Article 199 Simplified: Definition of “Money Bills”

Official Text

(1) For the purposes of this Chapter, a Bill shall be deemed to be a Money Bill if it contains only provisions dealing with all or any of the following matters, namely:— (a) the imposition, abolition, remission, alteration or regulation of any tax; (b) the regulation of the borrowing of money or the giving of any guarantee by the State, or the amendment of the law with respect to any financial obligations undertaken or to be undertaken by the State; (c) the custody of the Consolidated Fund or the Contingency Fund of the State, the payment of moneys into or the withdrawal of moneys from any such Fund; (d) the appropriation of moneys out of the Consolidated Fund of the State; (e) the declaring of any expenditure to be expenditure charged on the Consolidated Fund of the State, or the increasing of the amount of any such expenditure; (f) the receipt of money on account of the Consolidated Fund of the State or the public account of the State or the custody or issue of such money; or (g) any matter incidental to any of the matters specified in sub-clauses (a) to (f). (2) A Bill shall not be deemed to be a Money Bill by reason only that it provides for the imposition of fines or other pecuniary penalties, or for the demand or payment of fees for licences or fees for services rendered, or by reason that it provides for the imposition, abolition, remission, alteration or regulation of any tax by any local authority or body for local purposes. (3) If any question arises whether a Bill introduced in the Legislature of a State which has a Legislative Council is a Money Bill or not, the decision of the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of such State thereon shall be final. (4) There shall be endorsed on every Money Bill when it is transmitted to the Legislative Council under article 198, and when it is presented to the Governor for assent under article 200, the certificate of the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly signed by him that it is a Money Bill.

Simple Meaning

Article 199 defines a 'Money Bill' at the state level as one dealing exclusively with taxation, state borrowing, the management of the Consolidated or Contingency Funds, and appropriation. Bills imposing fines or local taxes do not qualify. The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly holds the final authority to certify whether a Bill is a Money Bill, and this certification is conclusive.

Explain Like Ten

Not every Bill about money is a 'Money Bill.' Article 199 gives a strict legal definition. A Money Bill deals with things like taxes, state borrowing, and the Consolidated Fund. A Bill that only adds fines or fees for services does NOT qualify. When there's an argument about whether a Bill is a Money Bill, the Speaker of the Assembly decides—and no court can challenge that decision.

Student Mode

Article 199 mirrors Article 110 (definition of Money Bills for Parliament). The seven categories in clause (1)(a)-(g) are: taxation, state borrowing/guarantees, Consolidated/Contingency Fund custody, appropriation, charged expenditure, receipt/custody of public money, and incidental matters. Exclusions in clause (2): fines, fees for services, local authority taxes. Clause (3): Speaker's decision is final. Clause (4): Speaker must certify Money Bills with a signed endorsement.

Example

A Bill concerning the state's annual budget is a Money Bill. However, a Bill establishing general penalties for public nuisance, even if it involves minor fees, is not a Money Bill. If there is a debate over a Bill's classification, the Speaker’s word is final.

Key Takeaway

Article 199 provides a strict constitutional definition for Money Bills and designates the Speaker as the final arbiter for their classification.

FAQs

Is a Bill that imposes a fine on polluting industries a Money Bill under Article 199?

No. Article 199(2) specifically states that a Bill is not a Money Bill merely because it provides for 'imposition of fines or other pecuniary penalties.' Fines alone do not make a Bill a Money Bill.

What is the Speaker's role when a Money Bill is sent to the Council and then to the Governor?

The Speaker must endorse (certify) every Money Bill with their signed certificate stating it is a Money Bill, both when transmitted to the Council and when presented to the Governor for assent.

Quiz

Under Article 199, which of the following makes a Bill qualify as a Money Bill?

Answer: It deals with the appropriation of money from the Consolidated Fund of the State

Whose decision is final on whether a Bill is a Money Bill at the State level under Article 199?

Answer: The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly

Related Topics

• Article 198
• Article 200