your own bill

BILL WRITING CHECKLIST

Clarity of Bill’s Purpose

· The title of the bill is broad and does not editorialize or mislead.

· Any definitions are clear and are in section 1.

The section needs to:

1) identifies the term to be defined

2) identifies the class to which the term belongs

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 term belongs) of all the books in a given library (difference between a computer catalog and all other indexes)

4) uses terminology suitable for the audience.

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

· Purpose 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 do

· The last section contains the enactment clause

· The purpose of the bill is clear – i.e.; what will happen if it is enacted

· Sections are consistent (no contradictions within the bill)

· Actions are clearly stated

Research/Preparation

· Solution proposed in the legislation is appropriate to the problem

· Solution is thorough and clear

· Definitions are clear