1. Idea: A bill starts as an idea for a new law or to change an existing law. Anyone can suggest an idea, but legislators are the only ones who can formally introduce it. 2. Legal Form: The idea is then put into proper legal form by the Office of the Revisor of Statutes. 3. Authors: Each bill needs a chief author (a legislator) to sponsor it, along with coauthors. 4. Introduction: The chief author introduces the bill in the House or Senate, referred to as the first reading. 5. Committee: The bill is discussed in one or more committees where it is either approved or disapproved. 6. Floor: Post-committee approval, the bill has a second reading and is placed on the agenda for the full House or Senate. 7. General Register (House) or General Orders (Senate): Bills are listed for discussion and can be amended before final voting. 8. Calendar for the Day: In the House, this is the list of bills designated for voting. Bills are debated, amended, and then given a third reading. 9. Special Orders: Bills may receive priority consideration toward the end of a session, allowing them to be debated and passed quickly. 10. Conference: If there are differences between House and Senate versions, a conference committee resolves them. 11. Floor: The revised bill goes back for another vote in both bodies. 12. Governor: If both the House and Senate pass the bill, it's sent to the governor who may sign it, veto it, or allow it to become law without a signature.

To get involved in the legislative process in Minnesota, a member of the public can take several steps: 1. Suggest an Idea for a Bill: Any individual or group can propose an idea for a new law or a change to an existing law. This could include consumer groups, professional associations, or government agencies. 2. Contact Legislators: Since only legislators can sponsor and introduce bills, the public can reach out to their state representatives or senators to express their ideas and concerns or ask them to sponsor a bill based on a public suggestion. 3. Participate in Committee Meetings: Bill proposals are discussed in committee meetings, which are open to the public. Attending these meetings allows individuals to voice their opinions or concerns regarding proposed legislation. 4. Follow Legislative Proceedings: Members of the public can track the progress of bills through the legislative process and stay informed about bill readings, committee actions, and votes. 5. Engage in Advocacy: Public interest groups often engage with legislators and can be a good way for people to amplify their voices concerning specific issues. 6. Provide Testimony: During committee hearings, individuals can provide testimony to share their views on a bill. This is a direct way to influence legislative decisions. 7. Vote: Finally, participating in elections to choose legislators who align with one's views on issues contributes to shaping Minnesota's laws and policies.

Tracking bills is hard, especially if you rely on state legislature websites, which are often hard to navigate. Thousands of bills get filed in Minnesota every year (and about 180,000 bills nationwide). If you want to be an effective advocate, you need to know where legislation of interest stands, and act quickly.

FastDemocracy's free version allows you to track an unlimited number of bills - no strings attached. We'll send you a daily or weekly email on your priority bills and give you tools to research bills and legislators.

FastDemocracy Professional is for anyone who tracks bills in a professional capacity. It features

• real-time bill, amendment and hearing alerts
• automated reporting
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1. Sign up here for a free FastDemocracy account.

2. Head to Tracked Topics to select issue areas you care about.

3. Use the search bar on top if you're looking for something specific.

4. Click "Track Bill" for any legislation you'd like to monitor a bit closer. That's how you add it to your Tracked Bills. You can also click on a bill to learn more, see the bill summary, most recent actions, votes, news and tweets. You can also contact legislators or share your bills on social media.

5. You can track an unlimited number of bills for free and we'll send you a daily or weekly email if your tracked legislation moves.

6. Do you need real-time alerts, outreach tools, bill lists, and professional functions? Then FastDemocracy Professional is the right fit for you.

7. Track bills on your smartphone using our free mobile app.

You can use the Find Your Legislators tool to find them, see their voting records, and contact them.