what is the difference between a Bill an Act and a Policy in terms of legislation in a country?

Question

These are Acts, Bills and Policies passed by the government or legal departments

Answer 1

A bill is proposed legislation - a draft.

An act is adopted and effective legislation.

A policy is a viewpoint, an interpretation or gameplan, which may or may not involve specific legislation.

Answer 2

A bill is something that is written up by someone who wants it to become a law, but must pass through legislature (law-makers) or Congress before it actually becomes a law. So when someone talks of a bill being voted on, or vetoed...it hasn't been made into law yet.
An act is another name for a law. An act can be a list of laws, like the Civil Rights Act - many laws that made it illegal to discriminate against people because of sex or race, etc.
A policy is just the way a government or politician goes about doing things. Their course of action, guiding principle, or procedure they take. For example, the President's foreign policy is attempt diplomacy, followed by military action.
I hope these explainations were useful. Here's some sources that might help further.

Answer 3

No bill can become law at any regular session of the Legislature until it has been printed and reproduced and in the possession of each house for at least five days. (Constitution, Art. IV, Sec. 26.)

Immediate Effect

No act shall take effect until the expiration of 90 days from the end of the session at which the measure was enacted. The Legislature may give immediate effect to an act by a two-thirds vote of the members elected and serving in each house. (Constitution, Art. IV, Sec. 27.)

Enactment by the Legislature

If a bill passes, it is sent to the other house of the Legislature where the bill follows the procedure outlined above, resulting in defeat or passage.

If a bill is passed by both houses in identical form, the bill is ordered enrolled by the house in which the bill originated. Following enrollment and printing, the bill is sent to the Governor.

If a bill is passed in a different form by the second house, the bill must be returned to the house of origin and one of the following occurs:

a. If the amendment(s) or substitute bill of the second house is accepted in the house of origin, the bill is enrolled, printed, and sent to the Governor. It should also be noted that either house may amend an amendment made by the other to a bill or joint resolution. At any time while in possession of the bill, either house may recede from its position in whole or in part and the bill may be returned to the other house for this purpose. If this further action is agreed to by both houses, the bill is ordered enrolled.

b. If the amendment(s) or substitute proposal of the second house is rejected in the house of origin, the bill is then sent to a conference committee (a special committee composed of three legislators from each house) which attempts to compromise differences between the two versions of the bill. The conference committee can consider only issues in the bill upon which there is disagreement between the two houses. However, when the agreement arrived at by the conferees is such that it affects other parts of the bill, such as in an appropriations measure, the conferees may recommend further amendments to conform with the agreement. The conferees may also recommend corrections to any errors in the bill. The conference committee may reach a compromise approved by at least a majority of the conferees from each house, and submit a report to the house of origin. If adopted, the report and bill are transmitted to the second house. If the conference committee report is approved in the second house, the bill is then enrolled, printed, and sent to the Governor. A conference report may not be amended by either house. If the conference committee is notable to agree, or if the report is rejected by either house, a second conference committee is appointed. When a second conference has met and the two houses are still unable to agree, no further conference is in order.

Answer 4

thanks guys your views have produced an insight of layman s way of defining things making it easier for someone without a legal background to understand.

Answer 5

If your asking this for homework you better be careful. Teachers can tell cut and paste, exact words. You should ask again and ask people to use their own words. On the other hand why don;t you just research it your self? I'm just trying to help. If your an adult forgive me.

Answer 6

:)