What Makes a Law New?

A law is an official rule that governs behavior within a society or country. A law created by Congress or another legislative body is known as legislation or a statute. When a bill is proposed, debated, and passed by a legislative body, it becomes a new law. A committee report is a written analysis of the purpose and scope of a bill. It includes a section-by-section analysis, and must explicitly set forth the text of laws being changed or repealed. A committee report is an important resource for lawmakers, the executive branch, and the public.

California: Senator Skinner Passes Legislation to Hold Oil Giants Accountable for Price Gouging

This article is based on material prepared by the House Parliamentarian and Parliamentarian Staff under the direction of John V. Sullivan, Parliamentarian of the United States House of Representatives, July 2007.