 |  | | Stages of a BillStage 1
- The Bill is sent to a Parliamentary Committee for consideration. The committee then writes a report.
- Parliament may refer the Bill back to the Committee for a further report.
- Parliament then considers the general principles of the Bill. The whole Parliament votes on whether the Bill should proceed, taking the committee's report into account.
- If Parliament agrees then the Bill will proceed
- If Parliament does not agree then the Bill will fall
Stage 2
The Bill then undergoes more detailed 'line-by-line' scrutiny, either by the appropriate Committee, the whole Parliament, or a combination of the two. Amendments (changes) may be made at this stage.
Stage 3
The Bill is considered by the whole Parliament. Amendments can be made at this stage.
Up to half of the sections of the Bill may be referred back to Stage 2 for further consideration.
Only amendments that were referred back for consideration at Stage 2 are debated now. - The Parliament then votes on the Bill.
- If Parliament agrees, the Bill is passed
- If Parliament does not agree, the Bill falls
Once a Bill has been passed there is a four-week period when the Bill may be challenged by the Advocate General, the Lord Advocate or the Attorney General or by the Secretary of State for Scotland. This would normally occur if the Bill is deemed to be outside the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament (i.e. not a devolved matter) or if it would adversely affect reserved matters, or the Parliament wishes to reconsider the Bill.
After the four-week period has expired the Presiding Officer submits the Bill for Royal Assent. Once the Bill receives Royal Assent it becomes an Act of the Scottish Parliament.
Royal Assent
The monarch (the Queen) must sign all bills passed by the Scottish Parliament before they can become law. This procedure reflects the fact that Scotland remains part of the UK and all UK legislation must get the Royal Assent.
At each stage the Bill is scrutinised. Individuals, pressure groups and parties are given an opportunity to examine and debate the proposals. For example, at stages 1 and 2 the relevant committee will ask witnesses to give evidence to support the Bill, or highlight possible difficulties or recommend changes (amendments). These witnesses may be experts in a particular field, researchers, members of pressure groups or any individual the committee considers can offer information. The committees will also question relevant ministers on issues such as providing adequate funding for the proposed measures. |
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