In legislative terms, what is a Bill?

• A. A statute in draft before it becomes law
• B. A final law
• C. A court decision
• D. An executive order

Answer: (A)

A bill is a proposed law in draft form that a legislature considers. It begins as a written idea that legislators introduce, debate, and may amend as it moves through committees and approvals. It is not yet law until it passes both legislative chambers and receives the executive’s signature (or follows the applicable process to become law). So, the bill represents the formal proposal before enactment. A final law would be the statute that results after passage, a court decision is a judge’s ruling, and an executive order is an order from the executive branch directing government operations.