Drafting timeline and poster

FROM IDEA...

Policy

• Policy and legal analysis by department: Regulatory Impact and Disclosure Statements prepared** [LDAC]

• Minister approves developed policy: Cabinet policy paper prepared and lodged

• Cabinet approves developed policy: Bill must have a place on the Government's Legislation Programme (Cabinet Manual 7.55)

• Department prepares drafting instructions (Cabinet Manual 7.55)

Drafting

• Drafting instructions sent to PCO * (Cabinet Manual 7.55 & 7.56) [START DATE]

• Multiple versions drafted by PCO

• Each version analysed and commented on by department † [EST. DAYS]

Consultation

• Minister and departments consulted ‡ [10 DAYS]

• Peer review by PCO ‡ [10 DAYS]

• Proofread by PCO ‡ [10 DAYS]

• Other Ministers and other parties consulted ‡ [10 DAYS]

• Final comments and approval from department ‡ [3 DAYS]

Review

• Penultimate draft by PCO ‡ [10 DAYS]

• Bill of Rights Act vet ‡ [10 DAYS]

• Proofread and final edit by PCO ‡ [5 DAYS]

• Print Bill for LEG ‡ [1 DAY]

• LEG deadline: 10am Thursday (see CabNet)

• LEG approval: 9:30am following Thursday, sitting weeks

• Cabinet approval: 11am following Monday, sitting weeks

Introduction

• Bill is available for first reading on the third working day following its introduction (Minister may present legislative statement immediately before moving first reading (SO 272, Turning Policy Into Law 1.19A) SO 293(1))

• Bill introduced

• Leader of the House informs Clerk of the House on any working day, or by 1pm on a sitting day, of the Government’s intention to introduce the Bill on that day (SO 284) Regulatory Impact and Disclosure Statements published (Turning Policy Into Law 1.16, 1.19)

• Print Bill for introduction ‡ [1 DAY]

... TO FIRST READING.

**[LDAC]: If the Bill is to be passed within the year, instructions must be provided to PCO as soon as possible in the first quarter of the year.

*[START DATE]: If the Bill is to be passed within the year, instructions must be provided to PCO as soon as possible in the first quarter of the year.

If the Bill is to be introduced, but not passed, within the year, instructions must be provided before 1 July.

†[EST. DAYS]: The estimated time to draft a Bill (from instructions being received to introduction) depends on the Bill’s size and complexity. On average, it takes 67 working days (approximately 3 months) for a 50 clause Bill of medium complexity.

‡[(No. of) DAYS]: Working days for task to be completed. Note, some processes may be able to be carried out at the same time.

Also see PCO's step-by-step guide Turning Policy Into Law for more detailed information about this process and about a Bill's passage through the House.