Page:The Czechoslovak Review, vol4, 1920.pdf/177
session commences in March, the fall session in October.
He may also call the houses into special sessions according to need. If a majority of either house makes a demand for special session on the president of the government, stating the nature of special business, the president shall cause the houses to meet within 14 days from the date of demand. In case of his failure to act the houses shall convene simultaneously within the following 14 days at the call of their presidents.
When more than four months have elapsed since the last regular session, the president of the Republic shall at the request of at least two fifths of either house call the houses to meet within 14 days of the date of the request. In case of his failure to act the houses shall meet within the following 14 days at the call of their presidents.
29. Sessions of both houses open and close at the same time.
30. The president of the Republic declares the session closed.
He may prorogue the houses for no longer than one month and not oftener than once a year.
31. The president of the Repubulic may dissolve the houses. He may not exercise this right within the last six months of his term of office. At the expiration of the term of either house or at the dissolution of either house new elections shall take place within 60 days.
Dissolution of the senate does not stay criminal proceedings that may be pending before the senate in accordance with sections 67 and 79.
32. The quorum of either house, except where otherwise provided for herein, is one third of entire membership; all acts to be valid must receive a majority vote of those present.
33. Declaration of war, amendment of the constitution and the fundamental laws wich are a part thereof may be done only by affirmative of vote of three fifths of all members of both houses.
34. The chamber of deputies may impeach the president of the Republic, the president of the government and members of government by a two thirds majority in the presence of two thirds of the membership.
Proceedings before the senate as a high court are regulated by law.
35. Each house elects its own president, officers and functionaries.
36. Sessions of the chamber of deputies and the senate are public. Executive sessions may be held only in cases enumerated in the rules of proceding.
37. The fundamental principles of the relations of both houses to each other, to the government and to all outside them are regulated by special law within the limits set by constitutional provisions. For the transaction of its business each house adopts its own rules.
Until the house of deputies and the senate adopt their own rules, the rules of the existing National Assembly shall apply.
38. When both houses meet as National Assembly, the rules of the house of deputies apply.
Such a joint session is called by the president of the government and presided over by the president of the chamber of deputies.
His alternate is president of the senate.
39. Ministers may participate at any time in the meetings of either house and of all committees. They shall be given the floor, whenever they desire to speak.
40. At the request of either house or its committee the minister shall attend its meeting.
Otherwise the minister may be represented by officials of his department.
41. Bills may be submitted either by the government or by either house.
A bill submitted by members of either house shall be accompanied by a statement of expenses involved in the bill and by a recommendation as to how they shall be defrayed.
Government proposals for financial and army bills shall be laid first before the chamber of deputies.
42. Changes in fundamental laws shall be concurred in by both houses. This applies also to other laws, except as otherwise provided in sections 43, 44 and 48.
43. The senate shall take action on a bill passed by the house of deputies within six weeks; on financial and army bills within one month. The house of deputies shall take action on bill adopted by the senate within three months.
These time limits run from the day, when the printed act of one house is delivered to the other house; by consent of both houses these time limits may be extended or