Executive Bills
An Executive Bill is a public Bill introduced by a Cabinet Secretary or Minister of the Scottish Government to give effect to Executive policy.

Members’ Bills
A member’s Bill is a public Bill introduced by a member who is not a member of the Scottish Executive. Before gaining the right to introduce a Bill, the member must follow various procedural steps. In most cases, consultation is undertaken on the member’s draft proposal. The ultimate step is where the member must provide a final proposal for a Bill which briefly explains its purpose and which is printed in the Business Bulletin for one month. The member can then introduce the Bill at the end of the month provided the final proposal is supported by at least 18 other members, representing at least half of the political groups on the Parliamentary Bureau, and the Scottish Executive or UK Government have not indicated that they are planning to introduce legislation to give effect to the proposal.

Committee Bills
A Committee Bill is a public Bill introduced by the Convener of a committee of the Scottish Parliament to give effect to a proposal made by the committee for a Bill in relation to matters within its remit. The proposal is made by way of a report to the parliament. The Bill cannot be introduced if the Scottish Executive or the UK Government have indicated that they are planning to introduce legislation to give effect to the proposal.

Useful resources

• Diagram of the Stages in the passage of a Public Bill
• Guidance on Public Bills
• Guidance on Private Bills
• Chapter 9 of the Parliament's Standing Orders
• Chapter 9A of the Parliament's Standing Orders
• How the Scottish Parliament Works
• Amendments to Executive Bills: Guidance for External Organisations and Individuals
• Considering A Bill In The Scottish Parliament: Stage 3 Proceedings (pdf)