Explanation / Requirements WRITING A BILL PROJECT Explanation / Requirements

WRITING A BILL PROJECT EXPLANTATION You will be writing a Federal law from the perspective of a member of the U.S. Congress. A law begins as a bill. In class we will be discussing the Federal law making process in detail. Bills deal with situations or correct problems in the United States. Remember you are designing and making a Federal law. Your Bill must affect and deal with every U.S. State. Do not write a bill that just deals with Arizona or Prescott Valley!! (Improper bills will not be accepted). Do not write an Amendment. Laws do not change the Constitution.

WRITING A BILL PROJECT EXPLANTATION Try to be very specific on what you want your bill to do, focus on just one point. Stay away from to large of a topic such as the Environment, Pollution, Economy, Homelessness, Immigration there is way too much to fix in these topics. Pick an idea for your bill that is manageable. Choose just one idea for your topic. Come up with an original idea. Remember your bill cannot deal with state affairs or powers that are reserved for them. Just about any bill that deals with age or age qualifications is a state power. Driving / Driving ages are state powers. Schools and funding for schools is a state power.

WRITING A BILL PROJECT Basic Requirements Paper needs to be a minimum of over 1 ¼ complete pages in length. Close to 1 ½ typed. If paper is not over a 1 ¼ pages it will not be accepted. Consisting of 4 to 6 paragraphs, with 3 to 5 sentences per paragraph. 1” margins (Top, Bottom, Left, Right), No Double Spacing Font setting: Times New Roman at size: 16. Pictures/Clipart does not count toward length. Typed, only Final Draft turned in.

DUE DATE Must be turned in by Monday December 1st , 2014 WRITING A BILL PROJECT DUE DATE Must be turned in by Monday December 1st , 2014 NO EXCUSES, NO EXCEPTIONS. No parent excuses, if you wait to the last minute and have a computer problem or do not get it done. If not turned in at the correct time classroom participation during the Mock Congress will not be allowed, an alternative assignment will be given. This is a major grade in the 2nd Quarter, not turning in this project or turning it in late will greatly affect your grade. EXTRA CREDIT given to students who turn in their bill early, done correctly.

WRITING A BILL PROJECT EXAMPLE PAPER Cover Page: Chamber of Congress (Pick One), Bill Number (Make one up), Bill Topic, Your Name, Your State, Date

EXAMPLE PAPER 1st - 2nd Paragraphs: General Introduction WRITING A BILL PROJECT EXAMPLE PAPER 1st - 2nd Paragraphs: Give name, home state, member of House of Reps or Senate, introduce the topic of your bill, and give a general explanation of what your bill is and what it is going to do. Explain the benefits or positive things about your bill and the importance of your bill to society. Explain the effects on society if not passed. General Introduction

EXAMPLE PAPER 3rd - 4th Paragraphs: WRITING A BILL PROJECT EXAMPLE PAPER 3rd - 4th Paragraphs: Explain the specific details of your bill. This should include all the exact details of what exactly it is going to do and how will it work, step by step. How will it be paid for ($$), who will enforce it, explain who this bill is designed to help and how will it help them, what are the punishments if this law is broken (fines/jail time), restate the importance and counter-state any arguments you can perceive against your bill. You may need to include how long it will take to begin or when you want it to start. You may need to include FACTS, STATISTICS, CHARTS, or GRAPHS to help support your bill.

EXAMPLE PAPER 5th - 6th Paragraph: WRITING A BILL PROJECT EXAMPLE PAPER 5th - 6th Paragraph: Summarize your bill, convince those reading it that this is a worth while bill, explain the importance, and use factual evidence to support your bill, be sincere or personal.

WRITING A BILL PROJECT Criteria Sheet

Key Points WRITING A BILL PROJECT Do the right type of law Bill Correct Bill, Correct Format, Meet Requirements, Turn it in on time!!! * Is your bill over a page 1 ¼ ? * Did you include how it would be paid for? * Did you include who would enforce it? * Did you include exactly how it will work? * Did you include facts or statistics to support your bill? Questions???

No Bills on Reserved Powers WRITING A BILL PROJECT Key Points No Bills on Reserved Powers No Bills on Schools, Driving Ages, or Driving Issues, State or Local Issues. No Bills on Smoking, Drinking, Abortion, or Inappropriate Topics.

WRITING A BILL PROJECT Key Points Who is Going to Enforce this? If answer is Local Government then it is a Reserved Power.