LEGISLATIVE PROCESS HOW A BILL BECOMES A LAW

Stage 1: Proposal Citizens or parliamentarians propose the idea for a LAW

Stage 2: Preparation of an Outline Cabinet prepares an outline of the proposed law and sends it the Attorney General Office

Stage 3: DRAFT Legal draftsmen in the Attorney General’s Office Prepare a Draft Bill and Send it to Cabinet for Approval

Stage 4: 1ST Reading A) Once the Bill is approved the relevant cabinet Minister gives notice to the House of Representatives of his/her intention to INTRODUCE THE BILL

Stage 4: 1ST Reading B) The Bill is presented to Members of the House of Representatives for study. It may also be presented to the Public/Interest Groups for Comments. At this stage it may be dropped/modified based on comments received

Stage 5: 2ND Reading The Bill is debated at length Stage 5: 2ND Reading The Bill is debated at length. If flaws or unintended outcomes are identified, the bill goes to the committee stage ( a group of gov’t & opposition Parliamentarians)

Stage 6: Committee Stage If a majority of parliamentarians agree that the Bill should go forward, a select group of Parliamentarians from all the parties studies the Bill in detail and suggests/makes necessary adjustments

Stage 7: Report Stage On completion of the REVIEW, the committee REPORTS to the House of Representatives

Stage 8: 3RD Reading The AMENDED BILL is brought back to the House of Representatives, DEBATED, and VOTED on

Stage 9: Senate Debate If the BILL is PASSED, it is sent to the Senate/Upper House where the whole process is repeated

Stage 10: Assent/Proclamation If the Senate Passes the Bill it is sent to the PRESIDENT/Head of State for Signature (ASSENT). When he SIGNS and PROCLAIMS it, the Bill becomes an ACT of PARLIAMENT (status of Law)