Types of Legislation

Legislative Bills. Legislation begins with the submission of a bill to the legislature for consideration. A bill is a draft, or tentative version, of what might become part of the written law. A bill that is enacted is called an act or statute. The selection of appropriate and clear language for the proposed piece of legislation is critical.

Generally, there is no legal difference between a joint resolution and a bill. Both must be passed, in exactly the same form, by both chambers of Congress, and then presented to the President and signed by them (or, re-passed in override of a presidential veto; or, remain unsigned for ten days while Congress is in session) to become a law.