One Bill, One Subject Transparency Act
One Bill, One Subject Transparency Act
Plain Language Summary
# One Bill, One Subject Transparency Act Summary **What it would do:** This bill would require Congress to pass laws that focus on only one topic at a time, with that topic clearly stated in the bill's title. It would ban "rider" provisions—unrelated policies sneaked into bills on different subjects. Appropriations bills (which fund government operations) could only include spending provisions related to their main purpose. Any law passed that violates these rules would be void and unenforceable. **Who it affects:** This would change how Congress operates, affecting lawmakers' ability to negotiate and pass legislation.
It could impact citizens by potentially slowing down the legislative process, since bills currently often combine multiple related policies to build broader support. The bill also creates grounds for legal challenges to existing laws that violate the new rule. **Current status:** The bill is currently in committee (HR 95, introduced by Rep. Andy Biggs, R-AZ) and has not yet been voted on by the full House. Similar "one subject per bill" rules exist in many state legislatures but are not currently required at the federal level, making this a structural change to how Congress conducts business.
CRS Official Summary
One Bill, One Subject Transparency ActThis bill prohibits any bill or joint resolution from addressing more than one subject and establishes related enforcement mechanisms.The bill requires bills and joint resolutions to address only one subject, which must be clearly and descriptively expressed in the bill or joint resolution's title. Appropriations bills may only contain provisions that are germane to the subject matter of the underlying bill. However, appropriations bills may limit the expenditure of appropriated funds.The bill voids any act (i.e., law) or joint resolution with a title that addresses two or more unrelated subjects;any provision of an act or joint resolution concerning a subject that is not clearly and descriptively expressed in the title;any provision of an appropriations act that contains general legislation or change of existing law provision not germane to the subject matter of the underlying bill;any provision of an appropriations act that addresses a subject outside of the jurisdiction of the relevant subcommittee of the Committees on Appropriations of the House and of the Senate.The bill also authorizes any person aggrieved by the enforcement or threat of enforcement of an act enacted after this bill that does not comply with the requirements of this bill to sue the United States.
Latest Action
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.