Whats the distinguish between bills and resolutions ?
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/amlaw/lwhbsb.html
Bills and resolutions are both types of legislation, but they serve different purposes and have different procedures for approval. Here's how you can distinguish between them:
1. Purpose:
- Bills: A bill is a proposal for a law or policy that is introduced in a legislature. It can address a wide range of issues, such as creating new laws, amending existing laws, or allocating funds for specific purposes.
- Resolutions: Resolutions express the position or opinion of the legislature on a particular matter. They can be used to commemorate events, express support or opposition to a specific policy, or request action.
2. Legislative Process:
- Bills: Bills typically go through a more complex and lengthy legislative process. They usually require approval from both houses of the legislature (e.g., the Senate and the House of Representatives in the United States), and often require committee review, public hearings, and multiple votes before becoming law.
- Resolutions: Resolutions usually have a simpler approval process compared to bills. They may require fewer votes or may be passed by only one chamber of the legislature. Some resolutions may not need the signature of the executive (e.g., the President) to become effective.
3. Legal Effect:
- Bills: Once a bill is passed by both chambers of the legislature and signed by the executive, it becomes law and is enforceable. It creates legal obligations and can have significant implications.
- Resolutions: Resolutions, on the other hand, do not have the force of law in most cases. They express the opinion or position of the legislature, but they do not create new legal requirements or change existing ones. However, resolutions can still hold symbolic value and influence public opinion.
To determine whether a legislative document is a bill or a resolution, you can refer to its title, content, and the procedures it goes through during the legislative process.