How laws are made Although most legislative proposals laid
before the Riksdag (Swedish parliament) are initiated by the
Government, some bills may be based on suggestions put forward
by the Riksdag or by private citizens, special interest groups
or public authorities. The inquiry stage Before the Government
can draw up a legislative proposal, the matter in question must
be analysed and evaluated. The task may be assigned to officials
from the ministry concerned, a commission of inquiry or a one-
man committee. Inquiry bodies, which operate independently of
the Government, may include or co-opt experts, public officials
and politicians. The reports setting out their conclusions are
published in the Swedish Government Official Reports series
(Statens Offentliga Utredningar, SOU). The referral process
Before the Government takes up a position on the recommendations
of a commission of inquiry, its report is referred for
consideration to the relevant bodies. These referral bodies may
be central government agencies,