Lessons 19 · 1 lessons · G. M. Tansikbayeva, V. A. Kostetskiy. Konstitutsiyaviy huquq asoslari (Basics of constitutional law), Grade 9, general editor A. X. Saidov, revised and expanded 8th edition. “Sharq” publishing house, Tashkent, 2019
19
Practical lesson. Let us adopt a draft law
Textbook: pp. 115–118
GoalKnow legislative initiative and the stages of lawmaking and model the process of considering a draft law.
New words
legislative initiative · qonunchilik tashabbusidraft law · qonun loyihasireading (of a draft law) · o‘qish (qonun loyihasi)official publication · e’lon qilish
Explanation
Legislative initiative is the formal submission of a draft law to the legislative body in the prescribed manner; it is the first stage of lawmaking. The right belongs to the President, the Republic of Karakalpakstan (through the Jokargy Kenes), deputies of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis, the Cabinet of Ministers, the Constitutional and Supreme Courts, the Prosecutor General and other subjects named in the Constitution. The draft is submitted to the Legislative Chamber, examined beforehand in a committee and, as a rule, discussed and adopted in three readings; then the Senate considers and approves it. The President signs the law or returns it with objections; a returned law is considered again. A signed law is officially published and, unless another date is given, enters into force on the day of publication. A good law does not contradict the Constitution, is written in simple, clear language and can actually be carried out.
Worked examples
If the Cabinet submits a draft regulating school meals to the Legislative Chamber, that is legislative initiative; a committee examines it first.
If an article sets an impossible requirement (for example, building a new school in every aul in one day), one criterion of a good law – realistic enforceability – is broken.
Class activity
“Parliamentary session”: the class splits into groups (initiator, committee, Legislative Chamber, Senate, President). An imaginary draft law on school sports grounds goes through the stages step by step.
Practice
1
What is legislative initiative and which stage is it?
Formal submission of a draft law to the legislative body; the first stage of lawmaking.
2
Write the main stages of passing a law in order.
Initiative – committee examination – readings and adoption in the Legislative Chamber – Senate approval – the President’s signature – official publication.
3
Who of these may submit a draft law: an ordinary citizen, the President, the Cabinet, a school director?
The President and the Cabinet; an individual citizen and a school director cannot submit a draft law directly, but can send proposals to deputies or take part in discussing drafts.
4
Why must a law be written in clear language?
Because everyone must know and follow it; an unclear rule is understood differently and causes disputes.