Guide to the scrutiny stages for Public Bills Welsh Parliament Senedd Business Guide to the scrutiny stages for Public Bills June 2021 www.senedd.wales Guide to the scrutiny stages for Public Bills The Welsh Parliament is the democratically elected body that represents the interests of Wales and its people. Commonly known as the Senedd, it makes laws for Wales, agrees Welsh taxes and holds the Welsh Government to account. An electronic copy of this document can be found on the Senedd website: www.senedd.wales Copies of this document can also be obtained in accessible formats including Braille, large print, audio or hard copy from: Welsh Parliament Cardiff Bay CF99 1SN Tel: 0300 200 6565 Email: [email protected] © Senedd Commission Copyright 2021 The text of this document may be reproduced free of charge in any format or medium providing that it is reproduced accurately and not used in a misleading or derogatory context. The material must be acknowledged as copyright of the Senedd Commission and the title of the document specified. Guide to the scrutiny stages for Public Bills Contents Summary of process for Senedd scrutiny of Public Bills ........................ 6 Introduction of a Public Bill ............................................................................... 8 Form and introduction .................................................................................................................................... 8 Accompanying documentation.............................................................................................................. 8 Stage 1 - consideration of the general principles of the Bill by a committee, and the agreement of those general principles by the Senedd ...................................................................................................................... 10 Referral of Bill to a ‘responsible committee’ .............................................................................. 10 Role of the responsible committee ..................................................................................................... 11 Stage 1 scrutiny by responsible committee .................................................................................. 11 Consideration of Bill by other Senedd committees ............................................................. 12 Subordinate legislation provisions in a Bill ............................................................................................................. 12 Financial aspects of a Bill ....................................................................................................................................................... 12 The Stage 1 debate ............................................................................................................................................. 12 Completion of Stage 1 ..................................................................................................................................... 13 Financial Resolution ........................................................................................... 14 What is a financial resolution? ................................................................................................................. 14 Why are financial resolutions necessary? ....................................................................................... 14 Specific circumstances that require a financial resolution ........................................... 15 Other key points about financial resolutions ............................................................................. 15 Stage 2 – detailed consideration of the Bill by a committee ............... 17 Start of Stage 2 and referral of Bill to a ‘responsible committee’ ............................ 17 Timetable for Stage 2 ...................................................................................................................................... 18 Role of the responsible committee ................................................................................................... 18 Tabling amendments ..................................................................................................................................... 18 Order of consideration ................................................................................................................................... 19 Grouping of amendments .......................................................................................................................... 19 Guide to the scrutiny stages for Public Bills Taking and recording decisions on amendments in committee ........................... 19 Moving amendments during committee proceedings .................................................. 20 Disposal of amendments during committee proceedings......................................... 20 Completion of Stage 2 .................................................................................................................................... 21 The Bill, as amended at Stage 2 ............................................................................................................. 21 Revised Explanatory Memorandum .................................................................................................. 21 Stage 3 – detailed consideration of the Bill by the Senedd ................ 23 Start of Stage 3...................................................................................................................................................... 23 Timetable for Stage 3 ...................................................................................................................................... 23 Role of the Senedd............................................................................................................................................ 24 Tabling amendments ..................................................................................................................................... 24 Order of consideration ................................................................................................................................... 24 Selection of amendments ..........................................................................................................................25 Grouping of amendments .................................................................................................................................................... 25 Timetabling of proceedings......................................................................................................................25 Taking and recording decisions on amendments in Plenary ................................... 26 Further Stage 3 proceedings ................................................................................................................... 26 Completion of Stage 3 ................................................................................................................................... 27 Report Stage and further Report Stage ......................................................................................... 27 The Bill, as amended at Stage 3 ........................................................................................................... 28 Revised Explanatory Memorandum ................................................................................................ 28 Stage 4 and onwards – the passing of the Bill by the Senedd and submission for Royal Assent .......................................................................... 29 Stage 4 ......................................................................................................................................................................... 29 Post Stage 4 ............................................................................................................................................................ 30 Reconsideration of Bills ................................................................................................................................. 31 Reconsideration of Bills passed ........................................................................................................................................ 31 Reconsideration of Bills rejected .................................................................................................................................... 32 Post-Reconsideration Stage ..................................................................................................................... 33 Royal Assent ............................................................................................................................................................ 33 Guide to the scrutiny stages for Public Bills Guide to the scrutiny stages for Public Bills Summary of process for Senedd scrutiny of Public Bills Business Committee decides whether to Bill introduced by refer Bill to responsible committee Member in Charge (and set deadline for committee to report) Yes Responsible committee consults and takes evidence No Publishes its Stage 1 Report Stage 1 General Principles No Bill Senedd agrees general principles of Bill? Falls Yes No Senedd agrees a Financial Resolution for the Bill Bill within 6 months? Falls Stage 2 Line by line scrutiny Yes Amendments tabled Detailed consideration by committee 6 Guide to the scrutiny stages for Public Bills Stage 3 Amendments tabled Line by line scrutiny