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bill

bill definition - legal

A draft of a proposed statute submitted to a legislature by one of its members for consideration and possible enactment.

appropriation bill

A bill that, if enacted, would authorize the expenditure of government funds.

engrossed bill

The draft of a bill as it is adopted by one house of a legislature and before it is sent to the other house for consideration. See also enrolled bill.

enrolled bill

The final draft of a bill after it is adopted by both houses of a legislature, printed, checked for errors, and signed by the presiding officers of both houses before it is sent to the president or a governor for approval or rejection. See also engrossed bill.

omnibus bill

A bill that contains proposals on a variety of subjects. Usually, such a bill will have one major provision dealing with one topic and several minor provisions regarding matters unrelated to the major subject.
A bill that contains all proposals on a single (usually broad) subject, such as an omnibus education bill that includes all proposals regarding, however tangentially, the subject of education.

private bill

A bill concerning the interests, or affecting, only one or a small number of individuals, entities, or localities.

public bill

A bill concerning the general interests of, or affecting, the whole community, state, or country.

no bill or no true bill

The words used in a grand juryÂ’s notation on a bill of indictment indicating that insufficient evidence exists to support a criminal charge set forth in the proposed indictment. Such a decision by the grand jury prevents the prosecution from pursuing a criminal action against the defendant based on those charges until a new grand jury is selected.

revenue bill

A piece of legislation for the purpose of levying taxes. By the United States Constitution, all federal revenue bills must originate in the House of Representatives. A similar provision constraining the origin of revenue bills to one particular house of the state legislature is part of many of the various state constitutions.

true bill

The words used in a grand juryÂ’s notation on a bill of indictment indicating that sufficient evidence exists to support a criminal charge set forth in the proposed indictment that, if proved, would result in the defendantÂ’s conviction. Once the bill of indictment is indorsed as a true bill and filed with the court, the prosecution must pursue a criminal action against the defendant based on those charges unless the court approves a dismissal.