Writing Bills: Outline For Aspiring Lawmakers

The process of writing a bill that becomes a law is a long and complex one. In the United States, all laws begin as bills, and before a bill can become a law, it must be approved by the U.S. House of Representatives, the U.S. Senate, and the President. The journey of a bill typically involves the following steps:

- The Bill is Proposed: A Representative drafts the bill, which can be based on their own ideas or the ideas of citizens. The Representative then discusses the bill with other Representatives to gain support and find a sponsor.

- The Bill is Introduced: Once the bill has a sponsor, it is introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by placing it in the hopper, a special box on the side of the clerk's desk. A bill clerk assigns it a number, and a reading clerk reads it to all the Representatives before sending it to a House standing committee.

- The Bill Goes to Committee: The committee, composed of groups of Representatives with expertise in relevant topics, reviews, researches, and revises the bill. They may also send the bill to a subcommittee for further examination and expert opinions.

- The Bill is Reported: After the committee approves the bill, it is sent back to the House floor for debate. Representatives discuss the bill and recommend changes. Once all changes are made, the bill is ready for a vote.

- The Bill is Voted On: There are three methods for voting on a bill: Viva Voce (voice vote), Division, and Recorded. If the bill passes with a majority vote, it is certified and delivered to the U.S. Senate.

- The Bill is Referred to the Senate: In the Senate, the bill goes through similar steps, including committee review, debate, and voting. If the Senate approves the bill, it is sent to the President.

- The Bill is Sent to the President: The President has three choices: sign and pass the bill, veto the bill and send it back to Congress, or take no action (pocket veto). If the President vetoes the bill, Congress can hold another vote, and if two-thirds of the Representatives and Senators support the bill, the President's veto is overridden, and the bill becomes a law.

This outline provides a general overview of the process of writing a bill and the steps it goes through to become a law. Each step involves detailed procedures and considerations, and the process may vary depending on the specific bill and the political context.

How to write a bill

Step 1: The Idea

All laws in the United States begin as bills. Ideas for bills can come from a Representative or from a citizen. Citizens who have ideas for laws can contact their Representatives to discuss their ideas. If the Representatives agree, they research the ideas and write them into bills.

Step 2: The Sponsor

When a Representative has written a bill, the bill needs a sponsor. The Representative talks with other Representatives about the bill in hopes of getting their support. Once a bill has a sponsor and the support of some of the Representatives, it is ready to be introduced.

Step 3: The Introduction

In the U.S. House of Representatives, a bill is introduced when it is placed in the hopper—a special box on the side of the clerk’s desk. Only Representatives can introduce bills in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Step 4: The Numbering

When a bill is introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives, a bill clerk assigns it a number that begins with H.R. A reading clerk then reads the bill to all the Representatives, and the Speaker of the House sends the bill to one of the House standing committees.

Step 5: The Committee

When the bill reaches committee, the committee members—groups of Representatives who are experts on topics such as agriculture, education, or international relations—review, research, and revise the bill before voting on whether or not to send the bill back to the House floor.

Step 6: The Subcommittee

If the committee members would like more information before deciding if the bill should be sent to the House floor, the bill is sent to a subcommittee. While in subcommittee, the bill is closely examined and expert opinions are gathered before it is sent back to the committee for approval.

Step 7: The Reporting

When the committee has approved a bill, it is sent—or reported—to the House floor. Once reported, a bill is ready to be debated by the U.S. House of Representatives.

Step 8: The Debate

When a bill is debated, Representatives discuss the bill and explain why they agree or disagree with it. Then, a reading clerk reads the bill section by section and the Representatives recommend changes. When all changes have been made, the bill is ready to be voted on.

Step 9: The Vote

There are three methods for voting on a bill in the U.S. House of Representatives:

• Viva Voce (voice vote): The Speaker of the House asks the Representatives who support the bill to say “aye” and those that oppose it say “no.”
• Division: The Speaker of the House asks those Representatives who support the bill to stand up and be counted, and then those who oppose the bill to stand up and be counted.
• Recorded: Representatives record their vote using the electronic voting system. Representatives can vote yes, no, or present (if they don’t want to vote on the bill).

If a majority of the Representatives say or select yes, the bill passes in the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill is then certified by the Clerk of the House and delivered to the U.S. Senate.

How to get a bill sponsored

The first step in getting a bill sponsored is to determine whether your proposed 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 you know the level at which your bill will be introduced, you can start connecting with your government representatives. If you are proposing a local law, you will need to contact your city council or county commission representative. For state laws, you will need to reach out to your state representative and senator. And for federal laws, you will need to contact your U.S. congressional representatives.

When reaching out to your representatives, be friendly, succinct, and respectful. Your goal is to find a sponsor for your bill, which is a person who will introduce it to the voting members of a council, commission, or Congress. If your representative is unable or unwilling to sponsor the bill, don't be discouraged. You can start contacting other representatives, as any elected official can introduce a bill. It is important to remember that only government representatives can propose a bill, but citizens can play a crucial role in writing to their representatives and working with them to get a bill submitted and passed.

