Who introduces a bill in the legislative process?

In the legislative process, a bill is introduced by a sponsor, typically a member of the legislative body, such as a senator or a representative. The sponsor is responsible for proposing the legislation and advocating for its passage within the legislature. This role is pivotal because the introduction of a bill marks the formal beginning of its journey through the legislative process, allowing it to be debated, amended, and ultimately voted upon.

The other options do not play a direct role in the introduction of a bill. For example, while judges may interpret laws and have an impactful role within the judicial system, they do not introduce legislation. The president can influence the legislative agenda and may propose legislation, but does not officially introduce bills in Congress. Public opinion can certainly affect the legislative process and the types of bills that are introduced, but it does not directly participate in the act of introducing a bill. Thus, the sponsor is the correct choice for identifying who introduces a bill.