Stage 1 begins with a Bill being laid with the Senedd’s Table Office by the Member in charge. This is called ‘introduction.’
The Senedd’s Business Committee decides whether to refer the Bill to a responsible committee (and set a deadline for the Committee to report by). Then:
- If the Bill is referred to a responsible committee, the committee consults and takes evidence on the Bill’s general principles. It will then publish a ‘Stage 1 report’ on the Bill. Other committees may also produce reports on the Bill.A Plenary debate (meeting of the whole Senedd) will then take place on the general principles of the Bill, informed by these reports; or
- If the Bill is not referred to a responsible committee, the Senedd will move straight away to a Plenary debate on the general principles of the Bill.
Following the Plenary debate on the Bill’s general principles, Members will be asked to agree the general principles:
- If Members agree the general principles of the Bill, it progresses to Stage 2; or
- If Members do not agree the general principles of the Bill, it falls.