Act vs. Bill — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 2, 2024
An act is a law enacted by a legislative body, fully passed and ratified, while a bill is a draft of a proposed law presented for approval.
Difference Between Act and Bill
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
An act is a legislative document that has been approved by both houses of a legislature and formally enacted into law, typically by a head of state or a designated official. This means an act is binding and carries legal force. Whereas, a bill is essentially a proposal for a new law, introduced in a legislature but not yet passed or enacted. Bills must undergo debate, modification, and approval before becoming acts.
An act represents the final stage of the legislative process, carrying the authority to affect the rights and duties of individuals and entities. It has passed all legislative hurdles and received the necessary endorsements. On the other hand, a bill is in its developmental stages and represents the initial ideas that may or may not become law, depending on how legislative discussions and votes turn out.
Once a bill is successfully passed by the legislature, it must be ratified or signed into law by a head of state or a similar authority, thus becoming an act. This transition from bill to act is crucial as it signifies the official adoption of the proposed legislation into law. Whereas, before this point, a bill can be amended, rejected, or even ignored altogether depending on legislative priorities and political considerations.
Acts are often codified into law and cited in legal documents and judicial proceedings, reflecting their permanence and effect on society. Whereas bills, being still in the proposal stage, hold no legal standing and cannot be enforced or cited as part of the law.
The process of a bill becoming an act can vary widely from one jurisdiction to another, often involving extensive debates, committee reviews, and amendments. On the other hand, once a bill becomes an act, the process is complete, and the focus shifts to its implementation and interpretation by courts and government agencies.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A law officially passed and ratified
A draft proposal for a new law
Legal Status
Has full legal authority
Has no legal authority until passed
Stage
Final stage of the legislative process
Initial or intermediary legislative stage
Amendment
Cannot be amended without new legislation
Can be amended during legislative discussions
Implementation
Directly enforceable and binding
Not enforceable unless passed into law
Compare with Definitions
Act
A formal decision made by a legislative body.
The act was signed into law by the president last Thursday.
Bill
A proposal for a law presented to a parliament.
The senator introduced a bill aiming to reform education.
Act
A statute or law officially passed by a governing body.
Several acts have been passed to improve public health.
Bill
A draft of proposed legislation.
The bill went through several amendments before passing.
Act
Enacted legislation that is legally binding.
The new tax act affects all residents of the country.
Bill
A preliminary version of what may become law.
The bill must pass both houses to become an act.
Act
A legal instrument codifying a decision.
The act was cited in the court to support the argument.
Bill
An initial document suggesting changes to law.
The bill sparked widespread debate among lawmakers.
Act
An official record of a law.
The library archives every act that the legislature passes.
Bill
A legislative proposal subject to discussion.
The bill was discussed extensively in the committee.
Act
The process of doing or performing something
The act of thinking.
Bill
An itemized list or statement of fees or charges.
Act
Something done or performed; a deed
A charitable act.
Bill
A statement or list of particulars, such as a theater program or menu.
Act
(Law) Something done that has legal significance
A criminal act.
Bill
The entertainment offered by a theater.
Act
A statute or other law formally adopted by a legislative body
An act of Congress.
Bill
A public notice, such as an advertising poster.
Act
A formal written record of proceedings or transactions.
Bill
A piece of legal paper money
A ten-dollar bill.
Act
One of the major divisions of a play, opera, or film.
Bill
(Slang) One hundred dollars.
Act
A performance or entertainment usually forming part of a longer presentation
A juggling act.
A magic act.
Bill
A bill of exchange.
Act
The actor or actors presenting such a performance
Joined the act in Phoenix.
Bill
(Obsolete) A promissory note.
Act
A manifestation of intentional or unintentional insincerity; a pose
Put on an act.
Bill
A draft of a proposed law presented for approval to a legislative body.
Act
To play the part of; assume the dramatic role of
She plans to act Ophelia in summer stock.
Bill
The law enacted from such a draft
A bottle bill in effect in three states.
The GI Bill.
Act
To perform (a role) on the stage
Act the part of the villain.
Bill
A document containing the formal statement of a case in equity; a complaint seeking equitable relief.
Act
To behave like or pose as; impersonate
Don't act the fool.
Bill
An indictment or charge in an indictment against an accused person.
Act
To behave in a manner suitable for
Act your age.
