How to Cite a Bill

A proposed law still before the legislature.

What You'll Need

Bill Title
Short title
Bill Number
Legislative Body
Session
Date Introduced
URL

Record the bill number (H.R. or S. for U.S.), Congress number, and session. Track the bill version (introduced, engrossed, enrolled) being cited.

Example Citations

APA 7th edition
Fair Access to Science and Technology Research Act of 2015, H.R. 1477, 114th Congress, 1st Session (2015). https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/BILLS-114hr1477ih
In-text (Fair Access to Science and Technology Research Act of 2015, 2015)
MLA 9th edition
Fair Access to Science and Technology Research Act of 2015. 1st Session, H.R. 1477, 19 Mar. 2015, www.govinfo.gov/app/details/BILLS-114hr1477ih.
In-text (Fair Access to Science and Technology Research Act of 2015)
Chicago 18th edition (notes and bibliography)
Fair Access to Science and Technology Research Act of 2015, H.R. 1477, 114th Congress, 1st Session (2015). https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/BILLS-114hr1477ih.
Footnote Fair Access to Science and Technology Research Act of 2015, H.R. 1477, 114th Congress, 1st Session (2015). https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/BILLS-114hr1477ih.

Harvard (Cite Them Right 12th edition). Our Cite Them Right Harvard prints cases, legislation, bills, regulations and treaties without their citation numbers, so this guide shows no Harvard example. Add the numbers by hand, or use a legal style for legal work. What to check by hand

IEEE
[1]
Fair Access to Science and Technology Research Act of 2015. 2015. [Online]. Available: https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/BILLS-114hr1477ih
In-text [1]

Numbered by order of appearance in your document.

Vancouver
1.
Fair Access to Science and Technology Research Act of 2015 [Internet]. 1st Session, H.R. 1477 Mar 19, 2015. Available from: https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/BILLS-114hr1477ih
In-text (1)

Numbered by order of appearance in your document.

Other Source Types

Website Book Journal Article Newspaper Article Book Chapter Thesis/Dissertation Report Video Podcast/Broadcast Magazine Article Software Dataset Patent Legal Case Legislation Regulation Hearing Standard Treaty Conference Paper Manuscript Review Book Review Classic Work Reference Entry Dictionary Entry Encyclopedia Entry Periodical Collection Interview Speech Song Musical Score Graphic Figure Map Performance Event Pamphlet Preprint Document Post Blog Post Personal Communication Generative AI