Local City Councils in self-governing cities will be granted the authority, upon the mayor’s nomination, to establish Legal Entities of Public Law. This is envisaged by the draft Local Self-Government Code, which the Regional Policy and Self-Government Committee considered and approved in the I reading.

The legislative initiative, prepared by the Majority MPs, was presented by Committee Member Irakli Shatakishvili. According to him, as a result of the amendments, similar to the Tbilisi Municipality, City Councils of self-governing cities will be able to establish LEPLs in various sectoral areas.

“In order to increase the efficiency of managing important sectors by self-governing cities, City Councils will be authorized, upon the mayor’s submission, to establish Legal Entities of Public Law for purposes such as: agreeing on construction notifications or issuing construction permits; developing urban development concepts and spatial planning; preparing detailed development plans; conducting relevant research and issuing recommendations; regulating outdoor advertising; managing property privatization; issuing passenger transportation permits within municipal administrative boundaries; organizing transport services; and ensuring parking infrastructure”, - Mr. Shatakishvili stated.

The reporter also discussed the accompanying legal package, including amendments to the Laws “On Legal Entities of Public Law,” “On Licenses and Permits,” “On Remuneration in Public Institutions,” “On Road Transport,” and “On Advertising”.

At the same committee meeting, Deputy Environmental Protection and Agriculture Minister, Zurab Ezugbaia, presented a draft law initiated by the Government on the “Establishment and Management of Egrisi National Park”.

According to the draft law, a territory of 37,074 hectares within the administrative boundaries of Tsalenjikha, Chkhorotsku, and Martvili municipalities will be granted the status of a national park under the Law“On the System of Protected Areas,” and a new protected area — Egrisi National Park — will be established.

The committee approved the draft laws.