In Brazil, draft laws may be proposed by a number of different people. These include, for example the legislators (Deputies and Senators), the President of the Republic, the President of the Federal Supreme Court, the Superior Tribunals, the General Public Prosecutor of the Republic, and civil society groups. Several draft laws submitted by Members of Parliament have been presented to them by NGOs.
One example of a draft law submitted by an NGO (through competent offices) is Federal Law No. 9985, of July 18, 2000, which established the National System of Nature Conservation Areas. In order to promote a nation-wide discussion about the draft law, the Government and civil society organizations convened a series of workshops and public consultations. Following this process, a consensus draft was submitted to the National Congress. The resulting law supplements Brazil’s Environmental Law, with the particular aim of improving the management, public policies, and enforcement relating to Brazil’s protected areas.
For more information, see http://www2.camara.gov.br/english or contact raquel.breda@mma.gov.br, maria-carolina.hazin@mma.gov.br, or larissa.godoy@mma.gov.br