The Journey of a Bill
Written by: Mary Jane Watkins
Election season is here and now more than ever understanding what legislative bills are being proposed by our elected bodies is critical. Habitat for Humanity of the Charlotte Region may advocate for legislative bills (also known as proposed laws) that support affordable homeownership locally, statewide and nationally.
A bill is the most common form of new or amended legislation. For example, over one thousand bills have been active in North Carolina’s legislative branch this year alone! Because of the extreme diversity in bill topics, ranging from artificial intelligence (AI) use in schools to expanding more affordable housing, bills that become law can impact the daily lives of everyone. So, understanding them is critical. Yes, legislation can be complex, but learning about bills can be interesting and beneficial.
Legislative bills have long and sometimes complicated lives, but a deeper look will reveal how fascinating they are. At the state level, bills are born in the North Carolina General Assembly and can originate in either the house or senate. Â Bills have many contributors including everyday people and organized groups but must have a legislative sponsor to move forward. So, the first phase in the life of a bill is for someone to have an idea, or a solution to a problem, whether it is big or small. A bill is then introduced in either the house or senate, goes through three readings, and if approved, moves to the second legislative body. Once passed through the second legislative body, the governor can then sign the bill into law or veto it.
So where can the public find a copy of a bill’s language as it progresses through the various stages of the bill cycle? In North Carolina, government bills can be found on the North Carolina General Assembly webpage. Here you can find bills that are almost 50 years old! Bills are categorized in the order in which they were introduced, and the first noticeable features of a bill are the letters that represent it.
State bills are demarcated with S.B. for Senate origins, and H.B. for House origins. On the federal level, the U.S. Congress has a similar process for Federal bills which can be located on the Congress webpage. Federal and State bills are alike in the most important aspects, so when comparing their structures, they are almost identical.
The next key part is the bill’s number. In the U.S. Congress, this bill-specific number corresponds to the order in which it was proposed. Because a new congressional session spans two years, these bill numbers reset every time a new Congress is assembled. The current 119th Congress convened this past January 2025, and its session will continue until 2027. The beginning of this session introduced 8,080 bills!
Both US House Resolution  H.R. 7078 and North Carolina Senate Bill S.B. 349 are good examples of bills and their corresponding summaries. The webpage will display the initials and identification number of the bill along with a list of lawmakers who propose the bill, and a purpose statement. This general overview explains what the bill seeks to address. If a specific topic is important to you, their overview can be quickly glanced at to determine if it is worth reading.
Following the statement of purpose, a bill is typically broken down into multiple parts, each introduced by a title that highlights the general topic addressed within. These titles provide insight into the themes and focus of the content that follows. Whether it is proposing amendments to current laws or introducing entirely new regulations, the content within these divisions reveals the bill’s practical implications. Understanding these core elements is essential to grasp the potential effects of any proposed legislation.
When we understand how a bill is developed, considered, and eventually signed into law, we can make informed decisions for change, and the following video captures the essence of just that. Habitat for Humanity of the Charlotte Region recognizes the importance of providing this information to encourage active civic engagement. Habitat will continue to support affordable housing legislation and educate others. As election season quickly approaches, stay curious, stay engaged, and make your voice count.
Article sources and helpful links:
Schoolhouse Rock- How a Bill Becomes a Law