How to get laws changed in your state?
Asked by: Mr. Madisen Treutel | Last update: February 7, 2026Score: 5/5 (38 votes)
To get a state law changed, you need to identify a supportive state legislator (representative or senator) to sponsor a bill, present your detailed idea for the new or changed law, and then build public support through advocacy like petitions and media, as the bill must pass both legislative chambers and be signed by the Governor (or have a veto overridden).
How can state laws be changed?
Changes could either come via the legislature, or via the people. The role of the people, in the case of a legislative change, is to politically persuade the government to do what you want.
How do I go about getting a law changed?
Talk to the legislative body that the passed the law and convince them to change it. It will likely need to be signed by the mayor, governor or president (Most common). Sue the government and have them declare the law to be unconstitutional, in which case it will be repealed (either in whole or in part).
How do you get the law changed?
Create or sign a petition that asks for a change to the law or to government policy. After 10,000 signatures, petitions get a response from the government. After 100,000 signatures, petitions are considered for debate in Parliament.
Who has the power to change state laws?
The State Legislature is the part of the state government that makes laws. Most State Legislatures have two parts, like the U.S. Congress does. Most states have State Senators and State Representatives to make state laws. We elect our State Senators and State Representatives.
Why is the US Constitution so hard to amend? - Peter Paccone
Who can overturn state laws?
On the contrary, they say that the power to declare laws unconstitutional is delegated to federal courts, not the states. Federalist No. 33 states that federal laws are supreme over the states, so long as those laws are within the federal government's delegated powers. Federalist No.
What does the 8th amendment protect against?
The Eighth Amendment protects against excessive bail, excessive fines, and cruel and unusual punishments, ensuring that penalties are not unduly harsh or disproportionate to the crime, and that basic human dignity is maintained in the justice system, applying to both pretrial conditions and post-conviction sentences.
How to request a change in law?
How do I request a new law or bill?
- 1 Identify a legislator to work with. Citizens cannot introduce bills all on their own, but they can ask a legislator to sponsor a bill on their behalf. ...
- 2 Contact the legislator and share your idea for a bill. ...
- 3 Be ready to wait. ...
- 4 Support your bill throughout the process.
What is the most commonly broken law?
The 5 Most Frequently Broken Laws
- Underage Drinking. According to SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions), about 26% of the under-21 crowd uses alcohol at least once a month. ...
- Littering. ...
- Smoking Marijuana. ...
- Jaywalking. ...
- Pirating music.
How hard is it to change laws?
The amendment process is very difficult and time consuming: A proposed amendment must be passed by two-thirds of both houses of Congress, then ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the states.
How to change unfair laws?
Changing the laws is a process. But you can and should contact your local reprentatives office. If it's the state law you want to help change then your state representative has an office in the district where you can contact them. They have people in their office who are there to work with the citizens on issues.
How can citizens change laws?
Petition by people or citizen groups who recommend a new or amended law to a member of Congress that represents them.
Who can change the law?
“All legislative Powers” granted to the Federal government by the Constitution, as stated in Article 1, Section 1, are vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.
What is the 27th amendment about?
Twenty-Seventh Amendment: No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of Representatives shall have intervened.
How can I petition for a law to be changed?
Rules for Petitions
The petition must be in writing and be accompanied by the CBSC Petition Form (BSC-30). The form requires the following: Explain the problem and rationale for this petition. Explain how the issue has statewide significance.
Do state laws override local laws?
Federal preemption is still important, of course, but in recent years, it has been joined in prominence by state preemption. Under this doctrine, a state government can nullify a local law that conflicts with, or in some instances simply deviates from, state law.
What is surprisingly illegal?
In California it is illegal to have caller ID. • In California it's against regulations to let phones ring more than nine times in state offices. • It is illegal to cry on the witness stand.
What state has the toughest laws?
According to the State RegData Definitive Edition, the most heavily regulated states in America in 2022 were:
- California – 403,774.
- New York – 298,804.
- New Jersey – 286,933.
- Illinois – 279,147.
- Texas – 273,106.
How to go about getting a law changed?
Identify a law that needs to change. Research how your government works. Build public support through a petition. Work with lawmakers to introduce a new law.
Who is in charge of changing laws?
All legislative power in the government is vested in Congress, meaning that it is the only part of the government that can make new laws or change existing laws.
Can a law be modified?
Modification of Statutes or Laws: Legislatures can modify existing statutes or laws through the enactment of new legislation or amendments. This process involves altering the language, provisions, or penalties of existing laws to reflect new societal needs or changes in public policy.
Can you sue for cruel and unusual punishment?
Yes, you can sue for cruel and unusual punishment if you believe your constitutional rights have been violated. The Eighth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects individuals from inhumane treatment by the government, including law enforcement and correctional institutions.
What does "I plead the 8th" mean?
To "plead the 8th" means to invoke the Eighth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which protects against excessive bail, excessive fines, and cruel and unusual punishments, preventing the government from imposing overly harsh penalties or exorbitant financial burdens on individuals in the criminal justice system. It's a way for defendants or legal advocates to challenge bail amounts, fines, or prison conditions that they believe violate these constitutional protections, according to sites like the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and the UCLA School of Law.
What is an example of the 8th Amendment being violated?
Violations of the Eighth Amendment (cruel and unusual punishment) include excessive force by guards, deliberate indifference to serious inmate medical needs, prolonged solitary confinement, inhumane prison conditions (overcrowding, lack of sanitation/food/water), denying necessary healthcare, and disproportionate sentences like executing minors or people with intellectual disabilities, as established in cases like Estelle v. Gamble, Atkins v. Virginia, and Brown v. Plata.