Keith Mack
In a democracy such as the United States, citizens are encouraged to propose laws to their local, state, and federal representatives. A proposed law that has not yet been passed is called a bill. Citizens can propose a bill by writing to their representatives and working with them to get the bill submitted and passed. The bill can then be introduced by a member of the U.S. Senate or House of Representatives. Once a bill is introduced, it is assigned to a committee, which will research, discuss, and make changes to the bill. The bill is then voted on, and if it passes, it is presented to the president, who can approve the bill and sign it into law or veto it.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who can suggest a law? | Sitting members of the U.S. Senate or House of Representatives, or proposed during their election campaign. Citizens can also petition bills to members of Congress. |
| Who can propose a law? | Only government representatives can propose a bill, but citizens can write to their representatives to get a bill submitted and passed. |
| What is a bill? | A proposal for a new law or a change to an existing law. |
| How to pitch a law? | Citizens should be informed about the current law and ensure that the proposed law does not conflict with any other laws. |
| How to get a bill passed? | A bill needs to be considered and approved by both Houses of Congress. It is then presented to the President, who can either approve the bill and sign it into law or refuse to approve it, which is called a veto. |
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What You'll Learn
Understanding the legislative process
In the United States, a bill is a proposal for a new law or a change to an existing one. 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 citizens or citizen groups who recommend a new or amended law to a member of Congress that represents them.
Citizens can propose a bill to their local, state, and federal representatives and then get involved to help turn it into law. To pitch a law to government representatives, citizens need to be informed about current laws and ensure that their proposal does not conflict with any of them. They must also determine whether their law will apply at the local, state, or federal level. Local ordinances are typically the easiest to pass, while federal laws are the most complex and challenging.
Once a bill is introduced, it is assigned to a committee whose members will research, discuss, and make changes to it. 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. Then both chambers vote on the same version of the bill. If it passes, they present it to the president.
The president can approve the bill and sign it into law, or they can refuse to approve it, which is called a veto. If the president chooses to veto a bill, Congress can usually vote to override the veto, and the bill becomes a law. However, if the president does not sign off on a bill and it remains unsigned when Congress is no longer in session, the bill will be vetoed by default, which is called a pocket veto, and cannot be overridden by Congress.
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Knowing the type of law you want to suggest
There are many different types of law, and each type has its own unique focus and applications. For example, criminal law focuses on fundamental issues of personal liberty and the rights considered crucial to a free and just society. Within criminal law, lawyers can take on the role of a prosecutor, representing "the people", or a public/private defence attorney, representing an individual with criminal charges. Another type of law is corporate law, which establishes the rules and regulations for corporations to form and function. Corporate lawyers handle mergers, acquisitions, liability disputes, patents, legal compliance, and more.
If you are passionate about education, you may want to consider suggesting a law related to education policy. Education law covers legal matters related to schools, students, and staff. Education lawyers promote the highest quality educational experience for all involved. They advocate for students' and teachers' rights, expose tuition fraud, and develop new education policies. Alternatively, you may want to suggest a law related to real estate. Real estate law covers the right to possess, use, and enjoy land and permanent man-made additions attached to it. Real estate lawyers represent those impacted by inadequate quality, building, or clarity concerning housing and living conditions.
Additionally, there are other fields of law to consider, such as international law, which focuses on the legal implications of increased travel across borders. This can include business, tourism, and permanent residence. Municipal law is another option, which is specific to a particular city or county and covers issues such as police power, zoning, education policies, and property taxes. Health law is also an important field, focusing on regulations that impact the healthcare industry and its patients. Health lawyers can represent hospitals, physician groups, health maintenance organizations, individual doctors, and universities, among others.
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Writing the bill
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.
Once a bill is introduced, it is assigned to a committee whose members will research, discuss, and make changes to the bill. There are some consistent standards for bill submissions, and it is important to follow any relevant templates. Bills can be introduced by presenting them to one of the clerks at the Presiding Officer's desk, without commenting on it from the floor of the Senate. Alternatively, a more formal procedure can be used, where the bill is introduced from the floor, usually accompanied by a statement about the bill.
