How a Bill Becomes a Law! (scottish Parliament)

How a bill becomes a law! (Scottish Parliament)

The following article is a description of how a bill becomes a law in the Scottish Parliament (Executive).

Stage 1: A
Bill Is sent to committee for consideration, the committee then writes a report. Parliament discusses the general principle of the bill. The whole Parliament votes on whether or not the bill should proceed, taking the report compiled by the committee into account.

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Parliament may refer the bill back to the committee for further report. If Parliament does not agree then the bill will fail. If Parliament agrees then the bill will proceed.

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 are a compatible option at this stage.

Stage 3:
The bill is considered by the whole parliament. Amendments are again, a possibility 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 does not agree the bill fails.

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If Parliament agrees, then the bill is  passed.

Bill Is Passed:
Once the 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.

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After the four week period has expired the Presiding Officer submit’s the bill for Royal Assent.

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Once the bill receives Royal Assent it become an act of the Scottish Parliament (Executive).


Hopefully this is clear enough, if you need further information you can always check out any government website!