bill / draft law
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bill / draft law
A fully formulated proposal for a new law or an amendment to a law that is submitted to a parliament for discussion and voting. Before it becomes law, it must go through the legislative process.
Die Opposition kritisierte den neuen Gesetzentwurf der Regierung scharf.
The opposition sharply criticized the government's new bill.
This word is a compound made up of 'das Gesetz' (the law) and 'der Entwurf' (the draft). So it literally means 'law draft,' which describes its meaning exactly. The '-en-' is a linking element that connects the two words.
Ein Gesetzentwurf ist der erste Schritt zu einem neuen Gesetz.
A bill is the first step toward a new law.
A 'Gesetzentwurf' (bill / draft law) goes through a political process and is therefore used with certain verbs: you can 'einbringen' (introduce), 'beraten' (discuss/deliberate on), 'verabschieden' (pass), or 'ablehnen' (reject) it.
Die Regierung hat einen neuen Gesetzentwurf zur Steuerreform eingebracht.
The government has introduced a new bill on tax reform.
This word is found almost exclusively in news and discussions about politics and law. It is closely connected with institutions such as 'der Bundestag' (the German federal parliament), 'die Regierung' (the government), and 'das Parlament' (parliament).
Der Gesetzentwurf wird derzeit in den Ausschüssen des Bundestages beraten.
The bill is currently being discussed in the Bundestag committees.
draft bill
Both words refer to the text for a new law or an amendment to a law that has not yet been passed. Gesetzentwurf emphasizes the proposal and its status as a draft, whereas Gesetzesentwurf refers to the same proposed text of a law. In this meaning, both words can be used for the document submitted to parliament.
Der Gesetzentwurf wird dem Parlament zur Beratung und Abstimmung vorgelegt.
The bill is submitted to parliament for discussion and a vote.
Der Gesetzesentwurf wird dem Parlament zur Diskussion und Abstimmung vorgelegt.
The draft bill is submitted to parliament for discussion and a vote.
