Educator Toolkit Classroom Plans · Plan 3

Fast Track to Your First Bill

A complete first draft in one sitting, with the Bill Builder Worksheet

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Educator Toolkit Classroom Plans · Plan 3

Fast Track to Your First Bill

A complete first draft in one sitting

One 45-minute class period or a homework assignment

Teacher note. Materials: program video (youtu.be/4ZdvqaiwQHU), the Bill Builder Worksheet, and a device with internet for the statute search. Light research (one statute search), no multi-day scaffolding, and built-in structure that supports all learners.

You will be able to

  • Identify a real problem in the community or state.
  • Find the related state law.
  • Organize a bill using the four bill sections.
  • Prepare for the toughest questions.

Class period · 45 min

Fast Track

  1. Video and framing8 min
  2. Steps 1 and 2: identify and find15 min
  3. Step 3: drafting12 min
  4. Steps 4 and 5: defend and check7 min
  5. Step 6: submit or assign as homework3 min

Teacher note. Suggested pacing. Students who finish the worksheet will have a first draft ready to type into their state's bill form. Revision time makes it stronger, but it's optional.

ListenClass period8 min

Video and framing

Today you'll draft a real bill to fix a real problem.

Teacher note. Introduce Youth and Government and show the video.

Teacher guidance

Focus on logic, not perfect legal language.

Narrow, realistic ideas, not broad topics.

Teacher note. Encourage narrow, realistic ideas throughout the period.

ThinkClass period

Step 1: Identify

Name one specific problem in your community or state.

  • The problem is:
  • It affects these people:
  • I know it's a problem because (fact or data):

Teacher note. Steps 1 and 2 together take 15 minutes. If students are stuck, ask: "What do you complain about that the state could fix?" or "What rule would make school or your town fairer or safer?"

ResearchClass period

Step 2: Find

Find the state law that relates to your problem.

  • Law name and section (for example, Education Law § 3204):
  • Right now, the law says:
  • No law on it yet? Then your bill adds a new section. Name where it would go.
WriteClass period12 min

Step 3: Write

  • An Act To: amend __ to __
  • Purpose: the spirit of your bill, in 1 to 2 sentences
  • Provisions: who does what, penalties, how it's paid for (1, 2, 3)
  • Definitions: 3 to 5 key terms, written last

Sample draft

What a first draft can look like

An Act To amend the Vehicle and Traffic Law to create school-zone speed limits during arrival and dismissal.

Purpose: Students walking to school are hit at crosswalks every year. This bill slows traffic when children are most likely to be in the road.

Provisions: (1) The speed limit within 500 feet of any public K-8 school is 20 mph for one hour before and after the school day. (2) Districts post signs; the state Department of Transportation reimburses the cost. (3) Fines are double the standard amount and fund crossing guard positions.

Definitions: "School day" means the hours set by the district calendar. "Arrival and dismissal" means the hour before and after the school day.

Teacher note. Illustration only. Teams check their own state's law and format.

ThinkClass period

Step 4: Defend

What are the two hardest questions someone could ask about your bill? Write your answers.

  • Think about cost
  • Who enforces it?
  • How would you know it worked?

Teacher note. Steps 4 and 5 together take 7 minutes.

ReviewClass period

Step 5: Check

Score your draft the way a committee will.

  • The strongest part of our bill is:
  • One thing we'll improve:

Committee criteria

  • Clear purpose
  • Evidence of preparation
  • Important to the state
  • Realistic
  • Debatable
WriteClass period3 min

Step 6: Submit

  • Type your bill into your state's bill submission form. Your advisor has the link.
  • Check your state's deadline in Key Dates for 2026-27.
  • Practice a 4-minute opening speech.

Teacher note. Submit in class or assign as homework.

Group workClass period

Optional peer review

Swap with another team. What did they do really well? What's one suggestion to make it even better?

Your first bill is drafted

Next: type it into your state's bill form

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