How to cite a bill or resolution

Bluebook (22d ed.) citation format, B13 / R13.2.

Bluebook (22d ed.) citation format for a bill or resolution, governed by B13 / R13.2. Worked example, required elements, and the rules that apply.

Example

S. 1983, 93d Cong. § 10 (1973).

Governing rules

B13 / R13.2

• 13 — legislative materials.
• 13.2 — bills and resolutions.
• 13.2(a) — unenacted federal bills and resolutions.
• T9 — legislative-document abbreviations.

Required elements

• Chamber / designation — R13.2: “H.R.”, “S.”, “H.R.J. Res.”, “S. Con. Res.”
• Bill number
• Congress

Optional elements

• Title
• Session
• Session parenthetical — R13.2: required for a bill before the 60th Congress.
• State (state bills)
• State legislative body
• Section
• Year
• Stage parenthetical
• Enacted — R13.2: an enacted bill adds “(enacted)”.
• Parallel citation
• Database citation
• URL
• On file with

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