An enacting clause is a short phrase that introduces the main provisions of a law enacted by a legislature. It is also called enacting formula or enacting words. It usually declares the source from which the law claims to derive its authority. In many countries, an enacting formula is not considered necessary and is simply omitted. When it is required, a common tactic by a bill's opponent is a motion to "strike the enacting clause", which would make the law unenforceable. The simplest enacting clauses merely cite the legislature by which the law has been adopted; for example the enacting clause used in Australia since 1990 is "The Parliament of Australia enacts".

National legislatures

Albania

Parliament of Albania: ""THE PARLIAMENT OF ALBANIA DECIDED:""

Antigua and Barbuda

Parliament of Antigua and Barbuda: ""ENACTED by the Parliament of Antigua and Barbuda as follows:""

Argentina

Congress of Argentina: ""The Senate and House of Deputies of the Argentine Nation, in Congress assembled, ... enact or approve with the force of law:""

Australia

Parliament of Australia: ""The Parliament of Australia enacts:"" For constitutional amendments passed at a referendum: ""The Parliament of Australia, with the approval of the electors, as required by the Constitution, enacts:"" 1973 - October 1990: ""BE IT ENACTED by the Queen [King], and the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia, as follows:"" ""BE IT ENACTED by the Queen [King], and the Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia, with the approval of the electors, as required by the Constitution, as follows:"" 1901–1972: ""BE IT ENACTED by the King's [Queen's] Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia, as follows:"" ""BE IT ENACTED by the King's [Queen's] Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia, with the approval of the electors, as required by the Constitution, as follows:""

Austria

National Council: ""The National Council has enacted:""

Bangladesh

Jatiya Sangsad: ""WHEREAS it is expedient and necessary to make provisions for the [purpose of the enactment] THEREFORE, it is hereby enacted as follows :""

Barbados

Parliament of Barbados: 1969: ""BE IT ENACTED by the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Assembly of Barbados and by the authority of the same as follows:-"" 2020: ""ENACTED by the Parliament of Barbados as follows:"" For bills amending the constitution: ""ENACTED by the Parliament of Barbados in accordance with section 49 of the Constitution as follows:""

The Bahamas

Parliament of The Bahamas: ""Enacted by the Parliament of The Bahamas.""

Belgium

In Belgium the enacting formula appears in the Belgian official journal (Belgisch Staatsblad/Moniteur belge) when the law is promulgated and published, but is usually thereafter not included when the law is printed in compilations, or stored in internet databases, even official ones. The enacting clause is as follows. "N. (e.g. PHILIPPE), King of the Belgians: To all, present and to come, greeting. The Chambers have adopted and We sanction the following: (the articles of the law then follow. After the last article of the law the enacting formula continues). We promulgate the present law, order it to be sealed with the State Seal and published in the Moniteur belge/Belgisch Staatsblad"

Belize

Parliament of Belize: ""BE IT ENACTED, by and with the advice and consent of the House of Representatives and the Senate of Belize and by the authority of the same, as follows:-""

Botswana

Parliament of Botswana: ""ENACTED by the Parliament of Botswana.""

