Consultative Assembly of Saudi Arabia

• The Consultative Assembly of Saudi Arabia, also known as Majlis ash-Shura or Shura Council, is the formal advisory body of Saudi Arabia.
• It serves as a deliberative assembly, advising the King on important matters in Saudi Arabia.
• The Assembly can propose laws to the King and cabinet for approval and passage.
• The Assembly comprises 150 members appointed by the King.
• Members are selected from scholars, experts, and specialists.
• Since 2013, the Assembly includes 30 female members, fulfilling a 20% minimum quota for women.
• The Consultative Assembly is headed by a speaker.
• As of 2016, Abdullah ibn Muhammad Al ash-Sheikh was the Speaker.
• The Assembly is based in al-Yamamah Palace, Riyadh.
• It can propose draft laws to the king, but final power to pass or enforce them is with the King.
• In 2004, the mandate of Majlis Al-Shura was broadened to include proposing new legislation and amending laws without prior submission to the King.
• The Assembly can interpret laws, review annual reports from state ministries, and advise the king on policies, international treaties, and economic plans.
• It can review the country's annual budget and question ministers.
• The Assembly influences the kingdom's five-year development plans, summons government officials for questioning, and acts as a policy debate forum.

History of Majlis ash-Shura

• King Abdulaziz founded the first Majlis ash-Shura (Consultative Assembly) on January 13, 1926.
• It was initially named the Shura Council of the Hijaz.
• Prince Faisal chaired the Shura Council of the Hijaz.
• Full institutionalization of the assembly was finalized in 1932.
• It initially expanded to twenty-five members at the beginning of King Saud's reign.
• Functions were transferred to the Cabinet of Ministers due to political pressures from the royal family.
• Majlis ash Shura remained ineffective until King Fahd revived it in 2000.
• On April 7, 2003, the Majlis Al-Shura became a full member of the Inter-Parliamentary Union.
• In January 2013, King Abdullah decreed granting women thirty seats on the council.
• Women first joined in 2013.
• As of October 2017, women constitute 20% of the Assembly's total membership.
• The Consultative Council has 150 members appointed by the King for a four-year renewable term.
• Members are assigned to one of 13 committees based on their experience.

Committees

• Council consists of 13 committees that deal with human rights, education, culture, information, health and social affairs, services and public utilities, foreign affairs, security, administration, Islamic affairs, economy and industry, and finance.
• Originally, the Council comprised eight specialized committees identified in December 1995.
• Committee on Social and Health Affairs (7 members)
• Committee on Economic and Financial Affairs (8 members)
• Committee on Legislation and Administration (5 members)
• Committee on Foreign Affairs (7 members)
• Committee on Islamic Affairs (7 members)
• Committee on Service and the Public Sector (8 members)
• Committee on Education, Culture and Information Affairs (9 members)
• Committee on Security Affairs (6 members)
• As of March 2015, thirteen committees constitute the assembly.
• Islamic, Judicial Affairs
• Social, Family, and Youth Affairs Committee
• Economic Affairs and Energy Committee
• Security Affairs Committee
• Educational and Scientific Research Affairs Committee
• Cultural and Informational Affairs Committee
• Foreign Affairs Committee
• Health and Environmental Affairs Committee
• Financial Affairs Committee
• Transportation, Communications, Information Technology Committee
• Water and Public Facilities and Services Committee
• Administration, Human Resources and Petitions Committee
• Human Rights and Petitions.

Voting and Adoption of Resolutions

• Majlis Al-Shura was broadened in 2004 to propose and amend legislation without prior submission to the King.
• It can request government officials to participate in meetings and access government documents.
• Council resolutions are adopted by a majority vote as outlined in Article 16 of the Law of the Shura Council.
• If a majority is not attained, the topic is rescheduled for voting in the following session.
• In the event that a majority is not attained in the following session, the issue shall be brought before the King, supported by a relevant study, and the results of previous voting.
• No discussion or presentation of new opinions is permitted during the voting process.
• The Chairman votes after the members have voted.

The Consultative Assembly of Saudi Arabia serves as the formal advisory body, advising the King on important matters. Comprising 150 members appointed by the King, the Assembly includes scholars, experts, and specialists. It can propose draft laws, and since 2013, includes 30 female members.