Define: Enrolled-Bill Rule

The Enrolled-Bill Rule is a legal principle that presumes the accuracy of an enrolled bill, meaning that once a bill has been properly passed by both houses of the legislature, enrolled, and signed by the appropriate officials, it is considered to be an authentic and accurate representation of the law.

The Enrolled-Bill Rule establishes a strong presumption that the text of an enrolled bill accurately reflects the intent of the legislature. Courts generally defer to the enrolled bill as the authoritative version of the law, making it a crucial factor in the interpretation and application of statutes.

While the Enrolled-Bill Rule is a strong presumption, it is not absolute. Courts may consider evidence outside of the enrolled bill to determine legislative intent if there are compelling reasons to do so. However, challenging the Enrolled-Bill Rule can be difficult, and courts generally require strong evidence to deviate from the enrolled bill’s text.

If an error or discrepancy is discovered in the enrolled bill, it can be corrected through appropriate legislative procedures. However, until such correction is made, the enrolled bill’s text will generally be considered the authoritative version of the law.

The Enrolled-Bill Rule typically applies to all types of legislation, including bills, resolutions, and amendments. However, its application may vary depending on the jurisdiction and specific legal context.

In certain circumstances, other legal principles, such as constitutional requirements or statutory provisions, may take precedence over the Enrolled-Bill Rule. However, the Enrolled-Bill Rule is generally given significant weight in the absence of conflicting legal considerations.

The Enrolled-Bill Rule reinforces the principle of separation of powers by limiting the judiciary’s ability to second-guess the legislative process. It promotes judicial deference to the legislature’s intent as expressed in the enrolled bill.

While the Enrolled-Bill Rule is a strong presumption, there may be exceptions in cases where fraud, corruption, or other irregularities in the legislative process are alleged. In such instances, courts may be more willing to consider evidence outside of the enrolled bill.

The Enrolled-Bill Rule is primarily concerned with the accuracy and authenticity of the legislative process, rather than the constitutionality of a law. Challenges to the constitutionality of a law are typically evaluated based on constitutional principles and legal arguments, rather than the Enrolled-Bill Rule.

The Enrolled-Bill Rule generally limits the use of legislative history, such as committee reports or floor debates, in interpreting a law. Courts often prioritize the text of the enrolled bill itself over other sources of legislative history, unless there are compelling reasons to deviate from this approach.