Bhutanese legislation
Encyclopedia
Bhutan
ese legislation is created by the bicameral Parliament of Bhutan
. Either the upper house National Council
, the lower house National Assembly
, or the Attorney General
may author bills to be passed as acts, with the exception of money and financial bills, which are the sole purview of the National Assembly. When a bill has been introduced and passed by one house, it must present the bill to the other house within thirty days from the date of passing, and the bill may be passed during the next session of Parliament. In the case of budget bills and urgent matters, a bill must be passed in the same session of Parliament.
Once bills have passed Parliament, they are submitted to the King for royal assent within fifteen days.
If the other house neither passes nor returns the bill by the end of the next session, the bill is deemed to have passed, and the house in which the bill originated shall present the bill within fifteen days to the King for assent.
If the King does not grant assent to the bill, he returns the bill with amendments or objections for Parliament to deliberate and vote on the bill in a joint sitting. After Parliament deliberates and passes the bill in a joint sitting, Parliament resubmits the bill to the Druk Gyalpo who must then grant assent to the bill.
Acts passed predating the enactment of the Constitution
in 2008 were passed under different procedures, some originating as promulgations by the King as indicated in their preamble. Below is a list of Acts of the Kingdom of Bhutan.
Bhutan
Bhutan , officially the Kingdom of Bhutan, is a landlocked state in South Asia, located at the eastern end of the Himalayas and bordered to the south, east and west by the Republic of India and to the north by the People's Republic of China...
ese legislation is created by the bicameral Parliament of Bhutan
Parliament of Bhutan
The Parliament of Bhutan consists of the King of Bhutan together with a bicameral parliament.Constitution: Art. 1, § 3; Art. 10 This bicameral parliament is made up of an upper house, the National Council and a lower house, the National Assembly.Constitution: Art. 11; Art...
. Either the upper house National Council
National Council of Bhutan
The National Council is the upper house of Bhutan's new bicameral Parliament, which also comprises the Druk Gyalpo and the National Assembly. It is the subordinate house, and cannot author monetary or budget-related bills...
, the lower house National Assembly
National Assembly of Bhutan
The National Assembly is the elected lower house of Bhutan's new bicameral Parliament which also comprises the Druk Gyalpo and the National Council. It is the more powerful house.- Current National Assembly :...
, or the Attorney General
Attorney General of Bhutan
The Office of the Attorney General of Bhutan is the legal arm of the executive branch of the government. It is also the legal adviser of the government and its representative in the judicial system of Bhutan...
may author bills to be passed as acts, with the exception of money and financial bills, which are the sole purview of the National Assembly. When a bill has been introduced and passed by one house, it must present the bill to the other house within thirty days from the date of passing, and the bill may be passed during the next session of Parliament. In the case of budget bills and urgent matters, a bill must be passed in the same session of Parliament.
Once bills have passed Parliament, they are submitted to the King for royal assent within fifteen days.
If the other house neither passes nor returns the bill by the end of the next session, the bill is deemed to have passed, and the house in which the bill originated shall present the bill within fifteen days to the King for assent.
If the King does not grant assent to the bill, he returns the bill with amendments or objections for Parliament to deliberate and vote on the bill in a joint sitting. After Parliament deliberates and passes the bill in a joint sitting, Parliament resubmits the bill to the Druk Gyalpo who must then grant assent to the bill.
Acts passed predating the enactment of the Constitution
Constitution of Bhutan
The Constitution of Bhutan was enacted July 18, 2008 by the Royal Government. The Constitution was thoroughly planned by several government officers and agencies over a period of almost seven years amid increasing democratic reforms in Bhutan...
in 2008 were passed under different procedures, some originating as promulgations by the King as indicated in their preamble. Below is a list of Acts of the Kingdom of Bhutan.
