Mastering The Colorado Girls State Bill Template: A Comprehensive Drafting Guide For Delegates

To successfully fill out a Girls State bill in Colorado, delegates must adhere to the formal legislative standards of the Colorado General Assembly, focusing on the "Single Subject Rule" and precise statutory phrasing. This process requires a clear Bill Title, a mandatory Enacting Clause, and structured sections that define terms, establish mandates, and designate an effective date to ensure the proposal is legally viable for floor debate.

Pre-Drafting Research and Legislative Foundations

Before putting pen to paper or typing into the official template, a delegate must understand the environment in which their bill will exist. Colorado Girls State (COGS) simulates the legislative process of the State of Colorado, which operates under specific constitutional constraints. The most critical of these is the Single Subject Rule, which prevents "logrolling"—the practice of hiding controversial measures inside larger, unrelated bills. Your proposal must address one central issue clearly and concisely.

Drafting a bill is not merely an exercise in creative writing; it is an exercise in technical precision. You are essentially writing a set of instructions for the state to follow. If your instructions are vague, they will be shredded during the committee process.

Essential Preparation Checklist

• Materials and Tools: Access to the Colorado Revised Statutes (C.R.S.) via the official LexisNexis portal or the Colorado General Assembly website to ensure your bill doesn’t replicate existing law or to identify which specific laws you intend to amend.
• Topic Selection: Identify a state-level issue rather than a federal or local one. Topics like education funding, state highway safety, or Colorado-specific environmental protections are high-value targets for COGS.
• Prerequisite Knowledge: Familiarity with the "Safety Clause" versus the "Referendum Clause." In Colorado law, the Safety Clause declares the act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety, allowing it to take effect sooner.
• Benchmark Duration: Expect to spend 2–4 hours on research and 1–2 hours on formal drafting to ensure the language meets parliamentary standards for the Bill Book.

Step-by-Step Colorado Legislative Bill Drafting Workflow

The transition from a raw idea to a formal piece of legislation requires a specific sequence of operations. Follow these steps to ensure your bill is not ruled out of order during the first reading.

Step 1: Drafting the Bill Title (The Long Title)

The title is the most scrutinized portion of your bill. In Colorado, the title must be an accurate "map" of the bill’s contents. It must begin with "A BILL FOR AN ACT," followed by a description of the subject.

1. Start with the mandatory prefix: "A BILL FOR AN ACT CONCERNING..."
2. State the primary subject clearly (e.g., "...THE IMPLEMENTATION OF REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES ON STATE-LEASED LANDS...").
3. Add the "And" clause if there is an appropriation: "...AND, IN CONNECTION THEREWITH, MAKING AN APPROPRIATION."
4. Ensure the title is broad enough to cover all sections of your bill but narrow enough to satisfy the Single Subject Rule.

Pro-Tip: If your bill changes during the committee process, the title must be amended first if the new content falls outside the original title's scope. This is called "broadening the title."

Step 2: Inserting the Enacting Clause

This is a non-negotiable technical requirement. Without this specific phrase, the bill has no legal power and is considered "void ab initio." In the Colorado template, this must appear exactly as follows, usually centered or left-aligned above Section 1:

• "Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:"

Failure to include this exact phrase is a "fatal flaw" that can lead to an immediate motion to strike the bill from the calendar.

Step 3: Establishing Section 1 (Definitions)

Clarity is the enemy of litigation. To ensure your bill is interpreted correctly, define any terms that could be ambiguous.

1. Use the format: "Section 1. Definitions. As used in this act, unless the context otherwise requires:"
2. List terms in alphabetical order.
3. Define entities, specific measurements, or technical processes. For example: "(1) 'Department' means the Colorado Department of Education."

Warning: Do not include substantive law within the definitions section. Definitions should only explain what words mean, not what people must do.

Step 4: Drafting Substantive Provisions (The "Meat" of the Bill)

This is where you state what the law actually does. If you are creating a new program, this section outlines the "shalls" and "mays."

1. Section 2: Mandate. State the requirement: "The Department shall establish a grant program for..."
2. Section 3: Eligibility. Define who qualifies: "To be eligible for the grant, an applicant must..."
3. Prose Requirements: Use active voice. Use "shall" for mandatory actions and "may" for discretionary actions. Avoid "will," "must," or "should."