Bill
A structure projecting from the head of a bird, consisting of the jaws and their horny covering and including the upper and lower mandibles; a beak.
Act
To behave or comport oneself
She acts like a born leader.
Bill
A similar horny mouth part, such as that of a turtle.
Act
To perform in a dramatic role or roles.
Bill
The visor of a cap.
Act
To be suitable for theatrical performance
This scene acts well.
Bill
(Nautical)The tip of the fluke of an anchor.
Act
To behave affectedly or unnaturally; pretend.
Bill
A billhook.
Act
To appear or seem to be
The dog acted ferocious.
Bill
A halberd or similar weapon with a hooked blade and a long handle.
Act
To carry out an action
We acted immediately. The governor has not yet acted on the bill.
Bill
To present a statement of costs or charges to.
Act
To operate or function in a specific way
His mind acts quickly.
Bill
To enter on a statement of costs or on a particularized list.
Act
To serve or function as a substitute for another
A coin can act as a screwdriver.
Bill
To advertise or schedule by public notice or as part of a program.
Act
To produce an effect
Waited five minutes for the anesthetic to act.
Bill
To declare or describe officially; proclaim
A policy that was billed as an important departure for the administration.
Act
(countable) Something done, a deed.
An act of goodwill
Bill
To touch beaks together.
Act
Actuality.
Bill
Any of various bladed or pointed hand weapons, originally designating an Anglo-Saxon sword, and later a weapon of infantry, especially in the 14th and 15th centuries, commonly consisting of a broad, heavy, double-edged, hook-shaped blade, with a short pike at the back and another at the top, attached to the end of a long staff.
Act
(theology) Something done once and for all, as distinguished from a work.
Bill
A cutting instrument, with hook-shaped point, and fitted with a handle, used in pruning, etc.; a billhook.
Act
A product of a legislative body, a statute.
Bill
Somebody armed with a bill; a billman.
Act
The process of doing something.
He was caught in the act of stealing.
Bill
A pickaxe, or mattock.
Act
(countable) A formal or official record of something done.
Bill
(nautical) The extremity of the arm of an anchor; the point of or beyond the fluke (also called the peak).
Act
A division of a theatrical performance.
The pivotal moment in the play was in the first scene of the second act.
Bill
The beak of a bird, especially when small or flattish; sometimes also used with reference to a platypus, turtle, or other animal.
Act
(countable) A performer or performers in a show.
Which act did you prefer? The soloist or the band?
Bill
A beak-like projection, especially a promontory.
There is a lighthouse on Portland Bill.
Act
(countable) Any organized activity.
Bill
Of a cap or hat: the brim or peak, serving as a shade to keep sun off the face and out of the eyes.
Act
(countable) A display of behaviour.
Bill
A written list or inventory. (Now obsolete except in specific senses or set phrases; bill of lading, bill of goods, etc.)
Act
A thesis maintained in public, in some English universities, by a candidate for a degree, or to show the proficiency of a student.
Bill
A document, originally sealed; a formal statement or official memorandum. (Now obsolete except with certain qualifying words; bill of health, bill of sale etc.)
Act
(countable) A display of behaviour meant to deceive.
To put on an act
Bill
A draft of a law, presented to a legislature for enactment; a proposed or projected law.
Act
Senseid|en|act of parliament}} (law) {{ellipsis of act of parliament
Bill
A declaration made in writing, stating some wrong the complainant has suffered from the defendant, or a fault committed by some person against a law.
Act
(intransitive) To do something.
If you don't act soon, you will be in trouble.
Bill
A piece of paper money; a banknote.
Act
To do (something); to perform.
Bill
One hundred dollars.
Act
(intransitive) To perform a theatrical role.
I started acting at the age of eleven in my local theatre.
Bill
A written note of goods sold, services rendered, or work done, with the price or charge; an invoice.
Act
(intransitive) Of a play: to be acted out (well or badly).
Bill
A paper, written or printed, and posted up or given away, to advertise something, as a lecture, a play, or the sale of goods
Act
(intransitive) To behave in a certain manner for an indefinite length of time.
A dog which acts aggressively is likely to bite.
I believe that Bill's stuck-up because of the way that he acts.
He's acting strangely - I think there's something wrong with him.