List of Acts of the Kingdom of Bhutan
| OrderThe official order is reversed; this ordering allows additions without renumbering. | Act | Year | English | Dzongkha |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 88 | Anti-Corruption Act, 2011 | 2011 | ||
| 87 | Royal Monetary Authority Act Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan The Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan is the central bank of Bhutan and is a member of the Asian Clearing Union. It is also the minting authority for the Bhutanese ngultrum. The Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan was established under the Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan Act of 1982... |
2010 | English and Dzongkha | |
| 86 | Tobacco Control Act | 2010 | English and Dzongkha | |
| 85 | Entitlement & Service Conditions Act for the Holders, Members & Commissioners of Constitutional Offices | 2010 | English and Dzongkha | |
| 84 | Bhutan Standards Act | 2010 | English and Dzongkha | |
| 83 | Local Government Act Local Government Act of Bhutan 2009 The Local Government Act of Bhutan was enacted on September 11, 2009, by parliament of Bhutan in order to further implement its program of decentralization and devolution of power and authority.Local Gov't Act 2008: Preamble It is the most recent reform of the law on Bhutan's administrative... |
2009 | English and Dzongkha | |
| 82 | Cooperative (Amendment) Act | 2009 | English | Dzongkha |
| 81 | Prison Act | 2009 | English and Dzongkha | |
| 80 | Royal Bhutan Police Act Royal Bhutan Police Law enforcement in Bhutan is the collective purview of several divisions of Bhutan's Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs. Namely, the Ministry's Bureau of Law and Order, Department of Immigration, and Department of Local Governance are responsible for law enforcement in Bhutan... |
2009 | English and Dzongkha | |
| 79 | Constitution of the Kingdom of Bhutan Constitution of Bhutan The Constitution of Bhutan was enacted July 18, 2008 by the Royal Government. The Constitution was thoroughly planned by several government officers and agencies over a period of almost seven years amid increasing democratic reforms in Bhutan... |
2008 | English | Dzongkha |
| 78 | Election Act of the Kingdom of Bhutan Elections in Bhutan Elections in Bhutan are conducted at national and local levels. Suffrage is universal for citizens 18 and over, and under applicable election laws... |
2008 | English | Dzongkha |
| 77 | National Council Act National Council of Bhutan The National Council is the upper house of Bhutan's new bicameral Parliament, which also comprises the Druk Gyalpo and the National Assembly. It is the subordinate house, and cannot author monetary or budget-related bills... |
2008 | English | Dzongkha |
| 76 | National Assembly Act National Assembly of Bhutan The National Assembly is the elected lower house of Bhutan's new bicameral Parliament which also comprises the Druk Gyalpo and the National Council. It is the more powerful house.- Current National Assembly :... |
2008 | English | Dzongkha |
| 75 | National Referendum Act Elections in Bhutan Elections in Bhutan are conducted at national and local levels. Suffrage is universal for citizens 18 and over, and under applicable election laws... |
2008 | (unavailable) | Dzongkha |
| 74 | Public Election Fund Act Elections in Bhutan Elections in Bhutan are conducted at national and local levels. Suffrage is universal for citizens 18 and over, and under applicable election laws... |
2008 | English | Dzongkha |
| 73 | Parliamentary Entitlements Act Parliament of Bhutan The Parliament of Bhutan consists of the King of Bhutan together with a bicameral parliament.Constitution: Art. 1, § 3; Art. 10 This bicameral parliament is made up of an upper house, the National Council and a lower house, the National Assembly.Constitution: Art. 11; Art... |
2008 | English | Dzongkha |
| 72 | Land Act Law of Bhutan The law of Bhutan derives mainly from legislation and treaties. Prior to the enactment of the Constitution, laws were enacted by fiat of the King of Bhutan. The law of Bhutan originates in the semi-theocratic Tsa Yig legal code, and was heavily influenced through the twentieth century by English... |
2007 | English | Dzongkha |