To increase the chances of your bill being sponsored, it is essential to be informed about current laws and ensure that your proposed bill does not conflict with any existing laws. Additionally, keep your bill as uncomplicated as possible, as simple bills that propose minor changes or additions to current laws are more likely to become laws. Include a justification for your bill, supported by relevant research and evidence. This will help make a strong case for why your proposed bill should be sponsored and eventually passed into law.

How to introduce a bill

The process of introducing a bill begins with an idea. This idea can come from a legislator or a citizen. Citizens with ideas for laws can contact their legislators to discuss their ideas. If the legislator agrees with the idea, they will research it and write it into a bill.

Once a bill has been drafted, it needs a sponsor. The legislator will then discuss the bill with their peers in the hopes of gaining their support. Once a bill has a sponsor and the support of some legislators, it is ready to be introduced.

In the US, a bill is introduced when it is placed in the hopper—a special box on the side of the clerk's desk. Only legislators can introduce bills. When a bill is introduced, a bill clerk assigns it a number. A reading clerk then reads the bill to all the legislators, and the Speaker of the House sends the bill to one of the House standing committees.

In Minnesota, a bill or resolution must be submitted to the Speaker at least 24 hours before the convening of the daily session at which it is to be introduced. It must be introduced in duplicate, and each copy must bear the signature of the member or the name of the committee or division introducing it.

In Hawaii, the best time to approach legislators with your idea is during the summer and fall months when things tend to be slower. The deadline to introduce bills is typically one week after the start of the session (the third Wednesday in January).

How to get a bill through committee

Once a bill has been introduced, it is assigned to a committee for study. Committees are groups of representatives who are experts on specific topics, such as agriculture, education, or international relations. They review, research, and revise the bill before voting on whether to send it back to the House floor. The committee chair has the authority to set the agenda and identify the bills the committee will act on.

The first formal committee action on a bill may be a hearing, which provides a forum for committee members and the public to hear about the strengths and weaknesses of a proposal from selected parties. These include key executive branch agencies, relevant industries, and groups representing interested citizens. Hearings also serve to spotlight legislation to colleagues, the public, and the press. Invited witnesses provide oral and written statements on the bill, after which committee members ask questions. While hearings are a formal setting for feedback, committee members and staff also engage in additional assessment through informal briefings.

A committee markup is the key formal step a committee takes for a bill to advance. The committee chair chooses the proposal for markup—a referred bill or a new draft text. During the markup, committee members consider possible changes to the proposal by offering and voting on amendments. A markup concludes when the committee agrees by majority vote to report the bill to the chamber. Committees rarely hold a markup unless the proposal is expected to receive majority support.

Most House and Senate committees also establish subcommittees, which are subpanels where members can focus on specific elements of the policy area. Subcommittees may hold hearings or mark up legislation prior to full committee consideration. However, only full committees can report legislation to the chamber. After the full committee votes to report a bill, the committee staff prepares a written report explaining why they favour the bill and why they wish to see their amendments adopted.

How to get a bill passed by the House/Senate

The process of getting a bill passed by the House and Senate involves several stages, from proposal to voting and approval. Here is a detailed outline of the steps to get a bill passed by the House and Senate:

Proposal and Introduction:

• The idea for a bill can come from a sitting member of the U.S. Senate or House of Representatives or be proposed during their election campaign. Citizens can also propose ideas for laws to their Representatives, who may then choose to research and write them into bills.
• Once a bill has been written, it needs a sponsor. The Representative discusses the bill with other Representatives to gain their support.
• In the House of Representatives, a bill is introduced by placing it in the hopper, a special box on the side of the clerk's desk. Only Representatives can introduce bills in the House.

Committee Assignment and Review:

• After introduction, the bill is assigned a number and read to all Representatives. It is then sent to a standing committee for review.
• The committee, consisting of Representatives with expertise in relevant areas, reviews, researches, and revises the bill. If more information is needed, the bill may be sent to a subcommittee for further examination.

Voting in the House:

• Once the committee approves the bill, it is sent back to the House floor for debate and voting. Representatives discuss the bill and explain their agreement or disagreement.
• There are three methods for voting on a bill in the House: viva voce (voice vote), division (standing and being counted), and recorded (electronic) voting.
• If a majority of Representatives vote "yes," the bill passes in the House and is certified by the Clerk before being delivered to the Senate.

Senate Review and Voting:

• In the Senate, the bill goes through similar steps as in the House. It is discussed in a Senate committee, then reported to the Senate floor for voting.
• Senators vote by voice, with supporters saying "yea" and opponents saying "nay." If a majority say "yea," the bill passes in the Senate.

Presidential Consideration:

• After passing in both the House and Senate, the bill is presented to the President for consideration. The President has three options: sign and pass the bill, veto the bill and send it back to Congress, or take no action (pocket veto).
• If the President vetoes the bill, Congress can hold another vote, and if two-thirds of both the House and Senate support the bill, they can override the veto, and the bill becomes a law.

Final Approval:

Once a bill has been approved by both the House and Senate and, if necessary, a presidential veto has been overridden, the bill becomes a law. It is then enforced by the government.

Frequently asked questions