The Verkhovna Rada Committee on Environmental Policy and Nature Management considered a number of legislative initiatives. They concern changes in emergency legislation, as well as providing communities with access to natural resources at cost price.
EcoPolitics has prepared information on the Committee's decisions adopted at the meeting.
Emergency response and civil protection
The Committee considered draft law No. 13454 "On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts on the Prevention of Emergencies and Elimination of Their Consequences, the Formation of a Civil Protection Structures Fund, and the Creation of Safety Classes and Centers."
Earlier, parliament decided to prepare it for a second reading. Lawmakers submitted 1,394 amendments and proposals to the text of the bill.
The final version was recommended to the Verkhovna Rada for adoption in the second reading and as a whole.
Community rights to natural resources
Community residents may be given the opportunity to use local natural resources at cost price. The difference between the cost price and the market price will be paid by the state. This applies to resources such as wood, sand, gravel, etc.
To regulate this process, work is underway on the following draft laws:
- No. 14040 "On Amendments to Article 97 of the Budget Code of Ukraine Regarding State Guarantees for Compensation of the Difference Between the Cost and Market Price of Natural Resources of Local Importance for Residents of Territorial Communities";
- No. 14041 "On Amendments to Certain Laws of Ukraine Regarding Ensuring the Right of Territorial Communities of Villages, Settlements, and Cities to Manage and Use Natural Resources of Local Importance."
The documents received a number of comments from the Committee. Among them:
- certain provisions do not comply with the principle of legal certainty as a component of the rule of law;
- inconsistencies with current legislation;
- lack of clear mechanisms for the implementation of legislative norms.
The Committee’s decision is that the draft law requires further revision.
Termination of contractual relations with the enemy
The Committee members reviewed and supported draft law No. 0353 "On the termination, withdrawal, and denunciation of certain international treaties of Ukraine concluded by the Government of Ukraine with the governments of the Russian Federation, the Republic of Belarus, and within the framework of the Commonwealth of Independent States."
EcoPolitic previously reported on the decisions of the Eco-Committee adopted last month.