How To Fill Out A Girls State Bill For Colorado Legislative Simulation

Participating in Colorado Girls State requires delegates to draft original legislative bills that mirror the actual processes of the Colorado General Assembly. Success in this simulation depends on adhering to strict formal formatting, specific legal terminology, and the inclusion of all mandatory components—from the enacting clause to the fiscal note—to ensure the bill is considered procedurally valid for floor debate.

Pre-Legislative Planning and Drafting Prerequisites

Drafting a bill for Colorado Girls State is an exercise in technical communication rather than creative writing. You are expected to simulate the legislative drafting office, meaning your document must be precise, concise, and structured to withstand the scrutiny of committee hearings. Before you begin the actual writing process, you must familiarize yourself with the legislative lifecycle of a Colorado bill, specifically the House and Senate rules that dictate how language is inserted or removed from existing statutes.

• Essential Documentation: Copies of the current Colorado Revised Statutes (C.R.S.) for reference, a copy of the official Girls State bill template provided by your counselors, and a clear statement of intent.
• Mandatory Prerequisites: Identification of a specific state-level issue, selection of a House or Senate sponsor (your fellow delegates), and a preliminary budget projection for your fiscal note.
• Estimated Duration: Plan for 3 to 5 hours of dedicated research and drafting time to ensure the bill's logic is sound and legally defensible.
• Terminology Benchmarks: Mastery of the "Enacting Clause" (the required phrase "Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado") and the distinction between "amending" existing law versus creating a "new" statute.

The Procedural Workflow for Legislative Drafting

Drafting your bill is a multi-stage process that requires careful attention to the hierarchy of legislative text. Every bill consists of standardized sections that define its purpose, its legal authority, and its fiscal impact.

Step 1: Crafting the Bill Header and Title

Every bill begins with the official legislative header. You must clearly state the chamber of origin, the bill number (which will be assigned to you), and the sponsor names. The title of the bill must be comprehensive yet specific, as it dictates the scope of what can be debated; if your title is too narrow, you may find your bill's content ruled out of order by the chair during committee debate.

Pro-Tip: Ensure the title accurately reflects the "subject matter" of the bill. In Colorado legislative practice, if a topic is not explicitly mentioned in the title, it cannot be added later via amendment without restarting the legislative process.

Step 2: Drafting the Enacting Clause

This is the most critical procedural requirement. Without the specific phrasing "Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado," the document has no legal force. This clause acts as the authorization for the legislation and must appear immediately following the title.

Step 3: Structuring the Main Body and Sections

Divide your bill into distinct sections. Section 1 is almost always the "Short Title," giving your bill a name (e.g., "The Colorado Youth Access Act"). Subsequent sections describe the actual changes to the law. Use standard legislative formatting: "Section 2. (1) The Colorado Revised Statutes are amended as follows..." Follow this with the specific changes, using strike-through text for removed language and bold or underlined text for new additions.

Warning: Avoid vague language like "improve the system" or "make it better." Legislative text must be actionable. Instead, use specific mandates like "The Department of Education shall implement a pilot program..."

Step 4: Inclusion of the Fiscal Note

A bill without a fiscal note is often considered incomplete or "dead on arrival" in a simulation. Estimate the cost of implementation, administration, and enforcement. If your bill creates a new government program, define the funding source (e.g., a specific tax, a reallocation of existing funds, or a permit fee).

Step 5: Final Review for Compliance

Before submitting your bill, perform a final read-through to ensure it follows the "Single Subject Rule." If your bill attempts to change laws regarding both road construction and school lunches, it will be flagged as violating the single-subject requirement and will likely be killed in committee.

Technical Specifications and Comparative Analysis of Bill Components

The following table outlines the essential components required for a valid Colorado Girls State bill and the technical purpose each section serves within the legislative process.

Troubleshooting Common Drafting Errors and Legislative Failures

Even the most well-intentioned bills often face challenges during the simulation due to formatting or structural oversights. Addressing these common pitfalls before they reach the floor will increase your chances of successful passage.

• Root Cause: Overly Broad or Vague Language.
  
  
  • Actionable Fix: Define your terms in a "Definitions" section early in the bill. If a term like "educational facility" is used, explicitly state what that encompasses (e.g., public K-12 schools, charter schools, or private institutions).
• Root Cause: Failure to Cite Original Statutes.
  
  
  • Actionable Fix: Always reference the specific C.R.S. title, article, and section you are modifying. Using general references makes your bill difficult to track and vulnerable to opposition attacks regarding its clarity.
• Root Cause: Conflicts with Constitutional Limits.
  
  
  • Actionable Fix: Review the Colorado Constitution—specifically the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR) requirements. If your bill imposes a new tax or fee, you must understand how it interacts with constitutional revenue limits to avoid an automatic challenge during debate.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if my bill does not have a fiscal note?

If a bill lacks a fiscal note or an assessment of the economic impact, committee members will likely table the motion until the information is provided. A fiscal note demonstrates that you have considered the practical reality of your proposed law, which is essential for a high-quality simulation performance.

Can I include multiple unrelated topics in one bill?

No. Following the legislative standard of the Single Subject Rule is mandatory. Including unrelated items will lead to your bill being rejected during the initial screening process or stripped of its extraneous sections during committee markups.

How do I properly reference the Colorado Revised Statutes?

You must use the standard legal citation format for Colorado, which identifies the Title, Article, and Section (e.g., C.R.S. 22-1-101). When amending a law, always quote the current language correctly before applying your modifications.

What is the purpose of the severability clause?

The severability clause states that if one specific part of your bill is found to be unconstitutional or unenforceable by a court, the remainder of the bill stays in effect. It is a standard piece of "legal insurance" for any piece of legislation.

Should I provide an executive summary of my bill?

While not part of the formal bill text, providing a one-page "fact sheet" to committee members is a highly effective way to garner support. Keep this separate from your formal bill document, which should contain only the statutory language and the fiscal note.

Enhance your legislative influence by ensuring every clause is drafted with maximum clarity and constitutional precision. Begin refining your bill language today to ensure your proposal survives the rigorous committee process at this year’s Colorado Girls State.