The bill should include an enactment clause, which tells Congress when the bill will take effect if passed. It may specify a future date or a certain number of days following the passage of the bill. Enactment dates within 30 days of passage are used for emergency legislation only, while enactment dates of 91 days or more after passage require only a simple majority to pass.
Other provisions to consider including in the bill are:
- Definitions
- Effective date (if appropriate)
- "Authorization of appropriations" provisions (if appropriate)
- Whether the bill should be a “freestanding” statement of law or amend an existing statute
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Pitching the bill to representatives
In the United States, bills can be suggested by citizens or citizen groups who recommend a new or amended law to a member of Congress that represents them. Once a bill is introduced, it is assigned a bill number and sent to a committee that will research, discuss, and make changes to the bill. The bill is then put before that chamber to be voted on.
When pitching your bill idea to representatives, it is important to understand the legislative process and the role of your representatives. Representatives are elected to represent their constituents and their interests, so it is important to frame your bill idea in a way that aligns with the interests and values of those who will be affected by the proposed law.
Research your representatives and their party affiliations to determine if they are in the majority or minority party in the legislature. This will impact their ability to get legislative proposals passed. You can often find this information on their individual websites or through searchable databases that track members' cosponsorship of and votes on bills.
When communicating your bill idea, be persistent and professional. Contact your representatives and senators directly, either face-to-face, via phone, or email. Make appointments with key staff members, as they are often responsible for listening to constituents and reporting back to legislators. Be concise and brief when explaining your bill idea, and make it personal by sharing your story and why this bill is important to you.
It is also helpful to understand the procedural rules that govern the legislative process. A bill may originate in the House of Representatives or the Senate, depending on the type of bill. Revenue-related legislation, for example, must originate in the House. Knowing the appropriate chamber to target with your pitch can increase your chances of success.
Finally, remember that advocacy is key. While one person can affect the legislative process, it often takes an organized effort by like-minded individuals to support or oppose a bill. Reach out to individuals in other states and districts to encourage them to contact their legislators as well. By working together and effectively communicating your bill idea to representatives, you can increase the chances of your proposed law being considered and passed.
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Finding a sponsor for the bill
A bill must have at least one prime sponsor in each chamber (or house) before it can be heard in both chambers. The legislator who introduces and carries a bill is called the prime sponsor of the bill. The sponsor and any cosponsors are listed on the first page of a bill, before its main text.
If you are looking to add sponsors to your bill after it has been delivered for introduction, you can direct the OLLS drafter to deliver your bill to you personally. If the bill is delivered to you before the introduction deadline, you can show it to other legislators and have them sign the sponsor form attached to the bill. The bill delivered to you will include a sponsor form stapled to a heavier sheet of green paper (if you’re a Representative) or cream-coloured paper (if you’re a Senator). This is called a bill back. After you give the bill back and the attached sponsor form to the front desk, the front desk staff will review the sponsor form and add the names of those legislators who have signed the form indicating their desire to be sponsors of your bill.
The prime sponsor in the first house (also known as the house of introduction) is responsible for asking a legislator in the second (or opposite) house to carry the bill in that house. The prime sponsor in the first house does not have to identify a second house prime sponsor before the bill is introduced in the first house, but the bill must have a second house prime sponsor before the bill can be heard on third reading in the first house.
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Frequently asked questions
You can suggest a law by writing to your local, state, or federal representatives and pitching your idea to them.
Only government representatives can propose a bill. However, concerned citizens can write to their representatives and work with them to get a bill submitted and passed.
Once a bill is introduced, it is assigned to a committee that researches, discusses, and makes changes to it. The bill is then put before the chamber to be voted on. If it passes one body of Congress, it goes through a similar process in the other body. Once both bodies accept a bill, they work out any differences between the two versions and vote on the same one. If it passes, it is presented to the president, who can either approve it or veto it.
It is important to be informed about current laws and ensure that your proposed bill does not conflict with any existing laws. It is also helpful to determine whether your bill will apply at the local, state, or federal level, as laws that affect your life are likely to be at the local or state level. When pitching your idea, be friendly, succinct, and respectful.
A bill is a proposal for a new law or a change to an existing law. A proposed law that has not yet passed is called a bill.
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