Bill · H.R. 4324· House(119-HR-4324)
One Subject at a Time Act
- Introduced
- 7/10/2025
- Last activity
- 7/10/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Sponsored by
- Russ Fulcher
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "One Subject at a Time Act" aims to stop the practice of including multiple subjects in a single bill. It requires that every bill or joint resolution focuses on only one subject. The subject of the bill must be clearly and descriptively stated in its title. For appropriation bills, any general legislation or changes to existing law must be related to the bill's specific subject. This act establishes enforcement mechanisms to void non-compliant provisions.
Yes
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+5
The act enhances transparency by forcing clear subject descriptions in bill titles.
Does this make elections run better?+3
The bill increases legislative transparency and accountability by requiring single-subject focus.
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?+2
The bill provides a mechanism for citizens to challenge the enforcement of non-compliant laws.
The opposite
Would students be better off under this?-1
Legislative volatility could potentially void important student-related provisions if they are deemed non-germane.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Clarity in Legislation: Under Section 2(b), the subject of a bill must be clearly and descriptively expressed in the title, which ensures the public knows exactly what a bill is about.
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Prevention of Hidden Legislation: Section 2(c) prevents appropriation bills from containing general legislation or changes to existing law that are not related to the bill's actual purpose, which could protect against unexpected legal changes.
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Legal Recourse for Citizens: Section 3(e) allows any aggrieved person to take legal action against the United States to seek relief, such as an injunction, if a law was passed without following these single-subject rules.
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Accountability for Members of Congress: Section 3(e) also grants Members of Congress the right to take legal action if their specific House of Congress fails to comply with the requirements set forth in the act.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Voiding of Entire Acts: According to Section 3(a), if a title addresses two or more unrelated subjects, the entire Act or joint resolution becomes void, which could result in the loss of intended legislation.
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Voiding of Specific Provisions: Under Section 3(b), if a bill's title only covers one subject but the text includes provisions not described in that title, those specific provisions will be considered void.
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Loss of Funding Provisions: Section 3(c) states that if an appropriation bill includes a provision that falls outside the jurisdiction of the relevant subcommittee, that provision will be void.
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Voiding of Non-Germane Legislation: Section 3(d) dictates that any general legislation or change of law within an appropriation bill that is not related to the bill's subject matter will be void.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+5Improves Electoral Process+3Improves Due Process+2
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Students-1
- 7/10/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.