Legal Definitions - bill status

Bill status refers to the specific stage or condition of a proposed law as it moves through the legislative process. It provides an up-to-date snapshot of where a bill stands, from its initial introduction to its final approval or rejection.

Here are some examples illustrating the concept of bill status:

• Example 1: Committee Review

  A newly introduced bill, "The Clean Waterways Act," which proposes stricter environmental regulations, has just been assigned to the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. Its bill status is "Referred to Committee," indicating it is now under review by that specific group of lawmakers before it can proceed to a full Senate vote.

• Example 2: Passed One Chamber, Awaiting Another

  A bill designed to provide tax credits for small businesses, "The Small Business Growth Initiative," has successfully passed a vote in the House of Representatives. Its current bill status is "Passed House, Sent to Senate," meaning it has cleared one legislative hurdle and is now awaiting consideration and a potential vote by the Senate.

• Example 3: Stalled in Committee

  A proposed amendment to a state's education funding formula was debated extensively in a legislative committee hearing. After deliberation, the committee voted not to recommend the bill for further action, effectively killing it. The bill status would be "Failed in Committee" or "Indefinitely Postponed," signifying that its progress has been halted and it is unlikely to become law.