DRAFTING YOUR BILL The legislative process

Homework Work on your paper! with questions or come see me in 215

Tracking Legislation GovTrack

Bill to Law Article Read through this summary and highlight, underline, and number the steps for how a bill becomes a law. Review the steps with a neighbor. Do you have the same steps?

Today’s Agenda Objective: Students will be able to explain the legislative process by creating a bill and participating in a simulation of Congress. Essential Skill: CR-4 Attempt solutions or construct a product

Idea!  Any person(s) can suggest a bill be formally proposed.  Student  Retiree  Politician  Legal Alien – Professional – Unemployed person – Interest Group – Journalist

Formal Proposal –Only a member of the House of Representatives (435) or a member of the Senate (100) may formally submit a bill. –Placed in “hopper”-HR; read in Senate Rep. Pat Meehan (R) Sen. Pat Toomey (R) Sen. Bob Casey (D) Rep. Ryan Costello (R)

Public v. Private Bills  Most bills are public (e.g. Safe Highways and Infrastructure Preservation Act)  Some are private (include grants of citizenship to individuals who are otherwise ineligible for normal visa processing; alleviation of tax liabilities; armed services decorations and veteran benefits)  Appropriation bill- authorizes the government to spend money  Resolutions- joint and concurrent

Congressional Committees House Speaker and Vice President introduce each bill on the floor Meet in committees and discuss bills Determine whether bill needs markup, debate, and then vote

WELCOME TO ZWARTLANDIA CONGRESS!!! Congratulations on your recent election! Our Congress is focusing on improving ‘Stoga, the country’s school Your job is to create bill proposals that will help us to accomplish this

Zwartlandia Congressional Steps Write Bill Bring to house Bills Introduced Committees Meet Bills brought to Floor –Vote Switch houses –Repeat Bills Sent to President for Approval Extra Credit!

Bill Proposal Topics 1. Academics/Curriculum 2. Sports 3. Privileges 4. Activities

Bill Proposal Directions Take minutes to create your bill Write a bill on your topic (Curriculum/Academics, Sports, Privileges, Activities) It should be well thought out and have a clear purpose and rational Be prepared to defend your bill to house members

Sample Bill Many colleges and universities operate under the policy of affirmative action in determining the entrance of students; and minorities often gain entrance and white persons not of the minority race, though more qualified, are denied entrance. Acceptance of minorities to colleges and universities does not assure their ability to successfully compete with the more qualified non-minorities; and lesser qualified minority students often fail to meet the demands of higher education; therefore, be it resolved the colleges and universities abandon the affirmative action policy and judge entrance based solely on records of academic performance.

Bill Proposal Topics 1. Academics/Curriculum 2. Sports 3. Privileges 4. Activities

Bill Proposal Directions Take 20 minutes to create your bill Write a bill on your topic (Curriculum/Academics, Sports, Privileges, Activities) It should be well thought out and have a clear purpose and rational Be prepared to defend your bill to house members

Differences between House and Senate *Member introduces bill *Bill referred to committee *Most bills die in committee *Bill must pass full floor vote *Five Calendars HOUSE *Rules Committee *Restricted Debate *Members must speak to the bill before the chamber *Members may move the previous question *Proceedings less formal *Rules less strict *One calendar *Majority leader calls bill to floor *Nearly unrestricted debate *Members may speak on anything SENATE *Unanimous consent agreement limits consideration time and amendments *Two speech rule *Filibuster