1. Bill Writing YMCA Youth & Government Servant Leaders Training October 2005

2. What makes a law? Boy: Gee, Bill, you certainly have a lot of patience and courage. Bill: Well, I got this far. When I started I wasn't even a bill, I was just an idea. Some folks back home decided they wanted a law passed, so they called their local Congressman, and said, "You're right, there oughta be a law." Then he sat down and wrote me out and introduced me to Congress. And I became a bill, and I'll remain a bill until they decide to make me a law. -from School House Rock’s “I’m Just a Bill” (1975)

3. Topic > Bill> Law Usually a law begins as an idea. Maybe that idea comes from a single voter, maybe a lobbyist representing a group, or maybe a legislator. In order to become law, that idea must be expressed in some concrete form using carefully selected words and phrases that will withstand the test of time and the courts. A bill is the conduit for an idea becoming a law.

4. Choosing a Bill Topic Interact with your constituents Interact with your constituents What’s making news? What’s making news? Look to other states Look to other states Your own experience Your own experience Look at current laws and regulations Look at current laws and regulations

5. EXERCISE: Survey Constituents Informal: Informal: Don’t forget to ask their opinions on possible solutions! Don’t forget to ask their opinions on possible solutions! Formal: Formal: “Poll” your constituents “Poll” your constituents Hold a Town Meeting Hold a Town Meeting Use the information gathered for group brainstorming sessions on bill topics. Use the information gathered for group brainstorming sessions on bill topics.

6. Choosing a Bill Topic Using the Internet Using the Internet News Organizations News Organizations National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Center for Policy Alternatives: StateAction.org Center for Policy Alternatives: StateAction.org Stateline.org Stateline.org National Governor’s Association National Governor’s Association Pennsylvania General Assembly Pennsylvania General Assembly Political Organizations and Interest Groups Political Organizations and Interest Groups

7. EXERCISE: Ask an expert I can’t think of a bill topic. A common gripe among delegates. I can’t think of a bill topic. A common gripe among delegates. What to do? Ask an expert. What to do? Ask an expert. Ask your local legislator to come speak to your club about how he/she comes up with bill topics. Your legislator will also be able to alert your members to important issues in their community. Ask your local legislator to come speak to your club about how he/she comes up with bill topics. Your legislator will also be able to alert your members to important issues in their community. This exercise will also give your club members the opportunity to engage in conversations about bill writing and the legislative process with an expert. This exercise will also give your club members the opportunity to engage in conversations about bill writing and the legislative process with an expert.

8. Research your topic Existing law Existing law Other states and the federal government Other states and the federal government Various solutions Various solutions Facts and figures Facts and figures Opposition and Support Opposition and Support

9. Position Papers Organize your thoughts Organize your thoughts Develop your plan of action Develop your plan of action Fine tune your position Fine tune your position Anticipate arguments from opposition Anticipate arguments from opposition

10. Position Papers (cont.) INTRODUCE YOUR TOPIC:including some background and your position on the issue INTRODUCE YOUR TOPIC:including some background and your position on the issue OUTLINE ARGUMENTS IN FAVOR OF your position OUTLINE ARGUMENTS IN FAVOR OF your position OUTLINE ARGUMENTS IN OPPOSITION TO your position OUTLINE ARGUMENTS IN OPPOSITION TO your position DEVELOP A SPECIFIC PLAN OF ACTION for addressing the issue DEVELOP A SPECIFIC PLAN OF ACTION for addressing the issue

11. EXERCISE: Good Cop/Bad Cop When you are so immersed in an issue it can be hard to see other points of view. When you are so immersed in an issue it can be hard to see other points of view. Divide club members into groups (<6). Have each member share their bill topic and proposed plan for action. Within each group, brainstorm arguments for and against this position. Divide club members into groups (<6). Have each member share their bill topic and proposed plan for action. Within each group, brainstorm arguments for and against this position. Make sure notes are taken to incorporate comments into position papers. Make sure notes are taken to incorporate comments into position papers.

