Democratization drafted the guidelines is now responsible for updating them, and is also expected to offer its expertise to OSCE participating States wishing to introduce or improve existing laws and regulations in this area. Improving legislative efficiency and transparency Experience has shown that the most effective and efficient laws are the result of a clearly structured multi-phase legislative process. A piece of legislation usually begins with an analysis of the proposed policy, combined with, or followed by, an assessment of the potential impact of the legislation (including its financial impact). Subsequently, a legislative agenda and timetables are developed to ensure that adequate time is provided for the preparation of various legislative stages. The legislation is drafted in accordance with pre-established work plans and following standardized drafting techniques. Efficient and transparent procedures for co-ordination and consultation are in place. In particular, those who will be affected by the legislation — interest groups, NGOs, the public — are given ready access to the draft law and ample opportunity to comment on it. Finally, once the law is passed and enacted, its functioning and effectiveness are monitored and assessed on a regular basis. While reviewing individual pieces of legislation, ODIHR has found that some or all of these stages are missing or not properly regulated or conducted in the legislative processes of countries undergoing political transition or conducting major legislative reforms, resulting in inefficient legislative processes that lack transparency. ODIHR also noted that the same weaknesses were being encountered repeatedly, which suggests the need to address the underlying causes. Therefore, ODIHR developed a pilot methodology to support domestic initiatives aimed at making the legislative process more efficient, open, and transparent. The point of departure is that any technical-assistance scheme needs to be preceded by an assessment of the legislative process. The assessment phase aims to ensure that any assistance provided is based on actual needs and provides a basis for effective co-ordination of the international community’s efforts. This methodology was consolidated in 2006 and 2007 on the basis of experiences with the first such assessment conducted in Georgia in 2005. In addition to support of election legislation or legislation ensuring the implementation of human rights standards, such as freedom of religion or belief, ODIHR provided legislative reviews and legal commentaries on the following: Azerbaijan Law on Freedom of Assembly (revision) Belarus Draft Law of the Republic on Public Opinion Polling Kazakhstan • Draft Law of the Republic on Amendments to Selected Legislative Acts Concerning Arrest as a Preventive Measure • Legislation Concerning Labour Activity Undertaken by Foreign Citizens on the Territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan • Amendments to the Constitution of Kazakhstan Moldova • Draft Law on Political Parties • Draft Law on Assemblies Montenegro Draft Constitution of Montenegro Tajikistan Draft Law on Civil Society Organizations (Associations), as revised Turkmenistan Law on Migration, as revised Ukraine Draft Law on Civil Society Organizations Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Proposal for the Adoption of the Law on the Legal Status of Churches, Religious Communities, and Religious Groups (Advisory Council of the ODIHR Panel on Freedom of Religion or Belief ) 38 Annual Report 2007