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CREATE LEGISLATION: A 5 STEP PROCESS

 

First Step: An Act or Resolution?

Acts

Bills which create, amend, or repeal existing portions of the SGA Constitution or By-Laws. Copies of the existing SGA Constitution and By-Laws are available online. If your purpose is to amend or repeal an existing portion of the SGA Governing Documents, you should list the section of the SGA Governing Document that you are changing. 

Resolutions

Bills that are an expression of the Student Senate’s opinion on matters not related to the SGA Governing Documents.  Resolutions may also deal with procedural matters of the Student Senate.

 

Second Step: Define Goals and Objectives

Identify and explain the problem that needs to be addressed (the WHEREAS portion). Then propose a solution that will address the problem as identified (the RESOLVED portion).

 

Third Step: Find a Sponsor

When students draft their own legislation they need to have it sponsored by a student Senator to be presented to the SGA Senate. 

 

Fourth Step: Write the Bill

  • Title

  • Every bill must have a title that summarizes the effects of the bill.  It should be brief and cover the major points of the bill.  The first words of the title must me "AN ACT TO" or "A RESOLUTION TO".  The title is not amendable or debatable.

  • Sponsors

  • Who wrote and is presenting the bill.

WHEREAS Portion

The first portion of a resolution identifies and states the problem that needs to be addressed. The problem should be stated in factual terms. Opinions are not expressed in this portion of the resolution. Each fact should be listed as a separate sentence or paragraph that begins with WHEREAS, and is followed by a semi-colon. The final WHEREAS ends with a semi-colon followed by "therefore be it."

RESOLVED Portion

The RESOLVED portion of the resolution states the action that you propose to address the problem identified in the WHEREAS portion of the resolution. Because resolving most problems involves an exercise of judgment, this is the portion of the resolution where the author expresses their opinions. If the author proposes more than one solution, each separate solution to the problem should be listed as a separate sentence or paragraph that begins with the word "RESOLVED." When a resolution contains multiple "RESOLVED" statements, they are linked by the phrase "and be it further" at the end of each RESOLVED statement, except the last one. When properly written, this section "stands alone" or clearly restates the problem in summary form and explains to the reader the action necessary to address that problem, without having to refer back to the "Whereas" statements.

View Sample Resolution

 

Fifth Step: Sumbit it!

Sumbit legislation to Executive Vice President Stephanie Bonenberger via email at SGAEVP@louisville.edu. 

 

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