A law new is a proposed or passed piece of legislation that has not yet become part of the law. It may be a bill, an act, or a statute. A bill has to be considered and debated in Congress or another legislative body before it becomes law. A bill’s progress can be tracked by following its status on the calendar, in committee, or on the floor of a house or senate chamber. Once a bill leaves committee it must have a section-by-section analysis prepared by staff that explains its purpose, scope, and effect. This report is known as a committee report.