The permanent constitution of the State of Qatar has entrusted the legislative power to the Shura Council. Accordingly, the Shura Council proposes laws, reviews and approves draft laws and decrees by law. The Council also approves the general budget of the country. Each member has the right to propose laws, and more than one member may participate in proposing a law, provided that their total does not exceed (5) five members. The Council of Ministers also submits draft laws to the Speaker of the Council. The Council considers draft laws and proposals through the competent committee.
The general draft budget shall be submitted to the Shura Council at least two months from the start of the fiscal year, and the draft budget shall not come into force except by Council approval.
The Shura Council may, with the approval of the government, make amendments to the draft budget, and in the event that the draft budget is not passed before the start of the fiscal year, the previous budget continues to be effective until the new budget is passed.
The Law shall define the method of preparing the budget and shall specify the fiscal year.
The permanent constitution of the State of Qatar has entrusted the Shura Council with the power to practice oversighting over the executive power, in accordance with its Article (76). The oversight shall be over ministries and subsidiary agencies and shall not be on the special bodies and agencies formed by His Highness the Emir to assist him with opinion and advice on his practicing of the state’s higher policies in certain areas.
Expressing desire: The Council has the right to express desires to the Council of Ministers on public issues, whenever the Council determines on its own that the public interest requires it, without the need for it to be presented to it by the Council of Ministers.
Directing Questions: Each member of the Council may direct questions to the Prime Minister or to one of the Ministers to clarify matters within their jurisdiction.
Proposal for general discussions: Based on a written request signed by at least five members, a topic within the Council’s jurisdiction may be raised for general discussion and exchange of views among Council members. Ministers, competent officials in government agencies, experts and interested parties are invited to attend the general discussion sessions, in coordination with the Council of Ministers.
Hearings: The President, after the approval of the Prime Minister, may invite one of the ministers or competent officials in the government agencies to listen to the government’s directives regarding one of the topics that fall within the Council’s jurisdiction.
Directing an interpellation: Every member of the Council may direct an interpellation to the Ministers on matters within their jurisdiction, and the interpellation may not be directed except with the approval of one-third of the members. The Minister may not be withdrawn from confidence except after discussing an interpellation directed to him.
