Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a motion to amend Rule 70(1) of the rules of the Legislative Assembly.
WHEREAS Rule 70(1) of the rules of the Legislative Assembly prohibits the House from proceeding with a bill for 120 days after it has been referred to a committee other than Committee of the Whole, or until the report of the committee has been received by the Assembly;
AND WHEREAS the rules of the Legislative Assembly do not include a mechanism whereby a bill may be returned to the Orders of the Day upon the expiration of the 120-day period and the committee has not reported the bill back to the Assembly;
AND WHEREAS a formal mechanism is required for a request for an extension to the 120-day rule for the review of a bill by a committee;
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, that Rule 70 of the rules of the Legislative Assembly be amended upon dissolution of the 14th Assembly by adding the following after Rule 70(1):
70(1.1) Notice of intent to proceed with a bill not reported in accordance with Rule 70(1) may be given to the House by the sponsor of the bill under the item "Ministers' Statements" on the Order Paper if it is a government bill, and under "Members' Statements" if it is a Private Members' Bill.
(1.2) On the third sitting day after receipt of a "Notice of Intent" the Speaker shall have the bill placed on the Orders of the Day in Committee of the Whole.
(1.3) A standing or special committee may request an extension of the 120-day review period by motion under the item "Reports of Committees on the Review of Bills."
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.