|
Writing Your Bill
Choosing Your Topic | Developing Your Idea | What Does A Good Bill Look Like? | Writing Your Bill | Bill Format | Bill Requirements | Banned Topics | Sample Bill | Next Steps
Writing a Bill in the proper form is crucial to getting it passed by the Legislature. It is also a lot easier than you might think!
- All Bills must contain
- Title
- Enacting Clause
- Body
- Statement of Intent
- Financial Statement
- Effective Date
- Say what you want in as few words as possible!
- Tense & Mood – use the present tense and indicative mood. The law is present and
deals with facts of today.
- Consistency – use the same arrangement and form of expression throughout.
- Grammar & Sentence Structure – use simple, short sentences. Clarity is essential.
Check spelling and grammar against established standards i.e. Webster’s, etc. Have someone proofread your Bill.
- Punctuation – use standard accepted rules.
- Choice of Words & Phrases – select short, familiar words and phrases that best
express your ideas.
- In legislation the word “shall” means must.
- Numbers, Sums, Dates, etc.
- Numbers less than 10 are expressed in words (six, third). Numbers beginning
a sentence are also expressed in words. Fractions with whole numbers less
than 10 are expressed in words.
- Monetary Sums – one cent, 10 cents, $3, $3.65, $125, $2,000, $4 million, or
$5,504,282.
- Dates – June 1993, June 19, 1984, June and July 1995, January 14, June 29 to
July 5, 1987, 10-month period, five-days grace period.
- Brevity – omit every needless word. If a word means the same as a phrase – use the word. Unnecessary language is more likely to mislead than to inform.
- Definitions – use them only if the word is being used in other than its common usage, or if it is technical. All definitions are to be placed at the start of the Body of the Bill.
- Limitations – you must state the scope and limits of the Bill.
- Titles – be certain to use the correct titles of public officials and agencies. These may be determined by contacting the agency or office of the official.
- Changing Existing Laws – can be done by either amending the law or repealing it.
- Punishments for Criminal Acts – minimum and maximum sentences are required.
Use the phrase “the offender will be subject to imprisonment by the Department of
Corrections for a time …”
- Every line of the Bill must be numbered. (See sample Bill)
|
