The primary role of the Subordinate Legislation Committee was to scrutinise subordinate legislation and delegated powers within proposed primary legislation.
The Committee considered all Scottish statutory instruments laid before the Parliament and decided whether to draw them to the attention of the Parliament under certain grounds. Those grounds, and more details about subordinate legislation procedure, are set out in Chapter 10 of Standing Orders. The Committee also scrutinised the proposals to delegate powers in Bills before the Parliament.
The Subordinate Legislation Committee changed its name to the Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee on 5 June 2013.