Texas 4-H Congress is based on 4-H members from across the state submitting bills for consideration by the House of Representatives and Senate, with hopes of the bill ending on the desk of the Texas 4-H Congress Governor for signage into law. This is a very serious process, because the more complete and well-written the bill is, the better chance it will have to be included in the Texas 4-H Congress Bill Book (book of all bills to be considered) and be introduced into the legislative process. Use the following link to the complete document, Preparing a Legislative Bill for Texas 4-H Congress. 

Texas 4-H Congress is a mock legislative event that allows the young people of Texas to experience and learn first-hand the legislative bill process. This process can include gaining knowledge of what laws and regulations are currently in place, and those laws that would help make Texas a better place to live. The strength of the event comes from the quality of the bills that are submitted for consideration by the 4-H members. Therefore, 4-H members are encouraged to plan, research, and prepare for the event.

In preparing to develop and write a bill it is important to research a topic that is personal, yet one that affects the citizens of Texas. This could include topics in agriculture and livestock; education; public health and welfare; homeland security and public safety; judiciary and juvenile justice; government, finance, and appropriations; or energy and environment. In researching a topic, it should be considered if an existing law or regulation is already in place that addresses the issue. If a law is not currently being enforced, then information on the cost of enacting a law, who would enforce it, and penalties for those not abiding by the law will need to be researched and decided. Each of these factors should be in line with others like laws and regulations.

As a 4-H member research a specific bill or issue it is important to remember that Texas 4-H Congress is addressing issues impacting Texas. Issues that are more national or global should not be submitted as a bill due to the state government not being able to enforce federal laws.

All research done for a bill should be from research-based sources. While personal situations can help establish the purpose of the bill, research supporting the need, the enforcement, and penalties should all come from sources that can be documented as being research based.