Brazil

National Congress of Brazil: ""THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC: I make it known that the National Congress decrees and I sanction the following Law:"" In Brazil the presidential assent to a bill is called "sanction". After passing both Houses of Congress (the Chamber of Deputies and the Federal Senate), the final version of the bill, duly signed by the presiding officers of both Houses, is sent to the President of the Republic. The document is still called a "proposed law", with a bill number, and with the header "The National Congress decrees:" (In Portuguese: "O Congresso Nacional decreta:"). If the President approves the bill, a different copy of the act is prepared by the Presidency of the Republic, with the official number of the Law and the date of enactment of the law, and also with the replacement of the clause "The National Congress decrees:" with the above mentioned formula "THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC: I make it known that the National Congress decrees and I sanction the following Law:". The signatures of the presiding officers of Congress are therefore not present in this version of the act. This is the version of the statute that is published in the Official Journal and that is included in the statute books. When granting his approval to a bill, the President signs both the bill sent to him by Congress and the final version of the statute with the presidential enacting formula. The signed Bill is returned to Congress by means of a presidential message; the signed statute with the presidential enacting formula is printed in the Official Journal, and the original is thereafter sent to the National Archive. Thus, in Brazil, the President is always seen signing two different documents at bill signing ceremony (the two documents are called the "autographs"): one is the text of the proposed law, the other is the final text of the statute. Technically, the first signature (on the autograph of the Bill sent by Congress) is the "sanction to the proposed law", that is, the approval of the bill, that transforms it in a Law, and the second signature (on the final version of the statute with the presidential enacting formula and a law number) is the promulgation, the announcement to the people that the Law has been adopted. While the signature of the President on the bill includes the addition of the formula "I sanction it" (in Portuguese: "Sanciono") above the signature, this is not seen in the final "promulgation" autograph of the statute. On the other hand, the promulgated statute contains not only the signature of the president, but also the countersignatures of his ministers principally charged with applying the law. When the president vetoes a bill, and the veto is overridden, the Bill is returned by Congress to the President not for sanction (approval), but merely for promulgation. In that case, the president is expected to promulgate the bill in 48 hours. In that situation, the enacting formula that appears in the final text of the adopted statute is as follows: ""THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC: I make it known that the National Congress maintained and I promulgate the following Law:"" Tacit sanction (i.e. implicit approval) is deemed to take place if the president fails to sign or veto a bill within the constitutionally mandated timeframe of fifteen working days from receiving the bill. Once the bill is considered implicitly sanctioned, the president is expected to promulgate the new law and the same 48-hour timeframe applies. The formula in this case is: ""THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC: I make it known that the National Congress decrees and I promulgate the following Law:"" Should the president refuse to promulgate, or fail to promulgate in the period of 48 hours, a bill, after his veto has been overridden by Congress, then the authority to promulgate the bill passes to the President of the Senate. In that case, the formula of promulgation is: ""The President of the FEDERAL SENATE promulgates, in accordance with art. 66 §7, of the Federal Constitution, the following Law, that results from bill vetoed by the President of the Republic and maintained by the National Congress:"" Should the president of the Republic refuse to promulgate, or fail to promulgate in the period of 48 hours, a bill, after the bill has been implicitly sanctioned due to his failure to sign or veto it within the constitutionally mandated timeframe, then the authority to promulgate the bill passes to the President of the Senate. In that case, the formula of promulgation is: ""I make it known that the NATIONAL CONGRESS enacted, the President of the Republic, in accordance with the provisions of §3 of the art. 66 of the Constitution, sanctioned, and I, (NAME IN CAPITAL LETTERS), President of the Federal Senate, in accordance with the §7 of the same article, do promulgate the following Law:"" Whenever the president adopts a provisional measure and the provisional measure is approved by Congress with changes, a normal bill is sent to the president for approval or veto, and the same formulas used for other bills are employed; once enacted, the new statute replaces the provisional measure. However, if the provisional measure adopted by the president is approved by Congress without changes, the bill does not need to be presented for approval or veto; in that case, the law that both corresponds fully to the provisional measure and replaces it is promulgated directly by the President of the Senate, with the following words: ""I make it known that the President of the Republic adopted the Provisional Measure number NNN of YYYY, that the National Congress approved, and I, (NAME IN CAPITAL LETTERS), President of the Federal Senate, for the effects of the provision of the sole paragraph of art. 62 of the Federal Constitution, do promulgate the following Law:"" Historical: General Assembly of the Empire of Brazil (1822-1889) Whenever the General Assembly of the Empire (made up of a Senate and of a Chamber of Deputies) passed a bill, a decree of the General Assembly containing the articles of the approved bill was sent to the Emperor for sanction or veto. The Decree of the General Assembly began with the following formula (that did not appear in the final version of the statute, after the imperial sanction): "The General Assembly decrees:" (in Portuguese: "A Assembleia Geral decreta:"). The decree was still only a proposed law, that would become an actual law if sanctioned by the Emperor. The General Assembly sent its decree to the Emperor for sanction or veto by means of a message with the words following: "The General Assembly sends to the Emperor the enclosed decree, that it considers advantageous, and useful to the Empire, and it asks that His Imperial Majesty may be pleased to grant it His sanction" (in Portuguese: "A Assembleia Geral dirige ao Imperador o decreto incluso, que julga vantajoso e útil ao Império, e pede a Sua Majestade Imperial, se digne dar a Sua sanção"). If the Emperor decided to sanction the decree, then he sent the message of the General Assembly back to the Legislature, adding after the text of the Decree of the General Assembly the following words, together with the date and his signature: ""The Emperor consents" (in Portuguese: "O Imperador consente"). Then, the Executive branch prepared a formal document to promulgate the new law, and this document was known in the imperial period as a Charter of Law (in Portuguese: Carta de Lei). It was the chartered version of the law that was included in the statute books and that was printed and published for the knowledge of the people. Thus, the Charter of Law was the final version of the statute as adopted. It was signed by the Emperor and countersigned by his responsible Ministers, and contained an enacting formula as follows: "NAME OF THE EMPEROR PRECEDED BY THE TITLE "DOM" (e.g. "DOM PETER THE SECOND"), by the grace of God and unanimous acclamation of the peoples, Constitutional Emperor and Perpetual Defender of Brazil: We make it known to all Our subjects that the General Assembly has decreed and We will the following law: (the provisions of the Law then followed, and after the last article of the Law the text of the statute finished with a continuation of the enacting formula, as follows). We command, therefore, all the authorities whom the knowledge and execution of this present Law may concern, that they comply with it and that they make it be complied with and kept, as faithfully and as fully as provided herein. The Secretary of State of the Affairs of... (title of the responsible Minister of the Crown who countersigns the Act with the Emperor and who heads the Department principally charged with applying the Law) is to make this Law be printed, published and circulated. Given at the Palace of... on (day) of (month) of (year), in the (year) of the Independence and of the Empire." "(the provisions of the Law then followed, and after the last article of the Law the text of the statute finished with a continuation of the enacting formula, as follows)" When the powers of the Emperor were discharged by Regents on behalf of the monarch the formula was as follows: "The Regency (or "The Regent"; or "The Princess Imperial Regent"), in the Name of His Majesty the Emperor, the Lord (name of the Emperor preceded by the title "Dom", e.g., "Dom Pedro II"), makes it known to all the subjects of the Empire that the General Assembly has decreed and it (or "He" or "She") sanctioned the following law: (the provisions of the Law then followed, and after the last article of the Law the text of the statute finished with a continuation of the enacting formula, as follows). (He, She, It) commands, therefore, all the authorities whom the knowledge and execution of this present Law may concern, that they comply with it and that they make it be complied with and kept, as faithfully and as fully as provided herein. The Secretary of State of the Affairs of... (title of the responsible Minister of the Crown who countersigns the Act with the Regent and who heads the Department principally charged with applying the Law) is to make this Law be printed, published and circulated. Given at the Palace of... on (day) of (month) of (year), in the (year) of the Independence and of the Empire." "(the provisions of the Law then followed, and after the last article of the Law the text of the statute finished with a continuation of the enacting formula, as follows)"

