bicycle advocacy in boise

Public testimony is an opportunity for individuals to express their opinions, concerns, or support for specific issues during public hearings or meetings. In the context of bicycle advocacy, public testimony provides a platform to voice the needs and preferences of the bicycling community.

Influence Decision-Making: Public testimony can influence policymakers and decision-makers by providing them with real-life perspectives and insights.

Community Representation: It ensures that the diverse voices within the cycling community are heard and considered.

Policy Impact: Effective public testimony can lead to the development and implementation of policies that benefit cyclists.

1.Idea: A bill is sponsored by a legislator or group of legislators. The idea for the bill may come from constituents, government agencies, or special interest groups.

2.Drafting the Bill: The Legislative Services Research and Legislative Division drafts the idea into a bill, and assign it a routing slip (“RS” number).

3. Introduction of the Bill: The bill is introduced in either the House of Representatives or the Senate. It is assigned a bill number and referred to a committee.

4. Committee Hearing Process: The bill is reviewed by a committee that specializes in the subject matter of the bill. The committee may hold hearings, gather testimony, and make amendments to the bill. One of the following recommendations may be made when the bill is reported out of committee:

• Do pass

• Do not pass

• With recommendations

• Placed on General Orders for Amendment

• Withdrawn

• Referred to another committee through the Clerk’s office

In many cases, bills ‘die in committee’ at the discretion of the committee chair.

5. Second Reading: The bill returns to the full chamber for the second reading. During this stage, members have the opportunity to debate the bill. Amendments can be proposed and voted on during the debate. The bill is automatically placed on the Third Reading Calendar for the following day unless further action is taken.

6. Third Reading: The bill proceeds to the third reading, which is often the final stage of consideration in the chamber. The debate on the bill is limited, and no further amendments are allowed. Members cast their final vote on whether to pass the bill. If a ball passes it is passed along to the other house where it repeats the same process again.

Governor's Approval: If the bill passes both houses it is sent to the Governor for approval. The Governor can do one of the following three things:

• Sign it into law (needs to be signed within 5 days after receipt or within 10 days of the end of the session).

• Allow it to become law without a signature, this is done by not signing within the recommended 5 days.

• Veto the bill before the end of the recommended 5 days after receipt and is sent to the house of origin.

A vetoed bill returns to the floor and can still become law if it is overridden with the support of ⅔ of the House members and ⅔ of the Senate members.