SUBMITTING A BID FOR A PLACE ON THE LEGISLATION PROGRAMME
What is a bid?
2.14 A bid is a request from a minister for inclusion of a proposed bill on the Government's legislation programme. Bids are sought from ministers prior to each sitting period. Before submitting proposed bids to ministers for consideration, departments must be satisfied that amending or creating primary legislation is necessary (see paragraphs 1.3 and 1.10 to 1.11).
Deadlines for submission of bids
2.15 The deadlines for the submission of bids for each sitting period are set by the PBC and recorded in the PBC minutes. LLOs are also advised of deadlines in legislation circulars issued by the Legislation Section.
2.16 Bids for legislation for the next sitting period are generally sought from ministers prior to the end of each sitting period. This timing allows drafting of bills required for the next sitting period to commence as soon as the current sitting period is completed.
Summary of information required for bids
2.17 A minister's letter to the Prime Minister is to be accompanied by:
- (a) the details of each proposed bill for the forthcoming sitting period (see paragraphs 2.37 to 2.38); and
- (b) for each proposed category T bill, a statement of reasons explaining why the bill needs to be introduced and passed in the same sitting period (see paragraphs 2.42 to 2.47).
At the same time, an electronic copy of the bid and any statements of reasons are to be sent to the Legislation Section (see paragraphs mentioned above). Legislation Liaison Officers can download the appropriate templates from the PM&C website.
The minister's covering letter for bids
2.18 The minister's bids letter must contain information about the bids and list bills in priority order within each category. The letter, bids and statements of reasons must include all the necessary documentation in support of the bids and their place on the programme and address the requirements set by the PBC.
2.19 The minister's letter must indicate clearly whether policy approval is also being sought and for which measures it is being sought, or whether approval will be sought by separate letter (see Chapter 3 for details on seeking minor policy approval).
2.20 Where policy approval has already been obtained for particular measures in a bill, this must be clearly indicated under the heading 'Policy approval' in the accompanying details of the bid. In some cases, departments might usefully attach a table showing each measure, or group of measures; whether policy approval has been obtained (and, if so, the date of the Prime Minister's letter or the Cabinet minute) or is yet to be sought; and whether the measure, or group of measures, is for approval by the Cabinet, the Prime Minister or the minister.
