Constitution Section 196 — Provisions as to introduction and passing of Bills

Part VI — THE STATES — Legislative Procedure

Constitutional

Summary

A Bill can be introduced in either House of a State Legislature that has a Legislative Council, except for Money Bills and certain financial Bills which have special rules. For a Bill to be considered passed in a State with a Legislative Council, both Houses must agree to it, either in its original form or with changes that both Houses accept. A Bill that is pending in the Legislature does not end just because the House or Houses are prorogued (temporarily adjourned). However, if the Legislative Assembly is dissolved, a Bill pending in the Assembly lapses, and a Bill that was passed by the Assembly but is still pending in the Legislative Council also lapses. A Bill pending only in the Legislative Council that has not been passed by the Assembly does not lapse when the Assembly is dissolved.

Official Text

(1) Subject to the provisions of articles 198 and 207 with respect to Money Bills and other financial Bills, a Bill may originate in either House of the Legislature of a State which has a Legislative Council.

(2) Subject to the provisions of articles 197 and 198, a Bill shall not be deemed to have been passed by the Houses of the Legislature of a State having a Legislative Council unless it has been agreed to by both Houses, either without amendment or with such amendments only as are agreed to by both Houses.

(3) A Bill pending in the Legislature of a State shall not lapse by reason of the prorogation of the House or Houses thereof.

(4) A Bill pending in the Legislative Council of a State which has not been passed by the Legislative Assembly shall not lapse on a dissolution of the Assembly.

(5) A Bill which is pending in the Legislative Assembly of a State, or which having been passed by the Legislative Assembly is pending in the Legislative Council, shall lapse on a dissolution of the Assembly.