Bill
A writing binding the signer or signers to pay a certain sum at a future day or on demand, with or without interest, as may be stated in the document; a bill of exchange. In the United States, it is usually called a note, a note of hand, or a promissory note.
Act
(copulative) To convey an appearance of being.
He acted unconcerned so the others wouldn't worry.
Bill
A set of items presented together.
Act
(intransitive) To do something that causes a change binding on the doer.
Act on behalf of John
Bill
The bell, or boom, of the bittern.
Act
To have an effect (on).
High-pressure oxygen acts on the central nervous system and may cause convulsions or death.
Gravitational force acts on heavy bodies.
Bill
(transitive) To dig, chop, etc., with a bill.
Act
(transitive) To play (a role).
He's been acting Shakespearean leads since he was twelve.
Bill
(obsolete) to peck
Act
(transitive) To feign.
He acted the angry parent, but was secretly amused.
Bill
To stroke bill against bill, with reference to doves; to caress in fondness
Act
To map via a homomorphism to a group of automorphisms (of).
This group acts on the circle, so it can't be left-orderable!
Bill
(transitive) To advertise by a bill or public notice.
Act
To move to action; to actuate; to animate.
Bill
(transitive) To charge; to send a bill to.
Act
To enact; to decree.
Bill
A beak, as of a bird, or sometimes of a turtle or other animal.
Act
That which is done or doing; the exercise of power, or the effect, of which power exerted is the cause; a performance; a deed.
That best portion of a good man's life,His little, nameless, unremembered actsOf kindness and of love.
Bill
The bell, or boom, of the bittern
The bittern's hollow bill was heard.
Act
A state of reality or real existence as opposed to a possibility or possible existence.
The seeds of plants are not at first in act, but in possibility, what they afterward grow to be.
Bill
A cutting instrument, with hook-shaped point, and fitted with a handle; - used in pruning, etc.; a billhook. When short, called a hand bill, when long, a hedge bill.
Act
Process of doing; action. In act, in the very doing; on the point of (doing).
This woman was taken . . . in the very act.
Bill
A weapon of infantry, in the 14th and 15th centuries. A common form of bill consisted of a broad, heavy, double-edged, hook-shaped blade, having a short pike at the back and another at the top, and attached to the end of a long staff.
France had no infantry that dared to face the English bows end bills.
Act
To move to action; to actuate; to animate.
Self-love, the spring of motion, acts the soul.
Bill
One who wields a bill; a billman.
Act
To perform; to execute; to do.
That we act our temporal affairs with a desire no greater than our necessity.
Industry doth beget by producing good habits, and facility of acting things expedient for us to do.
Uplifted hands that at convenient timesCould act extortion and the worst of crimes.
Bill
A pickax, or mattock.
Act
To perform, as an actor; to represent dramatically on the stage.
Bill
The extremity of the arm of an anchor; the point of or beyond the fluke.
Act
To assume the office or character of; to play; to personate; as, to act the hero.
Bill
A declaration made in writing, stating some wrong the complainant has suffered from the defendant, or a fault committed by some person against a law.
Act
To feign or counterfeit; to simulate.
With acted fear the villain thus pursued.
Bill
A writing binding the signer or signers to pay a certain sum at a future day or on demand, with or without interest, as may be stated in the document.
Act
To exert power; to produce an effect; as, the stomach acts upon food.
Bill
A form or draft of a law, presented to a legislature for enactment; a proposed or projected law.
Act
To perform actions; to fulfill functions; to put forth energy; to move, as opposed to remaining at rest; to carry into effect a determination of the will.
He hangs between, in doubt to act or rest.
Bill
A paper, written or printed, and posted up or given away, to advertise something, as a lecture, a play, or the sale of goods; a placard; a poster; a handbill.
She put up the bill in her parlor window.
Act
To behave or conduct, as in morals, private duties, or public offices; to bear or deport one's self; as, we know not why he has acted so.
Bill
An account of goods sold, services rendered, or work done, with the price or charge; a statement of a creditor's claim, in gross or by items; as, a grocer's bill.
Act
To perform on the stage; to represent a character.
To show the world how Garrick did not act.
Bill
Any paper, containing a statement of particulars; as, a bill of charges or expenditures; a weekly bill of mortality; a bill of fare, etc.
Act
A legal document codifying the result of deliberations of a committee or society or legislative body
Bill
To strike; to peck.
