Objective 1: You will identify a bill that is currently or will be on the floor during the
legislative session. You may not have the same bill as another person.
2: Develop a plan for following the activities of the bill through the
legislative session (when will your bill be on the floor, on the
calendar, etc.)
3: Write a one-page paper that reports on the path of your selected bill.
Information online: http://legis.state.sd.us
Procedure:
1. Find the list of bills in the Senate and House committees and choose one that
interests you.
2. You will report to the class on your selected bill. You should include the bill number and house of origin, the bill’s sponsors, the text of the bill, and your interpretation of the bill’s intent.
3. As the bill proceeds through the consideration process, keep a journal of the activity.
Tracking your Bill: use the
internet and at least twice a week check it and see what
a. Original form
b. Amendments
c. Hearings and committee recommendations
d. Debate in open sessions (include the dates)
e. Bill passes or fails
f. Is it signed by the governor
g. When will it become law?
4. You will be responsible for two oral reports on your bill throughout the legislative session. You will be notified ahead of time when these are due.
5. At the end of the time (when the bill is passed or thrown out) you will write a one page
report on your bill, the steps it went through (including steps a-g above) and the
process in general (what you learned, etc.).
Grading:
60pts-meet all requirements including 1-page (typed) report, copies of bills at different stages and all oral reports to the class.
30pts-1-page typed report
20pts-2 oral reports (1 minute each) on status of bill
10pts-copies of bill at different stages of legislative session