Shell bill

A shell bill is a legislative bill, typically with no substantive provisions, that is introduced for purposes of later being amended to include the actual legislative proposals advanced by the introducer.^[1] This device is used for a number of purposes, such as conforming to the rules adopted by a legislative body as to timely introduction of legislation, or abiding by constitutional procedural requirements.^[2]

See also

• Substitute amendment
• Legislative vehicle - amending a bill that has already passed
• Origination Clause of the United States Constitution