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119-hr-95119th Congress

One Bill, One Subject Transparency Act

Sponsored By: Representative Biggs, Andy [R-AZ-5]

Introduced

Summary

This bill would create a _one-subject rule_ that requires every bill or joint resolution to address only one clearly described topic in its title. It would void law provisions that introduce unrelated subjects and let aggrieved people seek court orders to stop enforcement of noncompliant laws.

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  • Legislators and bill drafters would need to keep measures tightly focused or face voided provisions. This changes how multi-topic packages are drafted.
  • Appropriations process would be limited. Appropriations bills could not include general legislation or changes to law that are not germane to the bill's subject or outside the relevant subcommittee's jurisdiction, though they could still impose limits on spending.
  • Members of the public and Members of Congress would have a private right to sue the United States for laws enacted after this bill's enactment, and courts would review those suits from scratch.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Ban unrelated riders in spending bills

If enacted, appropriations Acts could not include general laws or changes to existing law that are not germane to the bill's subject. The bill would still allow limits on how appropriated funds are spent. Any provision in a spending Act outside the relevant Appropriations subcommittee’s jurisdiction would be void.

One-subject rule for federal bills

This bill would require every bill or joint resolution to have only one subject. The title would have to clearly describe that subject. If a title covered two or more unrelated subjects, the whole Act or joint resolution would be void. Any provision about a subject not described in the title would also be void.

Private right to sue over laws

The bill would let any person, including Members of Congress, sue the United States over laws that violate the one-subject rule. Suits could seek injunctions to stop enforcement of laws. This cause of action would apply only to Acts signed into law on or after this bill is enacted. Courts would review these cases from scratch (de novo).

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Biggs, Andy [R-AZ-5]

AZ • R

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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