Overview: This table compares my Act against current congressional practice and state single‑subject rules. It highlights mega‑bills, hidden riders, deceptive titles, transparency, and enforcement.
| Feature | My Act | Current Congressional Practice | State Single‑Subject Rules |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mega‑bills / Omnibus | Banned — one bill, one subject only. | Common — omnibus packages combine dozens of unrelated measures. | Prohibited in many states (e.g., FL Const. Art. III § 6; CA Const. Art. IV § 9). |
| Hidden riders | Void — non‑germane provisions struck down in court. | Routine — riders often buried in must‑pass bills. | Courts enforce germaneness tests in many states (e.g., CO Const. Art. V § 21). |
| Bill titles | Must be neutral and accurate; bans deceptive or promotional names; Parliamentarian certification required. | Often misleading — titles used as political branding (“Clear Skies Act,” etc.). | Several states require clarity in titles as part of single‑subject rules. |
| Transparency | 72‑hour public posting; each section cites statutory authority; no “and for other purposes.” | No uniform posting rule; vague catch‑all titles common. | Many states require advance posting and clear subject lines. |
| Enforcement | Citizens can sue; courts strike riders or titles; attorney’s fees awarded; sponsors censured; committees lose budget. | Weak — House Rule XXI nominally bans legislating in appropriations, but rarely enforced. | State courts routinely strike down multi‑subject or misleading bills. |
Bottom line: “My Act ends mega‑bills, bans deceptive titles, and forces Congress to legislate issue by issue, in the open, with no hidden pork.”
Legal and Institutional References:
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 621 et seq.);
Florida Constitution, Art. III § 6;
California Constitution, Art. IV § 9;
Colorado Constitution, Art. V § 21;
Philippines Constitution, Art. VI § 26(1);
Switzerland Federal Constitution (unity of subject matter);
GAO Reports on riders and appropriations opacity;
Yale Law & Policy Review (2013) on bill naming;
The Conversation (2022) on misleading titles.