All proposals, motions and bills of the NPC are original bills for discussion proposed by NPC deputies or departments concerned to the NPC.
The general procedures for making proposals, motions and bills to the NPC:
According to the Organization Law of the National People?s Congress and the Regulations of Discussions of the National People?s Congress, the presidium of the NPC, the Standing Committee of the NPC, various special committees of the NPC, the State Council, the Central Military Commission, the Supreme People?s Court and Supreme People?s Procuratorate may put forward bills to the National People?s Congress. Then the presidium shall decide whether to put the bills on the agenda or to reject them for discussion at NPC sessions. In additions, a delegation to the NPC or more than 30 deputies may put forward bills concerning matters falling within the functions and powers of the NPC. The presidium shall decide to list the bills on the agenda or reject them for discussion at NPC sessions, or alternatively to be sent to special committees for reviews. The committees shall suggest whether the bills should be listed on the agenda before a decision of listing or not listing the bills on the agenda is made.
The general procedures for deliberating the proposals, motions and bills to the NPC:
Sponsors of motions and bills submit to the NPC explanations of their motions and bills first. The plenary session of various delegations and deputy groups review the motions and bills. Then the presidium puts the motions and bills to various special committees for deliberation and report. The presidium reviews the reports and submits them to NPC sessions for voting. Deputies may cast their votes by ballot, show of hands or other means, to be decided upon by the presidium. Those motions and bills with a majority of deputies in favor shall be carried. Voting results are announced on the spot by those presiding over the sessions. Amendments to the Constitution can only be proposed by NPC Standing Committee or more than one-fifth of the deputies to the NPC, to be decided upon by ballot. Those with at least two-thirds of the deputies in favor shall be adopted.
When the delegations review the motions and bills or reports, relevant departments shall send those in charge to the meetings to listen to opinions and answer questions. During the plenary session of the NPC, a delegation or more than 30 deputies may raise inquires in writing to the various ministries and commissions of the State Council, the Supreme People?s Court and the Supreme People?s Procuratorate. The presidium of the NPC, or more than three delegations or one-tenth of the deputies may jointly propose the setup of investigative committees to look into special issues. The setup of such committees shall be decided upon by plenary sessions of the presidium.
(China.org.cn May 20, 2003)
