HB95, titled the One Bill, One Subject Transparency Act, would require that every bill or joint resolution enacted by Congress address no more than one subject, and that the subject be clearly and descriptively stated in the title. It also places special limits on appropriations bills, barring them from including unrelated general legislation or changes to existing law that are not germane to the underlying appropriations subject, while still allowing spending limitations tied to appropriated funds.
The bill creates an enforcement mechanism that would make noncompliant provisions void, and in some cases could void an entire act or joint resolution if its title covers two or more unrelated subjects. It also authorizes any aggrieved person, including Members of Congress, to bring a cause of action in federal court to challenge laws enacted after the bill’s effective date, with de novo judicial review. In practical terms, the bill would significantly affect how Congress drafts omnibus legislation, appropriations measures, and other multi-topic bills, and it could increase litigation over whether enacted laws comply with the one-subject rule.
Impact
If enacted, HB95 would impose a new statutory one-subject requirement on federal legislation and create judicially enforceable limits on the content of bills and joint resolutions. It would affect Congress’s legislative drafting practices, especially for omnibus bills and appropriations measures, by invalidating provisions that are not clearly reflected in a bill’s title or that are not germane to the bill’s subject matter. The bill would also create a private right of action for challenges to post-enactment laws, potentially inviting federal court review of enacted statutes and altering the legal status of provisions found to violate the act.
Sentiment
Based on the available context, the bill appears to have been introduced and referred to committee without recorded votes or committee debate in the materials provided. The measure’s title and structure suggest a reform-oriented effort focused on transparency and legislative discipline, which may appeal to supporters of narrower, more readable bills and opponents of omnibus legislating. However, because no transcript or vote history is available, there is no documented committee sentiment in the record provided.
Contention
The main points of contention are likely to be the bill’s breadth and its enforcement mechanism. Supporters would likely favor the one-subject rule as a transparency and accountability measure, while critics may argue that it would constrain Congress’s ability to negotiate comprehensive legislation, especially appropriations and must-pass bills. Another likely dispute is the provision allowing courts to void provisions or entire acts and to hear challenges from aggrieved persons, which raises separation-of-powers concerns and could be seen as inviting extensive litigation over what counts as a single subject or a germane provision.
One Bill, One Subject Transparency Act This bill requires each bill or joint resolution to include no more than one subject and the subject to be clearly and descriptively expressed in the measure's title. An appropriations bill may not contain any general legislation or change to existing law that is not germane to the subject of such bill. The bill voids measures or provisions noncompliant with these requirements, including appropriation provisions outside the relevant subcommittee's jurisdiction. Additionally, a person (individual or entity) who is aggrieved by the enforcement, or the attempted enforcement, of a law that passed without complying with this bill's requirements may sue the United States for appropriate relief.
Citizen Legislature Anti-Corruption Reform of Congress Act or the CLEAN Congress Act This bill (1) requires bills, orders, resolutions, or votes submitted by Congress to the President to include only one subject that is clearly and descriptively expressed in the measure's title; and (2) makes ineffective any provision of law that excludes its application to a Member of Congress or to an employee in a Member's office.
Citizen Legislature Anti-Corruption Reform of Congress Act or the CLEAN Congress Act This bill (1) requires bills, orders, resolutions, or votes submitted by Congress to the President to include only one subject that is clearly and descriptively expressed in the measure's title; and (2) makes ineffective any provision of law that excludes its application to a Member of Congress or to an employee in a Member's office.