The first Swedish legislative committee founded for the purpose of watching over the constitution was in May 1809, at the time of the Riksdag of the Estates.
[2] The committee played an important role in the development of the new form of government that was adopted on 6 June in the same year.
The committee was permanently established by the Instrument of Government, §53, in 1809, which describes the committee's function: To bring issues concerning changes in the constitutions and opinions thereof to the attention of the estates of the state, and to review the minutes kept by the Government Its tasks are similarly set out by §§ 105-107 of the Riksdagsstadgan (parliamentary rules): The principal function remains unchanged, but a function has to adapt itself to modern society's conditions and the change in state.
The Constitution Committee shall examine the performance of the duties of the Prime Minister and the handling of government matters.
The committee oversees legislation on the constitution and administrative law; on television, radio and film; press and party support; the Riksdag, offices in the Riksdag, such as the National Audit Office and the Ombudsman (but not the Riksbank); review of government ministers; freedom of the press and expression; municipal self-government; opinion formation; and freedom of religion.