The Legislative Assembly of the Macao Special Administrative Region was established on 20th of December of 1999. At the ceremony for the establishment of The Macao Special Administrative Region, which was founded by the midnight of that day, the 23 Members of the Legislative Assembly swore an oath in accordance with the law to take office and started immediately the enactment of a series of laws in the midnight, which marked the beginning of the first Legislative Assembly of the Macao Special Administration Region.

Composition

Under the Basic Law of the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, the term of office of the Legislative Assembly of the Macao Special Administration Region shall be four years, with the exception of the first term. The first Legislative Assembly consists of 23 Members, being 8 Members from direct elections, 8 Members from indirect elections, and 7 Members as nominated by the Chief Executive.

The Legislative Assembly in the second term shall be composed of 27 Members, being 10 Members from direct elections, 10 Members from indirect elections, and 7 Members as nominated by the Chief Executive.

The Legislative Assembly in the third and following terms shall be composed of 29 Members, being 12 Members from direct elections, 10 Members from indirect elections, and 7 Members as nominated by the Chief Executive. If there is a need to change the method for forming the Legislative Assembly of the Macao Special Administrative Region after year 2009, such amendment must be made with the endorsement of a two-thirds majority of all the Members of the Assembly and the consent of the Chief Executive, and shall be reported to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress for record.

The Legislative Assembly has a President and a Vice President, elected by and from among Members of the Legislative Assembly.

In accordance with the Rules of Procedure of the Legislative Assembly, the present Legislative Assembly consists of 1 Regiment and Mandate Committee and 3 Standing Committees, members of each committee are elected by and among the Members of the Legislative Assembly. Apart from this, a provisional committee can be constituted for the discussion of a specific topic, with a motion proposed by at least 3 Members and adopted during the plenary session. Each Committee has a President and a Secretary, elected by and among the Members of the Committee.

The Legislative Assembly of the Macao Special Administrative Region is the legislature of the Region. In accordance with the Basic Law of the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, the Legislative Assembly exercises the following powers and functions:

(1) To enact, amend, suspend or repeal laws;

(2) To examine and approve budgets; and examine the report on audit;

(3) To decide on taxation and approve debts to be undertaken by the government;

(4) To debate the policy addresses by the Chief Executive;

(5) To debate any issue concerning public interests;

(6) To receive and handle complaints from Macao residents;

(7) If the Chief Executive involves in serious breach of law or dereliction of duty but refuses to resign, the Legislative Assembly may, with the provisions of the laws, initiate charges and pass a motion of impeachment against him or her and reported to the Central People's Government for decision;

(8) To summon persons concerned to testify or give evidence when exercising the above-mentioned powers and functions.

In accordance with the Basic Law, the President of the Legislative Assembly has the powers and functions to call and preside the meetings, decide on the agenda of meetings, and to exercise other powers and functions according to the provisions of the law and the Rules of Procedure of the Legislative Assembly. In case of absence of the President, the Vice President shall act as President.

Members of the Legislative Assembly may introduce bills in accordance with the provisions of the Basic Law and legal procedures. They shall also have the right to raise questions about the government work in accordance with legal procedures.

Legislative procedure

According to the Rules of Procedure of the Legislative Assembly, any bill or motion introduced either by the Government or by the Members of the Legislative Assembly shall be subjected to a general discussion and voting procedure after admitted by the President of the Legislative Assembly. The representatives of the Government or the Members who introduced the bill will present an explanatory speech before the general discussion. Under the President's approval, the bill or motion passed in the general discussion will then be assigned to a working committee for a detail study in every particular and for elaboration of memorandum or report. 5 days after the memorandum or report was delivered to every Member, the said bill or motion will be placed on the agenda by the President so as to undergo a discussion of particularity and to be voted in the plenary session of the Legislative Assembly.

The quorum for the meeting of the Legislative Assembly of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall be not less than one half of all its Members. Except otherwise prescribed by the Basic Law, bills and motions shall be passed by more than half of all the Members of the Legislative Assembly.

A bill, which had undergone the discussion of particularity and passed by the Legislative Assembly, will be effected as law after being signed and promulgated by the Chief Executive.

Chinese and Portuguese are the languages used in the Legislative Assembly.

Administration and the Assistant Office

The administrative bodies of the Legislative Assembly consist of the following parties: the President of the Legislative Assembly; the Executive Committee and the Administrative Council.

The President of the Legislative Assembly undertakes the responsibility for the supervision of the administrative management of the Legislative Assembly.

The Executive Committee consists of a President, a Vice President, 1st Secretary and 2nd Secretary. The 1st and 2nd Secretaries are elected by and from among Members of the Legislative Assembly. The Executive Committee is responsible for formulating the general policies and measures of administrative management; supervising the financial management of the Legislative Assembly and presiding its assistant office; making decision about the appointment of the personnel of the Assistant Office, work adjustment and enforcement of the disciplinary measures in accordance with the law.

The Administrative Council is composed of 3 members. The President of this Council is elected by and from among Members of the Legislative Assembly, while the Secretary General of the Assistant Office is an ex officio. Apart from this. one of the personnel of the Assistant Office shall be designated by the Executive Committee to be the member of this Council. The Administrative Council is responsible for the elaboration of the budget and accounting report, and the financial management of the Legislative Assembly.

The Assistant Office for the Legislative Assembly offers technical assistance to the administrative bodies and Members of the Legislative Assembly.

The Assistant Office for the Legislative Assembly has a Secretary General and a Deputy Secretary General for coordinating the work undertaken by this office.

The Assistant Office is composed of an Advisory Body; Administrative and Financial Division; Translation and Interpretation Office; Recording and Compilation Office; Public Relations Office; EDP Office and Library.

Moreover, the Legislative Assembly has established a homepage www.al.gov mo, where the public can obtain detailed information.