Canada

Parliament of Canada: ""His [Her] Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:"" The enacting clause for money bills differs. For example, in the Appropriation Act No. 4, 2015–16, it reads as follows: "MOST GRACIOUS SOVEREIGN, Whereas it appears by message from His Excellency the Right Honourable (Governor General), Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, and the Estimates accompanying that message, that the sums mentioned below are required to defray certain expenses of the federal public administration, not otherwise provided for, for the financial year ending March 31, 2016, and for other purposes connected with the federal public administration; May it therefore please Your Majesty, that it may be enacted, and be it enacted by the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, that:"

Chile

National Congress of Chile: "THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC: "Bearing in mind that the Hon. National Congress has given its approval to the following Bill ... And because I have seen fit to approve and sanction it; therefore it enacted and take effect as a law of the Republic""

Colombia

Congress of Colombia: ""The Congress of Colombia, Decrees:""

Croatia

Hrvatski sabor: Words "Hrvatski sabor" (Croatian Parliament) are printed in uppercase as a header on all laws, thereby starting the enacting clause and symbolizing that there is no authority higher than the Parliament. This might be rooted in a popular quote from Ante Starčević in a parliamentary discussion in June 1861, as he stated that there is no-one above the parliamentary sovereignty (other than God and the people of Croatia). A brief statement follows, signed by the President of Croatia, promulgating the law, referring to his constitutional right to do so and the session of the parliament where the legislation has been passed. ""CROATIAN PARLIAMENT Based on the art. 89 of the Constitution of Croatia, I have decided as follows: Decision to enact the law on... [name of the law] I hereby proclaim the law on...[name of the law] passed by the Croatian Parliament at its nth session on [date]:""

Denmark

The Danish Folketing: ""WE FREDERIK THE TENTH, by the Grace of God King of Denmark, hereby proclaim: The Folketing has passed and We by Our consent have assented the following act:""

Dominica

Parliament of Dominica: ""BE IT ENACTED by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Dominica as follows:"

Finland

Parliament of Finland (from 1917 onwards): ""In accordance with the decision of Parliament, it is enacted:"" ""In accordance with the decision of Parliament, made in accordance with § 73 of the Constitution, it is enacted:"" ""In accordance with the proposal of the General Synod and the decision of Parliament, the following Church Act for the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland is enacted:"" Before 1917 (examples): ""His Majesty the Emperor has, in accordance with the humble submission by the Estates of Finland, while in Petergof, on 7 (20) of July, 1906, been pleased to Graciously ratify the following Election Act for the Grand Duchy of Finland:""

• (1906) ""We Alexander the Third, by Grace of God the Emperor and Autocrat of all the Russias, Czar of Poland, Grand Duke of Finland, etc., etc., etc., make it known: it is our will to hereby promulgate, in accordance with the humble submission of the Estates of Finland, the following Criminal Code for the Grand Duchy of Finland, on execution of which, as well as on enforcement of punishments, a special decree will be given""

Fiji

Parliament of Fiji: ""ENACTED by the Parliament of the Republic of Fiji—""