12. Writing Your Bill Clarity, organization, and accuracy Clarity, organization, and accuracy Creating law Creating law Anticipating questions and concerns Anticipating questions and concerns Proofreading and grammar Proofreading and grammar

13. THE YMCA YOUTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA 2005 Session Introduced by: Club Name:________________________________ Primary Sponsor:Rep. or Sen. _____________________ Secondary Sponsor: Rep. or Sen. _____________________ Referred to Committee on:see attached Reference Guide for a list of committees AN ACT (NOTE: Every line must be numbered) 1. PURPOSE:(Briefly state what will be achieved by this bill.) The purpose of this bill is to... 2. 2. 3. The General Assembly of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows: 4. 4. 5. SECTION 1:Short Title 6. This act shall be known and may be cited as the “YOUR TITLE HERE” Act 7. 7. 8. SECTION 2:DEFINITIONS 9. Suggestion: address the definitions section AFTER writing the rest of the bill. Read through the bill and pull out unfamiliar terms or terms that 10. should be defined in order to strengthen the bill. 11. 11. 12. SECTION 3:(SECTION TITLE) 13. Use as many sections as necessary to describe your proposed course of action. Each new idea should begin a new section. This is the HOW of 14. your proposal and not the WHY. Save your arguments for debate. 15. 15. 16. SECTION __:Funding 17. What are the cost implications of your proposal. Will the state incur costs due to this bill? Does your bill authorize funding (i.e. a new tax or 18. fee to pay for the proposal)? What department or or agency would be responsible for funding 19. 19. 20. SECTION __:Regulations 21. Which state department or agency would be responsible for implementing the bill (regulations and enforcement responsibilities)? 22. 22. 23. SECTION __:Penalties(for example: misdemeanor/felony; fines for disobedience) 24. 24. 25. SECTION __:Effective Date 26. This bill shall take effect... (how long after passage before the law is implemented)

14. Purpose and Short Title The “purpose” section of your bill provides a brief explanation of the outcome your bill will achieve. The “purpose” section of your bill provides a brief explanation of the outcome your bill will achieve. The “short title” section allows you to name your bill. Think “catch phrase.” A few words that will identify your position/plan and spread like wildfire to help raise the bill’s profile. In good taste of course! The “short title” section allows you to name your bill. Think “catch phrase.” A few words that will identify your position/plan and spread like wildfire to help raise the bill’s profile. In good taste of course!

15. Definitions Legal definitions Legal definitions Words with various meanings Words with various meanings Importance of proofreading and peer review Importance of proofreading and peer review Address definitions last Address definitions last

16. Sections, Funding, and Regulations The body of the bill is made up of sections outlining the HOW of your proposal. This is the blueprint of the law. Not the WHY of the proposal - - save it for debate. The body of the bill is made up of sections outlining the HOW of your proposal. This is the blueprint of the law. Not the WHY of the proposal - - save it for debate. Funding: Will your proposal cost the Commonwealth money? Will it save money? Should you develop a mechanism for funding your proposal (i.e. collect a fee, raise a tax, etc)? Funding: Will your proposal cost the Commonwealth money? Will it save money? Should you develop a mechanism for funding your proposal (i.e. collect a fee, raise a tax, etc)? Regulations: Which state agency will be responsible for enforcing and making regulations relating to your bill. PA Powerport (www.state.pa.us) links to all state agencies. Regulations: Which state agency will be responsible for enforcing and making regulations relating to your bill. PA Powerport (www.state.pa.us) links to all state agencies.www.state.pa.us

17. Penalties and Effective Date Penalties give “teeth” to your bill. Examples include fines or imprisonment. Make sure to research related laws to make sure your penalty falls in line with existing law. Penalties give “teeth” to your bill. Examples include fines or imprisonment. Make sure to research related laws to make sure your penalty falls in line with existing law. On the flip side, incentives, like tax breaks, can also make your bill stronger On the flip side, incentives, like tax breaks, can also make your bill stronger Effective Date: Make sure to pick an effective date when your proposal can realistically be implemented. Effective Date: Make sure to pick an effective date when your proposal can realistically be implemented.

