Quote:
Originally Posted by Fuzz
Yup, got the same response from him. He says "To clarify: I voted yes to allowing Premier Smith to introduce Bill 1. That means the Bill will now be up for debate in the Legislative Assembly. I had not yet seen the Bill yesterday. I have received it now and am reviewing it."
So my question is, is it typical to vote to allow for the introduction of a bill you haven't read? Being in cabinet, I would have thought they'd have it ahead of the vote. Is this typical(voting for something you haven't seen)?
|
They basically rubber stamp any bill so that it can be debated. From what I understand there are two ways to introduce a bill in Alberta. The first is submitting it in writing two days prior and it gets put on the agenda. In this manner obviously MLAs could see the bill beforehand. The second way is orally in which case there is no submission beforehand and it is reasonable to believe that MLAs may not have seen it unless it was circulated internally.
Quote:
|
MLAs introduce Bills proposing new laws or amendments to existing laws. Bills customarily pass first reading and there is no debate at this stage of the legislative process.
|
https://www.assembly.ab.ca/learn/the...ative-assembly
This is from the Legislature guide about bills:
Quote:
Passing a Bill in the Legislature
First Reading
The Bill may be introduced at least one full day after written notice is given and published in the Order Paper. For example, if written Notice is given on a Monday, the Bill can be introduced on the Wednesday. Notice can also be given orally in the Assembly the day before introduction. Bills do not have to be introduced according to their place on the Order Paper. The motion for leave to introduce a Bill is usually passed without debate. The sponsor is permitted to give a brief introductory remark on the intent of the Bill. Once leave is granted the Bill is deemed to have received First Reading.
Second Reading
At Second Reading, discussion of the principle of the Bill takes place. Before debate begins, the sponsor will give a "fairly comprehensive" statement about the Bill. The statement for Second Reading will generally outline why the Bill is needed, the objectives of the new policies and stakeholder consultation process. Committee of the Whole After Second Reading the Bill is referred to the Committee of the Whole, chaired by the Chair of the Committee (not the Speaker). At this stage a clause-by-clause consideration of the Bill occurs. Members may propose amendments to the Bill, if the amendments do not add any new principles or are not destructive of the principle of the Bill that was approved at Second Reading. The amendments are commonly called "House Amendments". The Legislative Counsel Office drafts House Amendments that are proposed by the Government, while the Parliamentary Counsel Office drafts House Amendments proposed by the Opposition. All Government amendments must be approved by Caucus and the Legislative Review Committee. In some cases it might require A&P and/or SPC approval. A Bill agreed to in Committee of the Whole must be reported to the Assembly, with or without amendments. Following that, the Bill proceeds to Third Reading.
Third Reading
The Bill is considered in its final form. The length of debate will depend on how controversial the Bill might have been.
Royal Assent
No Bill may become law without Royal Assent being given by the Lieutenant Governor. A Bill comes into force on Royal Assent if the Act doesn't provide otherwise. The Act could state that the Act or portions of it come into force on a specified date or on a date specified in a proclamation issued by the Lieutenant Governor (Order in Council required). In rare circumstances the Act can be made retroactive.
|
https://open.alberta.ca/dataset/523e...-july-2005.pdf