France

Parliament of France: ""The National Assembly and the Senate have adopted, The President of the Republic promulgates the law of which content follows:""

Germany

Bundestag of Germany: For acts which do not need the consent of the Bundesrat: ""The Bundestag has enacted the following law:"" For acts which need the consent of the Bundesrat: ""With the consent of the Bundesrat, the Bundestag has enacted the following law:"" For acts which need an absolute majority and the consent of the Bundesrat: ""With the majority of its members and the consent of the Bundesrat, the Bundestag has enacted the following law:"" For acts that change the Basic Law: ""With the consent of the Bundesrat, the Bundestag has enacted the following law; article 79 paragraph 2 of the Basic Law has been complied with:"" All laws conclude with the following formula before the place and date of signature, the signature of the Federal President and the countersignatures of the Federal Chancellor and of the Federal Ministers responsible for the subject-matter of the law: ""The above law is hereby promulgated and shall be published in the Federal Law Gazette""

Ghana

Parliament of Ghana: ""PASSED by Parliament and assented to by the President.""

Greece

Hellenic Parliament:

Normal Lawmaking

According to the current Constitution of Greece (since March, 1986) each law is approved by the Parliament and promulgated by the President of the Republic. ""We, the President of the Hellenic Republic, do promulgate the following law approved by the Parliament:..."" Before the first amendment of the current Constitution of Greece (until March, 1986) each law had to be approved by the Parliament and then to be ratified and promulgated by the President of the Republic. ""We, the President of the Hellenic Republic, do ratify and promulgate the following law approved by the Parliament:..."" ""We, the President of the Hellenic Republic, unanimously approved along with the Parliament, decided:..."" Under the presidential parliamentary Constitution of 1927 and since the Senate's formation in June, 1929, each law had to be approved by the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate and then to be promulgated by the President of Republic. ""We, Hellenic Republic, taking into account the article 75 of the Constitution, do promulgate the following Law, approved by the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate:..."" ""We, Hellenic Republic, taking into account the article 75 of the Constitution, do promulgate the following Law, approved by the Parliament:..."" ""We, Hellenic Republic, unanimously approved along with the Parliament, decided and do decree the following:..."" ""We, Hellenic Republic, unanimously approved along with the Fourth National Assembly at Athens, decided and do decree the following:..."" Also, during constitutional monarchy regime, under the Constitutions of 1864 (as amended in 1911 and re-enacted in 1935) and 1952, each law had to be approved by both the Parliament and the King and then promulgated by the later. ""We, [Name] King of the Hellenes, unanimously approved along with the Parliament, decided and do decree:..."" ""We, Otto by Grace of God the King of the Greece, unanimously approved along with the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, do decree the following:...""

Lawmaking under the state of emergency

In case of extremely urgent unforeseen situations, the Constitution grants the Greek government along with the President of the Republic to issue legislative acts bypassing the parliamentary approval, in order to deal with urgent issues, provided that act to be later submitted for sanction in Parliament within forty days after either its promulgation or the parliamentary session convocation, in order to acquire legal power. ""We, the President of the Hellenic Republic, taking into account: 1) the paragraph 1 of Constitution article 44. 2) The extremely urgent and unforeseen need [...], do decide:..."" Under the previous presidential parliamentary Constitutions, Emergency laws and legislative decrees were enacted by the following clause: ""We, the President of the Hellenic Republic, on the proposal of Our Cabinet, decided and do decree:..."" ""We, Hellenic Republic, on the proposal of Our Cabinet, decided and do decree:..."" During the Kingdom of Greece period, emergency laws and legislative decrees were enacted by the following clause: ""We, [Name] King of the Hellenes, on the proposal of Our Cabinet, decided and do decree:..."" ""We, [Name] King of the Hellenes, taking into account the provisions of Constitution article 35 and the consent of the according to paragraph 2 of the same article 35 special parliamentary committee, provided in [Date], on the proposal of Our Cabinet, decided and do decree:...""

Constitutional and Parliament Regulation amendments

Currently, any amendment of the Constitution Law must be published in the official government gazette of the Hellenic Republic, directly ordered by the Speaker of the Parliament. ""We, the Speaker of the Hellenic Parliament, taking into account: The second paragraph of the resolution provided in [date] by the [numbering] Revising Assembly of Hellenes, do order the whole text of the Constitution to be published on the official Government Gazette, including its modern Greek language reform introduced by the second resolution of the sixth Revising Assembly of Hellenes in March 6th, 1986 and the (following) amendments [...], as follows:..."" Likewise, any amendment of the Work Regulation Law of the Hellenic Parliament must be published in the official government gazette of the Hellenic Republic, directly ordered by the Speaker of the Parliament. ""We, the Speaker of the Parliament, taking into account: 1) the paragraph 1 of Constitution article 65. 2) [...], do order the Work Regulation of the Parliament to be published on the official Government Gazette, as follows:...""