| 71 | Civil Society Organizations Act | 2007 | English | Dzongkha |
| 70 | Immigration Act | 2007 | English | Dzongkha |
| 69 | Judicial Service Act | 2007 | English | (unavailable) |
| 68 | Labour and Employment Act Law of Bhutan The law of Bhutan derives mainly from legislation and treaties. Prior to the enactment of the Constitution, laws were enacted by fiat of the King of Bhutan. The law of Bhutan originates in the semi-theocratic Tsa Yig legal code, and was heavily influenced through the twentieth century by English... |
2007 | English and Dzongkha | |
| 67 | Natural Environment Protection Act | 2007 | English | Dzongkha |
| 66 | Public Finance Act | 2007 | English | Dzongkha |
| 65 | Religious Organizations Act Freedom of religion in Bhutan The Bhutanese Constitution of 2008 and previous law provide for freedom of religion in Bhutan, however the government has limited non-Buddhist missionary activity, barring non-Buddhist missionaries from entering the country, limiting construction of non-Buddhist religious buildings, and restricting... |
2007 | English | Dzongkha |
| 64 | Local Governments Act Local Government Act of Bhutan 2009 The Local Government Act of Bhutan was enacted on September 11, 2009, by parliament of Bhutan in order to further implement its program of decentralization and devolution of power and authority.Local Gov't Act 2008: Preamble It is the most recent reform of the law on Bhutan's administrative... The Local Governments Act of 2007 was repealed by the Local Government Act of 2009 Local Government Act of Bhutan 2009 The Local Government Act of Bhutan was enacted on September 11, 2009, by parliament of Bhutan in order to further implement its program of decentralization and devolution of power and authority.Local Gov't Act 2008: Preamble It is the most recent reform of the law on Bhutan's administrative... . |
2007 | English and Dzongkha | |
| 63 | Anti Corruption Act | 2006 | English | Dzongkha |
| 62 | Audit Act Law of Bhutan The law of Bhutan derives mainly from legislation and treaties. Prior to the enactment of the Constitution, laws were enacted by fiat of the King of Bhutan. The law of Bhutan originates in the semi-theocratic Tsa Yig legal code, and was heavily influenced through the twentieth century by English... |
2006 | English | Dzongkha |
| 61 | Bhutan Information Communications & Media Act | 2006 | English | Dzongkha |
| 60 | Office of the Attorney General Act Attorney General of Bhutan The Office of the Attorney General of Bhutan is the legal arm of the executive branch of the government. It is also the legal adviser of the government and its representative in the judicial system of Bhutan... |
2006 | English | Dzongkha |
| 59 | Evidence Act Judicial system of Bhutan The judicial system of Bhutan is the purview of the Royal Court of Justice, the judicial branch of the government of Bhutan under the Constitution of 2008... |
2005 | English | (unavailable) |
| 58 | Food Act Health in Bhutan Health in Bhutan is one of the government's highest priorities in its scheme of development and modernization. Health and related issues are overseen by the Ministry of Health, itself represented on the executive Lhengye Zhungtshog by the Minister of Health... |
2005 | English | (unavailable) |
| 57 | Movable Cultural Property Act | 2005 | English | Dzongkha |
| 56 | Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and Substance Abuse Act Health in Bhutan Health in Bhutan is one of the government's highest priorities in its scheme of development and modernization. Health and related issues are overseen by the Ministry of Health, itself represented on the executive Lhengye Zhungtshog by the Minister of Health... |
2005 | English | Dzongkha |
| 55 | Penal Code of the Kingdom of Bhutan | 2004 | English | Dzongkha |
| 54 | Road Act | 2004 | English | Dzongkha |
| 53 | Tenancy Act Law of Bhutan The law of Bhutan derives mainly from legislation and treaties. Prior to the enactment of the Constitution, laws were enacted by fiat of the King of Bhutan. The law of Bhutan originates in the semi-theocratic Tsa Yig legal code, and was heavily influenced through the twentieth century by English... |
2004 | English | Dzongkha |
