Changing Laws: A Guide To The Process

Changing a law is a complex and lengthy process that varies across jurisdictions. In the United States, for instance, laws can be changed at the local, state, or federal level. The first step is to identify the type of law and the relevant lawmaking body, such as a city council or Congress. Once the appropriate body is determined, individuals can propose a bill, which is a proposal for a new law or a change to an existing one. This can be done by contacting legislators, drafting a petition, or working with lawmakers to write and introduce a bill. Gaining support, engaging lawmakers, and lobbying are crucial steps in the process. Ultimately, the success of changing a law depends on research, persistence, and effective communication with the relevant stakeholders.

How to start a petition to change a law

Changing a law can be a complex process, but one way to initiate it is by starting a petition. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to start a petition to change a law:

Identify the Law and the Lawmakers

Firstly, you need to identify the law you want to change and the lawmakers responsible for it. Determine whether it is a local, state, or national government law. This is crucial because different laws are changed through different bodies; local ordinances, for instance, are typically changed through city or town councils, while federal laws are changed through Congress. Research the lawmakers who represent you and understand their stance on the issue. They are the ones who can introduce new laws or changes on your behalf.

Choose a Clear and Catchy Headline

The headline of your petition is crucial as it is your first opportunity to engage readers and make them want to sign. Make it catchy, clear, and concise. Focus on what change you want to see and include the relevant location if it is a local or state issue. This will help attract the attention of locals who are more likely to be impacted by the law.

Craft a Compelling Narrative

In the body of your petition, explain the current law, who is impacted by it, and how you want to see it changed. If you have a personal reason for wanting this change, consider including your story. Petitions that evoke emotion and showcase the real-world impact of the law are often more effective in garnering support.

Select a Powerful Image

Choose an image that speaks to the change you want to see. A simple, striking image of people or pets that portrays emotion will often outperform a more complex or text-heavy image. Look for colour contrast and close-ups, and ensure you have the right to distribute the image.

Collect Signatures and Build Momentum

The more signatures you get on your petition, the more likely it is that lawmakers will listen. Share your petition on social media, local bulletin boards, and even your local radio station. Reach out to journalists and craft a press release to gain media attention and build momentum for your cause.

Engage Lawmakers and Work on the Bill

Once you have built up some support, engage the lawmakers you researched. Contact them via phone, email, or snail mail, or request a meeting to discuss your thoughts in detail. Work with them to draft a new bill that includes the changes you want to see. Remember, getting a new bill introduced and passed takes time and requires persistence.

How to get media attention for a petition

To get media attention for a petition, you must first craft a concise and compelling message. This message should be the framework for all your communications with the media. Next, you should create a press story and pitch it to journalists. It is common to send pitches to 10-20 journalists to get a single story published. You can find media contacts through dedicated websites, or by searching the internet for lists of media contacts. Local progressive organisations may also be willing to share their media lists.

When pitching your story, it is important to be relentless. If a journalist does not respond, follow up with a call or a tweet. You can also set up a Google Alert for your petition's topic to track media mentions. If your pitch is successful, make sure to follow up with the journalist after the event to provide photos and any other information that might be useful to them.

To increase the chances of your petition gaining media traction, you can try to connect your story to current news, an upcoming deadline, or a calendar event. You should also emphasise why your petition is important and why now is the time to act. If there is a personal reason behind your petition, share this in your pitch. The media loves a compelling story, and this will help to engage people with your cause.

You can also use social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and Reddit to promote your petition and build a following. Hashtags can be a useful tool to gain traction and encourage people to share your petition with their followers.

How to introduce a bill to Congress

The process of introducing a bill to Congress is a key part of the legislative process. Any member of the House of Representatives or the United States Senate can introduce a bill while the House is in session. The process involves several steps, each of which is crucial in shaping the bill's journey and outcome.

Firstly, the bill must be physically introduced on the floor of a chamber of Congress. In the House, this is done by placing the bill in the "hopper", a wooden box on the House floor. The sponsor's signature must be on the bill, and it may have an unlimited number of co-sponsors. The bill is then assigned a legislative number by the Clerk and given a designation based on the chamber of introduction, for example, H.R. or H.J.Res. for House-originated bills.

