One Subject at a Time Act
Summary
The "One Subject at a Time Act" aims to prevent the inclusion of multiple unrelated subjects within a single bill. It mandates that each bill addresses only one subject, clearly stated in the title. The act also addresses appropriations bills, restricting them from containing general legislation unrelated to their subject matter.
Expected Effects
The Act would likely lead to more focused and transparent legislation. It could also reduce the practice of attaching unrelated provisions (riders) to bills. This could make it easier for citizens and lawmakers to understand and evaluate the content of proposed laws.
Potential Benefits
- Increased transparency in legislation.
- More focused and understandable bills.
- Reduced likelihood of unrelated provisions being attached to bills.
- Greater accountability for lawmakers.
- Potential for more efficient legislative processes.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for increased legislative gridlock due to the need for more individual bills.
- May require more time and resources to pass legislation.
- Could create opportunities for obstruction by opponents of specific measures.
- Potential for legal challenges regarding the interpretation of "one subject".
- Could make it more difficult to pass comprehensive legislation addressing complex issues.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's focus on limiting each bill to a single subject aligns with the principle of clarity and transparency in lawmaking. Article I, Section 7 of the Constitution outlines the process by which a bill becomes a law. This act seeks to refine that process by ensuring each bill is focused. The Constitution does not explicitly prohibit bills from containing multiple subjects, so the alignment is based on promoting a more transparent legislative process.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).