Under the reasonable conditions required by law, the State shall adopt and implement a policy of full disclosure of all its public interest transactions. back to top Introduction of bills Regardless of the origin of a bill, it can only be introduced by a member of Congress. In the Senate, a Member of Parliament can introduce one of many types of bills and resolutions by tabling them in the Secretary`s Office. There is no limit to the number of bills a member can introduce. Bills of the House of Representatives and the Senate may be sponsored jointly and may bear the names of more than one member. Important bills are often introduced in both chambers in the form of accompanying (identical) bills, the purpose of which is to expedite the legislative process by encouraging both chambers to consider the measure at the same time. Authors of accompanying legislation may also hope to dramatize the importance or urgency of the issue and show broad support for the legislation. back to top Types of legislation The type of measures that Congress can consider and implement (in addition to treaties in the Senate) includes bills and three types of resolutions. These are: 1. Invoices These are general measures that, if transmitted, can become law. A bill is preceded by an S., followed by a number assigned to the measure in the order in which it was introduced. The vast majority of legislative proposals – recommendations on the economy, increased penalties for certain offences, regulation of trade and industry, etc. – are drafted in the form of draft laws.
This includes the budgetary resources of the government and many others. If they are passed identically by both houses and signed by the president or passed by Congress via a presidential veto, they become law. 2. Joint resolutions Like a bill, a joint resolution requires the consent of both Houses and the signature of the Speaker. It has the force and effect of a law when approved. There is no real difference between a bill and a joint resolution. The latter is typically used when it comes to a single item or topic, such as a rolling budget or emergency allocation act. Joint resolutions are also used to propose amendments to the Constitution. 3. Concurrent Resolutions A simultaneous resolution is usually referred to as an S.
Ct. resolution in the Senate. It is used for matters relating to the functioning of both Houses and must be adopted by both in the same form. However, they are not submitted to the President for signature, and they do not have the force of law. Concurrent resolutions are used to determine when a convention will adjourn and to express the “purpose of the convention” on an issue. 4. Simple resolutions It is usually referred to as P.S. Res.
A simple resolution deals with matters that are entirely within the prerogative of a house of Congress, such as the adoption or maintenance of its own rules. A simple resolution is not considered by the other House and is not sent to the Speaker for signature. Like a competing resolution, it has neither effect nor force of law. Simple resolutions are sometimes used to express the opinion of a single House on a topical issue. Often, it is also used to call for congressional action on a matter that touches on the national interest. back to top Referrals of bills Once a measure has been introduced and numbered, it is read and referred to a competent committee. It should be noted that when reading the bill, only the title and author are read on the floor. The President of the Senate is responsible for forwarding bills to the relevant committees. The responsibilities of standing committees are set out in rule 13 of rule X of the Rules of the Senate. For example, if a bill deals with agriculture, food production and agribusiness issues, it must be referred to the Agriculture and Food Committee.
Back to top In committee Senate standing committees, which act as “petty legislators,” determine the fate of most proposals. Committee hearings are scheduled to discuss bills that have been referred. Committee members and staff are often experts on matters within their purview, and it is at committee stage that a bill is most scrutinized. If a measure requires a fundamental review, the review is usually carried out at committee level. A committee can vote on a bill in several ways: it can approve or reject the legislation, with or without amendment; Completely rewrite the invoice; rejecting it, which essentially kills the bill; Report it positively or without a recommendation, which will allow the Senate to study the bill. It should be noted that, pursuant to Rule XI, § 29 of the Rules of the Senate, if the reports presented are unfavourable, they are transmitted to the Senate Archives, unless five Senators request their inclusion in the calendar of ordinary business for the following session; in such a case, the President shall so order. back to top Reports of committees A committee report describes the purpose and scope of the bill, explains any amendments to the committee, identifies proposed amendments to the existing legislation and other relevant documents.