WRITING A BILL

TYPES OF BILLS Fewer then 10% of the bills introduced become law Public Bill: Measures applying to the nation as a whole Example: a tax measure, amendment to the copyright law Private Bills: Apply to certain persons or place Example: giving an Idaho sheep rancher $85,000 for his losses due to bear attacks

TYPES OF RESOLUTIONS Joint Resolutions: similar to bills and when passed have the force of law Deal with unusual or temporary matters Example: appropriate money to the presidential inauguration Used to propose constitutional amendments and annex territories Concurrent Resolution: deals with matters in which the House and Senate must act jointly Do not have force of law and do not need to be signed by the president Simple Resolution: taken up by the house that proposes it Used for the adoption of new rules or procedures Does not have the force of law

WRITING A BILL AND RESOLUTION ASSIGNMENT You will write one Bill and one Resolution (joint or concurrent) per person. (Make two copies of each) Print off two hard copies of each with attachments You can write extra bills/resolutions. If any bills/resolutions are passed, you will receive 5 bonus points. With the exception of simple resolutions. Must write one bill per person and one joint resolution or concurrent resolution per person. BUT CAN DO MORE! You may write as many bills and joint resolutions (ideas for amendments, acts, or mandates), or concurrent resolution that you want. May write simple resolutions ; however, they do not count on your grade and passing one does not result in bonus points. NOTE: - NO RESOLUTIONS/BILLS CONCERNING CLASS ROOM PROCEDURES/RULES!

WRITING A BILL Writing a Bill : 1. Find a BILL in the U.S. Congress that YOU SUPPORT and write the Bill IN YOUR OWN WORDS : 2. Research: - 10 facts to attach to Bill along with your Statement of Purpose. - Think of questions that will be asked about the Bill and answer those with the list of facts and purpose statement. BILL GRADE REQUIREMENTS: WRITE A Bill, in your own words, using an original U.S. Congress Bill as your draft: 10 FACTS - on the specific subject of the Bill with the sources. These must be facts that are not common knowledge. This is not where you put your opinion! Theses FACTS should help your Bill pass and answer any questions about the topic. STATEMENT of Purpose. Why do we need this bill? What is wrong with the way it is today? PRINT TWO hard copies with the facts and purpose attached to both - one for grading and one for MOCK CONGRESS

SAMPLES A BILL: The Bill Set Up - WRITE A U.S. BILL - INTRODUCE TO MOCK U.S. CONGRESS. A BILL: Sample Bill

WRITING A RESOLUTION Write a joint resolution (for act or amendment) or write a concurrent resolution. N0 simple resolutions allowed. Include 5 Facts in your concurrent resolution if writing a concurrent resolution.. Attach 5 FACTS to your joint resolution with sources if writing a joint resolution. MAKE two hard copies - one for grading and one for mock congress (including facts). Number each line (In Microsoft Word - page setup/ line numbering. Resolutions and Memorials -Resolutions A resolution is a formal declaration of the legislature concerning a certain subject it cannot or does not wish to control by law. Resolutions are either joint, concurrent, or simple and require no action on the part o the Governor Joint Resolutions are generally used to: -Propose amendments to the constitution. In preparing a proposed Constitutional Amendment, draftsmen must draft from the First Volume of the State Statues since this is the only place the Constitution appears in its entirety as an official document. There is no specific provision for repealing all or any part of the constitution and, therefore, deletions are submitted in the form of a proposed amendment to the Constitution. The last section must contain a provision for approval or rejection by the people at the next general or special election. The resolving clause of a joint resolution begins at the margin, two numbered lines below the title and is typed in all capital letters.

THE RESOLUTION 1. Heading for ALL resolutions: Put the house you are in -IN THE SENATE OR HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Sponsors Name: Senator__________ or Representative ____________ (Last Name) Committee: Committee _____________________ (Leave Blank for Steering Committee to fill in) Resolution #: S.J. Res or S. Conn. Res. ___________ (if in Senate - leave a blank) or H. J. R or H. Conn. Res. ________ (if in House) 2. The Body of the Resolution (Number each line) 3. Types of Resolutions: (See Samples Below) -Joint Resolution: (Idea for an amendment or a government policy) - Write a Government Policy Resolution like a Bill. -Concurrent Resolution: (Congressional rule/action- both houses) - FACTS INCLUDED IN RESOLUTION = Whereas

SAMPLES Sample Concurrent Resolution Sample of a Joint Resolution for a Constitutional Amendment Sample of a Joint Resolution for a Constitutional Amendment