Presidential and Royal decrees

The President of Hellenic Republic is the sole authorized state official to promulgate decrees, according to the current Constitution. In case of President's absence/incapacity/retirement, the decrees are legally promulgated by the President of the Parliament, performing as Acting President of the Republic. ""We, the President of the Hellenic Republic, taking into account: 1) the provisions [...]. The No[numbering/year] opinion of the Council of State, on the Minister of [portfolio] proposal, do decide:..."" ""We, Hellenic Republic, taking into account: [...], on Our Minister of [portfolio] proposal, decided and do decree:..."" During the Kingdom of Greece period, the clause of the equivalent Royal decrees, issued only by the King or the authorized regent, was: ""We, [Name] King of the Hellenes, taking into account: 1) the provisions [...]. The No[numbering/year] opinion of the Council of State, on Our Minister of [portfolio] proposal, decided and do decree:...""

Other Acts

Acts issued by the Cabinet, being inferior than decrees, enact secondary legislation. Distinctively, various Constituent Acts (i.e. constitutional amendentments without parliamentary approval), occasionally issued for politically transitional periods (and sometimes be submitted for sanction by the next National Assembly, in order to be formal constitutional amendements), are also enacted like: ""The Cabinet, taking into account: [...], does decide:...""

Grenada

Parliament of Grenada: ""Be it enacted by the King's [Queen's] Most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Representatives of Grenada, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—"" Governor-General and the Advisory Council of Grenada: ""Enacted by the Governor-General with the advice and consent of the Advisory Council of Grenada:—"" People's Revolutionary Government: ""In the exercise of the powers vested in the People's Revolutionary Government by People's Law No. 2 (Establishment of People's Revolutionary Government) and in exercise of the powers vested in the Prime Minister by People's Law No. 10 (Declaration and Effect of Laws) it is hereby ORDERED and PROCLAIMED as follows:"

Guyana

Parliament of Guyana: ""Enacted by the Parliament of Guyana:—""

India

Parliament of India: ""BE it enacted by Parliament in the [number of years since 1950] Year of the Republic of India as follows:—""

Indonesia

Indonesian laws have a preamble stating the aims of the law and the clauses of the Constitution relevant to the law. The enacting clause is both before and after the preamble. People's Representative Council: "BY THE GRACE OF GOD THE ALMIGHTY, THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA, [preamble]... By the Mutual Consent of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA and the PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA, has DECIDED: to Enact:" "[preamble]..." Before constitutional amendments in year 2000, the phrase after the preamble was as follows: "... By the approval of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA has DECIDED: to Enact:"

Ireland

The Oireachtas (parliament of the Republic of Ireland): Standard: For an act with a preamble:

Israel

Currently, Israel does not use enacting clauses in its final laws, but a pseudo-enacting clause is usually printed at the beginning of bills: However, the Law and Administration Ordinance did have an enacting clause:

Italy

Italian laws are published in the Gazzetta Ufficiale (the official gazette) with the following enacting clauses: Standard: Constitutional amendments passed by a two-thirds majority in each House: or Constitutional amendments passed by a majority of the entire membership in each House of Parliament and approved by referendum: Constitutional amendments passed by a majority of the entire membership in each House of Parliament and on which a referendum has not been requested: After the text of the law itself, the enacting clause continues: After this concluding clause, the place and date of signature follow. Then the signature of the President of the Republic (printed in capital letters when the law is published in the Gazette) and the counter-signatures of the President of the Council of Ministers (the Prime Minister) and of the keeper of the State Seal (an office held by the Minister of Justice). Those counter-signatures are printed in normal letters when the law is published in the Gazette. The keeper of the State seal counter-signs the law when sealing it. Thereafter, this enacting clause is usually omitted when the law is reprinted in internet compilations or legal books.

Jamaica

Parliament of Jamaica: 1962−2024: ""BE IT ENACTED by The King's [Queen's] Most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Representatives of Jamaica, and by the authority of the same, as follows:-" Since 2024: ""BE IT ENACTED by the Parliament of Jamaica, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Representatives of Jamaica, and by the authority of the same, as follows:-"

Kiribati

Maneaba ni Maungatabu: ""MADE by the Maneaba ni Maungatabu and assented to by the Beretitenti.""

