All proposals, motions and bills of the NPC are original bills for
discussion proposed by NPC deputies or departments concerned to the
NPC.
The general procedures for making proposals, motions and bills
to the NPC:
According to the Organization Law of the National People's Congress
and the Regulations of Discussions of the National People's
Congress, the presidium of the NPC, the Standing Committee of the
NPC, various special committees of the NPC, the State Council, the
Central Military Commission, the Supreme People's Court and Supreme
People's Procuratorate may put forward bills to the National
People's Congress. Then the presidium shall decide whether to put
the bills on the agenda or to reject them for discussion at NPC
sessions. In additions, a delegation to the NPC or more than 30
deputies may put forward bills concerning matters falling within
the functions and powers of the NPC. The presidium shall decide to
list the bills on the agenda or reject them for discussion at NPC
sessions, or alternatively to be sent to special committees for
reviews. The committees shall suggest whether the bills should be
listed on the agenda before a decision of listing or not listing
the bills on the agenda is made.
The general procedures for deliberating the proposals, motions
and bills to the NPC:
Sponsors of motions and bills submit to the NPC explanations of
their motions and bills first. The plenary session of various
delegations and deputy groups review the motions and bills. Then
the presidium puts the motions and bills to various special
committees for deliberation and report. The presidium reviews the
reports and submits them to NPC sessions for voting. Deputies may
cast their votes by ballot, show of hands or other means, to be
decided upon by the presidium. Those motions and bills with a
majority of deputies in favor shall be carried. Voting results are
announced on the spot by those presiding over the sessions.
Amendments to the Constitution can only be proposed by NPC Standing
Committee or more than one-fifth of the deputies to the NPC, to be
decided upon by ballot. Those with at least two-thirds of the
deputies in favor shall be adopted.
When the delegations review the motions and bills or reports,
relevant departments shall send those in charge to the meetings to
listen to opinions and answer questions. During the plenary session
of the NPC, a delegation or more than 30 deputies may raise
inquires in writing to the various ministries and commissions of
the State Council, the Supreme People's Court and the Supreme
People's Procuratorate. The presidium of the NPC, or more than
three delegations or one-tenth of the deputies may jointly propose
the setup of investigative committees to look into special issues.
The setup of such committees shall be decided upon by plenary
sessions of the presidium.
(China.org.cn May 20, 2003)