Legislative Commissioners' Office [LCO] Review

After the bill has been reported out of all the necessary committees favorably, and before it goes to the floor, it must go to the Legislative Commissioners' Office [LCO] for review of its form, consistency with existing statutes, and its constitutionality.  When the LCO makes any changes in the bill (other than spelling, grammar, punctuation that will not change the meaning), it will prepare a statement describing changes and giving the reasons for them.  The statement is printed with the file copy of the bill.

If the LCO finds that the bill is unconstitutional, it will return the bill to the committee, which may, nevertheless, re-report it out favorably.  Such a bill appears on the chambers' calendars under the heading, "Favorable Report, Matter Not Approved by Legislative Commissioner."

As a rule, the LCO has 10 days to complete a review of a bill, unless the Speaker of the House or President Pro Tempore of the Senate extends the deadline. 

Office of Fiscal Analysis [OFA}

When the LCO finishes its review, the bill is sent to the Office of Fiscal Analysis for a review on the bills fiscal impact on the state and its municipalities.  This note will be appended to each bill or amendment considered in the House or Senate.

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Office of Legislative Research [OLR] 

A copy of the bill is sent to the Office of Legislative Research (OLR) after the LCO has finished with its review.  The OLR will make a plain language summary of the bill and its provisions to be provided to legislators.