Act
Something that people do or cause to happen
Bill
To join bills, as doves; to caress in fondness.
Act
A subdivision of a play or opera or ballet
Bill
To work upon ( as to dig, hoe, hack, or chop anything) with a bill.
Act
A short theatrical performance that is part of a longer program;
He did his act three times every evening
She had a catchy little routine
It was one of the best numbers he ever did
Bill
To advertise by a bill or public notice.
Act
A manifestation of insincerity;
He put on quite an act for her benefit
Bill
To charge or enter in a bill; as, to bill goods.
Act
Perform an action, or work out or perform (an action);
Think before you act
We must move quickly
The governor should act on the new energy bill
The nanny acted quickly by grabbing the toddler and covering him with a wet towel
Bill
A statute in draft before it becomes law;
They held a public hearing on the bill
Act
Behave in a certain manner; show a certain behavior; conduct or comport oneself;
You should act like an adult
Don't behave like a fool
What makes her do this way?
The dog acts ferocious, but he is really afraid of people
Bill
An itemized statement of money owed for goods shipped or services rendered;
He paid his bill and left
Send me an account of what I owe
Act
Play a role or part;
Gielgud played Hamlet
She wants to act Lady Macbeth, but she is too young for the role
She played the servant to her husband's master
Bill
A piece of paper money (especially one issued by a central bank);
He peeled off five one-thousand-zloty notes
Act
Discharge one's duties;
She acts as the chair
In what capacity are you acting?
Bill
The entertainment offered at a public presentation
Act
Pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind;
He acted the idiot
She plays deaf when the news are bad
Bill
A list of particulars (as a playbill or bill of fare)
Act
Be suitable for theatrical performance;
This scene acts well
Bill
An advertisement (usually printed on a page or in a leaflet) intended for wide distribution;
He mailed the circular to all subscribers
Act
Have an effect or outcome; often the one desired or expected;
The voting process doesn't work as well as people thought
How does your idea work in practice?
This method doesn't work
The breaks of my new car act quickly
The medicine works only if you take it with a lot of water
Bill
Horny projecting mouth of a bird
Act
Be engaged in an activity, often for no particular purpose other than pleasure
Bill
A sign posted in a public place as an advertisement;
A poster advertised the coming attractions
Act
Behave unnaturally or affectedly;
She's just acting
Bill
A long-handled saw with a curved blade;
He used a bill to prune branches off of the tree
Act
Perform on a stage or theater;
She acts in this play
He acted in `Julius Caesar'
I played in `A Christmas Carol'
Bill
A brim that projects to the front to shade the eyes;
He pulled down the bill of his cap and trudged ahead
Bill
Demand payment;
Will I get charged for this service?
We were billed for 4 nights in the hotel, although we stayed only 3 nights
Bill
Advertise especially by posters or placards;
He was billed as the greatest tenor since Caruso
Bill
Publicize or announce by placards
Common Curiosities
What is a bill?
A bill is a draft of a proposed law under consideration by a legislature.
What is an act?
An act is a law that has been officially passed and ratified by the legislative body.
Who can introduce a bill?
Typically, members of the legislative body can introduce a bill.
How does a bill become an act?
A bill becomes an act after it is approved by the legislature and signed by the head of state.
Can a bill be enforced as law?
No, a bill cannot be enforced as law until it has been passed and becomes an act.
What role do committees play in the bill process?
Committees review, amend, and decide whether to advance bills to the full legislative body.
Are all acts derived from bills?
Yes, all acts start as bills before they are passed into law by the legislative body.
What happens to a bill that is not passed?
A bill that is not passed is either discarded or can be reintroduced in a future session.
What is required for a bill to pass?
A majority vote in the legislature is typically required for a bill to pass.
Is there a difference in the drafting of a bill and an act?
Yes, drafting a bill is about proposing new ideas, whereas drafting an act involves formalizing those ideas into law.
Can a bill be amended?
Yes, a bill can be amended several times before it is passed into an act.
How are acts enforced?
Acts are enforced by relevant government agencies and the judiciary.
Can an act be repealed?
Yes, an act can be repealed by passing new legislation that explicitly removes it.
What impact does political influence have on the bill process?
Political influence can significantly affect which bills are prioritized, amended, and passed into law.
How do acts affect the general public?
Acts legally bind and affect the rights, duties, and behaviors of the general public.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
