A formal proposal for a new, amended, or repealed law presented to a legislative body for consideration and vote. In bicameral systems, a bill must pass committee review, floor debate, and approval from both legislative chambers. In unicameral systems, approval by the single legislative body is required.
The bill is then sent to the executive branch, where it may be signed into law, vetoed, or allowed to become law without signature, as permitted by law. Once enacted, a bill ceases to be a bill and becomes law, commonly referred to as a statute or act.
