Peer-to-Peer Drafting and Editing Software Montana’s Bill Drafting Application
Montana Legislature and Legislative Services Division • Legislature meets every other year for 90 days • Legislative Services = full-time, nonpartisan, bill drafting, legal, editing, research, IT, central services • 22 Drafters (12 non-attorneys, 10 attorneys) • 3 Technical editors and one proofer • Montana Constitution affords citizens a strong “right to know” • Bill drafts and drafting materials are public documents
Change on the Horizon • Draft with WordPerfect based system since 1994 • Old drafting system features: • Macros for many drafting processes, strike/add • Pulls in current MCA sections • Diagnostics • Limited workflow steps (send to legislator, send for legal review, introduce) • Amendment instructions and delivery to floor (no amendments in context)
Drivers for Change • Mainframe Database • Key staff had retired; database was obsolete • Process had become cumbersome and inefficient • Drafting • WordPerfect not supported • Retirement of key staff looming • New technologies • Develop fully electronic system • Publication • Inconsistent end products (printed MCA volumes, web site display, Folio)
Redesign Keys for Drafters • Keep existing functionality as much as possible • Keystroke shortcuts • Standardized section language • Ability to check internal references • Create system that allows (not requires) entirely electronic drafting and review • Add new functionality to save time • Electronic “junque” • Workflow • Amendments in Context (Grey Bills)
One of Many • Other legislative systems involved in system redesign • Multi-year process • Legislative Services contracted with Propylon • Domain Experience • Technology • Partnership Approach
System Redesign Status • Implemented • Mainframe migration • Codification software • Publication software • Draft entry and tracking dashboard (2017 session) • Drafting software new for 2021 session • Next steps: Install for all drafters and train • Continue training, testing, and revising system using interim committee draft bills • Amendments in Context for 2021 session
Paper to Paperless 1994 to 2019 Process • Electronic drafting until legal review • Paper copy printed for legal review, edit, proofing • Use dashboard for workflow since 2017
My Dashboard
Create New Draft
Review and Manage Workflow
Checklist
Drafting Tools • Import most recent MCA sections and session law sections • Create new statutes • Use standardized language for common sections • Effective dates, codification instructions, termination dates, savings clauses, etc • Track changes functionality to “strike” existing language and “add” new language to existing law
Drafting Tools Track changes before and after Apply Formatting Before After
Imports multiple MCA sections at once.
Compare Against the Master Code Retains diagnostic tests to fix drafter errors. (Also, to ensure consistency in underlying formatting.)
Shows conflicts with other bills and draft documents.
Adds electronic editing functionality. Using track changes in Word, we can interact electronically with the editors and legal director.
Reorders bill sections quickly. No more cut/paste. It also enforces numerical order for existing MCA sections.
Reorders bill sections quickly. No more cut/paste. It also enforces numerical order for existing MCA sections.
Electronic Archives • In Montana, Article II, section 9, provides people with the right to examine documents and observe deliberations of all public bodies • Includes access to bill drafts, versions of those drafts, and drafting materials (ie, emails) • “Junque Files” = Our term for the drafts and other materials collected and created during the drafting process • Can be extensive and are often requested by the public
This is a junque file for a rather complicated campaign finance bill from a past session.
With new system, draft versions will archive automatically. Saves time and paper.
Other Improvements • Drafter can open multiple bills and/or amendments documents at same time • Have to switch between drafting and amendment functions now • Draft stays in focus while using the other tools – conflicts, diagnostics • Amendments in context capability • Easy to create grey bills • Still determining if committees will vote on amendment instructions or full in-context version
Draft Amendments in Bill Context – Software Creates Amendment Technical Language
Questions? Rachel Weiss Research Analyst Montana Legislative Services Division rweiss@mt.gov 406-444-5367
Video Walkthrough of Montana Application • https://onedrive.live.com/?authkey=%21AjfFEDEN4NlqOrI&cid=88 FEB94CBAA35044&id=88FEB94CBAA35044%219782&parId=88 FEB94CBAA35044%216496&o=OneUp • https://onedrive.live.com/?authkey=%21AsLPID9VQ2djdP0&cid=8 8FEB94CBAA35044&id=88FEB94CBAA35044%219783&parId=8 8FEB94CBAA35044%216496&o=OneUp
Recommend
More recommend
