What Are the Main Actions a Bill Takes?

We know that a bill in the California Legislature can add a new section of law, amend an existing section of law, repeal an existing section of law, or do a combination of those three things. That is what a bill does at its most basic level.

However, a bill usually takes one or more of the following formal actions:

• Create or establish something
• Impose a duty or obligation
• Confer a power
• Create a right
• Grant a privilege
• Prohibit conduct or an action
• Establish a condition
• Create a qualification
• Impose a limitation
• Specify an exception

When drafting a bill, it is important to keep in mind the main purpose of the bill and the author’s stated intent.