Legislative Reform: Bills Alert
The National Assembly, on the 17th of February 2022 went through the first reading stage for several Bills. The First reading of a Bill refers to the process whereby the Minister responsible for its administration presents it to the House by reading the long title. No debate takes place at this stage as this is the formal introduction of the Bill before the House. The Bill is then referred to the Parliamentary Legal Committee in terms of the Constitution and Standing Orders to determine whether, if enacted, the Bill would be in contravention of any provision of the Constitution.
By Mosupatsila Nare
The following Bills underwent the first reading stage in the House:
- STATE UNVERSITIES STATUTES AMENDMENT BILL
The Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development (Honourable Professor Murwira) presented the State Universities Statutes Amendment Bill [H. B. 13, 2021]. Bill read the first time and referred to the Parliamentary Legal Committee.
- LABOUR AMENDMENT BILL
The Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs (Honourable Ziyambi) on behalf of the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare presented the Labour Amendment Bill [H. B. 14, 2021]. Bill read the first time and referred to the Parliamentary Legal Committee.
- CHILD JUSTICE BILL
The Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs (Honourable Ziyambi) presented the Child Justice Bill [H. B. 11, 2021]. Bill read the first time and referred to the Parliamentary Legal Committee.
- CHILDREN’S AMENDMENT BILL
The Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs (Honourable Ziyambi) presented the Children’s Amendment Bill [H. B. 12, 2021]. Bill read the first time and referred to the Parliamentary Legal Committee.
- PRIVATE VOLUNTARY ORGANISATION AMENDMENT BILL
The Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs (Honourable Ziyambi) on behalf of the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare presented the Private Voluntary Organisation Amendment Bill [H.B. 10, 2021]. Bill read the first time and referred to the Parliamentary Legal Committee.
After the First Reading stage, the Bill then goes to the second reading stage, where the Minister explains the principles of the Bill to the House. During the second reading, the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee also presents its report containing its findings and recommendations. The debate on the Bill then ensues. At this stage, members of the public can contribute to the legislative reform agenda through attending public hearings for the Bills, making written submissions to Parliament and engagements with their respective Members of Parliament.