Senedd 2024/25 Preview: Legislation and Key Dates

Following Eluned Morgan's recent appointment as First Minister of Wales, the Senedd returns to official business on Monday, September 16th.

With less than two years until the next Senedd election (whose proposed new constituency boundaries you can now find here), the Welsh Government will be looking to pass as much legislation outlined in its Programme for Government as possible.

Current Bill Progress

The following section recaps the Bills currently passing through the Senedd, and those expected to be introduced during the parliamentary year.

Welsh Language and Education (Wales) Bill

What’s it About? Promises to reform Welsh Language Education through proposals such as enacting a million Welsh speakers in law, creating a single Welsh language skills continuum and enhancing Welsh language provision in schools not designated as Welsh-medium schools. You can read a full Deryn explainer on the Bill here.

What’s the current situation?  The Bill is currently at Stage 1 after being introduced to the Senedd on 15th July. A call for written evidence on the Bill, launched over the Summer, will close on 11th October.

Health and Social Care (Wales) Bill

What’s it About? Aims to remove private profit from the care of children looked after, defined as a child or young person who is being cared for by their local authority.   

What’s the current situation?  The Bill is at Stage 1 after being introduced to the Senedd in May 2024.

Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill

What’s it About? Aims to introduce an integrated statutory gender quota to the Closed List Proportional Representation currently proposed for the 2026 Senedd election.  The Bill was introduced separately to the other Senedd reform bills due to concerns over potential legal complications.

What’s the current situation?  The Bill is at Stage 2, which began on 17th July. The Reform Bill Committee will likely discuss amendments to the Bill during the Senedd Autumn’s term.

Elections and Elected Bodies (Wales) Bill

What’s it About? The Bill aims to extend voting rights to 16 and 17-year-olds, streamline electoral processes, and modernise local government structures to enhance democratic engagement and ensure a more efficient electoral system in Wales. You can read a full Deryn explainer on the Bill here.

What’s the current situation?  The Bill is in the post Stage 4 stage, following the conclusion of Stage 4 on 9th July. 

Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill

What’s it About? The Bill aims to update how council tax and non-domestic rates are collected, aiming to make the system fairer without generating more revenue. You can find a full Deryn explainer on the Bill here.

What’s the current situation?  The Bill is in the post-Stage 4 stage, following the conclusion of Stage 4 on 16th July. 

Bills Expected to be Introduced this Parliamentary Year

Due to the current size of the Senedd, only around five or six Bills are usually passed in a single parliamentary year. A list of Bills already passed in this Senedd term can be found here.

The following Bills are new pieces of legislation expected to be introduced for this parliamentary year.

Bus Bill

What’s it About? Set to introduce a subsidised system of bus transport with funding for routes deemed "socially necessary." 

When’s it Expected? This year (2024), according to the Welsh Government’s Roadmap to Bus Reform.

Disused Tips (Mines and Quarries) Bill

What’s it About?  Set to introduce mining legislation and strengthen local authority powers to ensure coal tip safety and protect the public/environment. 

When’s it Expected? This Autumn (2024), according to former Cabinet Secretary for Housing, Local Government and Planning Julie James MS in a plenary session in May.

(Name TBC) Visitor Levy Bill

What’s it About? Would allow local authorities to introduce a levy on tourists.

When’s it Expected? A Welsh Government publication suggests this could be introduced by the end of 2024, to be passed in Summer 2025.

Bills Expected to be Introduced this Parliamentary Term

The following Bills are included in the most recent Welsh Government legislative programme, published in July when Vaughan Gething was First Minister, but are not currently expected to be introduced in this Senedd year. However, the Welsh Government is yet to confirm official dates on when some of these Bills will be introduced.

Building Safety Bill

What’s it About? Plans to establish a new building safety regime, extend tighter building controls and reform the occupation and management of multi-occupied residential buildings.

When’s it Expected? Likely in the final year of this Senedd term (2025/26), according to Tracey Burke at the Welsh Government in an evidence session with the Senedd’s Public Accounts Committee in February 2024.

Homelessness Bill

What’s it About? Aims to focus on early intervention and prevention to improve the housing system and reduce homelessness. 

When’s it Expected? TBC.  

Visitor Accommodation (Regulation) Bill

What’s it About?  Would establish a register of visitor accommodation and enable providers to demonstrate compliance with safety requirements. 

When’s it Expected?  TBC.

Environmental Principles and Biodiversity Bill

What’s it About? Aims to establish an environmental governance body for Wales and introduce a statutory duty to protect and restore biodiversity. 

When’s it Expected? TBC. A White Paper on the Bill was published in January 2024.

(Name TBC) Planning Bill

What’s it About? Intends to simplify and modernise planning laws, following on from a Welsh Government codification of Welsh Law. The Bill will focus on consolidating the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. 

When’s it Expected? The Welsh Government has suggested this will be introduced to the Senedd “towards the end of this Senedd term”, so unlikely this parliamentary year.

Draft Taxi and Private Hire Vehicles Bill

What’s it About? Plans to "modernise" the taxi and private vehicle licensing to create a "fairer and safer" sector. You can read a full Deryn explainer on the Bill here.

When’s it Expected? TBC, although the Welsh Government’s White Paper on the Bill concluded in June 2023.

Legislation Bill

What’s it About? Aims to consolidate Welsh legislation of existing programme. 

When’s it Expected? TBC.

Key Dates

2024

• 16th September: Start of Senedd term.
• 11th and 12th October: Plaid Cymru conference in Cardiff.
• 28th October – 3rd November: Senedd Autumn half-term.
• 30th October: UK Autumn Statement.
• 15th and 16th November: Welsh Labour conference in Llandudno.
• 10th December: Release of Welsh Government Draft Budget.
• 13th December: End of Senedd term and start of Christmas break.

2025

• 6th January: Start of Senedd term.
• 24th February to 2nd March: Senedd Spring half-term.
• 25h February: Final Welsh Government Budget published,
• 7th April: End of Senedd term and start of Easter break.
• 18th April: Start of Senedd term.
• 26th May to 1st June: Senedd Whitsun half term.
• 19th July: End of Senedd term and start of summer break.
• TBC: 2025 party conferences for Welsh Labour, Welsh Conservatives, Plaid Cymru and the Welsh Liberal Democrats.