First chance for the people of Wales to help form a new law
28 September 2011
The first opportunity for the people of Wales to help form a new Assembly law has been announced by the National Assembly for Wales's Presiding Officer.
Rosemary Butler AM named 19 October as the day of the first ballot of non-government Assembly Members for the Fourth Assembly in this afternoon's (27 September) Plenary meeting at the Senedd.
Previously the ballot enabled a number of non-government laws to be passed including the Healthy Eating in Schools Measure, the Playing Fields Measure and the Domestic Fire Safety Measure.
"Assembly Members, not in the Welsh Government, will soon have an opportunity to put forward a Bill for the first time under the Assembly's new extended legislative powers," said Presiding Officer Rosemary Butler AM.
"It's also the first opportunity for the people of Wales to get involved with the legislative process and have their say on what law they would like to see introduced under our devolved subjects.
"Members have had the summer to research any Bills they would like to put before the Assembly but there is still time to contact your AMs with your ideas and opinions.”
In order to be eligible for the ballot, the Member must provide specific pre-ballot information including the proposed title of the Member’s Bill and an Explanatory Memorandum setting out the policy objectives of the Bill and details of any support received for it.
The Assembly’s Standing Orders require the Presiding Officer to hold a ballot for Member Bills ‘from time to time’.
More information on the legislative process can be found here.