Lebanon

Parliament of Lebanon: ""The Chamber of deputies has adopted, The President of the Republic enacts the law of which content follows:""

Malaysia

Parliament of Malaysia: Since 1998: ""ENACTED by the Parliament of Malaysia as follows:"" Before 1998: ""BE IT ENACTED by the Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong with the advice and consent of the Dewan Negara and Dewan Rakyat in Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:–"" Special laws invoking Article 149 of the Constitution of Malaysia: ""(Preamble); NOW, THEREFORE, pursuant to Article 149 of the Federal Constitution, IT IS ENACTED by the Parliament of Malaysia as follows:"" Special laws invoking Article 149 of the Constitution of Malaysia (Before 1998): ""(Preamble); Now, therefore, pursuant to Article 149 of the Constitution BE IT ENACTED by the Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong with the advice and consent of the Dewan Negara and Dewan Rakyat in Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:""

Malta

Parliament of Malta: ""BE IT ENACTED by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the House of Representatives, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:""

Mexico

After approving laws, Congress issues them as a decree in the manner stablished by Article 70 of the Constitution. Congress then sends the decree to the President for him to assent or veto the law. If the President grants assent to the law, he then issues a decree formally enacting it. Decrees are published in the Official Journal of the Federation (Diario Oficial de la Federación). Congress of the Union: ""[Name of the President], President of the United Mexican States, to its inhabitants BE IT KNOWN: That the Honorable Congress of the Union has sent to me the following DECREE The Congress of the United Mexican States, decrees:""

Moldova

Parliament of the Republic of Moldova: ""The Parliament adopts the present law""

Namibia

Parliament of the Republic of Namibia: ""BE IT ENACTED as passed by the Parliament, and assented to by the President, of the Republic of Namibia as follows:""

Nauru

Parliament of Nauru: ""Enacted by the Parliament of Nauru as follows:""

Netherlands

Estates-General of the Netherlands: ""We [name of sovereign], by the grace of God, [King/Queen] of the Netherlands, [Prince/Princess] of Orange-Nassau, etc. etc. etc. To all who shall see this or hear it read, greetings! be it known: Whereas We have considered that: [here follows a short recital of the Act's purpose]; Thus it is, that We, by the advice of the Council of State, and with the consent of the States General, have assented and understood as We hereby assent and understand: [...text of law...] [We] Require and command that these will be placed in the Official Bulletin of Acts and Decrees and that all ministries, authorities, governmental institutions and civil servants, whom it concerns, will diligently implement it. Given at [location, be it in the Netherlands or abroad, and the date] [signed sovereign]"" The text in Dutch is: ""Wij [name of sovereign], bij de gratie Gods, [Koning/Koningin] der Nederlanden, [Prins/Prinses] van Oranje-Nassau, enz. enz. enz. Allen, die deze zullen zien of horen lezen, saluut! doen te weten: Alzo Wij in overweging genomen hebben, [here follows a short recital of the Act's purpose]; Zo is het, dat Wij, de Raad van State gehoord, en met gemeen overleg der Staten-Generaal, hebben goedgevonden en verstaan, gelijk Wij goedvinden en verstaan bij deze: [...text of law...] Lasten en bevelen dat deze in het Staatsblad zal worden geplaatst en dat alle ministeries, autoriteiten, colleges en ambtenaren wie zulks aangaat, aan de nauwkeurige uitvoering de hand zullen houden. Gegeven te [location and date] [signed sovereign]""

New Zealand

Parliament of New Zealand: ""The Parliament of New Zealand enacts as follows:-"" 1986–1999: ""BE IT ENACTED by the Parliament of New Zealand as follows:-"" Before 1986: ""BE IT ENACTED by the General Assembly of New Zealand in Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:-""

Nigeria

Nigerian National Assembly: ""Enacted by the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria-""

Pakistan

Parliament of Pakistan: "Whereas it is expedient to [purpose of the enactment] It is hereby enacted as follows:-"

Papua New Guinea

National Parliament of Papua New Guinea ""Being an Act to [purpose of the enactment], MADE by the National Parliament ...""

Paraguay

Congress of Paraguay: ""The Congress of the Paraguayan Nation approve with the force of law:"" ""El Congreso de la Nación Paraguaya saciona con fuerza de Ley."" ""Be it known as law of the Republic, be it published and inserted in Official Register.- The President of the Republic.:""

Philippines

Congress of the Philippines 1987 Constitution: ""We, the sovereign Filipino people, imploring the aid of the Almighty God, in order to build a just and humane society, and establish a Government that shall embody our ideals and aspirations, promote the common good, conserve and develop our patrimony, and secure to ourselves and our posterity, the blessings of independence and democracy under the rule of law and a regime of truth, justice, freedom, love, equality, and peace, do ordain and promulgate this Constitution."" Bills: ""Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:-"" Joint Resolutions: ""Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:-""

Peru

Congress of Peru: ""The Congress of the Republic has given the following Law""

