Löggjafavald

Löggjafavald, often rendered löggjafarvald, refers to the legislative authority to make laws within a state. It is the official capacity to draft, debate, amend, and enact legal norms, usually exercised by a legislative body. The term comes from the Icelandic words lög (law) and vald (power), literally the power to make laws. In most constitutional systems löggjafarvaldið is one of the three branches of government, alongside executive power and judicial power.

The scope and function of löggjafarvaldið vary by system but typically include proposing bills, debating and amending legislation, and passing laws. Legislative bodies may also approve budgets and adopt constitutional amendments. The legislative process often involves committees, multiple readings, and votes, with possible input from the executive. Laws generally require promulgation or formal assent to become law, and may be subject to judicial review for constitutionality or compatibility with higher norms.

In Icelandic governance, löggjafarvald is exercised by the Alþingi, the national parliament. Bills can be introduced by the government or by members of parliament and must pass through established procedures before becoming law. After passage, laws are promulgated in accordance with the constitution and applicable legal practice. The precise allocation and limits of legislative power are defined by the constitutional framework and related statutes.

Across systems, the principle of separation of powers assigns löggjafarvaldið a distinct role, ensuring that lawmaking is checked by the other branches and by constitutional limits. The form and scope of legislative authority are shaped by each country’s constitutional arrangement.