Enrolled bill

Enrolled Bill'

An enrolled bill is the final copy of a proposed law that has been passed in identical form by both houses of a bicameral legislature, and then sent to the governor or president for approval. The process of creating, passing, and enrolling bills is fundamental to the legislative process and is crucial for the creation of new laws within a country's legal system.

Process

The process of an enrolled bill begins when a bill is introduced in one of the houses of a bicameral legislature, either the lower house (House of Representatives in the United States) or the upper house (Senate in the United States). After introduction, the bill goes through various stages, including debate, amendments, and voting. If the bill is passed by the house in which it was introduced, it is then sent to the other house for consideration.

If the second house passes the bill without any amendments, the bill is then enrolled. However, if the second house makes amendments, the bill must return to the originating house for concurrence. If both houses agree on the amendments, the bill is enrolled. The enrolled bill is then prepared as a clean copy, which includes all the amendments agreed upon by both houses.

The enrolled bill is then certified by the clerks of both houses and sent to the executive branch for approval. In the United States, the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate sign the enrolled bill before it is sent to the President for signature.

Presidential Action

Once an enrolled bill reaches the President, there are several actions that can be taken: 1. Signature: If the President approves the bill, it is signed and becomes law. 2. Veto: The President can reject the bill by vetoing it. The bill can still become law if both houses of the legislature vote to override the veto with a two-thirds majority. 3. Pocket Veto: If the President takes no action and Congress adjourns during the 10-day period the President has to consider the bill, the bill does not become law. 4. No Action: If the President takes no action and Congress is in session, the bill automatically becomes law after 10 days.

Importance

The enrolled bill process is a critical step in the legislative process. It ensures that the final version of a bill is accurately prepared and reflects the agreement of both legislative houses. This process helps maintain the integrity of the legislative process and prevents any unauthorized changes to the bill before it becomes law.

Controversies

Occasionally, disputes arise over whether the enrolled bill presented to the executive is the same as the one passed by both houses of the legislature. Such disputes can lead to legal challenges and judicial review to determine the validity of the enrolled bill.