Lawmaking process in Russia.

New legislation may be initiated by the president of Russia, members of the Council of the Federation, deputies of the State Duma, the Government of the Russian Federation, legislative organs of the regions of the Russian Federation.

The legislative process in Russia includes three hearings: in the State Duma, the Council of the Federation and the President.

Draft federal laws adopted by the State Duma are passed to the Council of the Federation for review. The Council of the Federation passes a draft law if more than half of its deputies vote for it or if within 14 days it has not been considered. If the Council of Federation doesn’t pass the draft law it is considered by the State Duma again. And if at last two-thirds of the total number of the State Duma deputies vote for it, the draft law is adopted.

The adopted federal law is sent to the president. If the president rejects it the State Duma and the Federation Council examine the law again. If, during the second hearings, the law is approved by two-thirds of the total number of deputies of the Council of the Federation and the State Duma, it must be signed and promulgated by the president.

Give the English equivalents for:

Государственная Дума, Совет Федерации, федеральный закон, правительство РФ, законодательный орган, в течение, одобрить, подписать, обнародовать.

Determine true and false statements and correct them if it is necessary:

1. New legislation may be initiated by the Congress.

2. The legislative process in Russia includes three readings: in the State Duma, the Council of the Federation and the President.

3. Draft laws adopted by the State Duma are passed to the Council of the Federation for review.

4. The Council of the Federation passes a draft law if more than two-thirds of its deputies vote for it.

5. If the president rejects an adopted law the Government of the RF examines the law again.

Answer the questions:

1. Who may initiate a new legislation?

2. Where do the hearings of a draft law take place?

3. How many deputies of the Council of the Federation must vote for a draft law to send it to the President?

4. What happens to a draft law if the president rejects it?

5. How do you think where the lawmaking process is more complicated: in Great Britain, the USA or Russia? Or are they similar?

Translate from Russian into English:

ЗАКОНОПРОЕКТНАЯ ДЕЯТЕЛЬНОСТЬ В РЕСПУБЛИКЕ БУРЯТИЯ

В соответствии с Конституцией Республики Бурятия право законодательной инициативы принадлежит депутатам Народного Хурала Республики Бурятия, Президенту Республики Бурятия, Правительству Республики Бурятия, представительным органам местного самоуправления в Республике Бурятия, а также Конституционному Суду Республики Бурятия, Верховному Суду Республики Бурятия, Арбитражному Суду Республики Бурятия, прокуратуре Республики Бурятия.

Законопроект рассматривается Народным Хуралом не менее чем в двух чтениях.

Если Народный Хурал отклоняет законопроект, то он не рассматриваются повторно в течение одного года со дня отклонения.

Если Народный Хурал принимает законопроект в первом чтении, то законопроект направляется в ответственный комитет (комиссию) Народного Хурала для его доработки. Доработанный Закон в течение семи календарных дней направляется Президенту Республики Бурятия для подписания и обнародования.

Answer the questions.

1. In which House does new legislation usually start?

a) in Great Britain

b) in the USA

c) in Russia

2. What is a bill ? How does a bill become a law ?

a) in Great Britain

b) in the USA

c) in Russia

3. Who has the right of veto ?

a) in Great Britain

b) in the USA

c) in Russia