What Kind of Bill?

Every Bill has a number, and the number tells you what kind of Bill is being introduced. Bills numbered 1 to 200 are government Bills; that is, the Premier and cabinet have already approved them and support their passage. Government Bills are often, but not always, sponsored by a cabinet minister. Sometimes the sponsor of a government Bill will say, "This being a money Bill, His/Her Honour the Honourable the Lieutenant Governor, having been informed of the contents of the Bill, recommends the same to the Assembly." This means that the Bill, if passed, will require the government to spend tax dollars. In parliamentary history, the monarch had to ask Parliament to raise money to fight wars; today the strange wording of this passage means that the monarch, through the Lieutenant Governor, is asking the Legislature to provide money to do the job specified in the Bill.

Bills numbered 201 and above are private members'  public Bills. Like government Bills, these Bills would affect all Albertans if passed. An opposition member or a private member from the governing party may sponsor these Bills, but never a cabinet minister.

Bills numbered with a "Pr" prefix indicate a private Bill. Private Bills affect the person(s) or group(s) named in them. These Bills are used for certain types of adoptions or to create a foundation or school, for example.