Rules of the Legislative Assembly
BILLS
68 (1) Notice of first reading
Every bill shall be sponsored by a Minister or a Member and be introduced upon notice of motion for first reading specifying the title of the bill.
(2) Public Bills
“Public Bills” are Bills introduced by a Minister relating to matters of administration or public policy of general application within the Northwest Territories.
(3) Private Member’s Bill
A Member who is not a Minister may introduce a Private Member’s Bill which does not involve the appropriation of public funds or the imposition of any tax.
69 Incomplete bill
No bill may be introduced in blank or in incomplete form.
70 (1) Three separate readings
Every bill shall receive three separate readings, on different days, before being passed.
(2) Consent to advance bill
Notwithstanding Rule 70(1), a bill may be read two or three times, or advanced two or more stages in one day, unless this action is opposed by two or more Members.
71 First reading
When a bill is presented, the question “That this bill be now read for the first time” shall be decided without amendment or debate.
72 Bills certified
The Clerk or Deputy Clerk shall certify upon each bill the date of reading and of passage.
73 Bills read twice
Every bill shall be read twice in the Assembly before committal or amendment.
74 (1) Second reading debate
The debate on a motion for second reading must be limited to the object, expediency, principles and merits of the bill. The details of the bill are not debatable.
(2) Bill ordered to Committee
When a bill is read for the second time it stands ordered to a Standing or Special Committee.
75 (1) Bill may not proceed
Bills referred to a Standing or Special Committee shall not be proceeded with until the Assembly receives the report of the Committee or 120 calendar days pass from the day the bill was given second reading.
(a) Notice of Intent to Proceed
Notice of intent to proceed with a bill not reported in accordance with Rule 75(1) may be given to the House by the sponsor of the bill under the item “Ministers’ Statements” on the Order Paper if it is a government bill, and under “Members’ Statements” if it is a Private Member’s Bill.
(b) On the third sitting day after receipt of a “Notice of Intent” the Speaker shall have the bill placed on the Orders of the Day in Committee of the Whole.
(c) A Standing or Special Committee may request an extension of the 120-day review period by motion under item “Reports of Committees on the Review of Bills.”
(2) Sponsor’s concurrence
All amendments made in a Standing or Special Committee must have the concurrence of the sponsor of the bill.
(3) Reporting bills to Committee of the Whole
All amendments made in the Committee shall be reported to the Assembly. Every bill reported from any Committee, whether amended or not, shall be received by the Assembly and ordered into Committee of the Whole.
(4) Bill reprinted as amended by Standing or Special Committee
When amendments to a bill have been made in a Standing or Special Committee, the bill shall be reprinted as amended and introduced with
the report of the Committee.
(5)Two sitting days
A bill reported by a Standing or Special Committee shall not be taken into consideration until two sitting days have passed from the presentation of the report.
76 (1) Clauses considered in order
In proceedings in Committee of the Whole on bills, the title and preamble are first postponed; then every other clause, and schedule, where applicable, is considered by the Committee in proper order. The preamble and title are considered last.
(2) Amendments written and translated
All amendments proposed to bills in Committee of the Whole must be written and translated into French and made available to the Assembly at the time the amendment is proposed.
77 (1) Questions only to sponsor
When a bill is being considered in Committee of the Whole, questions relating to the content of the bill shall only be addressed to the Minister or sponsor of the bill.
(2) Questions referred
Notwithstanding Rule 77(1), the sponsor of the bill may refer questions on a bill to another Minister or Member.
(3) Witnesses may appear
When a bill or estimates document is being considered in Committee of the Whole, the sponsor of the bill or estimates document may have witnesses appear to supply information as required.
78 (1) Reprinting of amended bills
When a bill has been amended in Committee of the Whole it shall be reprinted as amended if so ordered by the Committee.
(2) Notice of reprinting
When the bill has been sent to be reprinted, it shall be marked on the Orders of the Day “Being Reprinted”, and shall not be further proceeded with until that mark has been removed.
79 (1) Amendments reported
All amendments made in Committee of the Whole shall be reported by the Chair.
(2) Report stage
The report of a bill from Committee of the Whole shall be received and the motion for concurrence shall be disposed of without debate or amendment.
80 Third reading of bills
When a bill is reported from the Committee of the Whole, it is ordered to be read a third time. At third reading, amendments may still be proposed to a bill.