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Can you explain the differences between an engrossed bill and an enrolled bill and when it is correct to call it "an act?" San Diego, CA - 5/3/01
Engrossment and enrollment are two of five stages in the legislative process when bills are changed and ordered reprinted. As a bill winds its way through the legislative process, its text inevitably changes as more
eyes than the original sponsor's examine it and seek improvements. Here are definitions for the five versions of a bill:
Bill, as introduced
This is the version of the bill drafted and introduced by the original sponsor. Bills that
reach the public law stage very rarely look exactly as they did when first introduced. Substantive changes are frequently the price that must be paid for obtaining the votes needed to move a measure along to the next stage.
Bill, as reported
This is the version of the bill reported by the committee which had it under their
jurisdiction. The reported version reflects the changes recommended by the committee after they
have held a "mark-up" session, literally, to mark-up the original text of the bill. The committee's
changes are made after extensive policy and political discussions among its members, and
sometimes after legislative hearings have been held.
Bill, engrossed version
This is the version of the bill as passed by one chamber. After floor debate and floor
amendments have been completed, a bill clerk is authorized to incorporate all
the textual changes mandated by the amendments adopted in his chamber. This engrossed version
is formally known as "an Act of the House," or "an Act of the Senate," as the case may be. The
engrossed bill is then delivered to the other body, with a formal message requesting their
concurrence.
Bill, enrolled version
This is the final version of a bill. It follows the conference stage. After the
House and Senate conferees have agreed on the same bill text they issue the recommended
language changes in the form of a conference report. Once the conference report is adopted in
both chambers, the Enrolling Clerk of the chamber which originated the bill is authorized to
incorporate the approved changes into the text of the bill. His work is then checked for accuracy and certified by the signatures
of the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate as the final version.
Unless an exception is made in the interests of time for an expedited copy, the final version is carefully printed on special
high grade paper with gold lettering, encased in a navy blue presentation box, trimmed with a blue ribbon, and delivered
to the President for his signature or veto. This version is formally known as "an Act of
Congress."
Bill, as enacted
Assuming the approval of the President, the bill then becomes "An Act," or "Public Law."
To obtain the full text of a bill at any of these various stages, you can download it from
THOMAS, the legislative information website of the Library of Congress. In most cases, the
most relevant version of the bill to look at will be the most recent. Visit:
Thomas Bill Text File
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