Frequently Asked Questions
[+] How can I find out
when an Act will come into force?
[-] How
can I find out when an Act will come into force?
A Bill passed by the Legislative Assembly becomes law immediately upon receiving
Royal Assent. It is then referred to as an Act, not a Bill.
A law comes into force either upon proclamation or on a specified date, whichever
is indicated in the Bill itself. If nothing is indicated in the Bill as to when
it will come into force, then it comes into force immediately upon receiving Royal
Assent.
Information regarding proclamation dates can be obtained by calling the Legislative
Counsel branch of Alberta Justice at 780.427.2217.
[+] Where can I see the
status of a Bill?
[-] Where
can I see the status of a Bill?
[+] How can I find out
when a Bill will be debated in the Legislative Assembly?
[-] How
can I find out when a Bill will be debated in the Legislative Assembly?
With the exception of Private Members' Public Bills, the course of debate of Bills
is determined by the Government and not the Assembly. Each Thursday when the Assembly
is sitting the Government House Leader advises the Clerk of the Assembly of the
projected schedule of Government business for the following week. The Government
is not bound by that schedule and may make changes to it. That information can be
found either in an Order Paper
or in the online schedule of
Weekly House Business.
Private Members' Public Bills are debated on Monday afternoons following Written
Questions and Motions for Returns until 5:00 pm and are considered in the order
in which they appear on the Order Paper.
[+] How can I find out
more information about the content of a current Bill?
[-] How
can I find out more information about the content of a current Bill?
You should contact the sponsor of a Bill for information relating to the content
of the Bill. The sponsor's name is printed on the cover of the Bill, and on the
Assembly site, it is listed following the title of the Bill. Contact information
for current Members of the Legislative Assembly
can be found by selecting the Member's name.
[+] Where can I get a
copy of a Bill with amendments incorporated into it?
[-] Where
can I get a copy of a Bill with amendments incorporated into it?
The Legislative Assembly receives a Bill as it appears when it is introduced (at
First Reading). If amendments are agreed to in the Assembly the Government will
incorporate the amendments into the Bill and the consolidated version will then
be available from
Alberta Queen's Printer.
[+] When are amendments
to a Bill posted on the Assembly web site?
[-] When
are amendments to a Bill posted on the Assembly web site?
An amendment to a Bill is only posted after Committee of the Whole has agreed to
and reported an amendment to the Assembly. The amendment is usually available on
the Assembly site the same day it was passed but may not be available until the
next business day. Amendments that are accepted are posted in the Bills and Amendments
section and can be accessed by selecting the respective Bill from the list. Amendments
are available dating back to the 27th Legislature (which commenced in 2008).
[+] What does the term
"on division" mean?
[-] What does the term
"on division" mean?
When a question has been put by the Speaker and the Speaker’s opinion that the ayes
(or the noes) have it is challenged by three or more Members rising, the Assembly
divides so that the exact balance of opinion may be determined. This is also known
as a standing vote. Members’ names are recorded in the Votes and Proceedings following
a division.
[+] What does the term
"adjourned" mean?
[-] What does the term
"adjourned" mean?
"Adjourned" means to suspend the debate to another time. A motion to adjourn the
debate may be made by any Member who has not exhausted his or her right to speak
and who has been recognized by the Speaker. This motion is not debatable.
Questions about the status of the Bill can be directed to
bills@assembly.ab.ca. Questions about the content of the Bill should be
directed to the sponsor of the Bill.