How To Write A Bill

Calling All Future Legislators! 

 

One of the most important responsibilities of a member of any legislative body is crafting and introducing legislation. At ALA Mississippi Girls State, you’ll have the unique opportunity to review, debate, and vote on legislation that you and your fellow delegates create.

 

We encourage you to think about an issue or cause that matters to you—whether it’s something affecting your daily life, your school, your community, or even your family’s business or farm—and turn that idea into a bill. Your voice can make a difference!

 

When submitting a bill, you’ll be asked to answer a few key questions:

1. Committee Assignment – Which committee in the House or Senate should review your bill before it goes up for debate? Choose from the following:

• Ways and Means

• Finance and Taxation

• Constitution and Elections

• Public Welfare and Correctional Institutions

• Education

• Judiciary

• Agriculture and Transportation

• Business and Labor

2. Title of Your Bill – Give your bill a title that reflects its main purpose.

3. Short Title (Optional) – If your bill’s official title is long, you may want to give it a shorter nickname.

4. Explanation of Terminology – Are there any words in your bill that may not be easily understood? If so, provide brief definitions.

5. Purpose and Impact – What will your bill accomplish, and who will be involved, impacted, or affected by it?

6. Funding and Administration – How will the bill be funded, and who will be responsible for enforcing or administering it?

7. Penalties for Non-Compliance (if any) – Are there any penalties for failing to comply with the act?

8. Enactment Date – When will your bill go into effect?

 

 

 

 

DRAFTING OF BILL

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Writing a bill in Mississippi requires numerous processes to guarantee clarity, efficacy, and compliance with legal and procedural standards. It is important for the bill's language to be as precise as possible.

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The first step is to define a problem and accurately state the issue at hand. During this initial process, one would research the problem thoroughly to understand its causes, effects, and potential solutions. It is important to consult with others and constituents to gather input, data, and support.

 

Looking over current laws in the state or studying similar laws in other states will help with guidance and examples. To begin drafting the bill, start with a concise and descriptive title that summarizes the purpose of the bill, for example: "An Act to….” Include a preamble to provide context or explain the intent of the bill, for example: "Whereas access to ... is essential for ... in Mississippi..."

 

The drafting process typically includes defining terms, outlining the specific provisions or changes to existing laws, and specifying how the law will be implemented and enforced. Divide the body of the bill into numbered sections, each addressing a specific part of the proposal.

 

This section also serves to write out any existing laws that need modification, along with the provisions, specific actions, requirements, or prohibitions they would impose. Detail the enforcement of the law, encompassing fines for infractions or compliance measures. Take into account the budgetary effects, funding sources, and appropriations that may arise.

 

In the Mississippi legislature, the bill would then be submitted to legal counsel or the Mississippi Legislative Services Office to ensure compliance with the state constitution and other laws. The legislation must have a sponsor(s) to take charge of the issue, push the bill through to law, and then be submitted to the legislative clerk to begin the formal process. 

 

Example Structure of a Bill

1. Title: "An Act to …”

2. Enacting Clause: "Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Mississippi."

3. Section 1: Definitions of terms such as …”

4. Section 2: Description of the program, ….

5. Section 3: Funding provisions, detailing appropriations and financial management.

6. Section 4: Penalties for misuse of funds or non-compliance…

7. Section 5: Effective date of the Act.

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PASSING OF BILL 

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In Mississippi, passing a law starts with drafting by a legislator, usually with advice from groups, businesses, or agencies.

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The bill is presented in either the House of Representatives or the Senate, depending on what chamber the author or authors of a bill represent.

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The bill will be designated a number and allocated to a committee for assessment, where hearings may occur and modifications may be proposed to the legislation.

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If the committee approves, the bill will proceed to the floor of the chamber for questioning, debate, and voting.

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Upon passage of the bill by the full chamber, it will then advance to the second chamber, undergoing the same process.

 

For example, if the bill is initially introduced in the Senate, after passage on the Senate floor, the bill would go to the House floor.

 

Should revisions occur in the second chamber, a conference committee reconciles any discrepancies, and both chambers must ratify the final version.

 

After being passed by both chambers, the bill would go to the governor, who would have to make one of three decisions. It's up to the governor to sign the bill into law, veto it (which can be overridden by two-thirds of both houses), or let it become law after five days without being signed or vetoed.

 

Upon approval, the legislation becomes codified into the Mississippi Code, finalizing the legislative process.