How to insert a preamble into a public bill

It’s very rare but nonetheless possible for a Member to table an amendment to insert a preamble into a bill. Currently, users would have to draft the amendment using the traditional LoDA approach (inline amendments to preamble and long title are due for a future release). If the amendment was agreed, users would need to manually insert the amendment text within the existing preamble element and before the words of enactment. This section provides instructions on how to create the preamble amendment and how to insert it into the bill if it were agreed to.

How to create a preamble amendment

1. From the Amendment Workspace create a new List of Draft Amendments

2. Ensure you have selected type ‘Traditional’ (it will likely default to this selection)

3. Insert a blank ‘Amendment’

4. Type into the instruction: “After the Long Title, insert the following new Preamble—“

5. Insert a quoted structure

6. Select ‘Content’ as the starting element

7. Type into the empty content element

8. Save and submit your amendment as normal

How to apply a preamble amendment

1. Open the amendment in the Editor

2. With your cursor inside the quoted structure, right click and select Copy content of quoted structure

3. Open the bill document in the Editor

4. Place cursor in the Preamble element before the words of enactment:

   1. Place cursor at the start of the words of enactment ‘Be’

   2. Use left arrow to move the cursor through the elements until the breadcrumb says “Bill > Preamble”

5. Click enter and insert a paragraph

6. With your cursor in the paragraph use Ctrl+V to paste the content of the quoted structure (the preamble) into the empty paragraph element.

7. Save your changes.