What is a Bad Bill?

Most skeptics of legislature probably feel that all bills are bad. You would think that after a while, lawmakers would run out of ideas for new laws. But, every two years, Montana’s legislature meets to once again consider more laws for our already thick law books.

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In every legislative session, there are bills introduced that waste time and money. It is estimated that a bill costs $3000+ to draft and consider. Is it possible that if legislators heard from the public early, that those bills would never ‘see the light of day’?

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There are many reasons that a bill is bad. Bad bills can include any of the following conditions to qualify for badbills.com.

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A bad bill:

• is one that threatens Montana citizen’s life, liberty or property.

• pushes a particular social agenda.

• substitutes state authority for local control.

• demonstrates disregard for personal responsibility.

• does not respect parental rights.

• is an unfunded mandate.

• disregards the limitations of our constitution.

• often is by request of government agencies, not citizens.

• expands government.

• raises taxes.

• is sometimes frivolous and just plainly a waste of time.

• or just makes you scratch your head and wonder ‘what is going on?

 

To be involved is more than simply checking this website. 'Involved' means writing or calling your legislator - or making a trip to Helena to attend a hearing. 'Involved in a hearing' means to at least step forward to the mike and state your name, and whether you are for or against a bill.