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Writing Your Own Legislation!
One of the most important responsibilities a member of a legislative body can do is to write legislation. At ALA Alabama Girls State you will get to review and debate legislation that you and your fellow delegates submit. We encourage you to think about a cause you feel passionate about and write a bill. This could be something that impacts your daily life, your family’s business/farm, your school, and community. When you submit a bill, you will be asked several questions. If you are uncertain of what to write just do your best. You will be asked: What committee in the House/Senate should discuss your bill before it goes up for debate. You can select from:
Title of Your Bill: What you would like to name your bill, it should give an idea of what the bill is about. Short Title of your Bill: You bill might have a very long title and you want to give it a “nickname”. That would be your short title. You don’t have to have one. Explanation of Terminology - are there any words in your bill that are not easily understood, if so give a short explanation of those words (you might need to define any words) |
What is the bill going to do? Who is going to be involved/impacted/affected by the act? How is the bill going to be funded? Who is going to enforce/administer this act? Penalties (if any) for non-compliance Enactment Date: When will the bill go into effect? Your bill can be very simple as the Sample Bill below or it can be very detailed. We encourage you to think about how the state of Alabama can be a better place for its citizens and write a bill! SAMPLE BILL Committee Your Bill Should be sent to: Constitution and Elections Title of your Bill: Changing of the State of Alabama Official Song Short Title: Sweet Home Alabama Explanation of Terminology: None What is the bill going to do? Who is going to be involved/impacted/affected by the act? The official state song of the State of Alabama is currently Alabama written by Julia S. Tutwiler and composed by Edna Gockel Gussen. This bill proposes to change the official state song to Sweet Home Alabama written by Ronnie Vant, Gary Rossington, and Ed King. Sweet Home Alabama is recognized all around the world and most people would identify that as the song that represents our state. Our citizens will actually know the words of our state song. How is the bill going to be funded? Who is going to enforce/administer this act? This bill will not need to be funded or enforced. Penalties (if any) for non-compliance None Enactment Date: This bill will be enacted on June 9, 2023. Those agencies who have written materials with the State Song will only change the song only when those written materials have all been depleted. |