sentences:  The State Duma was shifted, becoming a lower chamber below the reformed State Council of Imperial Russia, which had been the Russian legislative body since 1810.Legislation had to be approved by the Duma, the Council and the Emperor to become law - and in "exceptional conditions" the government could bypass the Duma.The Basic Law introduced a special provision, "Article 87", which allowed the government to "ex officio" issue new legislation during breaks between sessions of the State Duma.