The Bill as introduced allows arrangements to be put in place for the Scottish general election in response to Covid-19.
This is a Government bill
The Bill became an Act on 29 January 2021
This Bill was passed and is now an Act of the Scottish Parliament.
The Bill as introduced allows arrangements to be put in place for the Scottish general election in response to Covid-19. The election is planned for 6 May 2021. The Bill will:
The next Scottish general election is scheduled to be held on 6 May 2021. It’s expected Scotland will remain under Covid-19 restrictions into 2021. This Bill was created to make sure the election is held on 6 May 2021 as planned and to provide options if it looks like this is not possible closer to the time.
Scottish General Election (Coronavirus) Bill as Introduced (433KB, pdf) posted 16 November 2020
Explanatory Notes (136KB, pdf) posted 16 November 2020
Policy Memorandum (171KB, pdf) posted 16 November 2020
Financial Memorandum (208KB, pdf) posted 16 November 2020
Delegated Powers Memorandum (141KB, pdf) posted 16 November 2020
Statements on legislative competence (172KB, pdf) posted 16 November 2020
All Bills introduced in the Parliament must be accompanied by specific documents. For most Bills, this includes:
Explanatory Notes: this document provides an overview of what the Bill does, plus a more detailed explanation of individual provisions.
Policy Memorandum: this sets out the objectives of the Bill. It also lists any alternatives considered, details of consultations, and an assessment of the effects of the Bill on a range of areas.
Financial Memorandum: this sets out estimates of costs, savings, and any changes to revenues expected to result from the Bill.
Delegated Powers Memorandum: this is needed if a Bill gives powers to make subordinate legislation or allows Scottish Ministers to issue directions, guidance or codes of practice.
Statements on legislative competence: two short statements, one by the Presiding Officer and one by the Member introducing the Bill. “Legislative competence” means the powers the Parliament has to make law.
The Presiding Officer has decided under Rule 9.12 of Standing Orders that a financial resolution is required for this Bill.
For each Bill, the Presiding Officer must decide if a 'Financial Resolution' is required. The main reasons a Bill would need a Financial Resolution are that:
If a Bill requires a Financial Resolution:
The Scottish Parliament's Information Centre (SPICe) prepares impartial research and analysis to assist MSPs in their examination of Bills and other parliamentary business.
The Bill was introduced on 16 November 2020
At Stage 1, the Bill is given to a lead committee. This is usually the committee whose remit most closely relates to the subject of the Bill. The lead committee will consider and report on the Bill. Other committees may also examine the Bill and report to the lead committee. Finally, there is a debate and vote by all MSPs on the general principles of the Bill. If the general principles are not agreed to, then the Bill ‘falls’ and can’t become law.
The lead committee for this Bill is the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee. The lead committee considers and reports on the Bill.
The lead committee will usually examine the Bill through evidence sessions. This will involve contributions from individuals and organisations, known as 'witnesses', with knowledge of the subject matter. The committee might also discuss the Bill in private sessions.
A Stage 1 debate took place on 10 December 2020 to consider and decide on the general principles of the Bill.
See further details of the motion
See further details of the motion
The Bill ended Stage 1 on 10 December 2020
At Stage 2, MSPs can propose changes to a Bill. These are called 'amendments'. Any MSP can suggest amendments but only members of the Stage 2 committee can decide on them.
Documents with the amendments considered at the meeting held on 17 December 2020.
First Marshalled List of Amendments for Stage 2 (209KB, pdf) posted 15 December 2020
First Groupings of Amendments for Stage 2 (204KB, pdf) posted 15 December 2020
A Stage 2 'Marshalled List' is a list of all the amendments that have been lodged at Stage 2 (or, if the Stage is mid-way through, all those still to be dealt with). They are listed in the order in which they will be called by the convener and then decided on.
A 'Groupings' list shows how the amendments that are listed in the Marshalled List have been grouped together for debate. Each group contains amendments that are related to each other, even if they are at different places in the Marshalled List.
Printing changes are changes to the text of a Bill. They will not change the legal effect of the Bill.
Scottish General Election (Coronavirus) Bill printing changes at Stage 2 (49KB, pdf) posted 17 December 2020
The Bill ended Stage 2 on 17 December 2020
At Stage 3, MSPs can propose further amendments (changes) to the Bill. These are debated and decided on in the Debating Chamber. At this stage, all MSPs can vote on them. There is then a debate on whether to pass the Bill. If the Bill is not passed, it ‘falls’ and can't become law.
Documents with the amendments considered at the meeting on 23 December 2020:
Marshalled List of Amendments for Stage 3 (186KB, pdf) posted 21 December 2020
Groupings of Amendments for Stage 3 (149KB, pdf) posted 21 December 2020
A Stage 3 'Marshalled List' is a list of all the amendments that have been proposed at Stage 3 and that have been selected by the Presiding Officer. They are listed in the order in which they will be called by the Presiding Officer and then decided on.
A 'Groupings' list shows how the amendments that are listed in the Marshalled List have been grouped together for debate. Each group contains amendments that are related to each other, even if they are at different places in the Marshalled List.
‘Timed Groupings’ are usually produced at Stage 3 and set out how long Parliament expects to spend debating the groups of amendments.
Once MSPs have decided on the amendments, they debate whether to pass the Bill.
Result 117 for, 0 against, 0 abstained, 12 did not vote Vote Passed
See further details of the motion
The Bill ended Stage 3 on 23 December 2020
If the Bill is passed, it is normally sent for Royal Assent after about 4 weeks. Royal Assent is when the Bill gets formal agreement by the King and becomes an Act of the Scottish Parliament. Some Acts come into force straight after Royal Assent. Some only come into force on a later date. Sometimes different bits of the same Act come into force on different dates.