Issue Draft and Bill Topics

OVERVIEW

Legislative Semester students have the unique opportunity to collectively create a vision of the world as they would like it to be by authoring bills on issues of their choosing.  Students to research and write bills in “Bill Groups”.

In order to facilitate the process of selecting issues and forming groups of students with similar interests, the early weeks of the semester include many opportunities to explore problems that students see in the world around them.  On Issue Draft Day a first come first served process allows individuals or pairs of students to "claim" issue areas they want to address through legislation.  Students who do not claim an issue before school on Issue Draft Day can claim an issue in class.  Later students work together in groups of 3-4 to craft a bill that addresses a problem related to their issue.  

Each group spends several weeks doing in-depth research investigating their issue and coming up with ideas for a bill to address the root causes of the problem. This research is the basis for a position paper, the text of the bill, and a co-authored Bill Sponsor Speech.  

SAMPLE BILL TOPICS (THEMATIC)

Human Rights and Social Justice

Health and General Welfare

Government Corruption

Foreign and Military Affairs

Energy and Environment

Education

Economy and Trade

Dane County

Crime and Justice

Agriculture, Transportation, and Infrastructure

Common Sense American 13 Bipartisan Issues (2025)

ISSUE DRAFT DAY INSTRUCTIONS 

Data and Organization

Issue Draft and Bill Tracker - It is very important to share the google spreadsheet with all of the rules committee members (school email) before the process begins so that they have access to edit it. Use the "Issue Draft Topics" tab. 

Materials

• 3 staplers/tape

• 3 laptop computers 

• 3 pens

• Extra copies of issue declaration form (see Master Schedule)

• Paper copies of class rosters 

• Issue Draft and Bill Tracker on each computer

Setup

Designate a wall space for each class section (see video above).

The goal is to control the crowd, maintain order, and establish a logical flow of people through the room. Set up tables under a bulletin board /wall space with chairs behind the tables.  Only Rules Committee members should have access to the bulletin board. 

There will be three stations, one for each teacher.  Each station needs a computer, a pen, a stapler/tape, extra declaration forms, and should be manned by 2 rules committee members from that teacher’s class if possible. Label each station with the teacher name.  If a teacher has more than 2 sections, see below for additional student roles. 

One additional student (or teacher) should stand at the door control the flow of representatives. Only allow representatives to enter if there is an opening at the station for their teacher. DO NOT allow representatives to crowd the tables.

Another student ( or a teacher) should stay in the hallway, ensuring that the line does not block traffic in the hall, and that no one is cutting in line. If necessary, give the people in line numbers so that they stay in the correct order.

Process

One by one (first come, first served) students will turn in their declaration forms and claim their bill topics (alone or with a partner IN THEIR CLASS). Designate one Rules Committee Member as the "Issue Draft Director" to make final determinations on any problems that arise.  They also post the bill topics on the board.  

1. The person at the door should ask the next person in line who their teacher is, and direct them to the correct station.

2. At the station ask the representative about their bill topic and check google spreadsheet for duplicates.

               a. Duplicates: Confirm with the Director that the topic is a duplicate.  It is OK to have two bills on a similar topic as long as they are distinct proposals:  (EG:  Topic=Gun Control.  Bill 1) increase the age to purchase guns. 2)  ban assault weapons).  If the issue is a duplicate ask the student to step aside and fill out a new blue slip for a different topic, or advise them to come back later when they have come up with another topic. If they have a second topic ready they do not need to wait in line again. 

              b. Unclear topics: Ask them to clarify and be more specific.  The director and two other rules committee members can discuss any conflicts or issues and make a decision to accept or reject the topic. You may also help a student clarify a topic that is unclear.

              c. Joke Topics: Issues claimed must represent a legitimate policy proposal.  Joke issues may not be submitted. If you feel that a topic is a joke, please confer with the Director and one other member of the Rules Committee to decide if the issue should be rejected.  Joke topics may be thrown out later after additional review.  

3. Enter the topic, bill sponsors, teacher and class period in the shared Spreadsheet, using the "Issue Draft Topics" Tab.

4. Check off the names of the bill sponsors on a paper copy of class roster and record bill topic and description. (This will be your paper record to keep track of the issues in your class).

5. Sign declaration form, and hand it to the Issue Draft Director.

6. The Issue Draft Director should call out the issue which has been claimed so the other RC members are aware of which issues are taken, and post the form on board under correct class section. All forms must be posted by the Director as a last check for duplicate issues.

7. Smile and congratulate your fellow representative!