Page:Constitution of the Bolivarian republic of Venezuela.djvu/74

76 :(6) Electoral Power in the case of laws relating to electoral matters.


 * (7) The voters, in a number at least equivalent to 0.1% of all permanently registered voters.


 * (8) The State Legislative Council, in the case of laws relating to the States.

Article 205: The discussion of bills submitted by citizens in accordance with the provisions of the preceding article shall be initiated no later than the regular legislative session following that during which the bill was introduced. If debate does not begin within such period, the bill must be submitted for approval by referendum in accordance with law.

Article 206: The States must be consulted by the National Assembly, through the State Legislative Council, when legislation in matters relating to them is being considered. The mechanisms for consultation of citizens and other institutions by the Council with respect to such matters shall be established by law.

Article 207: To be enacted into law, every bill shall be debated twice, on different days, following the rules established in this Constitution and the pertinent regulations. Once the bill is approved, the President of the National Assembly shall declare the law enacted.

Article 208: During the first debate, the statement of legislative intent shall be considered and the objectives, scope and viability of the same shall be evaluated in order to determine the appropriateness of the law, and the articles shall be discussed. Upon approval at the first debate, the bill shall be sent to the Committee directly concerned with the subject matter of the law. If the bill relates to several Standing Committees, a mixed committee shall be designated to conduct a study and prepare a report.

Committees studying bills shall report the bill out within no more than 30 consecutive days.