your own bill

 

You are a newly elected Member of Congress. It is up to you as to whether you are a Senator or a Representative from your State.  You made several important promises during your campaign and now that you have taken your seat, you need to show the constituents you represent that you are going to fulfill at least one of these promises with a bill you write and introduce into your chamber.

Directions:

1. Choose a topic for your bill:

   Envision the constituents that elected you
   Imagine that you have interacted with your constituents
   What’s making news?
   Look to other states
   Look to your own experience
   Look at current logs and regulations
   Use the internet

2. Research your bill topic:

   Look at existing law
   Explore various solutions to the issue
   Support your position with facts and figures
   Determine your support and opposition

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3. When writing your bill:

   Ensure clarity, organization and accuracy
   Ensure you are creating law
   Anticipate questions and concerns
   Proofread and check grammar

4. Bill structure (see attached)
5. Bill writing checklist (see attached)

Some links that may help you understand how to write a bill:

• Congressional Bills Web site http://www.gpo.gov
• USA.gov is the front door to every government website.  http://www.usa.gov.
• Congressional Bills Search Tips Web Site  http://www.gpo.gov/help/index.html#simple_search.htm
• Thomas (Library of Congress) http://thomas.loc.gov/home/lawsmade.toc.html

Review the

Bill Writing Checklist

. Using the

Bill Structure

document fill in all sections to write your bill.

To complete this assignment, you must submit the completed Bill Structure Document that clearly illustrates all components of a professionally written bill and address all required elements of the assignment listed in the grading criteria below.

The assignment must be submitted as a Word document. Include APA formatted title and reference page. Be sure to cite any references used in APA format..

BILL WRITING CHECKLIST

Clarity of Bill’s Purpose

· The title of the bill is broad and does not editorialize or mislead.

· Any definitions are clear and are in section 1.

The section needs to:

1) identifies the term to be defined

2) identifies the class to which the term belongs

3) identifies the difference between this term and all other in the class. For example: A computer catalog (term to be identified) is an index (class to which the term belongs) of all the books in a given library (difference between a computer catalog and all other indexes)

4) uses terminology suitable for the audience.

· Any conditions placed on the application of the bill are clear (exceptions, limitations); use “if” at the start of the sentence.

· Purpose section and the body of the bill are consistent in their purposes

· Early sections contain the major part of what you want the bill to do

· The last section contains the enactment clause

· The purpose of the bill is clear – i.e.; what will happen if it is enacted

· Sections are consistent (no contradictions within the bill)

· Actions are clearly stated

Research/Preparation

· Solution proposed in the legislation is appropriate to the problem

· Solution is thorough and clear

· Definitions are clear

(SENATE OR HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES) OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

2011 Session

Introduced by:

Primary Sponsor:
Rep. or Sen. _____________________

Secondary Sponsor:
Rep. or Sen. _____________________

AN ACT

(NOTE: Every line must be numbered)

1. PURPOSE:
(Briefly state what will be achieved by this bill.) The purpose of this bill is to . . .

2. The (Senate or House of Representatives) of the United States of America hereby enacts as follows:

3. SECTION 1:
Short Title

4. This act shall be known and may be cited as the “YOUR TITLE HERE” Act

5. SECTION 2:
DEFINITIONS

6. Suggestion: address the definitions section AFTER writing the rest of the bill. Read through the bill and pull out unfamiliar terms or terms that

7. should be defined in order to strengthen the bill.

8. SECTION 3:
(
SECTION TITLE)

9. Use as many sections as necessary to describe your proposed course of action. Each new idea should begin a new section. This is the HOW of

10. your proposal and not the WHY. Save your arguments for debate.

11. SECTION __:
Funding

12. What are the cost implications of your proposal. Will the government incur costs due to this bill? Does your bill authorize funding (i.e. a new tax or

13. fee to pay for the proposal)? What department or or agency would be responsible for funding

14. SECTION __:
Regulations

15. Which department or agency would be responsible for implementing the bill (regulations and enforcement responsibilities)?

16. SECTION __:
Penalties
(for example: misdemeanor/felony; fines for disobedience)

17. SECTION __:
Effective Date

18. This bill shall take effect . . . (how long after passage before the law is implemented)