Lakiesitys

Lakiesitys is a Finnish term that translates to "legislative proposal" or "bill" in English. It refers to a formal document that is put forward to the Finnish Parliament, the Eduskunta, with the aim of creating new legislation, amending existing laws, or repealing them. These proposals are the initial stage in the Finnish legislative process and can originate from various sources.

The primary bodies that can submit a lakiesitys are the Finnish Government, individual Members of Parliament, or a group of at least twenty MPs. Government proposals are typically the most common and are prepared by ministries based on policy decisions. Private member's bills, introduced by MPs, allow for parliamentary initiative in law-making.

Once a lakiesitys is submitted, it undergoes a rigorous process within the Eduskunta. It is first debated in a plenary session and then referred to the relevant parliamentary committee for detailed examination. The committee will scrutinize the proposal, hear expert testimony, and may propose amendments. Following the committee's report, the proposal returns to a plenary session for further debate and voting. If passed by a majority of votes, it becomes law after receiving presidential assent. The lakiesitys process ensures thorough deliberation and public scrutiny of proposed legislation.