properties. This bill is then assigned a number, like SB 456, and referred to a committee within the California State Senate for review.

  This is a senate bill because it was introduced by a member of the California State Senate and is undergoing review and debate within that specific legislative body at the state level.

• Example 3 (Failed Legislation): A senator introduces a bill designed to create a new national park in a specific region. After extensive debate and several proposed amendments in the Senate, the bill fails to receive enough votes to pass out of the Senate chamber and therefore does not move to the House of Representatives.

  Even though it did not become law, this proposal was still a senate bill because it was formally presented and considered within the Senate. Its failure illustrates that a senate bill is simply a proposal that may or may not successfully complete the entire legislative process.