Government of Wales Act 2006

98 Proceedings on proposed Assembly Measures

(1) The standing orders must include provision—

(a) for general debate on a proposed Assembly Measure with an opportunity for Assembly members to vote on its general principles,

(b) for the consideration of, and an opportunity for Assembly members to vote on, the details of a proposed Assembly Measure, and

(c) for a final stage at which a proposed Assembly Measure can be passed or rejected.

(2) Subsection (1) does not prevent the standing orders making provision to enable the Assembly to expedite proceedings in relation to a particular proposed Assembly Measure.

(3) The standing orders may make provision different from that required by subsection (1) for the procedure applicable to proposed Assembly Measures of any of the following kinds—

(a) proposed Assembly Measures which restate the law,

(b) proposed Assembly Measures which repeal or revoke spent enactments, and

(c) private proposed Assembly Measures.

(4) The standing orders must include provision for securing that the Assembly may only pass a proposed Assembly Measure containing provisions which would, if contained in a Bill for an Act of Parliament, require the consent of Her Majesty or the Duke of Cornwall if such consent has been signified in accordance with the standing orders.

(5) The standing orders must include provision for securing that the Assembly may only pass a proposed Assembly Measure if the text of the proposed Assembly Measure is in both English and Welsh, unless the circumstances are such as are specified by the standing orders as any in which the text need not be in both languages.

(6) The standing orders must provide for an opportunity for the reconsideration of a proposed Assembly Measure after its passing if (and only if)—

(a) the Supreme Court decides on a reference made in relation to the proposed Assembly Measure under section 99 that the proposed Assembly Measure or any provision of it would not be within the Assembly’s legislative competence,

(b) a reference made in relation to the proposed Assembly Measure under section 99 is withdrawn following a request for withdrawal of the reference under section 100(2)(b), or

(c) an order is made in relation to the proposed Assembly Measure under section 101.

(7) The standing orders must, in particular, ensure that any proposed Assembly Measure amended on reconsideration is subject to a final stage at which it can be approved or rejected.

(8) References in subsections (4), (5) and (6) of this section and sections 93(2) and 95(10) to the passing of a proposed Assembly Measure are, in the case of a proposed Assembly Measure which has been amended on reconsideration, to be read as references to its approval.