Purpose:
To establish clear guidelines and limitations on legislative processes to improve transparency, prevent unrelated provisions in bills, and ensure lawmakers have adequate time for review and debate.
Outline
1. Title and Purpose of Legislation
- Clearly state the primary purpose of the bill and provide a title that reflects its content.
- Any provision within the bill must directly relate to this stated purpose.
2. Scope and Limitations of Bills
- Single-Issue Requirement: Legislation should address a single, clearly defined topic.
- Prohibition of Unrelated Provisions: Additional sections, clauses, or amendments must be relevant to the primary subject matter of the bill.
- Scope of Amendments: Amendments should be limited to those that refine, clarify, or directly improve upon the bill’s original purpose without introducing unrelated content.
3. Length and Format Requirements
- Page Limitations: Encourage concise, specific language. A reasonable maximum page limit (e.g., 500 pages) may be set for standard bills, with exceptions for omnibus or budget bills requiring extended provisions.
- Plain Language Requirement: Bills should be written in accessible language to ensure comprehension by all lawmakers and the public.
- Summary Requirement: Every bill must include a concise summary at the beginning, outlining key objectives, provisions, and anticipated impacts.
4. Mandatory Review Periods
- Initial Review Period: A minimum of 14 days for review before the bill reaches the committee stage.
- Committee Review Time: Committees must have at least 7 days for debate and analysis.
- Public Disclosure: Full text of bills must be publicly accessible online at least 7 days before any final vote.
- Extended Review for Large Bills: Bills exceeding a specified length (e.g., 500 pages) should have an extended review period, potentially up to 30 days.
5. Committee Oversight and Transparency
- Open Committee Meetings: All committee meetings related to proposed legislation must be open to the public, with meeting minutes made available online.
- Public Commentary Period: Allow a public comment period for input from constituents, organizations, and experts on proposed legislation.
- Amendment Transparency: Any amendments proposed must be made publicly available in written form, with an explanation of their relevance and intent, at least 48 hours prior to any committee vote.
6. Accountability for Closed-Door Negotiations
- Disclosure Requirement: Legislators involved in closed-door negotiations related to legislation must disclose the purpose, participants, and outcomes of those meetings within 24 hours, ensuring accountability and transparency.
- Limitations on Private Deals: Restrict the inclusion of provisions that result from undisclosed or privately negotiated agreements, enforcing transparency of all legislative decision-making.
7. Enforcement Mechanisms
- Legislative Review Committee: Establish a nonpartisan Legislative Review Committee tasked with auditing bills for compliance with these transparency and single-issue standards.
- Penalties for Non-Compliance: Bills that violate these guidelines may be sent back for revision, and individual legislators who repeatedly attempt to introduce unrelated provisions may be subject to review or disciplinary actions by the committee.
8. Implementation Timeline
- Phased Implementation: This proposal would be gradually introduced over two legislative sessions, providing lawmakers and committees with time to adjust.
- Annual Review and Reporting: The Legislative Review Committee must report on the effectiveness of these reforms annually, providing feedback and recommending adjustments as necessary.
Conclusion:
The Legislative Transparency and Efficiency Act would ensure that each bill remains focused on a single issue, allowing lawmakers sufficient time for review, preventing unrelated provisions from being added, and increasing transparency and accountability in legislative processes.