Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Act 2024 Explanatory Notes

1. Introduction

   1. Part 1 - the Senedd and Welsh Ministers

      1. Section 1 - Number of Members of the Senedd and Senedd constituencies

      2. Section 2 - Senedd constituencies

      3. Section 3 - Frequency of ordinary general elections

      4. Section 4 - Additional Deputy Presiding Officer

      5. Section 5 - Increase in maximum number of Welsh Ministers

      6. Section 6 - Disqualification from being a Member of the Senedd or a candidate

      7. Section 7- Review of possible job-sharing of offices relating to the Senedd

   2. Part 2 – Voting System at Senedd General Elections and Allocation of Seats

      1. Section 8 - General elections

      2. Section 9 - Vacant seats

      3. Section 10 - Related amendments

   3. Part 3 – Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru

      1. Section 11 - Renaming the Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013

      2. Section 12 - Renaming the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales

   4. Schedule 1: Minor and Consequential Amendments Relating to Part 3

      1. Section 13 - Number of members of the Commission

      2. Section 14 - Persons who may not be members or chief executive of the Commission

      3. Section 15 - Quorum for meetings of the Commission

      4. Section 16 - Assistant commissioners

   5. Part 4 - Senedd Constituency Boundary Reviews

      1. Section 17 - Senedd constituencies for a general election held after 6 April 2026 and before regulations under section 49J of the 2013 Act take effect

   6. Schedule 2: Senedd Constituencies for First General Election after 6 April 2026

      1. Elections in relation to which this Schedule applies

      2. Senedd constituencies and the 2026 boundary review

      3. Notice of commencement of 2026 boundary review

      4. Matters the Commission may take into account in the 2026 boundary review

      5. Determining the names of the Senedd constituencies

      6. Initial report on the 2026 boundary review and first period for representations

      7. Second report on the 2026 boundary review and second period for representations

      8. Final report on the 2026 boundary review

      9. Implementation of final report by the Welsh Ministers

      10. Modification of final report by the Commission

      11. Delegation by the Commission of functions under this Schedule

      12. Welsh Ministers may not give directions to Commission relating to functions under this Schedule

      13. Interpretation

          1. Section 18 - Senedd constituencies for general elections held after regulations under section 49J of 20 the 2013 Act take effect

   7. Schedule 3: New Part 3a of the 2013 Act

      1. Part 3A of the 2013 Act

      2. Related amendments

      3. Transitional provision

   8. Part 5 – Review of Operation of Act Etc. and General Provisions

      1. Review of operation of Act etc.

         1. Section 19 - Review of operation of Act etc. after 2026 general election

         2. General

            1. Section 20 - Power to make consequential, transitional etc. provision

            2. Section 21 - Power to set Senedd election campaign expenditure limits in connection with section 1 and Part 2

            3. Section 22 - Regulations under this Act

            4. Section 23 - Interpretation

            5. Section 24 - Transitional provision relating to Parts 1 and 2

            6. Section 25 - Coming into force

            7. Section 26 - Short title

   9. Schedule 1: Minor and Consequential Amendments Relating to Part 3

   10. Schedule 2: Senedd Constituencies for First General Election after 6 April 2026

   11. Schedule 3: New Part 3a of the 2013 Act

2. Record of Proceedings in Senedd Cymru