Brazil

Law-making

Data on parliament’s law-making role and activities

Legislative activity

Number of laws adopted by parliament, per year
273 (2022)
See historical data for this field.
Notes For some parliaments, data can not be presented on an annual basis, for example because parliamentary sessions run from April to March of the following year. In such cases, the period to which the data corresponds is specified here.
In 2021, the 261 laws adopted included 6 Constitutional Amendments, 12 Complementary Laws (to the Constitution), 172 Ordinary Law, and 71 Legislative decrees that carry the force of law.
Total number of laws adopted by Parliament in the previous legislature
753
See historical data for this field.
Number of laws adopted in the previous legislature that were initiated by parliament
571
See historical data for this field.
Number of laws adopted in the previous legislature that were initiated by the government
182
See historical data for this field.
Percentage of laws initiated by parliament in the previous legislature The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of the laws adopted that were initiated by parliament by the total number of laws adopted in the previous legislature.
75.83% See historical data for this field.
Dates of the previous legislature
01.02.2019 to 31.01.2023
See historical data for this field.
Outcome when the two chambers cannot agree on a piece of draft legislation For bicameral parliaments: Outcome when the two chambers cannot agree on a piece of draft legislationNot applicable; The legislation cannot be adopted unless both chambers agree; The decision of the lower chamber will take effect after a certain deadline; The decision of the upper chamber will take effect after a certain deadline; Other (please specify) For bicameral parliaments: Outcome when the two chambers cannot agree on a piece of draft legislation
The legislation cannot be adopted unless both chambers agree
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Brazilian Federal Constitution, art. 65
A bill of law approved by one House shall be reviewed by the other in a single reading of discussing and voting and sent for sanctioning or promulgation. If is either approved, dismissed or rejected by the reviewing House. If rejected, the bill is amended and returned to the House where it was proposed. Disagreement between the two chambers usually leads to the rejection of a bill.

Executive-legislative relations

Legislation adopted by parliament requires the assent of the Head of State In some countries, the Constitution foresees that legislation adopted by parliament must be signed into law by the Head of State. If so, the Head of State may, for example, have the power to veto the legislation, return it to parliament, or submit it to another body such as a constitutional court.
Yes
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Brazilian Federal Constitution, art. 66(4)
Number of times the Head of State declined to give assent to legislation, per year
18 (2022)
See historical data for this field.
Notes For some parliaments, data can not be presented on an annual basis, for example because parliamentary sessions run from April to March of the following year. In such cases, the period to which the data corresponds is specified here.
In 2022, there were 47 partial vetoes and 18 total vetoes.
Consequences when the Head of State declines to give assent to legislation Consequences when the Head of State declines to give assent to legislation: Not applicable; No further action is taken. The legislation is rejected; The legislation is returned to Parliament for re-examination; The legislation is referred to the Constitutional/Supreme Court;The legislation is put to a referendum; Other (please specify)
The legislation is returned to Parliament for re-examination
Not applicable. The Head of State cannot decline to give assent to legislation adopted by parliament
No
Final decision when parliament and the Head of State do not agree Final decision when parliament and the Head of State do not agree: Not applicable; Parliament; Head of State; Constitutional/Supreme Court; Other (please specify)
Existence of a procedure to introduce emergency legislation
Click for historical data
See historical data for this field.
Not applicable. There is no procedure to introduce emergency legislation.
No