Welsh Elections (Coronavirus) Act 2021
Welsh Elections (Coronavirus) Act 2021
A Government Emergency Bill, introduced by Julie James MS, Minister for Housing and Local Government.
An Emergency Bill is a Government Bill that needs to be enacted more quickly than the Senedd’s usual four stage legislative process allows. A definition of an Emergency Bill is not provided in the Government of Wales Act 2006 (“the 2006 Act”) or in the Senedd’s Standing Orders, however Standing Order 26.95 states that:
“If it appears to a member of the government that an Emergency Bill is required, he or she may by motion propose that a government Bill, to be introduced in the Senedd, be treated as a government Emergency Bill.”
About the Bill
The Welsh Elections (Coronavirus) Bill makes provision to respond to the potential risks to the ordinary general election for membership of Senedd Cymru arising from the coronavirus pandemic, with the objective of ensuring the election can be administered and proceed safely and that the electorate can participate and vote.
In terms of the Senedd, the provisions in the Bill will apply only for the ordinary general election due to be held on 6 May 2021 and will not apply to any subsequent elections.
The Bill also responds to the potential risks of coronavirus by enabling local government by-elections to be postponed beyond 6 May 2021 if required.
Further detail about the Bill can be found in its accompanying Explanatory Memorandum.
Current Stage
BillStagePost4
The Bill is currently at Post Stage 4. An explanation of the various stages of Senedd Bills is available in the Guide to the Stages of Public Bills and Acts.
Record of Passage in Senedd Cymru
The following table sets out the dates for each stage of the Bill’s passage through the Senedd.
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Stage |
Documents |
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Motion to propose this be treated as a Government Emergency Bill Motion to agree a timetable |
Tabled 19 January 2021, for debate on 26 January 2021 |
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Bill introduced: 27 January 2021 |
Welsh Elections (Coronavirus) Bill, as introduced Presiding Officer’s Statement: 19 January 2021 Statement by the Minister for Housing and Local Government: 27 January 2021 |
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Stage 1: Committee considerations of general
principles |
The Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee considered the Bill on the following date:
The Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee laid its report on the Bill on 2 February 2021. Welsh Government response to the Committee’s report, Annex – 3 February 2021 |
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Stage 1: Debate in Plenary on general principles |
The motion to agree the general principles of the Bill was agreed in Plenary on 2 February 2021. |
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Financial Resolution |
A financial resolution in relation to the Welsh Elections (Coronavirus) Bill was agreed in Plenary on 2 February 2021. Further information about financial resolutions is available in section 3 of the Guide to the scrutiny stages for Public Bills. |
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Stage 2: Committee consideration of amendments |
Stage 2 began immediately following the completion of
Stage 1. Details of tabled amendments for consideration in the Committee of
the Whole Senedd on 9 February 2021 are published here. Notice
of amendments – 4 February 2021 Purpose and effect table – 4 February 2021 Notice of Amendments – 5 February 2021 Marshalled list of amendments – 9 February 2021 Grouping of amendments – 9 February 2021 Welsh Elections (Coronavirus) Bill, as amended at Stage 2 |
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Stage 3: Plenary consideration of amendments |
Stage 3 consideration will take place in Plenary on 10 February 2021 to consider amendments to the Bill (as amended at Stage 2). The deadline for tabling amendments is 22.00 on 9 February 2021. Notice of amendments – 9 February 2021 Purpose and effect table – 9 February 2021 Marshalled list of amendments – 10 February 2021 Grouping of amendments – 10 February 2021 Welsh Elections (Coronavirus) Bill, as amended at Stage 3 |
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Stage 4: Passing of the Bill in Plenary |
The Bill was agreed by the Senedd on 10 February 2021. Welsh Elections (Coronavirus) Bill, as passed Welsh Elections (Coronavirus) Bill, as passed (Crown XML) |
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Post-stage 4 |
The Solicitor General on behalf of the Attorney General, Counsel General, and Secretary of State for Wales wrote to the Presiding Officer to advise that they would not be referring the Welsh Elections (Coronavirus) Bill to the Supreme Court under Sections 112 and 114 of the Government of Wales Act 2006. |
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Date of Royal Assent |
Royal Assent was given on 16 March 2021. |
Contact information
Clerk: Gareth Rogers
Phone: 0300 200 6357
Postal address:
Welsh Parliament
Cardiff Bay
Cardiff
CF99 1SN
Email: legislation@senedd.wales
Business type: Legislation
Status: For consideration
First published: 27/01/2021
Documents
- Welsh Government response to the Committee’s report, Annex - 3 February 2021
PDF 376 KB - Welsh Government response to the Committee’s report - 3 February 2021 PDF 256 KB
- Notice of Amendments - 4 February 2021 PDF 134 KB
- Purpose and effect table – 4 February 2021 PDF 249 KB
- Notice of Amendments - 5 February PDF 125 KB
- Marshalled list of amendments - 9 February 2021 PDF 168 KB
- Grouping of amendments - 9 February 2021 PDF 93 KB
- Llythyr gan y Gweinidog Tai a Llywodraeth Leol i'r Gadeirydd y Pwyllgor Deddfwriaeth, Cyfiawnder a’r Cyfansoddiad - 26 Chwefror 2021 PDF 415 KB
- Letter from the Minister for Housing and Local Government to the Llywydd, 9 February 2021 PDF 367 KB
- Welsh Elections (Coronavirus) Bill, as amended at Stage 2 PDF 103 KB
- Notice of Amendments - 9 February 2021 PDF 118 KB
- Purpose and effect table – 9 February 2021 PDF 186 KB
- Marshalled list of amendments - 10 February 2021 PDF 119 KB
- Grouping of amendments - 10 February 2021 PDF 91 KB
- Welsh Elections (Coronavirus) Bill, as amended at Stage 3 PDF 113 KB
- Welsh Elections (Coronavirus) Bill, as passed PDF 111 KB
- Letter from the Secretary of State for Wales - 1 March 2021 PDF 201 KB
- Letter from the Solicitor General - 2 March 2021 PDF 82 KB
- Letter from the Counsel General - 3 March 2021 PDF 252 KB
- Llywydd to Committee Chairs - Welsh Elections (Coronavirus) Bill - Business Committee decisions PDF 227 KB
- Welsh Elections (Coronavirus) Bill, as passed (Crown XML) XML 49 KB