Members of Parliament have been urged to reintroduce their Bills which had lapsed Bills with the end of the previous session.  

National Assembly speaker Moses Masika Wetang'ula, reminded lawmakers that all pending motions, statements, questions, and certain Bills from the previous session had expired unless exempted through a procedural motion.

"I wish to remind the House that in accordance with the provisions of the Standing Orders, any business that was not concluded at the end of the Third Session has lapsed. This includes any pending Motions, Statements, Questions, and certain Bills," stated the Speaker.

"Any Committee or individual Member wishing to re-introduce any lapsed business is advised to do so in accordance with the procedures laid down in the Standing Orders and our parliamentary practice. Members who may not be clear on the procedure are advised to visit the Table Office for guidance," he added.

A total of 19 bills were exempted from lapsing during the transition from the Third to the Fourth Session, including the Political Parties (Amendment) Bill, 2022, the Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2023, and the Basic Education (Amendment) Bill, 2023. Others included the Fisheries Management and Development Bill, 2023, the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes (Amendment) Bill, 2023, and the Employment (Amendment) Bill, 2023.

Lawmakers were also informed on the status of parliamentary Questions. Questions transmitted to Cabinet Secretaries, Ministries, Constitutional Commissions, and Independent Offices by the end of the Third Session but without a response have lapsed.  

"Members wishing to pursue these questions are required to formally indicate their intent to the Table Office by February 20, 2025. This will allow the Leader of the Majority Party to prioritize these questions for Cabinet Secretary appearances before the House. Questions not yet transmitted have also lapsed but can be re-filed," stated Dr. Wetang'ula.

Additionally, the Speaker announced that ten Bills passed by National Assembly before the December recess have been assented into law. These include the National Rating Bill (2022), the Statutory Instruments (Amendment) Bill (2023), the Tax Laws (Amendment) Bill (2024) and the Business Laws (Amendment) Bill (2024).

The Speaker further noted that the terms of 18 National Assembly Committees had lapsed.

The House Business Committee will be reconstituted first to set the agenda for the remaining Committees, including Public Accounts, Budget and Appropriations, and Delegated Legislation.

“As we embark on this new session, I urge all MPs to approach our legislative duties with diligence, integrity and commitment,” said the Speaker.