The “Dos and Don’ts” of Bill Writing

By: Bella Bauman 

The main goal of the Legislative branch, besides having fun of course, is to craft a bill that will pass. Here are some techniques and suggestions to hopefully aid delegates in writing a successful bill, regardless if they are in the Senate, Nelson, or Harvey.

To begin, the more relevant the bill is to Wisconsin and the current times, the more likely it is to be passed. A delegate may have an amazing bill with great purpose, an effective proposal for action, and feasible financing, but if it does not address a relevant problem to Wisconsin and what is actually impacting the people, it will be much less likely to be passed since it doesn’t connect to Legislative delegates themselves. 

Second, wording and presentation will vastly improve the appeal of a bill. While a delegate may have great intent and ideas, if they have poor wording or do not speak with passion and volume, fellow delegates will be much less likely to vote pro for a bill. Public speaking may be a huge fear of delegates, but recognize that someone who projects their arguments will be much more memorable than someone who does not speak up. Similarly, if a delegate struggles with writing a speech or bill, finding a fellow delegate who will proofread and offer suggestions will lead to more elevated arguments and refined writing, which will hugely appeal a bill to the delegates on the debate floor. 

Next, if a delegate really desires for their bill to be passed, using a less controversial topic will typically gain a wider percentage of people who will vote pro for a bill. For example, a much larger percentage of people will vote pro for a bill about something like public safety than something highly controversial. Obviously, all delegates must maintain decorum when debating and presenting bills, however, that does not mean a delegate cannot write a bill about something more controversial, just keep in mind that opinions will be much more divided. 

Lastly, the most impactful, memorable bills are the ones where the delegates are very passionate about their topic. This may seem obvious, but caring deeply about the message and goal of a bill will encourage the author to truly think about its impact and how it will be enacted in the state of Wisconsin. It may seem enticing to pick a general, easy to write topic, but fellow delegates will realize if someone’s heart is truly in it, and when they see someone with the passion and drive for a change, they will be that much more confident that the delegate has fully thought through the impact and consequences of their bill.

Next time a delegate has trouble with crafting a bill that will be passed, reference these tips and tricks for a more effective bill.