Portugal

The enacting clauses used in Portuguese legislation are determined by the Lei formulária (Formulary Law, Law no. 74/98). President of the Republic ""The President of the Republic decrees, in accordance with Article... of the Constitution, the following:"" ""The... (name and subject of the treaty, place and time of its signature and number and date of the parliamentary Resolution that approved it) is ratified."" Assembly of the Republic: ""The Assembly of the Republic decrees, in accordance with paragraph... of Article 161 of the Constitution, as follows: "" ""The Assembly of the Republic decides, in accordance with paragraph... of Article 161 and subsection 5 of Article 166 of the Constitution, the following:"" Government ""In accordance with... (subsection 2 OR paragraph a) of subsection 1) of Article 198 of the Constitution, the Government decrees the following:"" OR ""Under legislative authorisation granted by Article... of Law no. ..., of... (date), and in accordance with paragraph b) of subsection 1 of Article 198 of the Constitution, the Government decrees the following"" OR ""To develop the legal framework enacted by Law (or Executive Law) no. ..., of... (date), and in accordance with paragraph c) of subsection 1 of Article 198 of the Constitution, the Government decrees the following:"" All laws conclude with the date of approval by the respective legislative body and the signature of its presiding member (either the President of the Assembly of the Republic or the Prime Minister), followed by the formula of promulgation by the President of the Republic. This formula of promulgation is very simple, consisting only of the clause "Let it be published" (in Portuguese: Publique-se), followed by the date of promulgation by the President of the Republic and the presidential signature (the name of the Head of State is printed in capital letters when the law is published). After the signature of the President, the counter-signature of the Prime Minister follows (preceded by the date of the counter-signature), and the name of the Prime Minister is printed in normal letters when the law is published. No law can enter into force before being officially published in the Diário da República (Diary of the Republic).

Romania

Parliament of Romania: ""The Parliament of Romania adopts the present law"" 1965–1989: ""The Great National Assembly of the Romanian Socialist Republic adopts the present law"" 1948–1965: ""The Great National Assembly of the Romanian People's Republic adopts"" 1881–1947: ""[King's name], By the grace of God and the nation's will, King of Romania, To all present and future, good health: The lawmaking assemblies have voted and adopted, and We approve what follows:""

South Africa

Parliament of South Africa: Since 27 April 1994: ""BE IT [THEREFORE] ENACTED by the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa, as follows:—"" or ""PARLIAMENT of the Republic of South Africa [therefore] enacts as follows:—" The Constitution of South Africa, not being a conventional Act of Parliament, does not contain an enacting formula per se. Its preamble does, however, contain the words ""We therefore, through our freely elected representatives, adopt this Constitution as the supreme law of the Republic"." In the context, "we" refers to the people of South Africa. 3 September 1984 to 27 April 1994: 1 January 1981 to 3 September 1984: ""BE IT [THEREFORE] ENACTED by the State President and the House of Assembly of the Republic of South Africa, as follows:―"" 31 May 1961 to 1 January 1981: ""BE IT [THEREFORE] ENACTED by the State President, the Senate and the House of Assembly of the Republic of South Africa, as follows:―"" 31 May 1910 to 31 May 1961: ""BE IT [THEREFORE] ENACTED by the Queen's [King's] Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate and House of Assembly of the Parliament of the Union of South Africa, as follows:—"" ""BE IT ENACTED by the Queen's [King's] Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate and the House of Assembly of the Union of South Africa, in accordance with the requirements of section one hundred and fifty-two of the South Africa Act, 1909, as follows:―""

Spain

Cortes Generales of Spain: ""[Name of the king/queen], [King/Queen] of Spain, to all whom these presents shall be seen or understood, BE IT KNOWN: That the Cortes Generales have approved and I do enact this Act as follows"" For Constitutions: ""[Name of the king/queen], [King/Queen] of Spain, to all whom these presents shall be seen or understood, BE IT KNOWN: That the Cortes Generales have approved and the people of Spain have ratified the following Constitution"" For organic acts: ""[Name of the king/queen], [King/Queen] of Spain, to all whom these presents shall be seen or understood, BE IT KNOWN: That the Cortes Generales have approved and I do enact this Organic Act as follows""

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Parliament of Saint Kitts and Nevis: ""BE IT ENACTED by the King's [Queen's] Most Excellent Majesty by and with the advice and consent of the National Assembly of Saint Christopher and Nevis, and by the authority of the same as follows:-""

Saint Lucia

Parliament of Saint Lucia: 1979−1988: ""BE IT ENACTED by the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Parliament of Saint Lucia and by the authority of the same, as follows:"" Since 1988: ""BE IT ENACTED by the King's [Queen's] Most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the House of Assembly and the Senate of Saint Lucia, and by the authority of the same, as follows:""

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

House of Assembly of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines: ""BE IT ENACTED by the King's [Queen's] Most Excellent Majesty by and with the advice and consent of the House of Assembly of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and by the authority of the same, as follows:-""

Singapore

Parliament of Singapore: ""Be it enacted by the President with the advice and consent of the Parliament of Singapore, as follows:""

Solomon Islands

National Parliament of the Solomon Islands: ""ENACTED by the National Parliament of Solomon Islands.""

