GRASSROOTS PARTICIPATION IN THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS

Abstract

There is a vital theme for the functioning of the Legislature in the context of a democratic state and that is participatory democracy. From the point of view of the legislative proposal, the 1988 Constitution provides that popular sovereignty is exercised by universal suffrage and the direct and secret ballot, with equal value for all, and, under the law, by plebiscite, referendum, and grassroots initiatives. As the Constitution treated grassroots participation in a generic manner, it was necessary to enact Act No. 9709/1998. The Internal Rules of the House of Representatives specifically addresses social participation in law-making, which consists of: grassroots legislative initiatives, submitting petitions, representations, opinions, and public hearings. In addition, the House established the Permanent Commission of Participative Legislation, whose main goal is to get legislative initiative input from social organizations. This important experience in participatory legislation by the House of Representatives can be seen in various units of the federation, and the Legislative Assembly of Minas Gerais is considered a forerunner of grassroots participatory initiatives. This paper seeks to review the main forms of grassroots participation in the Brazilian lawmaking process.