Accompanying documents

Other documents are published along with a bill on the Current Bills page when it is introduced.

• The Policy Memorandum explains why the bill is needed, any consultation that was done before the bill was introduced and the likely impact of the bill on issues such as human rights, equal opportunities and sustainable development.
• The Explanatory Notes explain how the bill will change the law.
• The Financial Memorandum estimates the likely costs of the bill for public bodies, businesses and individuals. 
• The statements on legislative competence include statements from the MSP who introduced the bill and the Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament on the power of the Scottish Parliament to make law on the matters dealt with in the bill. A statement from the Presiding Officer that the Parliament does not have the power to make law on an issue does not prevent the bill from going through the three-stage process.

Please note that the Financial Memorandum and statements on legislative competence were included in the Explanatory Notes document for bills introduced in sessions 1 to 4. In the current session, all accompanying documents will be published separately.