|
Below are some basic instructions and suggestions on how to write a bill.
 The sample bill right and below is similar to an actual bill from Congresswoman Bean, H.R. 2649, the Next Generation Homes Act of 2009. You should write a bill about any subject you feel strongly about or have personal experience with. It could be about the environment, riding your bicycle on the sidewalk, or school sports programs.
Consider splitting your bill into sections. The first sections will say WHY you are writing the bill, the second section will say HOW you are going to do it.
Remember to back up your WHY with facts. Make sure you can defend your facts in an argument. Every bill is argued on the floor of Congress!
Be specific when you talk about HOW you’re going to solve the problem. Just saying that your bill will stop pollution will leave everyone wondering how you’re going to do it.
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.
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 have a problem when you try to 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
H. R. 2525
The Green Buildings Act of 2009
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Ms. Bean
introduced the following bill;
A BILL
to help slow Global Warming
SECTION 1 – SHORT TITLE
This Act may be cited as The Green Buildings Act of 2009
SECTION 2
Global warming is a dangerous threat to our planet. It is caused by burning gas, oil, and coal. Electrical power is mostly generated by burning oil and coal. Anything that reduces our need for electricity will make the planet safer.
SECTION 3
The government will pay people grants to buy homes that use less electricity, oil or gas. For example, houses that have better insulation to save on heating costs or solar panels to generate electricity may qualify.
The grants will be higher if the house saves more energy:
(1) For a 5% energy efficient home, $500
(2) For a 10% energy efficient home, $2,000
(3) For a 15% energy efficient home, $5,000
(4) For a 20% energy efficient home, $10,000.
|
Click here for a printable copy of the sample bill above.
For a link to Congresswoman Bean’s actual bill on green homes, click here.
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.
Think College Early
This link will give you and your parents ideas to consider and reasons to plan now for your continuing education beyond High School.
Fun Government Learning Sites
|
