How To Write A Bill

How To Write A Bill

NOTE: You should bring two type-written copies of your bill to Boys State, there is no way to print your bill at Boys State.

1. A bill is a proposal for a call to some action. A bill outlines what will happen should the action become law. 

2. The text of the bill should generally outline:
  1. What will happen
  2. Where it will happen
  3. When it will happen
  4. How it will happen
  5. Any enforcement provision necessary
3. Most Boys State bills have at least one section to deal with the question of what, where, when and how. 

4. A bill usually does not include a section on the reason the bill should pass. The question of why the Legislature should support the action is saved for debate. Listing the reasons why the bill should pass may doom the bill’s passage unnecessarily, if someone agrees with the action, but not the motive.

5. The bill must have a single purpose and affect, which means only one action per bill. The draft of each bill should be written to accomplish one important action or law.

6. Authors of bills should begin by explaining exactly what happens if the action passes.

7. The subject matter in each bill should deal with action or law which improves a lifestyle in Florida or proposals consistent with the best interest of the public. Bills may also be written on issues which seek to improve Boys State.

8. The author of the bill should keep in mind that any argument against his bill will challenge the assumptions made by the author. The author will assume predicted results which may not be universally believed. Additional arguments against a bill will include:

  1. we cannot afford the bill
  2. we agree with the desired result but disagree with the method to arrive there
  3. the bill is unenforceable
  4. the bill is not feasible
  5. the result proposed is not desirable
  6. the bill, as written, will not achieve the desired result
  7. the side effect produced by the bill will be unacceptable.

9. At Boys State, appropriation of funds to pay for the cost of the bill cannot, and therefore need not, be fully established. A bill, however, has a much better chance of being passed if its funding can be established or at least reasonably predicted.

10. A bill must begin as follows:

1. A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
2.
3. AN ACT RELATING TO...(here must be summarized what
4. the bill seeks to accomplish.)
5.
6. Be it enacted by the Legislature of the Florida American
7. Legion Boys State.
8.
9. Section 1: (here begin the text of the bill, followed by sections 2, 3, 4, etc.)
10.


Ensure the last Section of your bill, includes a time for your bill to go into effect.

11. All bills must be attached to the bill jackets provided by the legislative staff.

Resolutions

1. Resolutions differ from bills in that they do not call for an action or law. Resolutions are statements of feelings or opinions of the Legislature. Resolutions say "This is what we think; this is what should be." Unlike bills, resolutions offer reasons to support the position statement. 

 

2. In the Florida Legislature, resolutions are used to solidify an opinion. They are also used to offer constitutional amendments or written as a memorial or request to the United States Congress. 

 

3. Resolutions should begin as follows: “Be it Resolved by the Legislature of the Boys State of Florida...." 

 

4. Each resolution at Boys State will have two readings and is put on the daily agenda as a separate calendar, following the Special Order Calendar of bills.

Helpful Hints On Writing A Boys State Bill

All Boys State Delegates are encouraged to write and submit legislation to be considered by the BoyscState legislature. Whether you serve in a legislative body or not, the exercise helps you place your ideas in a context that your delegates can consider and debate during the session.

Step 1. Develop a proposal

Your idea is a basis for what legislation you write. Whether it directs creation of policy or simply expresses a position you would ask the legislative body to take. Because Boys State is an exercise in state government, delegates would do well to focus on matters of statewide, not federal, importance.

Step 2.  Determine whether the proposal should take the form of a bill, resolution, memorial

Remember: Bills initiate action by government.  Resolutions express the body’s feeling or sentiment.  There is a third form of legislation called a Memorial.  Memorials are essentially resolutions by a state legislative body directed to either the federal government or the U.S. Congress asking for action by counterparts in Washington, D.C. on matters outside the ability of the state to engage.  Memorials do not, contrary to the name, express condolences over a loss. A resolution would accomplish that task.

Step 3.  Use the legislative formatting resources we have provided to craft your idea properly

A sample bill is found on page 32 of the Boys State Manual.  Also use information in Rule 9 of the Rules & Procedures of the Boys State Legislature. Rule 9 outlines many of the steps you will want to incorporate into your thinking and development of legislation.  See pages 28-29 of the Boys State Manual.

Ideally, you should type your legislation using numbered-line formatting and bring the document with you to Boys State. However, we also understand that many delegates write their legislation en route to or while at Boys State.  In those cases, strive to use legible handwriting and remember to hand-number each line of text.

Pages 44-45 of the Manual have sample paper to use for writing legislation.  Legislation can be written on other paper, however, attempt to write legislation using the given format and be sure to number each line.  Legislative counselors will also have extra legislative form paper when your legislative body forms on Wednesday afternoon.

Resolutions are distinguished in format by offering a series of “WHEREAS” clauses that state several findings or facts that justify or offer context for the resolution.  The resolution then transitions to the actual statement of resolve which is preceded with the phrase “NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF BOYS STATE THAT…”  

Click here to review resolutions filed in the Florida Legislature during the 2019 session.  These give a good sense of the tone and format you should replicate.

Step. 4.  Secure a “sponsor” who will introduce the legislation to the appropriate body.  

If you elected or appointed to a legislative body and have authored legislation, you would be your legislation’s sponsor.  Bills and resolutions should be turned in to your legislative body’s clerk (House and Assembly) or secretary (Senate and Forum) when your body meets for Organizational Session at 4 p.m. on Wednesday.

If you are not a member of a legislative body, feel free to ask a fellow delegate you know or a delegate in your city to sponsor the measure on your behalf. It is helpful to note your name as the author and your fellow delegate as the sponsor.  Ask your sponsor to keep you updated on action taken regarding your bill. If you are able, ask a counselor to help you make arrangements to be in the House or Senate gallery to observe your legislation under consideration if the schedule allows.

Why Line-Numbering?  

Each line of text is numbered on the left-hand margin of the page in legislation. This is to assist with quick reference to a particular phrase, clause, section or word during questions and debate. This is also the mechanism by which amendment are made: amendments would direct the change to be made by referencing the lines of text to be amended, deleted or otherwise affected.

What about Amendments?

Page 46 offers an example of an amendment form.  The form is helpful by giving an amendment author a “fill-in-the-blanks” structure to use.  As you look at the amendment form, you will notice sections for striking and inserting language based on the intended goal of the amendment. Amendments must be tailored Amendments should be turned in to your Senate/Forum secretary or House/Assembly clerk at the rostrum. At Boys State, we encourage delegates to offer “friendly” amendments. A “friendly” amendment is one that the sponsor of the bill welcomes as an addition that either improves the bill or gains more support from fellow legislators to improve the likelihood of favorable consideration.  To the contrary, “unfriendly” amendments would seek to undermine the effect of a bill or cause the measure to be rendered ineffective. While these are legitimate uses for amendments in the legislative process, time consumed with “killing” legislation by amendment might be better directed to a simple up or down vote on the legislation by the body.