Right of initiative (legislative)

The right of (legislative) initiative is the constitutionally defined power to propose a new law (bill) in a legislature.

The right of initiative is usually given to both the government (executive) and individual legislators.

However, some systems may restrict this right to legislators acting alone or with others (such as in the United States) or to the government (such as in the European Union). This, however, does not preclude the executive from suggesting the introduction of certain laws to their backers in the legislature, or even from members of the executive from introducing laws by themselves in systems that allow simultaneous membership in the executive and the legislature.

Bicameral legislatures may restrict or have the right of initiative restricted to the members of the lower house only, or allow members of the upper house to introduce bills to the lower house (such as in the Czech Republic).

Almost all countries give the right of legislative initiative to members of parliament, either as individuals or as part of a group. Depending on the country, other groups of people may have the ability to initiate legislation. These include the following:

The power to make a legislative proposal in the Netherlands is held by the members of the Dutch government and other members of the House of Representatives. Both have the right of initiative. The right of initiative is regulated in the Dutch Constitution:

Article 82 paragraph 1: Bills can be submitted by or on behalf of the King and the House of Representatives of the States General.

The Senate has no right of initiative as an independent body. There is, however, a right of initiative for the joint meeting of the States General (House and Senate together).