Bill WritingBill Writing

YMCA Youth & GovernmentYMCA Youth & Government

Servant Leaders TrainingServant Leaders Training

October 2005October 2005

What makes a law?What makes a law?Boy: Gee, Bill, you certainly have a lot of Boy: Gee, Bill, you certainly have a lot of

patience and courage.patience and courage.

Bill: Well, I got this far. When I started I Bill: Well, I got this far. When I started I wasn't even a bill, I was just an idea.wasn't even a bill, I was just an idea.

Some folks back home decided they Some folks back home decided they wanted a law passed, so they calledwanted a law passed, so they calledtheir local Congressman, and said, their local Congressman, and said, "You're right, there oughta be a law.""You're right, there oughta be a law."

Then he sat down and wrote me out and Then he sat down and wrote me out and introduced me to Congress. And Iintroduced me to Congress. And Ibecame a bill, and I'll remain a bill became a bill, and I'll remain a bill until they decide to make me a law.until they decide to make me a law.

-from School House Rock’s “I’m Just a -from School House Rock’s “I’m Just a Bill” (1975)Bill” (1975)

Topic > Bill> LawTopic > Bill> Law

Usually a law begins as an idea. Maybe that idea Usually a law begins as an idea. Maybe that idea comes from a single voter, maybe a lobbyist comes from a single voter, maybe a lobbyist representing a group, or maybe a legislator. representing a group, or maybe a legislator.

In order to become law, that idea must be In order to become law, that idea must be expressed in some concrete form using expressed in some concrete form using carefully selected words and phrases that will carefully selected words and phrases that will withstand the test of time and the courts. A bill withstand the test of time and the courts. A bill is the conduit for an idea becoming a law.is the conduit for an idea becoming a law.

Choosing a Bill TopicChoosing a Bill Topic

Interact with your Interact with your constituentsconstituents

What’s making news?What’s making news? Look to other statesLook to other states Your own experienceYour own experience Look at current laws Look at current laws

and regulationsand regulations

EXERCISE: Survey ConstituentsEXERCISE: Survey Constituents

Informal:Informal: Don’t forget to ask their Don’t forget to ask their

opinions on possible opinions on possible solutions!solutions!

Formal:Formal: ““Poll” your constituentsPoll” your constituents Hold a Town MeetingHold a Town Meeting

Use the information Use the information gathered for group gathered for group brainstorming sessions brainstorming sessions on bill topics.on bill topics.

Choosing a Bill TopicChoosing a Bill Topic

Using the InternetUsing the Internet News OrganizationsNews Organizations National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL)National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Center for Policy Alternatives: StateAction.orgCenter for Policy Alternatives: StateAction.org Stateline.orgStateline.org National Governor’s AssociationNational Governor’s Association Pennsylvania General AssemblyPennsylvania General Assembly Political Organizations and Interest GroupsPolitical Organizations and Interest Groups

EXERCISE: Ask an expertEXERCISE: Ask an expert

I can’t think of a bill topic. A common gripe I can’t think of a bill topic. A common gripe among delegates.among delegates.

What to do? Ask an expert.What to do? Ask an expert. Ask your local legislator to come speak to your Ask your local legislator to come speak to your

club about how he/she comes up with bill topics. club about how he/she comes up with bill topics. Your legislator will also be able to alert your Your legislator will also be able to alert your members to important issues in their community.members to important issues in their community.

This exercise will also give your club members the This exercise will also give your club members the opportunity to engage in conversations about bill opportunity to engage in conversations about bill writing and the legislative process with an expert.writing and the legislative process with an expert.

Research your topicResearch your topic

Existing lawExisting law Other states and the Other states and the

federal governmentfederal government Various solutionsVarious solutions Facts and figuresFacts and figures Opposition and SupportOpposition and Support

Position PapersPosition Papers

Organize your thoughtsOrganize your thoughts Develop your plan of Develop your plan of

actionaction Fine tune your positionFine tune your position Anticipate arguments Anticipate arguments

from oppositionfrom opposition

Position Papers (cont.)Position Papers (cont.)

INTRODUCE YOUR TOPIC:including some INTRODUCE YOUR TOPIC:including some background and your position on the issuebackground and your position on the issue

OUTLINE ARGUMENTS IN FAVOR OF OUTLINE ARGUMENTS IN FAVOR OF your positionyour position

OUTLINE ARGUMENTS IN OPPOSITION OUTLINE ARGUMENTS IN OPPOSITION TO your positionTO your position

DEVELOP A SPECIFIC PLAN OF ACTION DEVELOP A SPECIFIC PLAN OF ACTION for addressing the issuefor addressing the issue

EXERCISE: Good Cop/Bad CopEXERCISE: Good Cop/Bad Cop When you are so immersed When you are so immersed

in an issue it can be hard to in an issue it can be hard to see other points of view.see other points of view.

Divide club members into Divide club members into groups (<6). Have each groups (<6). Have each member share their bill member share their bill topic and proposed plan for topic and proposed plan for action. Within each group, action. Within each group, brainstorm arguments for brainstorm arguments for and against this position.and against this position.