Step 5: The Appropriation Clause

If your bill requires state money to function (e.g., hiring staff, buying equipment), you must include an appropriation section. At Girls State, you often work with a simulated budget.

1. Specify the dollar amount: "Section 4. Appropriation. For the 2024-2025 state fiscal year, $500,000 is appropriated to the department of..."
2. Identify the source: "...from the general fund."
3. State the purpose: "This appropriation is for the implementation of this act."

Step 6: The Safety Clause or Effective Date

Every bill must have a defined point when it becomes active. In Colorado, you typically choose between a specific date or the "Safety Clause."

1. The Safety Clause: "Section 5. Safety clause. The general assembly hereby finds, determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety."
2. Specific Effective Date: "Section 5. Effective date. This act takes effect July 1, 2025."
3. If no date is specified and there is no safety clause, the bill defaults to taking effect on the day the Governor signs it (or the mock Governor at Girls State).

Legislative Drafting Standards and Structural Requirements

The following table outlines the technical differences between the three primary types of legislative documents you may encounter or create during the Colorado Girls State session. Understanding these distinctions ensures your proposal is filed under the correct parliamentary category.

Navigating Common Drafting Errors and Parliamentary Pitfalls

Even the most passionate advocate can see their bill fail due to technical oversights. Use these troubleshooting scenarios to audit your work before submission.

• Scenario: The bill is ruled "unconstitutional" due to the Single Subject Rule.

  
  
  
  • Root Cause: The bill attempts to reform the entire education system while also changing hunting permit fees in the same document.
  • Actionable Fix: Split the bill into two separate proposals or narrow the scope. Remove any provisions that do not directly relate to the core subject identified in the Title.

• Scenario: The bill is passed but cannot be executed because it lacks funding.

  
  
  
  • Root Cause: The bill mandates a new state agency task but provides $0 in the appropriation section or omits the section entirely.
  • Actionable Fix: Insert an Appropriation Clause. If the bill is intended to be "revenue neutral," include a section explaining how existing departmental funds will be redirected or how fees will cover the costs.

• Scenario: The bill is rejected during the "First Reading" for improper formatting.

  
  
  
  • Root Cause: Missing the Enacting Clause or using "will" instead of the statutory "shall."
  • Actionable Fix: Conduct a "technical edit" pass. Ensure "Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:" is present. Replace all instances of passive voice with the mandatory "shall."

• Scenario: Confusion during debate over what the bill actually changes in current law.

  
  
  
  • Root Cause: Failure to cite specific sections of the Colorado Revised Statutes (C.R.S.).
  • Actionable Fix: Use the phrase "Amend C.R.S. [Section Number] to read:" and then provide the updated text. Use CAPITAL LETTERS for new text and dashes through (strikeouts) for deleted text.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a "Short Title" and a "Long Title"?

The Long Title is the formal "A BILL FOR AN ACT..." statement required for legal validity. The Short Title is an optional section (usually Section 1) that gives the bill a catchy name for public discourse, such as "The Clean Waters Act of 2024."

Can I change my bill after it has been submitted to the Bill Book?

Once a bill is printed in the official session book, it cannot be physically changed, but it can be "amended on the floor." You must draft a formal amendment specifying exactly which lines and words you want to add or strike during the committee or second reading.

How do I determine the "Fiscal Impact" of my Girls State bill?

In the simulation, you should estimate costs based on real-world equivalents. Look up the Colorado state budget for similar departments to see what they spend on staff (FTEs) and equipment, then provide a logical justification for your appropriation amount during committee testimony.

Why does the "Safety Clause" matter at Girls State?

The Safety Clause is a procedural tool. Without it, a bill might not take effect for 90 days after the session ends, which technically allows citizens to petition for a referendum. Including the Safety Clause makes the bill "final" upon the Governor's signature, signaling that the issue is urgent.

What happens if my bill's title is too narrow?

If your title is too narrow, you cannot add unrelated sections later. For example, if your title says "concerning the sale of apples," you cannot add a section about orange juice. You would have to move to "broaden the title," which requires a majority vote and can be a tactical disadvantage.

Launch Your Legislative Career at Girls State

Drafting a bill for Colorado Girls State is your opportunity to influence the mock-political landscape and demonstrate sophisticated leadership skills. By adhering to these statutory standards and focusing on technical precision, you ensure your voice is heard and your policy goals are achieved on the house floor.