Below are instructions and a sample bill based loosely on two actual proposals from Congresswoman Bean, H.R. 2649, the Next Generation Homes Act of 2009 and H.R. 2198, the Commercial Conservation Act. Read through these instructions and look at the sample bill to get an idea of how to structure your legislation.
 For topics, consider problems that you feel strongly about or have personal experience with. It could be about the environment, the cost of college, teen driving safety, or any of the hundreds of ways that government touches your life and the life of your family and friends.
To understand how a bill becomes law, click here for our "How Congress Works" page.
If you are a teacher looking to add Build-a-Bill to your curriculum, please contact Outreach Coordinator Donna Riley at 847-517-2927.
Structure:
First, you must assign your bill a number, a title, and a relevant committee. You can look up the names of committees at www.house.gov. Then you’ll need a short statement of purpose.
Bills are split into sections, and then into subsections. The outline format in the sample bill below is similar to that used in actual House bills.
Your first two sections should contain title, findings and purpose of the bill. The following section will contain the actual provisions of the bill.
Findings:
The first section is your “findings” that explain your reasons for proposing the legislation. This is your “Why.”
Seek reputable sources for your arguments. The language here is similar to that used in other environmental legislation and the facts come directly from government websites.
Provisions:
It’s not enough to have worthy goals, you have to say what the government is going to do specifically to accomplish them. This is your “How.”
Lay out specific programs with details, program names, dollar figures, or specific changes to the law. In the bill below, you’ll notice that it’s not enough to just say “homes,” it must define homes as only single-family or duplex homes, ruling out condominiums or apartments.
Keep in mind possible objections to the bill as you craft it. Is this the best solution to the problem? What other solutions have been tried? What other consequences are possible from this proposal? What will it cost? How will you verify whether it is working?
Your Build-a-Bill form will open in a new window for you to begin. Instructions are in yellow and will not print when your print your bill.
You can SAVE your bill to work on it later, PRINT your bill, and EMAIL it to Congresswoman Bean when you are ready. If you experience problems when you email your bill, click here.
You can ask a parent or teacher to help you make your bill. A sample bill is shown below
When you are ready to begin building your own bill, click here for an automatic form.
SAMPLE BILL
111th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2525
To establish an incentive program to encourage the construction of energy efficient homes
and energy efficient commercial properties.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
July 4, 2009
Ms. SMITH on behalf of the CLASS OF 2009
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means
A BILL
To establish an incentive program to encourage the construction of energy efficient homes
and energy efficient commercial properties.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1 – SHORT TITLE
This Act may be cited as the ‘Green Buildings Act of 2009’
SECTION 2 - FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.
(A) Findings - The Congress finds as follows:
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Global warming poses a significant threat to the national security, economy, public health and welfare, and environment of the United States, as well as of other nations.
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According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the scientific community has agreed that global warming is a result of man-made carbon emissions, such as the burning of fossil fuels.
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Electricity generation for homes and businesses is the single largest contributor to greenhouse gases in the U.S., according to the EPA’s 2009 U.S. Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report.
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Any reduction in electricity consumption in homes or businesses could therefore lead to a reduction in the need to burn fossil fuels that harm the planet.
(B) Purpose – It is the purpose of this bill to encourage reduction in greenhouse gases through incentives for the building of energy efficient homes.
SECTION 3 - PROVISIONS
(A) Residential Homes
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The government shall establish an incentive program to encourage the purchase of energy efficient homes. The incentive will go to the purchaser of a new home that qualifies under this bill.
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For the purposes of this bill, “home” shall apply to any single-family home or duplex.
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Energy efficiency shall be measured by the amount of electricity, gas, or heating oil required from a public utility as compared to a similar home.
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Energy efficiency may include energy-saving technology, such as insulated windows, or energy-generating technology, such as solar panels.
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Incentives provided to home buyers shall be as follows:
- (a) For a 5% energy efficient home, $500
- (b) For a 10% energy efficient home, $2,000
- (c) For a 15% energy efficient home, $5,000
- (d) For a 20% energy efficient home, $10,000.
(B) Commercial Properties
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(1) The government shall establish an incentive program to encourage the construction of energy efficient commercial properties. The incentive will go to the owner of the building upon completion of construction.
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(2) For the purposes of this bill, “commercial property” shall apply to a building constructed primarily for business use.
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(3) Energy efficiency shall be measured by the amount of electricity, gas, or heating oil required from a public utility as compared to a similar home.
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(4) Energy efficiency may include energy-saving technology, such as insulated windows, or energy-generating technology, such as solar panels.
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(5) Incentives provided to commercial builders shall be as follows:
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(6) For buildings of 10,000 square feet or less: -
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- (a) For a 5% energy efficient building, $500
- (b) For a 10% energy efficient building, $2,000
- (c) For a 15% energy efficient building, $5,000
- (d) For a 20% energy efficient building, $10,000.
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(7) For buildings of 10,001 square feet or more: -
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(a) For a 5% energy efficient building, $1,000
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(b) For a 10% energy efficient building, $4,000
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(c) For a 15% energy efficient building, $10,000
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(d) For a 20% energy efficient building, $20,000
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Click here for a printable copy of the sample bill above.
Here are some other government links you might enjoy:
Library of Congress for Kids and Families
This Library of Congress link is your portal to one of the greatest research libraries in the world.
StudentJobs.gov: Building America's Future
Your web portal for all student jobs available through the U. S. Government including jobs for high school, college, and graduate students.
Student Aid on the Web
Your source of information from the U. S. Department of Education on preparing for and funding education beyond high school.
Student Financial Aid
More information on obtaining student financial aid from the Congressional Research Service of the Library of Congress.
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