Legislation is a central part of government and is one of the two primary sources of law (the other being Case Law). Lawmakers, in general terms, decide how a society should be governed. Legislation includes both ‘Acts of Parliament’ and delegated legislation in the form of regulations, standards, rules, determinations, ordinances etc. Delegated legislation is subject to less scrutiny than Acts of Parliament and may be changed by the relevant minister or government department without requiring an amending Act to be passed by Parliament.
Legislators are most commonly popularly elected and, where bicameral legislatures exist, members of the upper house are generally appointed or nominated by the executive. While the role of legislators varies by country, their common function is to determine the laws and policies that govern the people they represent. Legislation also acts as a check on the judiciary and provides legislators with the formal power to change legal interpretations that may not align with public sentiment.
The process by which an idea for a new law or amendment becomes law is complex and can vary from bill to bill. Legislation begins as a proposed law or amendment that is submitted to Congress by a member of the House or Senate, or by citizens or organisations who recommend the measure to their representatives. Bills are assigned to committees where they can be researched, debated and amended. When a bill has been through all the stages of a chamber, it is sent to the other House or Senate for consideration. Bills are given a prefix to indicate their form and chamber of origin, and a sequential number.
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