Legal Definitions - bill status

Definition: Bill status refers to the current stage of a proposed law in the legislative process. This includes its assignment to a committee, its schedule for a hearing or a vote, and whether it has been passed or defeated by one or both houses.

Example: Let's say a senator introduces a bill to increase funding for public schools. The bill is assigned to the education committee for review. The committee may hold hearings to gather input from experts and the public. If the committee approves the bill, it will move to the full Senate for a vote. If the Senate passes the bill, it will move to the House of Representatives for consideration. If the House also approves the bill, it will go to the President for signature into law.

Explanation: This example illustrates the different stages a bill goes through in the legislative process. The bill starts with an idea from a lawmaker, then goes through committee review, and finally a vote by both houses of Congress. The bill's status changes at each stage, and it may be amended or even defeated along the way.