Writing Legislation
Each delegate is limited to authoring or co-authoring a total of three bills. No delegate may offer a resolution unless he has written a bill. Bills are due by the date set by the Collegiate Legislature planning committee. All bills must be created, edited, and submitted using the online bill submission tool.
Makeup of a Bill
Check the bill for these parts in the order below:
Title: The title of the bill should be complete enough to express in broad terms, what the bill would do. The title should contain any penalties retroactive effects or appropriations that are provided in the bill.
Preamble: Not essential in all bills. Wherever it seems desirable, a brief statement may follow the title, which gives the purpose of the bill. This statement may start with the words “Whereas…”
Enacting Clause: Every bill must begin “Be It Enacted By The Collegiate Legislature Of Alabama.”
Body: The substance of the bill is ordinarily comprised of
- Short title, if one is desired by the legislator-sponsor.
- Definitions, if any are needed.
- Main legal principle or proposition.
- Procedural and administrative provisions.
- Sanctions and penalties.
Saving Clause (not essential). To save acts to which you do not want the bell to specifically apply. It restricts general operation of the same-used with a repealing clause.
Liberal Interpretation Clause: A liberal statement of the intention of bin so that a court would clearly understand it purpose.
Severability Clause: ‘All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this act or any provision of this act are hereby repealed.”
Repealing Clause: To Repeal Act … Code of Alabama 1940.
Effective Date: This act to become effective upon passage and approval of the Governor or its otherwise becoming a law.
Ask yourself the following questions about your idea:
- Does it truly serve the public interest?
- Is it permitted by the Federal and State Constitutions? (Does it infringe upon any basic rights guaranteed by these constitutions?) Ask a government professor, an attorney, or a judge for their judgment?
- Could the function be performed better at some other level of government? Could it be better handled by a private enterprise?
- What will it cost to start to implement your idea? Who will pay the cost? Can the cost be met from existing state money or must you propose additional ways of generating the money? Is it worth it?
- If your idea requires administration or enforcement, who will provide it?