Make sure notes are taken to Make sure notes are taken to incorporate comments into incorporate comments into position papers.position papers.

Writing Your BillWriting Your Bill

Clarity, organization, and accuracyClarity, organization, and accuracy Creating lawCreating law Anticipating questions and concernsAnticipating questions and concerns Proofreading and grammarProofreading and grammar

THE YMCA YOUTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIATHE YMCA YOUTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA2005 Session2005 Session

Introduced by: Introduced by: Club Name:Club Name: ________________________________________________________________Primary Sponsor:Primary Sponsor: Rep. or Sen.Rep. or Sen. _____________________ _____________________ Secondary Sponsor: Secondary Sponsor: Rep. or Sen.Rep. or Sen. _____________________ _____________________

Referred to Committee on:Referred to Committee on: see attached Reference Guide for a list of committeessee attached Reference Guide for a list of committees

AN ACTAN ACT

((NOTE: Every line must be numbered)NOTE: Every line must be numbered)1.1. PURPOSE:PURPOSE: ((Briefly state what will be achieved by this bill.Briefly state what will be achieved by this bill.) The purpose of this bill is to . . . ) The purpose of this bill is to . . . 2.2. 3.3. The General Assembly of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as followsThe General Assembly of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows: : 4.4. 5.5. SECTION 1SECTION 1:: Short TitleShort Title6.6. This act shall be known and may be cited as the “This act shall be known and may be cited as the “YOUR TITLE HERE”YOUR TITLE HERE” Act Act7.7. 8.8. SECTION 2SECTION 2:: DEFINITIONSDEFINITIONS9.9. Suggestion: address the definitions section AFTER writing the rest of the bill. Read through the bill and pull out unfamiliar terms or terms Suggestion: address the definitions section AFTER writing the rest of the bill. Read through the bill and pull out unfamiliar terms or terms

thatthat10.10. should be defined in order to strengthen the bill.should be defined in order to strengthen the bill.11.11. 12.12. SECTION 3SECTION 3:: ((SECTION TITLESECTION TITLE))13.13. Use as many sections as necessary to describe your proposed course of action. Each new idea should begin a new section. This is the 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 HOW of 14.14. your proposal and not the WHY. Save your arguments for debate.your proposal and not the WHY. Save your arguments for debate.15.15. 16.16. SECTION __SECTION __:: FundingFunding17.17. What are the cost implications of your proposal. Will the state incur costs due to this bill? Does your bill authorize funding (i.e. a new tax What are the cost implications of your proposal. Will the state incur costs due to this bill? Does your bill authorize funding (i.e. a new tax

or or 18.18. fee to pay for the proposal)? What department or or agency would be responsible for fundingfee to pay for the proposal)? What department or or agency would be responsible for funding19.19. 20.20. SECTION __SECTION __:: RegulationsRegulations21.21. Which state department or agency would be responsible for implementing the bill (regulations and enforcement responsibilities)?Which state department or agency would be responsible for implementing the bill (regulations and enforcement responsibilities)?22.22. 23.23. SECTION __:SECTION __: PenaltiesPenalties ((for example: misdemeanor/felony; fines for disobedience)for example: misdemeanor/felony; fines for disobedience)24.24. 25.25. SECTION __:SECTION __: Effective DateEffective Date26.26. This bill shall take effect . . . This bill shall take effect . . . (how long after passage before the law is implemented)(how long after passage before the law is implemented)

Purpose and Short TitlePurpose and Short Title

The “purpose” section of your bill provides a The “purpose” section of your bill provides a brief explanation of the outcome your bill will brief explanation of the outcome your bill will achieve.achieve.

The “short title” section allows you to name The “short title” section allows you to name your bill. Think “catch phrase.” A few words your bill. Think “catch phrase.” A few words that will identify your position/plan and spread that will identify your position/plan and spread like wildfire to help raise the bill’s profile. In like wildfire to help raise the bill’s profile. In good taste of course!good taste of course!

DefinitionsDefinitions

Legal definitionsLegal definitions Words with various Words with various

meaningsmeanings Importance of Importance of

proofreading and peer proofreading and peer reviewreview

Address definitions lastAddress definitions last

Sections, Funding, and RegulationsSections, Funding, and Regulations The body of the bill is made up of sections outlining The body of the bill is made up of sections outlining

the HOW of your proposal. This is the blueprint of the HOW of your proposal. This is the blueprint of the law. Not the WHY of the proposal - - save it for the law. Not the WHY of the proposal - - save it for debate.debate.

Funding: Will your proposal cost the Commonwealth Funding: Will your proposal cost the Commonwealth money? Will it save money? Should you develop a money? Will it save money? Should you develop a mechanism for funding your proposal (i.e. collect a mechanism for funding your proposal (i.e. collect a fee, raise a tax, etc)?fee, raise a tax, etc)?