| 52 | National Assembly Committees Act National Assembly of Bhutan The National Assembly is the elected lower house of Bhutan's new bicameral Parliament which also comprises the Druk Gyalpo and the National Council. It is the more powerful house.- Current National Assembly :... |
2004 | English | (unavailable) |
| 51 | National Assembly Speakers Act National Assembly of Bhutan The National Assembly is the elected lower house of Bhutan's new bicameral Parliament which also comprises the Druk Gyalpo and the National Council. It is the more powerful house.- Current National Assembly :... |
2004 | English | (unavailable) |
| 50 | Biodiversity Act | 2003 | English | (unavailable) |
| 49 | Jabmi Act Judicial system of Bhutan The judicial system of Bhutan is the purview of the Royal Court of Justice, the judicial branch of the government of Bhutan under the Constitution of 2008... |
2003 | English | (unavailable) |
| 48 | Medicines Act Health in Bhutan Health in Bhutan is one of the government's highest priorities in its scheme of development and modernization. Health and related issues are overseen by the Ministry of Health, itself represented on the executive Lhengye Zhungtshog by the Minister of Health... |
2003 | English | Dzongkha |
| 47 | Dzongkhag Yargay Tshogdu Act Local Government Act of Bhutan 2009 The Local Government Act of Bhutan was enacted on September 11, 2009, by parliament of Bhutan in order to further implement its program of decentralization and devolution of power and authority.Local Gov't Act 2008: Preamble It is the most recent reform of the law on Bhutan's administrative... The Dzongkhag Yargay Tshogdu Act was repealed by the Local Governments Act of 2007, which was in turn repealed by the Local Government Act of 2009 Local Government Act of Bhutan 2009 The Local Government Act of Bhutan was enacted on September 11, 2009, by parliament of Bhutan in order to further implement its program of decentralization and devolution of power and authority.Local Gov't Act 2008: Preamble It is the most recent reform of the law on Bhutan's administrative... . |
2002 | English | Dzongkha |
| 46 | Geog Yargay Tshogchhung Act Local Government Act of Bhutan 2009 The Local Government Act of Bhutan was enacted on September 11, 2009, by parliament of Bhutan in order to further implement its program of decentralization and devolution of power and authority.Local Gov't Act 2008: Preamble It is the most recent reform of the law on Bhutan's administrative... The Geog Yargay Tshogchhung Act was repealed by the Local Governments Act of 2007, which was in turn repealed by the Local Government Act of 2009 Local Government Act of Bhutan 2009 The Local Government Act of Bhutan was enacted on September 11, 2009, by parliament of Bhutan in order to further implement its program of decentralization and devolution of power and authority.Local Gov't Act 2008: Preamble It is the most recent reform of the law on Bhutan's administrative... . |
2002 | English | Dzongkha |
| 45 | Medical and Health Council Act Health in Bhutan Health in Bhutan is one of the government's highest priorities in its scheme of development and modernization. Health and related issues are overseen by the Ministry of Health, itself represented on the executive Lhengye Zhungtshog by the Minister of Health... |
2002 | English | Dzongkha |
| 44 | Civil and Criminal Procedure Code Judicial system of Bhutan The judicial system of Bhutan is the purview of the Royal Court of Justice, the judicial branch of the government of Bhutan under the Constitution of 2008... |
2001 | English | Dzongkha |
| 43 | Commercial Sale of Goods Act | 2001 | English | (unavailable) |
| 42 | Co-operative Act | 2001 | English | Dzongkha |
| 41 | Copyright Act Law of Bhutan The law of Bhutan derives mainly from legislation and treaties. Prior to the enactment of the Constitution, laws were enacted by fiat of the King of Bhutan. The law of Bhutan originates in the semi-theocratic Tsa Yig legal code, and was heavily influenced through the twentieth century by English... |
2001 | English | (unavailable) |
| 40 | Electricity Act | 2001 | English | (unavailable) |
| 39 | Income Tax Act Taxation in Bhutan Taxation in Bhutan is conducted by the national government and by its subsidiary local governments. All taxation is ultimately overseen by the Bhutan Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue and Customs,, which is part of the executive Lhengye Zhungtshog . The modern legal basis for taxation in... |
