OASIS Mailing List ArchivesView the OASIS mailing list archive below
or browse/search using MarkMail.

 


Help: OASIS Mailing Lists Help | MarkMail Help

dita-busdocs message

[Date Prev] | [Thread Prev] | [Thread Next] | [Date Next] -- [Date Index] | [Thread Index] | [List Home]


Subject: structure of legislation


The second category that I looked into:
 
Structure of Legislation
 
http://www.congressionaldebate.org/tutorials/writing-legislation
 
Capitalizing the words “WHEREAS” and “RESOLVED” in resolutions, and “SECTION” in bills, as well as inverse-indenting each clause or section helps to distinguish between ideas and concepts. Conventions for written structure of legislation differ in various leagues and regions. The suggestions herein are based on a synthesis of the various formats, as well as format used by the U.S. Congress....
 
WHEREAS, <shortdesc>[Statement of problem in one brief sentence]</shortdesc>
; and WHEREAS, [Scope of problem].
; and WHEREAS, [Impact and harms]
; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED by [legislative body] here assembled that:
[Recommendation, call for action]
; and, be it FURTHER RESOLVED, that [optional further recommendation].
Introduced by [sponsor(s)]
 
http://pmc.princeton.edu/writeabill.php
 
Title
Some metadata for <prolog> (bill number, type of legislation (bill, resolution [various types of resolutions]).
Preamble: Whereas [justification for government action]
Body:
  Section (one or more): [Idea for implementation]
    Subsection (zero or more): [further detail and clarification (definitions, etc.) ]
Enactment: [date when effective]
 
Enactment Clause: This is the final section of the bill (and can be labeled as a section as normal). EACH BILL MUST HAVE AN ENACTMENT CLAUSE!! The enactment clause tells your fellow congressmen when your bill will take effect if passed. It may specify a future date (September 30, 2005) or a certain number of days following the passage of the bill (60 days after passage). Enactment dates within 30 days of passage are used for EMERGENCY legislation only. Enactment dates more than 90 days after passage is used for most legislation and is the enactment period for normal legislation.
 
Example bills and a template at this site.
 
http://www.moyig.org/documents/Bill%20Writing%20Guide.pdf
Not very specific about structure. Some example bills at
http://www.moyig.org/about/documents.php
 
http://abacus.bates.edu/bcsg/legislation/howtowrite.html
 
The body of a piece of legislation consists of two major parts: (1) Reasons why this legislation is necessary; and (2) Actions that should be taken due to those reasons.
The first part of the body consists of "whereas" clauses which outline the arguments, facts, and circumstances supporting the action to be taken. Each "whereas" clause except the last, ends in ";". The next-to-last clause ends in "; and".
The last "whereas" clause ends in ": Now, therefore, be it". This leads into the second part of the body, which begins with "Enacted," (for Bills and Executive Appointments) or "Resolved," (for Resolutions).
Following this phrase are sections which describe what is being enacted or resolved. Each section ends with ";". The next-to-last section ends with "; and", and the last ends with ".". Section numbers may be used, but are not always necessary.
The final part of a piece of legislation are the signers.
 
http://www.statutelaw.gov.uk/help/Main_Body_and_Schedules.htm
http://www.lawcom.govt.nz/UploadFiles/Publications/Publication_39_102_R35.pdf (NZ prescription)
 
 


[Date Prev] | [Thread Prev] | [Thread Next] | [Date Next] -- [Date Index] | [Thread Index] | [List Home]