n
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 jury’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 jury’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
defendant’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.
