# One Bill, One Subject Transparency Act

This bill would require Congress to follow a simple rule: each law can only deal with one topic. Right now, Congress frequently passes massive bills that bundle together dozens of unrelated policies. For example, a bill about highway funding might also include changes to healthcare rules, tax breaks for specific industries, and environmental regulations all in one package. This bill would make that illegal.

The rule works in three ways. First, every bill would have to focus on just one subject. Second, the bill's title would need to clearly describe what that subject is—no vague titles that hide what's actually in the law. Third, for spending bills specifically, Congress couldn't sneak in new laws or policy changes that have nothing to do with the money being spent. If a spending bill tries to change healthcare policy, for example, that part would be prohibited.

To enforce this rule, the bill creates real consequences. If a law violates these requirements, parts of it or even the entire law could be declared void (meaning it stops working). Anyone—including regular citizens or members of Congress—could sue in federal court to challenge a law that breaks these rules. Courts would review these cases from scratch without giving Congress any special deference, meaning judges would carefully examine whether the law actually follows the one-subject rule.

The practical effect would be significant: Congress would have to pass separate bills for separate issues instead of combining unrelated policies into one massive package. Supporters argue this makes laws more transparent and prevents unpopular policies from sneaking through attached to popular bills. Critics worry it could make passing legislation much harder and create legal chaos if courts start striking down parts of existing laws.

One Bill, One Subject Transparency Act

Biggs, Andy

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.