If you’re looking for a little inspiration for drafting your legislation, we’ve compiled a handy list of style guides from various jurisdictions around the country. We’ll keep this updated as things change. Thank you for notifying us of any mistakes or broken links here.
“Live Versions” are links to where the we last found the drafting guide. These live versions sometimes change, so we also provide a Permanent Link that should never break. After taking a look at this collection of resources, thank you for considering a donation to support our work.
Permanent Link (Retrieved 2016/09/14)
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“The Uniform Law Commission provides states with non-partisan, well conceived, and well drafted legislation that brings clarity and stability to critical areas of state statutory law.” - Uniform Law Commission
Permanent Link (Retrieved 2018/05/30)
Permanent Link (Retrieved 2016/10/06)
Permanent Link (Retrieved 2016/09/30)
Permanent Link (Retrieved 2016/06/23)
Permanent Link (Retrieved 2015/10/04)
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Permanent Link (Retrieved 2016/11/11)
Basic Considerations in Drafting Legislation
Permanent Link (Retrieved 2016/05/31)
Regulations Drafting Manual
Permanent Link (Retrieved 2016/05/31)
Permanent Link (Retrieved 2016/11/12)
House
Permanent Link (Retrieved 2016/11/11)
Senate
Permanent Link (Retrieved 2016/10/31)
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Permanent Link (Retrieved 2016/04/22)
Permanent Link (Retrieved 2016/09/09)
Permanent Link (Retrieved 2016/06/28)
We have not found a drafting guide provided by the state of Iowa. The Iowa League of Cities, however, presented a course in 2012 directed toward drafting and preparing ordinances, resolutions, and motions. Here is the Live Version and the Permanent Link (Retrieved 2016/12/06).
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Permanent Link (Retrieved 2016/06/05)
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Permanent Link (Retrieved 2015/09/10)
Permanent Link (Retrieved 2016/10/25)
Permanent Link (Retrieved 2016/04/11)
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Permanent Link (Retrieved 2016/08/20)
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Permanent Link (Retrieved 2016/07/18)
Permanent Link (Retrieved 2016/10/30)
Available to other state legislatures only.
Available to other state legislatures only.
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Permanent Link (Retrieved 2016/11/11)
The drafting manual is not available, but the rules of the assembly is available here.
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Permanent Link (Retrieved 2016/11/14)
The legislative drafting manual is not available, but the Administrative Rule Drafting Manual is provided below.
Permanent Link (Retrieved 2015/09/06)
Available to other state legislatures only.
Permanent Link (Retrieved 2016/08/27)
The League of Oregon Cities also published an Ordinance Drafting and Maintenance Guide in 2001. Here is the Live Version.
Permanent Link (Retrieved 2016/09/08)
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Permanent Link (Retrieved 2016/08/16)
No Permanent Link Available
We have not found a drafting guide provided by the state of Texas. The Texas Municipal League, however, does have a drafting guide directed towards municipalities. Here is the Live Version and the Permanent Link (Retrieved 2016/04/15).
Permanent Link (Retrieved 2016/11/11)
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Permanent Link (Retrieved 2016/10/07)
Permanent Link (Retrieved 2016/11/14)
Permanent Link (Retrieved 2015/09/18)
The drafting manual is not available, but the legislative handbook is available here.
Portland provides a manual discussing the “preparation of ordinances, resolutions and reports for submission to the City Council.” The manual was last updated in February 2015. It is very detailed and contains information that is specific to Portland and drafting tips that are universally applicable. Live Version and the Permant Link (Retrieved 2017/02/08).
Permanent Version Not Available