1 / 1

The purpose of the legislative package is to expand the scope of community budget management and to enable community authorities to make independent decisions: The RA Deputy Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Vache Terteryan stated this at the extraordinary sitting of the RA NA Standing Committee on Territorial Administration, Local Self-Government, Agriculture and Environment Protection on November 21. The Deputy Minister presented the draft law on the RA Budget System and the legislative package designing amendments in the related laws for debate in the second reading.

Vache Terteryan mentioned that it is proposed to set appropriate percentages, according to which it will be possible to make deductions to the reserve fund, and the communities will be able to implement more programmes.

The adoption of the package of legislative drafts will prevent the depletion of underground water resources of the Ararat artesian basin. This was stated by the RA Minister of Environment Hakob Simidyan, who presented the draft law on Making Addendum to the RA Water Code and the attached package of draft laws. It was debated in the second reading.

The Committee Chair Vahe Ghalumyan presented some technical proposals, including an addendum to the law on Making Addendum to the RA Water Code. In particular, it refers to the management and protection of water resources.

According to Hakob Simidyan, such debates had been held and it is planned to establish from January 1, 2024, that all water users should have online water meters, which will enable online monitoring of water usage compliance of each water user. The Government accepted that proposal, due to which amendments were made to the Code of Administrative Offenses.

In the second reading, the Committee also debated the legislative package providing for amendments and addenda to the draft law on Environmental Protection Service of the Republic of Armenia and the related laws.

According to the key rapporteur, the RA Minister of Environment Hakob Simidyan, the Ministry found it expedient to establish this service with new opportunities and rights of the employee. He informed that the employees will be provided with appropriate uniforms, abilities and necessary equipment. 24-hour surveillance will be in place.

Hakob Simidyan informed that during the debates, the Chair of the Standing Committee on Territorial Administration, Local Self-Government, Agriculture and Environment Protection Vahe Ghalumyan proposed to change the name of the RA Environmental Protection Service to the Eco-Patrol Service, which was accepted.

During the sitting, the rapporteurs also answered the deputies’ questions.

The Committee endorsed the debated draft laws.