Uniform Laws
and Model Acts
Uniform Laws
• The National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform
State Laws drafts Uniform Laws and Model Acts.
• The goal is to promote uniformity in state law on subjects
where uniformity is desirable and practical.
• The National Conference designates as a “Uniform Law”
any act that has a reasonable chance of enactment in a
substantial number of states.
Uniform Laws
• The National Conference has approved more than 200 acts
and more than 100 have been adopted by at least one state.
• Uniform Commercial Code has been enacted in every state.
• Approved laws can be found in
– separate pamphlets
– the annual Handbook of the National Conference
– Uniform Laws Annotated, Master Edition, with annual
supplements
– ULA database on Westlaw
• Contains uniform laws and model acts
• Search: ci(“uniform commercial code”)
• Find command: ula ucc 2-201
Model Acts
• An act that does not have a reasonable chance of adoption
by a substantial number of states is designated a “Model
Act.”
• The goal is to have some of the sections, but not all,
adopted or modified by some of the states.
• Both the National Commission and the American Law
Institute draft Model Acts.
• Model Business Corporation Act, Model Penal Code
• Model Acts can be located in
– Handbook of the National Conference
– Directory of Uniform Acts and Codes
– ULA database on Westlaw