At a sitting of the Economic Policy Committee, Deputy Infrastructure Minister Mzia Giorgobiani presented, in the I reading, the draft Spatial Planning, Architectural and Construction Activities Code.

According to the presenter, the bill introduces temporary supportive measures for the construction of schools and kindergartens.

She noted that the amendments will help make the construction of schools and kindergartens carried out by public institutions more flexible and better adapted to the existing resources of land plots.

Under the draft law, Article 141¹¹ will be added to the Code, providing temporary supportive measures for the construction and reconstruction of early and preschool education institutions and general education institutions — schools — by public entities.

In particular, by decision of the relevant municipality, supportive measures for the construction or reconstruction of schools by public institutions may include exceeding the maximum permitted land development coefficient and/or the maximum intensity coefficient.

It should also be noted that public institutions will be able to request the use of these supportive measures until December 31, 2035.

According to the Deputy Minister, the adoption of the bill will affect the revenue side of municipal budgets, since fees paid for construction permits are transferred to municipal budgets.

At the sitting, Committee Member Anton Obolashvili presented the draft law on Tourism, initiated by the Majority MPs.

According to him, although significant steps were taken with the adoption of the new tourism law, practical implementation revealed a number of challenges.

Under the draft law, tourism activity entities will be subject to mandatory registration in the tourism activity entities database to ensure proper registration and data transparency.

The amendments also regulate issues related to the provision of risk-related services and the associated terminology. In particular, instead of the terms alpine, mountain, and ski guide, the law will use the term “provider of risk-related tourism services”.

In addition, the bill redefines penalty provisions related to the enforcement of the law.

According to the draft law, matters related to the provision of tourist guide services and risk-related services by foreign citizens within the territory of Georgia will be regulated by a decree of the Government of Georgia.

At the committee sitting, Parliamentary Secretary of the Government Vakhtang Bachiashvili also spoke about the draft Law on State Procurement.

The amendments aim to introduce mechanisms that will ensure the rational spending of budgetary funds by procuring organizations.

“The legislation introduces new regulations related to the ‘blacklist’ and disqualification mechanisms. Currently, inclusion on the blacklist means restriction from participating in state contracts for one year. Under the amendment, a distinction will be made between cases where a person is blacklisted for improper fulfillment of obligations and cases where a person engages in dishonest conduct in order to obtain a contract. In the latter case, the ban on participation in public procurement will increase from one year to two years, and this restriction will apply not only to the economic operator directly involved, but also to its founders and partners”, - Vakhtang Bachiashvili stated.

According to him, the proposed bill places special emphasis on supporting the development of small and medium-sized businesses, reflected in the institutional introduction of the concept of subcontractors and the detailed regulation of its legal framework.

The draft laws are being considered under an expedited procedure.

The Committee approved the drafts.