18. Proofreading and Peer Review Proofread for grammar Proofread for grammar Definitions and clarity Definitions and clarity Hear arguments and adjust bill to address Hear arguments and adjust bill to address Gauge various interpretations Gauge various interpretations

19. Bill Writing Checklist (Blue Book pages 83-84) Technical correctness Numbers and figures are expressed in words Numbers and figures are expressed in words Monetary sums are expressed in words Monetary sums are expressed in words Number every line beginning with the title by consecutive Arabic figures (1, 2, 3) Number every line beginning with the title by consecutive Arabic figures (1, 2, 3) Spelling and grammar are correct Spelling and grammar are correct Pennsylvania is called a Commonwealth not a state Pennsylvania is called a Commonwealth not a state Typed in 12 point Courier or Times New Roman Typed in 12 point Courier or Times New Roman Every sentence is a statement in the third person Every sentence is a statement in the third person No opinions, questions or statements of intent No opinions, questions or statements of intent Use the active voice Use the active voice

20. Bill Writing Checklist Research/Preparation Solution proposed in the legislation is appropriate to the problem Solution proposed in the legislation is appropriate to the problem Solution is thorough and clear Solution is thorough and clear Definitions are clear Definitions are clear

21. Bill Writing Checklist Clarity of Bill’s Purpose The title of the bill is broad and does not editorialize or mislead. The title of the bill is broad and does not editorialize or mislead. Any definitions are clear and are in section 1. Any definitions are clear and are in section 1. The section needs to: 1) identifies the term to be defined 2) identifies the class to which the term belongs 3) identifies the difference between this term and all other in the class. For example: A computer catalog (term to be identified) is an index (class to which the term belongs) of all the books in a given library (difference between a computer catalog and all other indexes) 4) uses terminology suitable for the audience. Any conditions placed on the application of the bill are clear (exceptions, limitations); use “if” at the start of the sentence. Any conditions placed on the application of the bill are clear (exceptions, limitations); use “if” at the start of the sentence. Purpose section and the body of the bill are consistent in their purposes Purpose section and the body of the bill are consistent in their purposes Early sections contain the major part of what you want the bill to do Early sections contain the major part of what you want the bill to do The last section contains the enactment clause The last section contains the enactment clause The purpose of the bill is clear – i.e.; what will happen if it is enacted The purpose of the bill is clear – i.e.; what will happen if it is enacted Sections are consistent (no contradictions within the bill) Sections are consistent (no contradictions within the bill) Actions are clearly stated Actions are clearly stated

22. Bill Writing Checklist Feasibility Bill resolves problem in a reasonable way Bill resolves problem in a reasonable way Administration of bill’s requirements are clear - who is responsible Administration of bill’s requirements are clear - who is responsible Method of penalty is clear Method of penalty is clear Penalties fit the crime Penalties fit the crimeRelevance Addresses a problem that requires legislation to solve Addresses a problem that requires legislation to solve Problem is one that can be addressed at the state level Problem is one that can be addressed at the state level

23. Bill Writing Checklist Provision for cost Source of income is provided Source of income is provided Collection method is provided Collection method is provided Administration of any disbursement of funds is provided Administration of any disbursement of funds is provided

24. Online Bill Submission The last step in the Bill Writing process is submitting your bill for Model Convention The last step in the Bill Writing process is submitting your bill for Model Convention www.ymcapa.org > Bill Submission > create/access account www.ymcapa.org > Bill Submission > create/access account www.ymcapa.org Be sure to have consulted the sample bill and bill writing checklist Be sure to have consulted the sample bill and bill writing checklist

26. Check your line numbers – every line gets a number, if you cut and paste from Word, be sure you start with 1 inch margins If there are no funding implications, then there is no Funding Section! The Effective Date Section should refer to this ACT Do not attempt to add fancy formatting, start every line exactly one space from the line number, do not skip lines between sections. The "Bill Title" and the "Short Title" should be exactly the same The first person listed is the main sponsor, the co- sponsor MUST be in the other chamber