Legislative Overview
In the Oklahoma Youth Legislature, high school students have the opportunity to write bills similar to the legislation that is written in the actual Oklahoma legislature. These bills cover a broad range of topics, ranging from the death penalty and drug laws to divorce and welfare. It is a chance for us to show Governor Brad Henry and the Oklahoma State Senate and House of Representatives what issues Oklahoma high school students think are the most important issues facing the citizens of Oklahoma today!
Process
Delegate Training:
Each September/October, we have a training session for new delegates to learn the process of writing and debating a bill and for returning delegates to get a refresher course. One of the adult advisors will hand out some basic reference materials and give delegates some tips on how to think of a bill topic, how to put this idea into a bill format, and how to research and prepare an argument for this bill. Then we try out these skills by writing a practice bill. The second part of the training is learning the procedure for debate in the Youth Legislature. We go through the Order of Business using the practice bills. By the end of the day, delegates have a taste of both bill writing and debate, and are ready to go back to their schools and write a bill of their own!
District Conference:
In January of each year, we have two district conferences. One conference is for students in the Southern District and one conference is for students in the Northern District. First, we break into two or more committees. Committees are groups with 6-12 students that are led by a committee chair and clerk team. These leaders preside over the business of the committee. Each delegate will have the opportunity to present his or her bill, using the Order of Business that we learned at Delegate Training. We take a vote on each of the bills – some will pass, and some will not.
After the committees meet, all of the committees will come together for a full legislative session. This session is led by all of the candidates for Lieutenant Governor or Committee of the Whole Chair, and these leaders select the order in which the bills will be considered, also known as the “docket”. Any bill that passed committee is eligible for consideration. We’ll go through debate on these bills, once again using the Order of Business. Don’t worry – If your bill doesn’t pass, you can still take it to the State Conference. When we are finished with this session, we elect our new Lieutenant Governor or Committee of the Whole Chair. Also, after this conference, you can make changes to your bill so that it will be just as you like it for the State Conference.
State Conference:
This is what we have all been waiting for! The State Conference is a chance for you to show off the bill you have written and to fight passionately for what you believe in. You get to meet people from all over the state and hear new brand new ideas.
On the Friday morning of the State Conference, we’ll meet in small committees like we did at the District Conferences. Once again, we’ll go through the process of debating and taking a vote on each bill. The bills that pass are eligible to be debated in the full session of the House and Senate that afternoon
Friday afternoon and Saturday morning, all of the Youth Legislative Delegates will meet in either the Senate or House Chambers. Yes – the House and Senate Chambers! You’ll get to sit at the desk of a real member of the Oklahoma Senate or House of Representatives and use their microphones. It is an all-around amazing experience! The youth presiding officers – The Speaker of the House, the Committee of the Whole Chairperson, the Senate Pro-Tempore and the Lieutenant Governor – will decide the order in which the bills will be considered. After hours of intense, fun, exhilarating debate, we’ll elect our new Speaker of the House and Lt. Governor, who will preside at the next year’s conference.
Order of Business for Debating a Bill (Summary)
When a bill is debated on the House floor or in a committee, the author first explains the bill and then answers questions from the delegates pertaining to the legislation. Delegates have the opportunity to submit amendments to the original bill. The amendments are considered and voted upon by the delegates. If the amendments pass, they become part of the bill itself. After the consideration of amendments, the delegates who support the bill and the opponents of the bill are given a chance to give short speeches in order to persuade the remainder of the delegates before they vote on the bill. The author of the bill then can summarize the bill and restate the reasons why the delegates should vote for it. After the author’s summary, a vote occurs. If a majority of the delegates vote for the bill, it is then sent to the Youth Governor. If the Youth Governor signs the bill, it becomes law. If the Youth Governor does not sign, or vetoes, the bill, it does not become law. As with the actual State Legislature and the U.S. Congress, our legislature can choose to override the Governor’s veto. If 2/3 of the members of the Youth Legislature vote to override the Governor’s veto, then the bill becomes law.
Debating a bill may be confusing at first – but it just takes practice! The best thing to do is to meet with other people from your school and take turns presenting your bills. This helps you figure out questions that people will have about your bill so that you can do some research and strengthen your arguments. This is also the best way to get familiar with the procedures for debating bills.
Youth Legislative Officers
At District Conferences, students elect a Committee of the Whole Chairperson, Senate and House Floor Leaders, Chaplain and Sergeant-at-Arms of each chamber. Reading and journal clerks are appointed by the newly elected presiding officers. For more information regarding the qualifications and procedure for the election of Youth Officers, please consult the resource manual.
- Lt. Governor: The Youth Lieutenant Governor serves as one of the presiding officers for the Youth Senate Legislature. He/she is a model for leadership for all of the Youth and Government delegates. The Lt. Governor is elected at the conclusion of the State Conference and will serve the following year's State Conference.
- Speaker of the House: The Youth Speaker of the House is elected at the conclusion of the State Conference and will serve at the following year’s State Conference. The Youth Speaker of the House serves as a member of the Youth and Government Board of Directors. The Youth Speaker of the House is one of the Youth Legislature’s presiding officers and is a model for leadership for all of the Youth and Government delegates.
- Senate President Pro-Tempore: The Youth Pro-Tempore of the Senate is elected at one of the District Conferences. The officer presides at all sessions of the Senate except the formal opening and closing. May trade off with the Lieutenant Governor. Is responsible for the appointment of the Senate Journal and Reading Clerks.
- Chairperson, Committee of the Whole: The Committee of the Whole Chairperson serves along with the Speaker of the House and the Lieutenant Governor as a presiding officer for the Youth Legislature.
- House/Senate Floor Leader: The Youth House and Senate Floor Leader positions takes responsibility for keeping business moving smoothly from the House floor. He/she makes appropriate motions and serves as a leader for all of the Youth and Government delegates.
- Chaplain: The Youth Chaplain of each chamber opens meals and sessions of the Youth Legislature with a prayer or inspirational reading.
- Sergeant-at-Arms: The Youth Sergeant-at-Arms enforces the rules of the Youth Legislature and ensures that delegates are authorized to enter the Senate or House Chambers. He/she heads a committee that escorts speakers in and out of the Senate and House Chambers. The Sergeant-at-Arms serves as a leader for all of the Youth and Government Delegates
- Journal Clerk: The Youth Journal Clerk keeps track of amendments and assists the presiding officers in timing speeches and questioning periods.
- Reading Clerk: The Youth Reading Clerk reads bill captions and amendments and conducts opening roll calls for attendance.
Links:Oklahoma Bill-Writing Guide – Written by Amanda Shankle-Knowlton
Oklahoma Legislature Main Page – This site allows you to search through the Oklahoma Statutes and the Oklahoma Constitution
Oklahoma House of Representatives – This site gives information on current issues in the Oklahome House. You can find YOUR representative and his or her contact information
Oklahoma State Senate – This site gives information on current issues in the State Senate and contact information for each Senator.
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