THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS - TOPIC 2 Flashcards
WHAT IS A BILL?
A PROPOSAL FOR A NEW LAW OR A PROPOSAL FOR A CHANGE TO AN EXISTING LAW THAT IS PRESENTED FOR DEBATE B4 PARLIAMENT.
WHAT IS AN ACT?
A BILL THAT HAS BEEN APPROVED BY BOTH THE HOC AND HOL AND BEEN GIVEN ROYAL ASSENT BY THE MONARCH.
WHAT IS A PUBLIC BILL?
A PROPOSED LAW THAT WOULD AFFECT EVERYONE WITHIN ITS JURISDICTION.
WHAT IS AN EXAMPLE OF A PUBLIC BILL?
BUDGET RESPONSIBILITY ACT 2024
WHAT IS A PRIVATE BILL?
PROMOTED BY ORGANISATIONS E.G PRIVATE COMPANIES TO GIVE THEMSELVES POWER BEYONG THE GENERAL LAW. GROUPS AFFECTED BY THESE CHANGES CAN PETITION PARIAMENT AGAINST THE PROPOSED BILL AND PRESENT THEIR OBJECTIONS TO COMMITTEES OF MPS AND LORDS.
WHAT IS AN EXAMPLE OF A PRIVATE BILL?
BISHOPS STORTFORD CEMETERY ACT 2024
WHAT IS A HYBRID BILL?
MIX CHARACTERISTICS OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE BILLS. CHANGES PROPOSED BY HYDRBID BILLS AFFECT THE GENERAL PUBLIC BUT MAY HAVE A MORE SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON SPECIFIC GROUPS
WHAT IS AN EXAMPLE OF A HYBRID BILL?
HYBRID BILL MADE PROVISION FOR THE HS2 RAIL NETWORK.
HYBRID BILL LED TO CONSTRUCTION OF THE CHANNEL TUNNEL AND CROSSRAIL.
WHAT IS A PRIVATE MEMBERS BILL (PMB) ?
PUBLIC BILLS INTRODUCED BY MPS AND LORDS WHO AREN’T GOVT MINISTERS.
WHAT IS AN EXAMPLE OF A PMB?
PET ABDUCTION ACT OF 2024 SPONSORED BY ANNA FIRTH AND LORD BLACK OF BRENTWOOD.
ABORTION ACT OF 1967
WHY DO SO FEW PMB’s PASS?
LESS PARLIAMENTARY TIME GIVEN TO PMBs - LOW PRIORITY BILL. OFTEN DEBATED ON FRIDAYS WHICH IS A POORLY ATTENDED DAY AS MPS RETURN TO THEIR CONSTIUENCIES.
WHAT IS LEGISLATIVE PING PONG?
USED TO DESCRIBE A SITUATION WHERE A BILL APPEARS TO RAPIDLY BOUNCE BACK BETWEEN THE 2 CHAMBERS. REFERS TO THE TO AND FRO OF AMMENDMENTS TO BILLS AND OCCURS DUE TO BICAMERAL NATURE OF UK PARLIAMENT.
WHEN DOES PING PONG END?
- BOTH HOC AND HOL AGREE ON FINAL VERSION OF BILL’
- BILL IS WITHDRAWN IF AGREEMENT APPEARS IMPOSSIBLE OR GOVT SHIFTS FOCUS.
WHAT IS SECONDARY LEGISLATION?
LAW CREATED BY MINISTERS UNDER POWERS GIVEN TO THEM BY AN ACT OF PARLIAMENT. ALLOWS PARLIAMENT TO DELEGATE SOME OF ITS LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY TO OTHER BODIES E.G GOVT MINISTERS OR LOCAL AUTHORITIES.
WHY IS SECONDARY LEGISLATION USED?
HELPS PARLIAMENT AVOID BEING OVERWHELMED BY NEED TO HANDLE COMPLEX DETAILS OF LEGISLATION ALLOWING IT TO FOCUS ON BROADER PRINCIPLES.
WHAT IS THE FIRST READING?
TITLE OF BILL AND WHAT IT INCLUDES IS READ OUT.
WHAT OCCURS AT THE FIRST READING?
NO DEBATE OR DISCUSSION - SIMPLY A PROCEDURAL FORMALITY TO GIVE NOTICE THAT THE BILL EXISTS.
WHAT IS THE SECOND READING?
FIRST OPPORTUNITY FOR MPS TO DEBATE THE GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF A BILL.
WHAT OCCURS DURING THE SECOND READING?
- MP WHO INTRODUCED BILL EXPLAINS ITS PURPOSE
- OPPOSITION RESPOND BY SETTING OUT VIEWS ON BILL
- GENERAL DEBATE WHICH COVERS SOCIAL, ECONOMIC AND LEGAL IMPLICATIONS OF A BILL
- VOTE IS TAKEN AS TO WHETHER IT SHOULD PROCEED TO NEXT STAGE - PARTY WHIP ENSURES MEMBERS VOTE IN SUPPORT OF GOVT.
WHAT IS THE COMMITTEE STAGE?
BILL REFERRED TO HOC BILL COMMITTEE FOR DETAILED EXAMINATION
WHAT OCCURS AT THE COMMITTEE STAGE?
- MEMBERS CAN PROPOSE AMENDMENTS.
- LINE BY LINE SCRUTINY OF BILL
- COMMITTES MAY TAKE ORAL OR WRITTEN EVIDENCE FROM EXPERTS THAT MAY INFORM THEIR AMENDMENTS.
WHAT IS THE REPORT STAGE?
WHEN THE BILL COMMITTEE REPORT THE DEBATE AND AMENDMENTS BACK TO THE HOUSE.
WHAT OCCURS AT THE REPORT STAGE?
- FOCUS ON SPECIFIC AMENDMENTS RATHER THAN OVERALL PRINCIPLES OF BILL.
- USED TO MAKE TECHNICAL ADJUSTMENTS TO BILL/ CORRECT DRAFTING ERRORS
WHAT IS THE 3RD READING?
FINAL CONSIDERATION OF BILL IN ITS CURRENT FORM. FINAL OPPORTUNITY TO ACCEPT OR REJECT BILL B4 IT MOVES TO OTHER HOUSE.
WHAT OCCURS AT THE 3RD READING?
1.ONLY MINOR/ TECHNICAL ISSUES ARE CONSIDERED
2. MEMBER WHO PROPOSED BILL SUMMARISES ITS PURPOSE AND EXPLAINS CHANGES SINCE IT WAS INTRODUCED - PROVIDES RECAP OF LEGISLATIVE JOURNEY
3. VOTE ON WHETHER BILL SHOULD BE ACCEPTED OR REJECT FOR FINAL TIME.
WHAT IS ROYAL ASSENT?
MONARCH FORMALLY APPROVES BILL THEN IT BECOMES AN ACT OF PARLIAMENT.
WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME A BILL WAS REJECTED ROYAL ASSENT?
QUEEN ANNE IN 1707 WHERE SHE REJECTED SCOTTISH MILITIA BILL.
