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{
    "id": 903239,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/903239/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 284,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. (Rev.) Waqo",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13178,
        "legal_name": "Naomi Jilo Waqo",
        "slug": "naomi-jilo-waqo"
    },
    "content": "Bill goes through. Once they have drafted their Bills and it is read for the First Time, they wait for the conclusion or response from the other side, which keeps us in a big dilemma. I also support this Bill because of the experience, where we have seen some of the very important Bills which go to the other House but come back to us. In many occasions, we have seen a lot of mediation taking place because of disagreements in some areas. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, as I was going through the Bill, I noted that it will solve most of our problems. Clause 5 of this Bill states that- ―Upon the publication of a Bill and before the Bill is read a First Time in the House originating the Bill, the Speaker of that House shall, pursuant to Article 110(3) of the Constitution, seeks the concurrences of the Speaker of the other House on whether the Bill- (a) is a Bill concerning counties and, (b) if it concerns the counties, whether it is a special or ordinary Bill. This, to me this is a very crucial and important Bill. As we begin the important journey of a Bill going through all the process, that determination is important. Under that, the time has also been set, because the Bill in Clause 5(2) suggests that- ―The Speaker from whom concurrence is sought under subsection (1) shall respond to the request for concurrence within a period of seven days from the date of receipt or the request.‖ We know that sometimes when we make requests in writing, there is a lot of delay. However, with these specifications, the requests will be responded to within a specific timeframe. I am sure that all hon. Members will honour this and it shall receive the response that is needed within seven days, which is very good and will help the process of the particular Bill. Clause 5(3) states that- ―Where no response is received within the period specified under subsection (2), the speaker of the House originating the Bill may direct that the Bill be Read a First Time.‖ Clause 6 (1) suggests that- ―Where the Speakers of both houses fail to concur on the nature of a Bill as provided in section 5, the Speakers shall refer the Bill to a Joint Committee established to determine the nature of the Bill.‖ This is crucial because the Committee will represent both Houses. I believe that the sponsor of the Bill will also be considered as one of the persons to be in that Joint Committee. This is because he or she has a good idea they know why they have come up with the Bill. Therefore, he or she can defend and justify the Bill and its amendments. In fact, we can be more specific and say that the sponsor of the Bill should be a Member of the joint Committee. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the idea of three Members to sit in the Joint Committee is good, because we will all be well represented and our interested will be covered."
}