Members of the Economic Policy Committee discussed the draft laws that Parliament is considering under an expedited procedure during the current week.

At the sitting, Deputy Minister of Infrastructure Mzia Giorgobiani presented the draft law “On Amendments to the Code of Spatial Planning, Architectural and Construction Activities of Georgia” and spoke about the changes envisaged by the legislative initiative.

According to the draft law, by decision of the relevant municipality, supportive measures for the construction/reconstruction of early childhood, preschool and general education institutions — schools — by public institutions may include exceeding the maximum land development coefficient and/or the maximum intensity coefficient, as well as reducing the minimum greenery coefficient. In addition, construction documentation may be approved under conditions different from those established by Georgian legislation. Public institutions will be able to request the use of these supportive measures until 31 December 2035.

The draft law “On Amendments to the Law of Georgia on Public Procurement” was presented by the Parliamentary Secretary of the Government, Vakhtang Bachiashvili. According to him, the draft law remains substantively unchanged after the first reading, although several articles were corrected from a legal and technical standpoint. Under the draft law, economic operators placed on the “blacklist” will be barred from participating in state contracts for a period of one to two years. This restriction will apply not only to the economic operator that committed the violation, but also to its founders and partners.

At the meeting, committee member Anton Obolashvili presented, in the II reading, legislative initiatives introduced by members of the parliamentary majority: the draft laws “On Amendments to the Law of Georgia on Tourism” and “On Amendments to the Law of Georgia on Insurance.” According to him, comments from Parliament’s Legal Department had been incorporated into the drafts, and legal-technical corrections had been made. According to the draft law, tourism activity entities will be subject to mandatory registration in the tourism activity entities database in order to ensure accountability and transparency of data. The amendments also regulate issues and terminology related to high-risk services. Furthermore, the draft law redefines the fines and enforcement mechanisms related to implementation of the law, based on the principles of fairness, proportionality and effectiveness. In addition, issues related to the provision of tourist guide services and high-risk tourism services in Georgia by foreign citizens will be regulated by a decree of the Government of Georgia.

The Economic Policy Committee supported, in the II reading, the draft laws submitted for expedited consideration.