Guide to the Legislative Process
A Bill is a draft law. Once a Bill has been considered and passed by the Assembly and given Royal Assent by the Monarch, it becomes an ‘Act of the Assembly’. The Assembly is able to pass Acts on any Subject listed in Schedule 7 to the 2006 Act.
Legislation Guidance and Documents
The following links and documents have been provided to give more detailed information about the National Assembly for Wales' Legislative Processes:
Guide to Public Bills and Acts
A Public Bill may be introduced by the Welsh Government, an Assembly Committee, an individual Member or the Assembly Commission. The Assembly procedures relevant to Public Bills are set out in Standing Order 26.
There is generally a four-stage process for the consideration of a Public Bill involving:
- Stage 1 – consideration of the general principles of the Bill by a committee, and the agreement of those general principles by the Assembly;
- Stage 2 – detailed consideration by a committee of the Bill and any amendments tabled to that Bill;
- Stage 3 – detailed consideration, by the Assembly, of the Bill and any amendments tabled to that Bill;
- Stage 4 – a vote by the Assembly to pass the final text of the Bill.
There is an optional, additional amending stage, called the Report Stage, which can take place between stages 3 and 4, if proposed by the Member in Charge and agreed by the Assembly.
Guide to Private Bills
A Private Bill is a Bill introduced by individuals or organisations outside the Assembly for the purpose of obtaining powers for themselves that are in excess of, or in conflict with, the general law. The Assembly procedures relevant to Private Bills are set out in Standing Order 26A.
There are currently no Private Bills in progress.
Ballots for Member Bills
The Presiding Officer must from time to time hold a Ballot to determine the name of a Member, other than a Member of the Government, who may seek agreement to introduce a Member Bill
In order to be eligible for the ballot, Members must table the pre-ballot information required in accordance with Standing Order 26.90.
Presiding Officer’s Determination on Proper Form