1. Something done or performed by a person or body (such as a court).
2. Formal product of a legislative body that becomes part of the law. An act may or may not concern a single subject (e.g., air quality). Acts codified in the United States Code can be found via the Table of Popular Names.
3. A word often included in the titles of legislative bills that have yet to become law.
1. As a physical deed: Dennis walks into Mr. Wilson's yard to retrieve a ball. Dennis has acted. Dennis pushes Tina into Mr. Wilson's yard. Tina has not acted.
2. As a legislative product: In February 2009, Congress passed the DTV Delay Act. President Obama signed the act, and it became part of federal law. As a result, public television broadcasters could choose to wait until June 12, 2009 before stopping their analog signals and broadcasting exclusively in digital format. The previous deadline under federal law was February 17, 2009.
3. As a legislative proposal: The Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007 is the name of a bill that was proposed in the 110th Congress. This bill was not enacted into law.
