Lesson Starter•List the four founding

principles of the Scottish Parliament.

•Give an example of how the SP lives up these principles.

•You have 10 minutes to complete this task.

•Help each other!

•Power Sharing- different types of bills.

What will I learn?

Success Criteria • List the 5 different types of bills.

• Outline each area that a bill comes from and give examples of legislation that they have introduced.

Different Types of Bill

• When the Scottish Parliament was set up one of the key principles was the sharing of power.

Different Types of Bill

• When the Scottish Parliament was set up one of the key principles was the sharing of power.

• This was to avoid a situation where the government could dominate law making completely and to allow smaller parties or individuals a say in new laws.

Different Types of Bill

• When the Scottish Parliament was set up one of the key principles was the sharing of power.

• This was to avoid a situation where the government could dominate law making completely and to allow smaller parties or individuals a say in new laws.

• It was decided that individual MSPs should have the right to introduce legislation as well as the government, committees and individuals.

A Bill is a draft law. Bills are either:1. public - to change the general law, or 2. private - powers for a particular individual or organisation that are separate from general law

A Bill is a draft law. Bills are either:1. public - to change the general law, or 2. private - powers for a particular individual or organisation that are separate from general law

Public Bills can be introduced by:1. a member of the Scottish Government (a “Government Bill”) 2. a parliamentary committee (a “Committee Bill”), or 3. an individual member of Parliament (a "Member’s Bill”)

A Bill is a draft law. Bills are either:1. public - to change the general law, or 2. private - powers for a particular individual or organisation that are separate from general law

Public Bills can be introduced by:1. a member of the Scottish Government (a “Government Bill”) 2. a parliamentary committee (a “Committee Bill”), or 3. an individual member of Parliament (a "Member’s Bill”)

Private Bills are introduced by a promoter, who may be an individual, a company or a group of people, for the purpose of getting particular powers or benefits that are separate from the general interest.

A Bill is a draft law. Bills are either:

1. public - to change the general law, or

2. private - powers for a particular individual or organisation that are separate from general law

Public Bills can be introduced by:

1. a member of the Scottish Government (a “Government Bill”)

2. a parliamentary committee (a “Committee Bill”), or

3. an individual member of Parliament (a "Member’s Bill”)

Private Bills are introduced by a promoter, who may be an individual, a company or a group of people, for the purpose of getting particular powers or benefits that are separate from the general interest.

•Where a public bill includes similarities to a private bill, it is referred to as a hybrid bill. A hybrid bill may only be introduced by a member of the Scottish Government.

• The Scottish Parliament has devised procedures to ensure that the executive is not the only source of legislation. There are five types of Bill:

Different Types of Bill

• The Scottish Parliament has devised procedures to ensure that the executive is not the only source of legislation. There are five types of Bill:

• Government bills  • Committee bills • Member’s bills  • Private bills • Hybrid bills

Different Types of Bill

Lesson Starter

• Write a detailed paragraph about government in Scotland using the following words/phrases:

• Scottish Parliament Westminster Parliament• Scottish Government Cabinet• Block Grant First Minister MSPs• Equality Power Sharing Accountability• Participation and Access

1. Government Bills

• These are Bills introduced by the Scottish Government and account for the majority of legislation.

• Examples include:• Community Care and Health Act 2002 • Alcohol Etc (Scotland) Act 2010

2. Committee Bills

• This is legislation initiated by a committee. Examples of committee bills include:

• Protection from Abuse (Scotland) Act 2001

• Children's Commissioner for Scotland Act 2003

3. Member’s Bills

• Each MSP has the right to introduce two Bills during one Parliamentary session. Individual MSPs must get cross party support before they can introduce their bill.  

• Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010 introduced by Christine Grahame MSP

4. Private Bills

• A Private Bill is introduced by a ‘promoter’. A promoter can be an individual, a group or a company. A private bill is aimed at allowing the promoter to obtain benefits that are not necessarily in the public’s interest.

5. Hybrid Bills

• Where a public bill has similarities to a private bill, it is referred to as a hybrid bill.

• A hybrid bill may only be introduced by a member of the Scottish Government.

• The first and only hybrid bill to ever be discussed by the Scottish Parliament was the Forth Crossing Bill.

Examples of Bills…

• http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/visitandlearn/Education/18640.aspx

• The majority of bills introduced and passed are Government Bills. Most parties use a ‘whip system’ to ensure party unity in voting, apart from on matters of conscience or moral issues

The Stages of a Bill becoming Law (an Act)

1. In the first stage, the most appropriate committee will scrutinise the bill and take evidence. It will then produce a report which will say whether the committee agrees with the general principles or not. The whole of the Parliament will then consider the report and decide whether the bill should proceed to the next stage.

2. At the second stage- assuming the bill has been given the go-ahead - the bill is now subject to a more forensic examination. The lead committee - or indeed sometimes all MSPs - will focus on the nitty-gritty of the proposals. Usually a number of amendments will be made at this stage, which can change the final legislation considerably.

3. Finally, it goes back to the main chamber for all the MSPs to consider the altered bill. Again, changes can be made at this stage in the form of an amendment. After a debate MSPs will vote for or against.

4. But despite the wrangling, the bill is still not yet a law. It will be scrutinised by law officers to ensure that it falls within the devolved remit of the Scottish Parliament.

5. When they are satisfied the Presiding Officer will seek royal assent from the Queen. It is only after the Queen has given her assent that a bill becomes an Act of the Scottish Parliament.

Current Bills…

• http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/Bills/576.aspx

Can I…• List the 5 different types of bills. • Outline each area that a bill comes

from and give examples of legislation that they have introduced.