Welsh Parliament Member Accountability Bill Committee Committee remit October 2025
Purpose

1.              This paper outlines the background to the establishment of the Member Accountability Bill Committee, and provides information about its remit and its role.

Background and membership

2.            On 7 October 2025 the Business Committee agreed to propose to the Senedd that a committee, comprising four Members and chaired by the Deputy Presiding Officer, be established to scrutinise the Senedd Cymru (Member Accountability and Elections) Bill.

3.            On 15 October, the Senedd voted in favour of establishing a Member Accountability Bill Committee. The Senedd elected David Rees MS (Welsh Labour) as Chair, and appointed the following Committee members:

§    Paul Davies MS (Welsh Conservatives)

§    Lesley Griffiths MS (Welsh Labour)

§    Buffy Williams MS (Welsh Labour)

§    Sioned Williams MS (Plaid Cymru)

Committee remit

4.            The Committee’s remit is to scrutinise the Senedd Cymru (Member Accountability and Elections) Bill.

5.            The Committee will be dissolved following agreement by the Senedd of a motion for Stage 2 proceedings on the Bill to be conducted by a Committee of the Whole Senedd, or on the completion of Stage 2 proceedings (whichever is the sooner).

6.            Standing Order 17 sets out procedures and rules covering a range of matters relating to the operation of Senedd committees.

Role of the Committee at Stage 1

7.             Procedures and rules relating to the introduction and scrutiny of Senedd Bills are set out in Standing Order 26.

8.            As regards the Senedd Cymru (Member Accountability and Elections) Bill, the Committee will consider its general principles, focusing on the main purposes of the Bill. To inform its work, the Committee may invite representations from interested stakeholders, and may take written and oral evidence. Further information about the Committee’s approach to scrutiny will be published on the Committee’s website in due course.

9.            Once the Committee has reported on the Bill, the Senedd will be asked to debate and vote on the Bill’s general principles. If the motion is agreed, the Bill progresses to Stage 2, which involves detailed consideration and disposal of amendments.

10.        Further information about the legislative process is available on the Senedd website.