Private Bills: Procedure in the House (CRS Report for Congress)
| Release Date |
Oct. 21, 2004 |
| Report Number |
98-628 |
| Authors |
Richard S. Beth, Government and Finance Division |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
Summary:
A private bill is one that provides benefits to specified individuals (including corporate bodies). Individuals sometimes request relief through private law when administrative or legal remedies are exhausted, but Congress seems more often to view private legislation as appropriate when no other remedy is available, and when enactment would, in a broad sense, afford equity. From 1817 through 1971, most Congresses enacted hundreds of private laws, but since then the number has declined to below 30, as Congress has expanded administrative discretion to deal with many of the situations that tended to give rise to private bills. Private provisions also are occasionally included in public legislation. For more information on legislative process, see http://www.crs.gov/¿products/¿guides/¿guidehome.shtml.
