Legislative Review Capabilities

A number of strategies, including the introduction of information and communication technology resources, specialized training, and policy dialogue trips have been utilized to enhance the legislative capabilities of Parliament. One of the most important tools provided by SUNY/CLD for the Lebanese Parliament is the Legal Reference Database that contains all laws, decrees, and government decisions dating from 1920. All MPs and parliamentary committee staff members now have access to this database, dramatically reducing the time required to compile all the laws related to a particular bill under consideration. Specialized systems were also developed to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the legislative process and include the following:
 

Bill Tracking System

One of the most important factors in enhancing legislative capabilities is to enable MPs to review proposed laws that are being debated in the various committees. There are seventeen different committees in Parliament; therefore, it is essential that the committee versions be aligned prior to debate in a plenary session. Utilizing the Bill Tracking System developed as part of the assistance program, MPs can review proposed amendments and ‘versioning’ or detailed tracking of the source and content of changes is possible. A web application, the system is accessed by a user through a browser eliminating the need for multiple program installations. A special feature allows the Speaker of the Parliament to follow the progress of bills through the committee review process. Planning capacities have been enhanced through use of a component that enables full and committee sessions to be efficiently scheduled.
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Document Archiving System

The Document Archiving System provides a centralized database of Parliament’s archives (newspaper articles, speeches, letter, minutes from conferences, etc.) that can be easily accessed. Documents can be located according to a main topic or a subtopic, and all relevant bibliographic information is included. More than 10,000 documents have been scanned and classified to date with hundreds more to be entered into the system in the future. A users’ guide was developed to ensure that those who access the system can fully benefit from the features of the system and can utilize the system efficiently.
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Media and Communication Network

It is critical for parliamentarians and the media to be updated daily on the progress of the Parliament in performing its legislative function. During the past year major emphasis was placed on developing a means to ensure that timely information regarding political news, committee decisions, agendas, upcoming events, etc. is available to all Members of Parliament (MPs) and to media representatives. A broadcasting application was developed, a new department created and three staff members were provided training to ensure that information is properly disseminated utilizing the system and the network organized and implemented in November of 2003. Each MP now receives televised information and news directly in his or her office, and can view, through the internal television channel, committee agendas and other internal information. Representatives of the media also have access to the internal channel, through a media system installed in one of the salons, ultimately enabling citizens to be better informed about the work of Parliament.
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Electronic Voting and Sound System

The Electronic Voting and Sound System developed for the Lebanese Parliament fully automates the voting process enabling timely reports concerning particular bills or individual MP’s voting records to be generated. In addition, the time allocated to each speaker can be efficiently scheduled and managed, and agendas for upcoming sessions can be generated using information in the system. In addition, voting results can be displayed on a screen in a location accessible to both the media and the public, potentially increasing transparency and public awareness of the both legislative processes and voting results.

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