bills

A bill is a proposal for a new law or a change to an existing one that is presented for consideration by a legislative body. Bills are introduced with the intent of becoming law, but they do not take effect until they have completed a formal approval process and receive any required executive assent. Bills can originate in different parts of a legislature depending on the jurisdiction, and they are often labeled by their type, such as public, private, or money bills.

There are several common types of bills. Public bills are intended to apply to the general population, while private bills affect specific individuals, organizations, or localities. Money or appropriations bills deal with government spending and revenue and generally follow special procedures. In some systems, there are also private member’s bills, which are introduced by non-government legislators, and hybrid or regulatory bills that mix various elements.

The legislative process for bills varies by country but typically includes several stages. After introduction, a bill may undergo a first reading, committee examination, and detailed scrutiny in committee. It then proceeds to debates and votes in one or both houses of the legislature. If the bill passes a house, it is sent to the other house and may go through similar stages. Differences between house versions are resolved in a conference or joint committee. Once both houses agree, the bill is sent to the head of state or executive for assent or signature, at which point it becomes law or is returned with objections (and sometimes a veto power may be overridden).

Beyond lawmaking, “bills” commonly refers to banknotes or paper currency in many countries, a usage unrelated to their legislative meaning.