Assignment 1 Lasa 2: Write Your Own Bill Scenario You 719909
Assignment 1 Lasa 2 Write Your Own Billscenarioyou Are A Newly Elect
Write Your Own Bill Scenario: You are a newly elected Member of Congress. It is up to you as to whether you are a Senator or a Representative from your State. You made several important promises during your campaign and now that you have taken your seat, you need to show the constituents you represent that you are going to fulfill at least one of these promises with a bill you write and introduce into your chamber.
Directions: Choose a topic for your bill: Envision the constituents that elected you. Imagine that you have interacted with your constituents. What’s making news? Look to other states. Look to your own experience. Look at current logs and regulations. Use the internet. Research your bill topic: Look at existing law. Explore various solutions to the issue. Support your position with facts and figures. Determine your support and opposition.
When writing your bill: Ensure clarity, organization, and accuracy. Ensure you are creating law. Anticipate questions and concerns. Proofread and check grammar.
Bill structure (see attached): Use the Bill Writing Checklist (see attached). Fill in all sections to write your bill. Submit the completed Bill Structure Document that clearly illustrates all components of a professionally written bill and addresses all required elements of the assignment listed below. The assignment must be submitted as a Word document, including an APA formatted title and reference page.
Be sure to cite any references used in APA format.
Deadline: Saturday, June 21, 2014, deliver your assignment to the M5 Assignment 1 Dropbox.
Grading Criteria
- Bill Topic (40 points): Provide a clear discussion and evaluation of the topic of the bill and include relevance and constituency affected.
- Bill Topic Research (40 points): Examine existing law; explore various solutions; support your position with facts and figures; evaluate support and opposition.
- Bill Content (52 points): Ensure clarity, organization, and accuracy; verify law creation; anticipate questions and concerns.
- Bill Structure (52 points): Include Title, Sponsor, Purpose, Short Title, Definitions, How the Bill Will Work, Functions, Regulations, Penalties, Effective Date.
- Bill Writing (50 points): Review the Bill Writing Checklist to confirm comprehensive inclusion, clarity, proper terminology, and consistency.
- Written Components (66 points): Organization (16), Usage and mechanics (16), Style (14), APA elements (20).
Additional Resources
Links to assist with bill writing include: Congressional Bills Web site and USA.gov. Review the Bill Structure document and the Bill Writing Checklist for guidance.
Paper For Above instruction
Title: Addressing Urban Air Pollution Through Legislative Action
Introduction
Urban air pollution poses a significant threat to public health, environmental sustainability, and economic stability. As a newly elected Representative committed to improving the quality of life for my constituents, I propose a comprehensive bill aimed at reducing vehicular emissions, which are among the primary contributors to urban air pollution. This legislation seeks to implement stricter emission standards, promote cleaner transportation options, and incentivize the adoption of green technology to create healthier urban environments.
Bill Topic and Constituency Relevance
The proposed bill addresses urban air pollution, specifically focusing on vehicular emissions prevalent in the densely populated city of Metroville. The constituents affected include commuters, local businesses, healthcare providers, and vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly, who are disproportionally impacted by air pollutants. The bill aligns with longstanding campaign promises to enhance public health and environmental quality, reflecting constituents’ concerns over smog, respiratory illnesses, and climate change effects.
Research and Existing Law Analysis
Existing environmental laws, such as the Clean Air Act (CAA), establish national standards to control air pollution; however, enforcement gaps and technological advancements necessitate updated regulations. Studies indicate that vehicular emissions contribute approximately 40% of urban air pollutants (EPA, 2021). Various solutions include promoting electric vehicles (EVs), improving public transportation infrastructure, and implementing stricter emission standards for industrial and vehicular processes (Kumar et al., 2020). Evidence suggests that states like California have successfully reduced emissions through aggressive policies, providing a model for nationwide adoption (CARB, 2019).
Position Support and Opposition
Supporters argue that stricter emission standards will lead to improved public health, decreased healthcare costs, and progress towards climate objectives (WHO, 2018). Environmental advocacy groups, health organizations, and local governments endorse this approach. Conversely, opposition arises from industry representatives concerned about increased costs, potential job losses in automotive manufacturing, and economic competitiveness (Automotive Trade Association, 2021). To address concerns, the bill proposes transitional assistance and investment in green technology innovation.
Bill Content and Structure
The bill titled "Urban Air Quality Improvement Act" will encompass the following components:
- Purpose: To reduce vehicular emissions in urban areas, thereby improving air quality and public health.
- Short Title: Urban Air Quality Act.
- Definitions: Clarify terms such as "vehicular emissions," "electric vehicles," and "urban air quality standards."
- Implementation: Set new emission standards for vehicles manufactured after 2025, aligned with California's LEV III standards (California Air Resources Board, 2019).
- Function: Mandate regular emission testing, promote incentives for EV adoption, and expand public transportation options.
- Regulations: Establish oversight agencies, monitoring protocols, and compliance measures to ensure standards are met.
- Penalties: Imposing fines and sanctions for non-compliance, including potential suspension of vehicle registration.
- Effective Date: To take effect one year after enactment, allowing industry adaptation and public awareness campaigns.
Anticipating Questions and Concerns
Key questions include how the bill will balance economic impacts with environmental benefits, measures to support impacted industries and workers, and how enforcement will be conducted. The bill incorporates phased implementation, taxpayer-funded incentives, and collaborative oversight to ensure equitable transition and accountability.
Conclusion
This legislation is a vital step towards achieving sustainable urban environments, aligning with national climate goals and public health priorities. By setting clear standards, incentivizing green practices, and enforcing compliance, the Urban Air Quality Improvement Act will significantly reduce vehicular pollution, protect vulnerable populations, and foster economic growth in clean energy sectors. My commitment to my constituents is demonstrated through this proactive legislative approach, aiming for healthier, cleaner, and more resilient cities for future generations.
References
- California Air Resources Board. (2019). California's Advanced Clean Cars Program. https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/resources/fact-sheets/california-advanced-clean-cars-program
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2021). National Emissions Inventory. https://www.epa.gov/air-trends/air-quality
- Kumar, S., Singh, P., & Sharma, S. (2020). Strategies for Reducing Vehicular Emissions in Urban Areas. Journal of Environmental Management, 266, 110558.
- World Health Organization (WHO). (2018). Air Pollution and Child Health. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ambient-(outdoor)-air-quality-and-health
- Congressional Research Service. (2019). The Clean Air Act at 50. https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R44535
- Automotive Trade Association. (2021). Industry Perspectives on Emission Regulations. http://www.autoindustry.org/emissions
- USA.gov. (n.d.). Environmental Laws and Regulations. https://www.usa.gov/environment
- Library of Congress. (2019). How to Write a Bill. https://www.congress.gov/learning-center/how-bills-become-laws
- National Conference of State Legislatures. (2020). State Vehicle Emission Standards. https://www.ncsl.org/research/environment-and-natural-resources/state-vehicle-emission-standards
- Environmental Defense Fund. (2020). Clean Transportation Initiatives. https://www.edf.org/transportation