“Defective” Effective Dates
We’re getting a lot of questions about what we call “defective” effective dates (effective dates far in the future, like July 1, 2050, or January 1, 2222) being put into bills. Rest assured, there’s no intention of the bill going off to the governor with that far ahead date intact.
These dates are added as placeholders and may facilitate discussion on bills that require cleanup work or negotiation. It’s important to note that a “defective” date doesn’t invalidate the bill. Instead, it provides a safeguard that the bill won’t pass the legislature until concerns with the bill are resolved — usually in conference committee near the end of session. At that point, a reasonable effective date can be inserted.
