Learn · A game
From idea to law
Steer a bill through the Iowa Legislature, one choice at a time. The rules are the real ones1.
- The idea
- Committee
- The floor
- The Senate
- The Governor
What happened: The Speaker sends it to Appropriations instead: spending bills go to Appropriations.
Decision 8
The subcommittee
The Appropriations chair names a subcommittee of three members. Its meeting is posted only a day ahead. The public can come and speak. What do you do?
- Ask parents and a bus driver to come and speak, and others to send written comments
- Skip it: the full committee is what counts
Learn more: Taking part in a subcommittee meeting
Your bill so far (7 choices)
- You have an idea: A grant: state money to help districts buy cameras. A spending bill. Spending bills are exempt from the funnel, and the Governor can veto single items in them.
- Getting it written: Write it yourself and file it. Not how it works: the Legislative Services Agency drafts every bill and amendment. Try again.
- Getting it written: Write it yourself and file it. Not how it works: the Legislative Services Agency drafts every bill and amendment. Try again.
- Getting it written: Write it yourself and file it. Not how it works: the Legislative Services Agency drafts every bill and amendment. Try again.
- Getting it written: Ask the Legislative Services Agency to draft it. Nonpartisan staff at the Legislative Services Agency draft it and give it an LSB drafting number.
- Who sponsors it?: Ask the Majority Leader to sponsor it. The Majority Leader agrees. Bills sponsored by a majority or minority leader are exempt from the funnel.
- Which committee?: Education. The Speaker sends it to Appropriations instead: spending bills go to Appropriations.