# Plain Language Summary: One Bill, One Subject Transparency Act

This bill would require Congress to pass laws that focus on only one topic at a time, and it would give people the power to challenge laws that break this rule in court. Right now, Congress frequently bundles many unrelated issues into a single bill—for example, a bill might combine funding for military equipment with changes to healthcare policy and environmental regulations all in one package. This bill would make that illegal. Each bill would need to have a clear title that accurately describes what it's actually about, and everything inside the bill would have to relate to that one subject.

The bill creates real teeth by making violations void. If a law passes with multiple unrelated subjects in its title, the entire law could be thrown out. If a law contains provisions that aren't mentioned in its title, those specific provisions become unenforceable. For appropriations bills (the bills that fund government operations), the rule is slightly different—they can't include unrelated policy changes, though they can still include restrictions on how money gets spent. Anyone harmed by a law that violates these rules, including members of Congress themselves, could sue the federal government to block the law from being enforced.

The practical impact would be significant. This would fundamentally change how Congress operates, since bundling unrelated items together is currently a standard practice used to get controversial provisions passed by attaching them to popular bills. Supporters argue this would increase transparency and force lawmakers to take clear positions on individual issues. Critics worry it could make passing any legislation much harder and could lead to courts striking down major laws if they contain even minor provisions that don't fit perfectly within the stated subject. The bill would only apply to laws passed after it takes effect, so existing laws wouldn't be affected.

One Bill, One Subject Transparency Act

Biggs, Andy

One Bill, One Subject Transparency ActThis bill prohibits any bill or joint resolution from addressing more than one subject and establishes related enforcement mechanisms.The bill requires bills and joint resolutions to address only one subject, which must be clearly and descriptively expressed in the bill or joint resolution's title. Appropriations bills may only contain provisions that are germane to the subject matter of the underlying bill.&nbsp;However, appropriations bills may limit&nbsp;the expenditure of appropriated funds.The bill voids&nbsp; <ul><li>any act (i.e., law) or joint resolution with a title that addresses two or more unrelated subjects;</li><li>any provision of an act or joint resolution concerning a subject that is not clearly and descriptively expressed in the title;</li><li>any provision of an appropriations act that contains general legislation or change of existing law provision not germane to the subject matter of the underlying bill;</li><li>any provision of an appropriations act that addresses a subject outside of the jurisdiction of the relevant subcommittee of the Committees on Appropriations of the House and of the Senate.</li></ul>The bill also authorizes any person aggrieved by the enforcement or threat of enforcement of an act enacted after this bill that does not comply with the requirements of this bill&nbsp;to sue the United States.