2001 | English | (unavailable) |
| 38 | Industrial Property Act | 2001 | English | (unavailable) |
| 37 | Livestock Act | 2001 | English | (unavailable) |
| 36 | Civil Aviation Act | 2000 | English | Dzongkha |
| 35 | Companies Act | 2000 | English | (unavailable) |
| 34 | Environmental Assessment Act | 2000 | English | Dzongkha |
| 33 | Pesticides Act | 2000 | English | Dzongkha |
| 32 | Sales Tax, Customs and Excise Act Taxation in Bhutan Taxation in Bhutan is conducted by the national government and by its subsidiary local governments. All taxation is ultimately overseen by the Bhutan Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue and Customs,, which is part of the executive Lhengye Zhungtshog . The modern legal basis for taxation in... |
2000 | English | (unavailable) |
| 31 | Seeds Act | 2000 | English | Dzongkha |
| 30 | Bankruptcy Act | 1999 | English | Dzongkha |
| 29 | Bhutan Municipal Act Local Government Act of Bhutan 2009 The Local Government Act of Bhutan was enacted on September 11, 2009, by parliament of Bhutan in order to further implement its program of decentralization and devolution of power and authority.Local Gov't Act 2008: Preamble It is the most recent reform of the law on Bhutan's administrative... |
1999 | English | Dzongkha |
| 28 | Bhutan Postal Corporation Act | 1999 | English | Dzongkha |
| 27 | Legal Deposit Act | 1999 | English | Dzongkha |
| 26 | Lhengye Zhungtsho Act Lhengye Zhungtshog The Lhengye Zhungtshog is the highest executive body in Bhutan. It was created in 1999 by Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the fourth King of Bhutan.... |
1999 | English | Dzongkha |
| 25 | Movable and Immovable Property Act Law of Bhutan The law of Bhutan derives mainly from legislation and treaties. Prior to the enactment of the Constitution, laws were enacted by fiat of the King of Bhutan. The law of Bhutan originates in the semi-theocratic Tsa Yig legal code, and was heavily influenced through the twentieth century by English... |
1999 | English | (unavailable) |
| 24 | Road Safety and Transport Act Transport in Bhutan Transport in Bhutan comprises approximately of roads and two airports, Yongphulla Airport and Paro Airport, the latter of which serves international flights... |
1999 | English | (unavailable) |
| 23 | Zhapto Lemi Chhathrim | 1996 | English | (unavailable) |
| 22 | Forest and Nature Conservation Act | 1995 | English | (unavailable) |
| 21 | Mines and Mineral Management Act | 1995 | English | Dzongkha |
| 20 | Census Handbook | 1993 | English | (unavailable) |
| 19 | Plant Quarantine Act | 1993 | English | (unavailable) |
| 18 | Financial Institutions Act | 1992 | English | (unavailable) |
| 17 | National Security Act | 1992 | English | Dzongkha |
| 16 | Extradition Act Foreign relations of Bhutan Bhutan has diplomatic relations with 27 states, and with the European Union.In 1971, sponsored by India, Bhutan began to develop its foreign relations by joining the UN, though it has no diplomatic relations with any of the permanent members on the UN Security Council... |
1991 | English | (unavailable) |
| 15 | Fire Arms and Ammunition Act | 1990 | English | Dzongkha |
| 14 | Bhutan Citizen Act | 1985 | English | (unavailable) |
| 13 | Prison ActThe Prison Act of 1982 was repealed by the Prison Act of 2009. | 1982 | English | Dzongkha |
| 12 | Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan Act Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan The Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan is the central bank of Bhutan and is a member of the Asian Clearing Union. It is also the minting authority for the Bhutanese ngultrum. The Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan was established under the Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan Act of 1982... |
1982 | English | (unavailable) |
| 11 | Loan Act | 1981 | (unavailable) | Dzongkha |
| 10 | Inheritance Act | 1980 | English | Dzongkha |
| 9 | Livestock Act | 1980 | (unavailable) | Dzongkha |
| 8 | Marriage Act Law of Bhutan The law of Bhutan derives mainly from legislation and treaties. Prior to the enactment of the Constitution, laws were enacted by fiat of the King of Bhutan. The law of Bhutan originates in the semi-theocratic Tsa Yig legal code, and was heavily influenced through the twentieth century by English... |
