Legislation is a key component of the governance framework relating to government debt management. Good legislation underpins sound debt management: it provides strategic direction, defines and clarifies powers and supports professionalism and operational focus. It also limits potential abuses of power and promotes good governance by establishing the accountabilities for managing the government’s debt liabilities. This guidance note identifies some essential provisions for debt management legislation and offers suggestions for other provisions that might be adopted, taking account of a country’s specific legislative framework. Drawing on examples from across the world, the note first discusses some general issues that arise in relation to debt management legislation and how they interact with other provisions and then sets out the provisions that might be included in an integrated debt management law or Government Debt Management Act.2