Committees round-up: Daily

There is | body in focus of our committee scan today:

Committee on Law Enforcement

At its 28 April sitting, the committee considered 14 bills on improving the effectiveness of combating corruption in certain law enforcement and other state bodies.

Bill No.2654 - the second reading of the draft Law of Ukraine “On amendments to certain legislative acts of Ukraine (concerning harsher security of telecommunications networks)”. The committee decided to recommend that the Verkhovna Rada adopt the bill on its second reading, taking into consideration the correctives approved.

Bill No.3133 (and its 13 alternates Nos.3133-1, 3133-2, 3133-3, 3133-4, 3133-5, 3133-6, 3133-7, 3133-8, 3133-9, 3133-10, 3133-11, 3133-12, 3133-13) on amendments to certain legislative acts of Ukraine aimed to boost anti-corruption performance in some law enforcement and other state agencies.

All of these bills are thought to be high on the agenda of the coming extraordinary session of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. These bills will alter the Laws of Ukraine "On state protection of public authorities and officials", "On the Prosecutor's Office", "On the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine" and "On the State Bureau of Investigations". Among topical issues set out in the above bills, there is amending some pieces of legislation to establish additional grounds for dismissal of the NABU Director and other officials.

Following the debate, there have been decided to support the bill No.3133 and turn down the rest.

Bill No.3301 – the draft bill “On amendments to the Criminal and Criminal Procedure Codes of Ukraine as to improving legislation aimed at counteracting unlawful taking of a transport facility”. Taking it on the first reading was recommended by the committee.

Bill No.3314 – the draft bill “On amendments to certain legislative acts of Ukraine because of the adoption of the Law of Ukraine ‘On amendments to certain legislative acts of Ukraine regarding a simplified pre-trial investigation of certain categories of criminal offences’”.

This bill makes one of a series of draft laws necessary for the introduction of the institute of criminal infractions, which is to become operational in Ukraine from July 1, 2020. Taking it on the first reading was recommended by the committee.

The committeemen agreed to appeal to line committees to send the parliament a strong request to immediately consider and take the following draft laws:

Bill No.3286 – “On amendments to the Tax Code of Ukraine because of the adoption of the Law of Ukraine ‘On amendments to certain legislative acts of Ukraine regarding a simplified pre-trial investigation of certain categories of criminal offences’”;

Bill No.3287 – “On amendments to the Customs Code of Ukraine because of the adoption of the Law of Ukraine ‘On amendments to certain legislative acts of Ukraine regarding a simplified pre-trial investigation of certain categories of criminal offences’”;

Bill No.3288 – “On amendments to Article 9 of the Section VI “Final and Transitional provisions” of the Budget Code of Ukraine because of the adoption of the Law of Ukraine ‘On amendments to certain legislative acts of Ukraine regarding a simplified pre-trial investigation of certain categories of criminal offences’”;

Bill No.3299 – “On amendments to the Law of Ukraine ‘On the High Anti-Corruption Court of Ukraine’ because of the adoption of the Law of Ukraine ‘On amendments to certain legislative acts of Ukraine regarding a simplified pre-trial investigation of certain categories of criminal offences’”;

Bill No.3375 – “On amendments to the Law of Ukraine ‘On public procurement’ because of the adoption of the Law of Ukraine ‘On amendments to certain legislative acts of Ukraine regarding a simplified pre-trial investigation of certain categories of criminal offences’”.

Most members of the committee consented to the recommendation to the Verkhovna Rada to include in the current agenda of the third session of the Verkhovna Rada the following draft laws:

Bill No.3325 “On amendments to Article 86 of the Law of Ukraine ‘On the Public Prosecutor’s Office’ as to ensuring the right of prosecutors to recalculated pensions”;

Bill No.3354 “On amendments to the Administrative Offences Code of Ukraine and the Criminal Code of Ukraine as to harsher accountability for failure to comply with legitimate demands of a Ukrainian MP, the Accounting Chamber, a member of the Accounting Chamber”;

Bill No.3265 “On amendments to certain legislative acts of Ukraine (as to enhanced means of providing professional legal advice and streamlining the procedure for issuing administrative offence reports for violating the right to information)”;

Bill No.3327 “On amendments to certain legislative acts of Ukraine with regard to streamlining the procedure for issuing administrative offence reports for violating the right to information”.