8.4 Stages of a proposed piece of legislation in the Welsh Assembly

A Welsh Assembly Measure goes through a similar process as a Bill goes through in the Westminster Parliament but the terminology is different. Before a proposal becomes law it must go through five stages:

1. Members of the Welsh Assembly (referred to as AMs – Assembly Members) consider and agree in principle on the Measure.
2. A detailed consideration of the Measure. This involves a selected committee of AMs amending the Measure.
3. A debate which takes place in the chamber of the Assembly. This provides an opportunity for AMs to debate the proposed legislation and involves all AMs from different political parties.
4. Passing the final draft of the Measure to the National Assembly for consideration. The final draft of the Measure is also passed to the monarch at the Privy Council. The Privy Council is a legislative assembly which has executive responsibilities. It originated during the reign of the Norman Kings and meetings were then held in private, hence the name ‘privy’.
5. The announcement when the Measure will come into force.