What is the Difference Between Motion and Bill?

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The main difference between a motion and a bill lies in their purpose and the stage they occupy within the legislative process.

  • Motion: A motion is a formal proposal made by a member of a legislative body, such as a parliament or congress, to draw the attention of the house to a matter of public importance or urgency. It may express an opinion or suggest a course of action for the legislative body to consider. A motion can be debated and amended, but it does not have the power to become a law on its own.
  • Bill: A bill is a draft of a legislative proposal that, when passed by both houses of the legislative body and assented to by the president or governor, becomes an act or law. A bill is a more formal and structured document that deals with matters that are of interest to the public or the government. It is introduced and goes through a series of stages, including being assigned to a committee, debated, amended, and eventually voted on by the legislative body.

In summary, a motion is a proposal that brings a matter to the attention of the legislative body and may suggest a course of action, while a bill is a formal legislative proposal that, when passed and assented to, becomes a law.

Comparative Table: Motion vs Bill

The main difference between a motion and a bill lies in their purpose and function within the legislative process. Here is a table highlighting the differences between the two:

Feature Motion Bill
Definition A motion is a proposal for a specific action within the legislative process. A bill is a formal proposal for new legislation introduced by a member of a legislative body.
Purpose Motions are used to propose actions such as amending or killing a bill, postponing a motion, or closing debate. Bills are proposals for new laws or changes to existing laws, aiming to address specific issues or problems in society.
Examples - Motion to table: A non-debatable motion used to block or kill amendments or other parliamentary questions. - Motion to take from the table: A motion to bring a question again before the assembly for further consideration. - House bills (H.R.) - Senate bills (S.) - House Resolutions (H. Res.) - Senate Resolutions (S. Res.)

In summary, a motion is a proposal for a specific action within the legislative process, while a bill is a formal proposal for new legislation introduced by a member of a legislative body.