First Reading

When the Clerk calls the agenda item, "Introduction of Bills", members sponsoring Bills that day stand up as the Speaker calls them, state their Bill's title, and summarize what the Bill would accomplish if passed. The Speaker then calls a vote. It is very unusual for members to vote against first reading of any Bill. The traditional thought is that no Bill should be defeated before members have had a chance to read it, and members receive copies only after first reading. All Bills go through a long process of drafting and redrafting before they receive first reading. 

Copies of bills are deposited with the Legislature Library, and bills are mounted on the Assembly's website. The status of bills may be viewed at the same site.