Swaziland

Parliament of Swaziland ""ENACTED by the King and the Parliament of Swaziland.""

Sweden

Riksdag ""The following is hereby prescribed.""

Switzerland

Swiss Federal Assembly: ""The Federal Assembly of the Swiss Confederation, pursuant to the articles ... of the Federal Constitution, having taken notice of the message of the Federal Council of ..., resolves:""

Trinidad and Tobago

Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago: ""ENACTED by the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago as follows:-"" ""BE IT ENACTED by the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Representatives of Trinidad and Tobago, and by the authority of the same, as follows:-""

Thailand

National Assembly of Thailand: Constitution: ""May there be virtue. Today is the [day] day of the [month] month of the year of the [year] under the lunar calendar, being [weekday], the [day] day of [month] under the solar calendar, in the [year] Year of the Buddhist Era. [Name of the King in full title] is graciously pleased to proclaim that..............[here follows a recital of the background for the constitution's enactment] ................................................................................................................................ .............[The submitting authority], therefore, submitted the draft charter to His Majesty to affix the royal signature to henceforth promulgate it as the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand. Having thoroughly considered by the King, the expedience to grant the royal permission [in accordance with the public opinion]. Be it, therefore, commanded by the King the enactment of this Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand replaces the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand which enacted on [date of enactment of the previous Constitution] as of the date of its publication, henceforth onwards. May the Thai People unite in observing, protecting and upholding this Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand in order to maintain the democratic regime and the sovereignty of the Thai people, and bring about happiness, prosperity and dignity to His Majesty's subjects throughout the Kingdom according to the will of His Majesty in every respect."" Act: ""[Name of the King in brief title] is graciously pleased to proclaim that: Whereas it is expedient to [have/amend/abrogate] [a/the] law on............ Be it, therefore, enacted by the King, by and with the advice and consent of the National Assembly, as follows:"" Royal Degree & Emergency Decree: ""[Name of the King in brief title] is graciously pleased to proclaim that: Whereas it is expedient to [have/amend/abrogate] [a/the] law on............ Be it, therefore, enacted by the King, by the virtue of.........., the Royal Decree/Emergency Decree as follows:"" Royal Command: ""[Name of the King in brief title] is graciously pleased to proclaim that.............. Announced on the [day] Day of [month] BE [year], being the [regnal year] Year of the Present Reign.""

Tuvalu

Parliament of Tuvalu: ""ENACTED by the Parliament of Tuvalu-""

Uganda

Parliament of Uganda: ""BE IT ENACTED by Parliament of as follows:""

United Kingdom

Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: ""BE IT ENACTED by the King's [Queen's] most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—"" WE, Your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Commons of the United Kingdom in Parliament assembled, towards raising the necessary supplies to defray Your Majesty's public expenses, and making an addition to the public revenue, have freely and voluntarily resolved to give and grant unto Your Majesty the several duties hereinafter mentioned; and do therefore most humbly beseech Your Majesty that it may be enacted, and be it enacted by the King's [Queen's] most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—"" An enacting clause may be preceded by an explanatory preamble of "whereas" clauses, e.g. for the Chequers Estate Act 1917. Until the 19th century each later section of an act repeated an abbreviated version of the formula used in the first section, typically "and be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid". The first revised edition of the statutes omitted these formulae to save space, while printing the primary enacting clause. The Statute Law Revision Act 1888 deleted these formulae from many unrepealed acts.

United States

Congress of the United States Bills: ""Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,"" Joint Resolutions (have the same effect as bills): ""Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,""

Vanuatu

Parliament of Vanuatu ""Be it enacted by the President and Parliament as follows""

Venezuela

National Assembly of Venezuela: ""The National Assembly of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela hereby Decrees""

Zambia

Parliament of Zambia: ""ENACTED by the Parliament of Zambia.""

Zimbabwe

Parliament of Zimbabwe: ""ENACTED by the President and the Parliament of Zimbabwe.""

Former legislatures

""The Control Council enacts as follows:"" ""The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact,"" ""It is hereby enacted as follows:—"" "1965–1969: "BE IT ENACTED by His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government, as representative of the Queen's [King's] Most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Parliament of Rhodesia, as follows:—"" ""Be it enacted by the Legislature of the Government of the Ryukyu Islands:—""

Territorial legislatures

Hong Kong

Macau

British crown dependencies

British overseas territories

Subnational legislatures

Australia

Canada

New Zealand

Provincial councils (abolished in 1876)

Philippines

Sangguniang Panlalawigan

Other legislatures

Saint Kitts and Nevis

United Kingdom

Devolved institutions

Former legislatures

United States

State legislatures

D.C. council and territorial legislatures