However, the mandate of Majlis Al-Shura was broadened in 2004 to include proposing new legislation and amending existing laws without prior submission to the King.

[5] The Assembly has the power to interpret laws, as well as examine annual reports referred to it by state ministries and agencies.

[6] The influence of the Assembly in its present form comes from its responsibility for the kingdom's five-year development plans, from which the annual budgets are derived, its ability to summon government officials for questioning, and its role as policy debate forum.

[citation needed] The first Majlis ash-Shura (Consultative Assembly) was founded by King Abdulaziz on 13 January 1926.

On the other hand, Majlis ash-Shura was not officially dissolved and remained ineffective until King Fahd revived it in 2000.

[12] According to the decrees, the female council members must be "committed to Islamic Shariah disciplines without any violations" and be "restrained by the religious veil.

[14] The fifth term council (2009–2012), which started on 28 February 2009, included the topic of no women[15] and is led by chairman Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed al ash Sheikh,[15] who is former minister of Justice.

He is regarded as a highly respected Islamic scholar, and its appointment is considered to be a move to reassure religious conservatives that the Majlis is being guided by Sharia in its deliberations.

[citation needed] The deputy chairman in the fifth term is Dr. Bandar bin Mohammed Hamza Asad Hajar.

They seem to be followers of both conservative and liberal ideologies, and are usually highly educated and experienced people who are regarded as experts in their fields.

As of October 2017, women make up 20% of the Assembly's total number, slightly more than the 115th United States Congress (19.3%).