HF 597 (LSB 2889YH (3) 91)

HOUSE FILE 597

BY  ANDREWS

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to the numbering of bills introduced by the general assembly, and including effective date provisions.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  SHORT TITLE.  This Act shall be known and may be cited as the “One Bill, One Number Act”.
    Sec. 2.  NEW SECTION.  2.34  Numbering of legislative bills and resolutions.
   1.  A bill or resolution, in whatever form, that has been introduced in a chamber of the general assembly and assigned a file number shall retain that file number for the duration of the legislative process and shall not be assigned any other file number, including during consideration by committees and subcommittees and debate in either chamber of the general assembly. A bill or resolution introduced in a chamber shall not receive a number by the chamber other than a file number.
   2.  This section shall not be construed to limit the ability of a legislator, legislative committee, or chamber of the general assembly to amend or substitute a bill or resolution.
   3.  The legislative council and legislative services agency shall adopt policies and procedures as necessary to implement the provisions of this section, including by modifying bill tracking systems and legislative reporting mechanisms.
   4.  It is the intent of the general assembly that this section be liberally construed to provide clarity for legislators and members of the public in tracking bills and participating in state government.
    Sec. 3.  EFFECTIVE DATE.  This Act, being deemed of immediate importance, takes effect upon enactment.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill requires that a bill or resolution that has been introduced in a chamber of the general assembly and assigned a file number retain that number and be assigned no other file number for the duration of the legislative process. The bill does not limit the ability of legislators, legislative committees, or chambers of the general assembly to amend or substitute a bill or resolution. The bill requires the legislative council and legislative services agency to adopt policies and procedures necessary to implement the bill, including by modifying bill tracking systems and legislative reporting mechanisms. The bill takes effect upon enactment.