the elected houses of various Commonwealth Caribbean legislatures including Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, and Barbados. The most prominent feature in the chamber is the ornate ceiling by architect Cesar Castellani. Parliamentary Term Pursuant to the provisions of Article 70(3) of the constitution, the duration of the parliamentary term shall be for five years from the date the National Assembly, under the new Parliament, first meets after having been dissolved for a general election. The National Assembly is summoned to its first sitting of the parliamentary term by a proclamation by the President which designates the date, time, and venue of the sittings. The parliamentary term may, however, be longer or shorter depending on the circumstances which require either action. The President may at any time dissolve the National Assembly before the fifth year of its current term to make way for fresh elections. The President must also constitutionally dissolve the National Assembly after successful No-Confidence motion against the government in order for new elections to be held within three months from the date the motion passes. The constitution also provides that the term of the National Assembly be extended in the event a state of war or emergency exists. However such extensions are limited to twelve months for each instance for a maximum of five instances. The President may also prorogue the National Assembly, however, the constitution provides that each prorogation lasts for a period of six months. Legislation Any member of the National Assembly may introduce a bill for the consideration of the assembly. All bills which deal with the finances or financial obligations of the government must receive the permission of the Cabinet, communicated by a Minister before it can be introduced into the National Assembly. The constitution allows the National Assembly to regulate its own procedure, which is done by the Standing Orders of the National Assembly. The Standing Orders were last amended in 2011 after extensive referral to the Special Select Committee on the Report of the Draft Standing Orders over a four-year period. All bills must receive the assent of the President before they become law. The President may only refuse assent to a bill once and must do so with reasons noted to the Speaker of the National Assembly within 21 days of the bill being presented for assent. Within six months of the bill being returned, the National Assembly may by a vote