First AMs get chance to pass new laws

The first ballot for Assembly Members who are not part of the government to pass laws for Wales under the Assembly’s new powers has taken place. Jenny Randerson AM will be given the chance to introduce a measure on healthier school meals While Ann Jones AM will seek to obtain a Legislative Competence Order on Domestic Fire Safety The Government of Wales Act gives the Assembly power to make its own legislation on devolved matters such as health, education, social services, local government. These will be a new category of Welsh laws called Assembly Measures. Before making Measures in relation to a particular area of devolved government, the National Assembly for Wales will need to obtain ‘legislative competence’ – the legal authority to pass Measures – on a case by case basis by the UK Parliament. Legislative competence can be granted either in Acts of Parliament or using the new route of “Legislative Competence Orders” (LCO), and once the Assembly is granted legislative competence on a topic by the UK Parliament, it can begin the process of passing Assembly Measures