Regulations: Which state agency will be responsible Regulations: Which state agency will be responsible for enforcing and making regulations relating to your for enforcing and making regulations relating to your bill. PA Powerport (bill. PA Powerport (www.state.pa.uswww.state.pa.us) links to all state ) links to all state agencies.agencies.

Penalties and Effective DatePenalties and Effective Date

Penalties give “teeth” to your bill. Examples Penalties give “teeth” to your bill. Examples include fines or imprisonment. Make sure to include fines or imprisonment. Make sure to research related laws to make sure your research related laws to make sure your penalty falls in line with existing law.penalty falls in line with existing law. On the flip side, incentives, like tax breaks, can On the flip side, incentives, like tax breaks, can

also make your bill strongeralso make your bill stronger Effective Date: Make sure to pick an effective Effective Date: Make sure to pick an effective

date when your proposal can realistically be date when your proposal can realistically be implemented.implemented.

Proofreading and Peer ReviewProofreading and Peer Review

Proofread for grammarProofread for grammar Definitions and clarityDefinitions and clarity Hear arguments and Hear arguments and

adjust bill to addressadjust bill to address Gauge various Gauge various

interpretationsinterpretations

Bill Writing ChecklistBill Writing Checklist(Blue Book pages 83-84)(Blue Book pages 83-84)

Technical correctnessTechnical correctness Numbers and figures are expressed in wordsNumbers and figures are expressed in words Monetary sums are expressed in wordsMonetary sums are expressed in words Number every line beginning with the title by consecutive Number every line beginning with the title by consecutive

Arabic figures (1, 2, 3)Arabic figures (1, 2, 3) Spelling and grammar are correctSpelling and grammar are correct Pennsylvania is called a Commonwealth not a statePennsylvania is called a Commonwealth not a state Typed in 12 point Courier or Times New Roman Typed in 12 point Courier or Times New Roman Every sentence is a statement in the third personEvery sentence is a statement in the third person No opinions, questions or statements of intentNo opinions, questions or statements of intent Use the active voice Use the active voice

Bill Writing ChecklistBill Writing Checklist

Research/PreparationResearch/Preparation Solution proposed in the legislation is Solution proposed in the legislation is

appropriate to the problemappropriate to the problem Solution is thorough and clearSolution is thorough and clear Definitions are clear Definitions are clear

Bill Writing ChecklistBill Writing ChecklistClarity of Bill’s PurposeClarity of Bill’s Purpose The title of the bill is broad and does not editorialize or mislead.The title of the bill is broad and does not editorialize or mislead. Any definitions are clear and are in section 1. Any definitions are clear and are in section 1.

The section needs to: The section needs to: 1) identifies the term to be defined1) identifies the term to be defined2) identifies the class to which the term belongs2) identifies the class to which the term belongs3) identifies the difference between this term and all other in the class. For 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 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 term belongs) of all the books in a given library (difference between a computer catalog and all other indexes)catalog and all other indexes)4) uses terminology suitable for the audience.4) uses terminology suitable for the audience.

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

Purpose section and the body of the bill are consistent in their purposesPurpose 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 doEarly sections contain the major part of what you want the bill to do The last section contains the enactment clause The last section contains the enactment clause The purpose of the bill is clear – i.e.; what will happen if it is enactedThe purpose of the bill is clear – i.e.; what will happen if it is enacted Sections are consistent (no contradictions within the bill)Sections are consistent (no contradictions within the bill) Actions are clearly stated Actions are clearly stated

Bill Writing ChecklistBill Writing Checklist

FeasibilityFeasibility Bill resolves problem in a reasonable wayBill resolves problem in a reasonable way Administration of bill’s requirements are clear - who Administration of bill’s requirements are clear - who

is responsibleis responsible Method of penalty is clearMethod of penalty is clear Penalties fit the crime Penalties fit the crime RelevanceRelevance Addresses a problem that requires legislation to solveAddresses a problem that requires legislation to solve Problem is one that can be addressed at the state level Problem is one that can be addressed at the state level

Bill Writing ChecklistBill Writing Checklist

Provision for costProvision for cost Source of income is providedSource of income is provided Collection method is providedCollection method is provided Administration of any disbursement of funds is Administration of any disbursement of funds is

provided provided

Online Bill SubmissionOnline Bill Submission

The last step in the Bill The last step in the Bill Writing process is Writing process is submitting your bill for submitting your bill for Model ConventionModel Convention

www.ymcapa.orgwww.ymcapa.org > Bill > Bill Submission > Submission > create/access accountcreate/access account

Be sure to have Be sure to have consulted the sample consulted the sample bill and bill writing bill and bill writing checklistchecklist

Check your line numbers – every line gets a number, if you cut and paste from Word, be sure you start with 1 inch margins

If there are no funding implications, then there is no Funding Section!

The Effective Date Section should refer to this ACT

Do not attempt to add fancy formatting, start every line exactly one space from the line number, do not skip lines between sections.

The "Bill Title" and the "Short Title" should be exactly the same

The first person listed is the main sponsor, the co-sponsor MUST be in the other chamber