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.[http://oklahoma.sierraclub.org/chapter/pdf_files/What's%20A%20Shell%20Bill.pdf "What is a shell bill?" Oklahoma Sierra Club] 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.Dickerson, John. "The Invasion of the Bill Snatchers." Slate. October 6, 2009. [http://www.slate.com/id/2231640/]