WHAT IS A BILL?
A bill is a proposed law put in writing by a member of the legislature. A resolution is a proposition to effect a change which is not a law. Constitutional changes are resolutions and require a 2/3 vote of both houses. They must be submitted to a referendum.
Blank Bill With Descriptions of Components - a resource, but this should not be used as the template on which to write bills.
Bill Preparation Template for Delegates
After clicking the template link above you will be prompted to make a copy.
If this is not an immediate option, sign in with a Google account so that you can continue.
Bill Submissions - Delegates should use the Bill Preparation Template (in Google Docs) to prepare their bills and then upload the the bills through the form on the Proposed Bills site.
At the bottom of the Online Bill Submission Form, Delegates are encouraged to upload a copy of their bill (created on the bill template). These can then be referenced if any errors occur in copying components to the form.
If you run into issues with the Bill Template or the form on the Proposed Bills site please reach out to Mr. Timothy Bosch, Nashua Advisor and coordinator of the online handbook, bills, and caucus information.
If you are aware that your school or school district limits communications with outside parties when using your school Google account, please utilize a personal Google account when submitting your bills and if you need to reach out with a question.
Delegates are encouraged to also electronically share their bills with their advisors, so that everyone is kept in the loop.
DEVELOPING YOUR BILL TOPICS
Make a list of problems, issues, concerns, and opportunities in New Hampshire and/or your community
Arrange your list in priority order according to which problems interest you the most and how urgently a solution is needed.
Determine that the topic which you have placed at the top of your list fall within the jurisdiction of the State. To do this you could:
Check with your state representatives’ or senators’ offices and request copies of the existing laws related to your topics.
Call a lawyer, explain why you are interested in the law and ask his/her opinion on state jurisdiction and existing laws related to your topics.
Newspapers, editorials and magazine articles on current social problems often mention the governing laws and regulations.
Visit a law library to check on existing law.
Contact special interest groups who share your concern for information materials.
Review current state laws and any proposed legislation related to your topic by visiting NH.gov and selecting Laws and Rules from the menu on the left.
Begin collecting articles and references for use in later presentation and arguments for your bill(s) in the Model Legislature. Accumulation of three categories of facts is suggested.
Legal - Existing law, pending legislation, similar laws from other States.
Statistical - Gathering of pertinent facts and figures which support your proposed legislation (State Department is a good source of information.)
Opposition - Be aware of materials and facts which can be used in opposition to your proposed legislation (i.e. funding)
THE TEST OF A GOOD BILL
A good bill will:
deal with only one subject.
express the subject accurately in the title of the bill.
pertain to a subject matter within the field of State Legislation, as distinguished from federal, county or municipal law.
conform to the provisions of the Constitution of the State of New Hampshire and the United States.
express the author’s intent in concise, everyday language.
be able to be applied.
follow proper order of arrangements.
if proposing a new law, be divided into sections, each section numbered consecutively.
include major subdivisions in an early part of the bill.
provide definitions of terms, if required, in an early part of the bill.
if amending an existing law, separate sections being amended by using a separate section of the bill for each.
include an enactment date or enactment plan with multiple dates.
WRITING YOUR BILL AND BILL FORMATTING
How to begin the process and keep yourself on topic as you write your bill:
Decide if your bill is intended to amend an existing law or create a new law and identify your purpose.
Write a statement which defines and limits what your legislation will accomplish.
This is provided as a set of reminders and guidance. Please utilize the Blank Bill With Descriptions of Components and Bill Preparation Template for Delegates when writing your bills.
Bill Number - These will be added added when the bills are finalized and formatted by the state program.
Bill Sponsors - Please provide your name and the name of your school. These will be listed where it says "Introduced by:" If a bill has more than one sponsor, please list the primary sponsor first. If you are going to be serving in the Supreme Court you must have a co-sponsor for your bill, who can speak to it in the House or Senate.
Committee assignment - These will be added added when the bills are finalized and formatted by the state program. You will be able to identify committees that you think it should be referred to when completing the Bill Submission Form.
Bill Title - Create a title for your bill. The title should summarize briefly the subject matters of the bill. What does the bill proposal do? If the bill amends a current law, include in the title the number of the Code and sections to be amended. The title will appear after the phrase "An Act Relative To" when the bills are finalized and formatted by the state program.
Enactment clause - No need to do anything here. The clause, “Be it enacted by the YMCA Youth Legislature as follows:” will preface the body of the bill.
Body of your Bill - Format your bill in sections. Begin each section of the bill as a new paragraph on a separate line. Section numbers are provided on the Bill Preparation Template and will included for you when the bills are finalized and formatted by the state program.
If the bill is amending old law, use separate sections for each section of law being amended. Use STRIKETHROUGH TYPE for words you wish deleted. Underline words you wish added.
Coding for STRIKETHROUGH and Underline text is included on the Blank Bill and Bill Preparation Template.
Important sections to include, where applicable, are as follows: definitions; enforcement; penalties for violations; sources of revenue; and an enactment date.
Bill Length - If possible, keep your bill to one page (double spaced).
RESOURCES ~ including bill books from previous years