The bill is then referred to the appropriate committee for review. The Speaker of the House or the Senate Majority Leader will refer the bill to the committee with jurisdiction over the major issue involved in the bill. Most bills fall under the jurisdiction of one committee, but some may involve multiple committees, in which case each committee works on the portion of the bill under its jurisdiction. This is a critical step in the legislative process, as it is during committee action that the proposed measures are given the most intense consideration, and the public is given the opportunity to be heard.

After the committee stage, the bill is printed in its introduced form. Legislators may provide introductory remarks to explain the bill's purpose and rationale, offering insight into the legislative intent. These remarks are not always given, but they can be valuable in understanding the bill's objectives and any lobbying interests involved.

Once the bill has been introduced and reviewed, it is ready to be discussed and voted on by the full House and Senate. If the bill is passed by both Houses, it is sent to the President for signature or veto. This is a critical stage, as the President's approval is generally required for the bill to become law, except in the case of concurrent resolutions, which do not require the President's signature and are used to express Congressional sentiment.

How to amend a bill

In the United States, the lawmaking branch of the federal government is Congress. A bill is a proposal for a new law or a change to an existing law. The idea for a bill can come from a sitting member of the U.S. Senate or House of Representatives, be proposed during their election campaign, or be petitioned by people or citizen groups who recommend a new or amended law to a member of Congress that represents them.

If you want to amend a bill, you can start by contacting a legislator by phone, email, or snail mail. If your idea is complex, you may want to ask for a meeting to discuss your thoughts. Legislators can only request new bills during the Fall of each year, so keep that in mind for your timeline. After legislators file bill requests, they work with legislative staff to draft the bill text, and the bills are introduced in January, at which point public hearings and votes begin. If your idea is related to a bill that is already going through the legislative process, your legislator might be able to introduce your idea as an amendment to that bill.

Once a bill is introduced, it is assigned to a committee whose members will research, discuss, and make changes to the bill. The bill is then put before that chamber to be voted on. If the bill passes one body of Congress, it goes to the other body to go through a similar process of research, discussion, changes, and voting. Once both bodies vote to accept a bill, they must work out any differences between the two versions.

If you are amending an appropriations bill, there are some additional considerations to keep in mind. Traditionally, these bills are considered for amendment under an "open" process, where they are read "paragraph-by-paragraph." Amendments are typically offered at a specific point in the reading of the bill for amendment, but there are exceptions, such as the "transfer amendment" that allows for two amendments in one, one decreasing spending and the other increasing spending by an equal amount. Under an open amendment process, amendments are debated under the 5-minute rule, meaning each member may speak for up to 5 minutes on a particular amendment. Amendments to general appropriations bills must comply with the Rules of the House and the Budget Act. It is important to consult with the Office of Legislative Counsel, the Congressional Budget Office, and the Office of the Parliamentarian regarding the drafting of the amendment and its budgetary and rules compliance.

How to get a lawmaker to represent you

To get a lawmaker to represent you, you must first identify the law you want to change and determine whether it is a local, state, or national government issue. This is important because different laws are changed through different bodies. For example, a local ordinance would be changed through your city or town council, whereas federal laws are changed through Congress. Once you have identified the law and the relevant lawmaking body, you can begin to research the lawmakers and representatives who can help you.

Your elected representatives are the best people to approach to introduce new laws or changes on your behalf. You can contact them by phone, email, or snail mail, and it is a good idea to do some research on their interests so that you can frame your message in a way that will capture their attention. You can also try to set up a meeting with your chosen representative. This can be done by making a request in writing and following up with a call to the Appointment Secretary or Scheduler. It is worth noting that legislators can only request new bills during the fall of each year, so you may have to wait before your idea can be proposed.

If you are part of a larger group of people who support the change, you could organize a letter-writing campaign or take to social media to gain the attention of politicians. You can also work with lawmakers to write a new bill that includes the changes you want to make. This process takes time and can be challenging to navigate, but there are many bill-writing guides and templates available online to help you.

When meeting with your chosen representative, it is important to keep the discussion short and focused. You will likely have a limited amount of time, so make the most of it by sticking to your topic and your talking points. It is also a good idea to bring up any personal, professional, or political connections you may have to the elected official.

Frequently asked questions