Part XIX: Public Bills (S.O. 113–170)

Overview

This section governs the legislative process for Public Bills, including introduction, readings, committee stage, and passage.

Standing Order 113 — Introduction of Bills

"A Bill may be introduced in the National Assembly by any Member."

— The National Assembly Standing Orders (7th Edition), S.O. 113

Implementation note: The system allows any Member to introduce a Bill, whether government or private member's Bill.

Standing Order 127 — First Reading

"The First Reading of a Bill shall be formal only and the question shall be put forthwith without amendment or debate."

— The National Assembly Standing Orders (7th Edition), S.O. 127

Implementation note: First Reading is a formality where the Bill is introduced without debate.

Standing Order 128 — Second Reading

"On the Order for the Second Reading of a Bill being read, a Member in charge of the Bill shall move 'That the Bill be now read a Second Time' and may make a speech explaining the objects and general principles of the Bill."

— The National Assembly Standing Orders (7th Edition), S.O. 128

Implementation note: Second Reading involves debate on the Bill's principles and objects.

Standing Order 132 — Committee Stage

"After a Bill has been read a Second Time, it shall stand committed to the relevant Committee unless the House otherwise orders."

— The National Assembly Standing Orders (7th Edition), S.O. 132

Implementation note: Bills are automatically committed to the relevant committee after Second Reading for detailed examination.

Standing Order 142 — Third Reading

"When a Bill has been considered in Committee and reported to the House, a Member in charge of the Bill may move 'That the Bill be now read a Third Time.'"

— The National Assembly Standing Orders (7th Edition), S.O. 142

Implementation note: Third Reading is the final stage where the Bill is passed or rejected.

Standing Order 145 — Presidential Assent

"When a Bill has been passed by the National Assembly, the Speaker shall sign the Bill and cause it to be submitted to the President for assent."

— The National Assembly Standing Orders (7th Edition), S.O. 145

Implementation note: After passage, the Speaker signs and submits the Bill to the President for assent.

Implementing Endpoints

Endpoint	S.O.	Purpose
POST /api/v1/bills	113	Introduce new Bill
POST /api/v1/bills/:id/first-reading	127	Conduct First Reading
POST /api/v1/bills/:id/second-reading	128	Move Second Reading
POST /api/v1/bills/:id/commit	132	Commit Bill to committee
POST /api/v1/bills/:id/amendments	133-141	Submit amendments
POST /api/v1/bills/:id/third-reading	142	Move Third Reading
POST /api/v1/bills/:id/pass	142	Pass Bill
POST /api/v1/bills/:id/submit-for-assent	145	Submit to President
GET /api/v1/bills/:id/status	113-170	Get Bill status