Löggjafarferlið

Löggjafarferlið refers to the legislative process in Iceland. It is the procedure through which proposed laws, known as bills, are introduced, debated, amended, and ultimately enacted or rejected by the Alþingi, Iceland's parliament. The process begins with the introduction of a bill, which can be initiated by a government minister or a member of parliament.

Once introduced, the bill is typically sent to a parliamentary committee for review and deliberation. These committees, specialized in various policy areas, examine the bill in detail, hold hearings with experts and stakeholders, and may propose amendments. Following the committee's report, the bill proceeds to a first reading in the Alþingi, where it is debated.

After the first reading, the bill moves to a second reading, which involves a more thorough debate and the possibility of further amendments. A vote is then taken on the bill as a whole. If approved, it goes to a third reading, where a final vote is held. For a bill to become law, it must receive a majority vote in the Alþingi.

Once passed by the Alþingi, the bill is sent to the President of Iceland for assent. The President has the power to sign the bill into law or to refuse assent, although the latter is a rare occurrence. If the President assents, the law is published in the Icelandic legal gazette, officially becoming part of the country's legal framework. The entire process is designed to ensure careful consideration and public scrutiny of proposed legislation.