Transcript

NARRATOR

How does the Parliament make laws? The Scottish Parliament makes laws by passing bills. Bills can be introduced by the Scottish government, MSPs who aren't members of the Scottish government, committees, and organisations or individuals who are not MSPs. They normally follow a three-stage process.

Stage 1, parliamentary committees consider the general principles, the overall purpose of the bill, and normally ask members of the public for their input. The Parliament then debates and reaches a decision on the general principles of the bill in the chamber.

Stage 2, a parliamentary committee considers the bill in detail and decides on proposed changes, amendments.

Stage 3, the Parliament can consider further amendments to the bill. Then the Parliament decides whether to pass or reject the bill.

What happens next? After a bill has been passed, there is normally a four-week period during which it can be challenged if it's believed to be outside the lawmaking powers of the Scottish Parliament. If it is not challenged, it will be submitted for royal assent from the monarch. Once a bill has received royal assent, it becomes an Act of the Scottish Parliament. However, it may not all come into force straightaway.