What Are the Two Types of Author’s Amendments?

A bill author can amend his or her bill in two different instances. These are called “author’s amendments” and they can occur before formal committee or floor action, or during those times.

The first type of author’s amendment occurs before a committee hearing. In this case, the bill’s author submits his or her proposed bill amendments to the policy or fiscal committee prior to the bill’s actual hearing. Thereafter, again prior to the committee hearing, the chair of the policy or fiscal committee submits the author’s amendments to the Assembly Desk or Senate Desk, depending upon which house the bill is pending in.

These author’s amendments are done without a hearing or recommendation of the committee that is prepared to hear the bill. These author’s amendments are generally processed without input from the committee and are done at the request of the bill’s author. That is why these types of amendments are distinguished from “committee amendments,” which are done by the committee itself.

The second type of author’s amendment occurs at a committee hearing or on the Floor of the Assembly or Senate. In this case, the committee recommends the amendment or the floor adopts the amendment, and these committee or floor amendments are supported by the bill’s author, which is why they are still referred to as an “author’s amendment.”