1980 | English | (unavailable) |
| 7 | Royal Bhutan Police Act Royal Bhutan Police Law enforcement in Bhutan is the collective purview of several divisions of Bhutan's Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs. Namely, the Ministry's Bureau of Law and Order, Department of Immigration, and Department of Local Governance are responsible for law enforcement in Bhutan... The Royal Bhutan Police Act of 1980 was repealed in its entirety by the Royal Bhutan Police Act Royal Bhutan Police Law enforcement in Bhutan is the collective purview of several divisions of Bhutan's Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs. Namely, the Ministry's Bureau of Law and Order, Department of Immigration, and Department of Local Governance are responsible for law enforcement in Bhutan... of 2009. |
1980 | (unavailable) | Dzongkha |
| 6 | Land Act Law of Bhutan The law of Bhutan derives mainly from legislation and treaties. Prior to the enactment of the Constitution, laws were enacted by fiat of the King of Bhutan. The law of Bhutan originates in the semi-theocratic Tsa Yig legal code, and was heavily influenced through the twentieth century by English... |
1979 | (unavailable) | Dzongkha |
| 5 | Bhutan Citizen Act | 1977 | English | (unavailable) |
| 4 | National Flag Rules Flag of Bhutan The national flag of Bhutan is one of the national symbols of Bhutan. The flag is based upon the tradition of the Drukpa Lineage of Tibetan Buddhism and features Druk, the Thunder Dragon of Bhutanese mythology. The basic design of the flag by Mayum Choying Wangmo Dorji dates to 1947... |
1972 | English | (unavailable) |
| 3 | Kadyon | 1969 | (unavailable) | Dzongkha |
| 2 | Nationality Law Bhutanese Citizenship Act 1958 The Bhutanese Citizenship Act of 1958, officially the Nationality Law of Bhutan, 1958, is a decree by the Druk Gyalpo King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, recognizing the definition of a Bhutanese citizen... |
1958 | English | (unavailable) |
| 1 | Thrimzhung ChhenmoThe Thrimzhung Chhenmo established the National Assembly National Assembly of Bhutan The National Assembly is the elected lower house of Bhutan's new bicameral Parliament which also comprises the Druk Gyalpo and the National Council. It is the more powerful house.- Current National Assembly :... and the Royal Advisory Council, which was replaced by the National Council National Council of Bhutan The National Council is the upper house of Bhutan's new bicameral Parliament, which also comprises the Druk Gyalpo and the National Assembly. It is the subordinate house, and cannot author monetary or budget-related bills... in 2008. |
1953 | (unavailable) | Dzongkha |
See also
- Parliament of BhutanParliament of BhutanThe Parliament of Bhutan consists of the King of Bhutan together with a bicameral parliament.Constitution: Art. 1, § 3; Art. 10 This bicameral parliament is made up of an upper house, the National Council and a lower house, the National Assembly.Constitution: Art. 11; Art...
- National Council of BhutanNational Council of BhutanThe National Council is the upper house of Bhutan's new bicameral Parliament, which also comprises the Druk Gyalpo and the National Assembly. It is the subordinate house, and cannot author monetary or budget-related bills...
- National Assembly of BhutanNational Assembly of BhutanThe National Assembly is the elected lower house of Bhutan's new bicameral Parliament which also comprises the Druk Gyalpo and the National Council. It is the more powerful house.- Current National Assembly :...
- National Council of Bhutan
- Law of BhutanLaw of BhutanThe law of Bhutan derives mainly from legislation and treaties. Prior to the enactment of the Constitution, laws were enacted by fiat of the King of Bhutan. The law of Bhutan originates in the semi-theocratic Tsa Yig legal code, and was heavily influenced through the twentieth century by English...
- Constitution of BhutanConstitution of BhutanThe Constitution of Bhutan was enacted July 18, 2008 by the Royal Government. The Constitution was thoroughly planned by several government officers and agencies over a period of almost seven years amid increasing democratic reforms in Bhutan...