in your own words Choose an Idea—Name the idea for a new law or policy you selected from the spinning wheel. Explain Your Idea—Why would this idea make a good law? Use complete sentences to explain. Summarize the Discussion—Discuss the idea with a trusted adult. Write down some thoughts or details about the idea from your discussion. Use complete sentences. Explain the Process—Finish filling in the steps your idea would have to go through to become a law at both the federal and state levels of government. Federal State 1. You write your federal representative or senator about your idea. 1. You write your state legislator about your idea. 2. 2. 3. 4. 3. Committees debate and edit the bill. 5. The bill goes to the House for action. 4. 6. 5. The state Senate approves the bill. 7. 6. Think Local—How is the lawmaking process at a local level different from the state or federal government? Use complete sentences. Print Save