Progress expected this term on new laws for parole, sale of knives to U18s and driving instructor register, but some updates still stuck 21 years on

Wednesday 28 August 2024

Two decades have passed since the States agreed to introduce some new laws which still remain on their to-do list.

Policy & Resources has published its proposed priority list for the remainder of this term, with some of the oldest legislative changes still likely to be passed on again for the next States to make progress with.

The slow pace of drafting legislation to enact policies that the States has agreed should happen has frustrated members this term.

“Positive progress had been made with the list of legislative drafting during this term, reducing from 95 or so to 50 excluding those other drafting requirements managed outside this process, most notably those urgently required to support States’ work responding to Brexit and the MoneyVal evaluation,” the Policy & Resources Committee said in its update report that will go to the Assembly for approval.

“This has been achieved through a concentrated effort across committee areas and the allocation of additional policy development and implementation resource by the committee.

“Where there are long-standing legislative items resting with committees, policy resource has been provided when capacity is available in order to accelerate to enactment. 

Long-standing items earmarked for progress and being given a high or medium priority include:

Register of Driving Instructors (dates from 2014). Finalisation of law is expected in the first half 2025 with implementation late that year.

Sale of knives to under-18s (dates from 2008). A draft of the legislation has been prepared and work continues.

Parole (Guernsey) Law, 2009 (dates from 2005). Work is 80% complete after a revised draft ordinance was prepared.

Animal welfare legislation (dates from 2003 and 2024). Includes ordinances required for welfare of animals during international transport, licensing of animal-related activities and veterinary regulations. Medium priority.

Children Law (dates from 2022). Drafting is happening and being circulated in stages. Expected timetable for conclusion amendments is Q1 of 2025.

And one of the oldest where little is likely to happen:

Regulation of genetically modified crops (dates from 2003). The need for this legislation locally is only set to change if the UK decides it is of value and the Bailiwick needs to meet similar standards to protect trade.

The Assembly expressed disappointment during its consideration of last year’s Policy Letter at the pace with which the legislative proposals it resolved were enacted.

“The committee is doing what it can within its power to address this and ensure this Assembly leaves a more manageable programme of legislative drafting and implementation for the next Assembly,” P&R said in its report.

“Nevertheless, this also requires the sponsoring committees to ensure their subject matter advisors and own policy development teams are not committed to new developments before proposals agreed by the States are implemented.”