9Citizens assemblyS
After section 32 of the 2009 Act insert—
“PART 2A SCitizens Assembly
32ACitizens assembly
(1)The Scottish Ministers must establish a panel to be known as a “citizens assembly” to exercise the functions mentioned in subsection (5).
(2)The citizens assembly is a panel made up of such persons as the Scottish Ministers consider to be representative of the general populace of Scotland.
(3)The citizens assembly is to have two conveners who are independent of the Scottish Ministers and the Scottish Parliament.
(4)There is to be a gender balance between the conveners.
(5)The functions conferred on the citizens assembly are to—
(a)consider how to prevent or minimise, or remedy or mitigate the effects of, climate change,
(b)make recommendations on measures proposed to achieve the emissions reduction targets,
(c)make recommendations about such other matters in relation to climate change as the Scottish Ministers may, in accordance with subsection (6), refer to the assembly.
(6)The Scottish Ministers may refer matters to the citizens assembly under subsection (5)(c) only if those matters have been approved by resolution of the Scottish Parliament.
(7)The Scottish Ministers must, before the first meeting of the citizens assembly, lay before the Scottish Parliament a report on the arrangements for the administration and operation of the assembly.
(8)The citizens assembly is to—
(a)set out its recommendations in a report,
(b)lay the report before the Scottish Parliament, and
(c)send a copy of the report to the Scottish Ministers.
(9)The Scottish Ministers must, within 6 months of receiving a copy of the report, publish a statement setting out how they intend to respond to the recommendations made in it.
(10)The citizens assembly is to—
(a)lay its report before the Scottish Parliament under subsection (8)(b) by 28 February 2021,
(b)complete its consideration of the matters mentioned in subsection (5)(a) by that date.”.
Commencement Information
I1S. 9 in force at 23.3.2020 by S.S.I. 2020/66, reg. 2