Parliamentary.ai uses AI technology to produce easily understandable summaries of the bills under consideration in the British Parliament.
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- Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill
- Victims and Courts Bill
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These bills have recently been passed into law:
- Great British Energy Act 2025
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- Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act
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- Non-Domestic Rating (Multipliers and Private Schools) Act
- Church of Scotland (Lord High Commissioner) Act
- National Insurance Contributions (Secondary Class 1 Contributions) Act
- Finance Act 2025
- Supply and Appropriation (Anticipation and Adjustments) Act 2025
Random Bill
Summary of a randomly selected bill, powered by AnyModel.Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity (Ratification of Treaty) Bill
Current Stage: 2nd reading
Last updated: 12/02/2025
Overview
This bill aims to allow the UK to ratify the UN treaty on protecting biodiversity in international waters (the "High Seas Treaty"). It sets out how the UK government will implement the treaty's requirements, including creating new powers to protect marine life beyond UK territorial waters.
Description
The bill mandates the UK government to ratify the High Seas Treaty. It grants the government the power to create Orders in Council ("Implementation Orders") to enact the treaty's provisions. These Orders can:
- Amend existing laws.
- Create new regulations, prohibitions, and requirements (including information-sharing).
- Set fees.
- Establish criminal and civil penalties for non-compliance.
- Provide for review and appeals.
However, Implementation Orders cannot:
- Introduce or increase taxes.
- Be retroactive.
- Create serious criminal offences.
- Amend the Human Rights Act 1998 or similar legislation.
- Affect devolved matters without consent from devolved administrations.
- Apply to high seas activities outside UK jurisdiction, except for UK citizens, ships, and aircraft.
All Implementation Orders must be approved by both Houses of Parliament, unless deemed urgent.
Government Spending
The bill provides for government spending on implementing the treaty and covering any payments the UK government makes under the High Seas Treaty. Any fees collected under Implementation Orders will go to the Consolidated Fund.
Groups Affected
- UK Government: Responsible for treaty ratification and implementation.
- Devolved administrations (Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland): Their consent is required for Implementation Orders affecting devolved matters.
- Businesses operating in international waters: Potentially subject to new regulations and fees.
- Environmental groups: Potentially impacted by the level of enforcement and protection afforded to marine life.
- Individuals involved in activities affecting international waters: May face new legal restrictions and potential penalties.
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