Legislative Drafting Manual

2025 Legislative Drafting Seminar Video

The Legislative Drafting Manual is the Legislative Council publication that prescribes the form and style of bills and resolutions and provides drafting guidelines.

• Legislative Drafting Manual (PDF)

Drafting references and presentations:

• Legislative Research Resources on the Legislative Branch Website (PDF)
• Constitutional Considerations for Legislative Drafters - Presentation (PDF)
• Constitutional Considerations for Legislative Drafters - Memorandum (PDF)
• Review of the Legislative Drafting Manual (PDF)
• Techniques for Drafting Amendments to Bills and Resolutions (PDF)
   
  • Video - How a Bill Becomes a Law
  • Video - How to Add and Remove Language When Amending
  • Video - How to Reinstate Language When Amending
  • Video - How to Insert and Remove a Century Code Section When Amending
  • Video - How to Add or Remove a Special Clause Section When Amending
• Preparation of Fiscal Notes (PDF)
• Bill Drafting Checklist (PDF)
• Word Template
• *OpenOffice/LibreOffice Template

*Download LibreOffice to use the OpenOffice/LibreOffice Template.