House of Representatives of PS BiH session, several laws on the agenda, and amendments to the VAT Law

(Patria) - The House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina will hold a session today, with the Bill on Amendments to the Law on Ombudsmen for Human Rights of BiH, B.I.L., proposed by the Council of Ministers of BiH, which strengthens the capacities of that institution, on the agenda. Prior to the session, a session of the Collegium and a session of the Collegium in an extended composition will be held to potentially supplement the agenda.

As previously stated by the Council of Ministers of BiH, the bill designated "EI", as confirmation of certain harmonization with EU legislation in this area, fulfills one of the European Commission's recommendations.

The amendments to the Law enable ombudsmen to, in addition to protecting human rights, act more strongly in their promotion in accordance with the Paris Principles.

Before the session of the House of Representatives, a session of the Joint Committee for Human Rights is scheduled, which should consider the proposed law in the amendment phase.

The Bill on Freedom of Access to Information at the level of BiH institutions, B.I.L., proposed by the Council of Ministers of BiH, which previously adopted the proposal of this law designated EI as confirmation of appropriate harmonization with European Union regulations in this area, should also be before the deputies.

The Constitutional-Legal Committee of the House of Representatives should consider the proposed law in the amendment phase at a session scheduled for Monday before the session of the House of Representatives and submit a report to the House.

The House of Representatives is also scheduled to consider the principles of the Bill on Amendments to the Law on the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council of BiH, B.I.L., proposed by the Council of Ministers of BiH.

The adoption of this law is an important step towards fulfilling one of the 14 priorities of the European Commission in the process of joining the European Union.

The adoption of this law, which takes into account the relevant opinions and suggestions of competent European institutions and bodies, aims to strengthen the independence, accountability, efficiency, professionalism, and harmonization of the judicial system, which ensures the rule of law and equal access to justice in BiH - stated the Council of Ministers of BiH.

One of the laws that deputies should consider in the first reading is the Bill on Amendments to the VAT Law, proposed by deputies Mladen Bosić and Darko Babalj.

The proposed amendments stipulate that VAT is paid on the last day of the month, not the 10th of the month as is currently the case.

Furthermore, the amendments to the VAT Law of BiH provide for an increase in the threshold for mandatory registration from the current 50,000 to 100,000 KM.

The proposers stated that the reason for adopting the law is contained in the highlighted need of taxpayers to be allowed a reasonable period within which they are obliged to submit a tax return.

They also explain that the reason for increasing the threshold for the registration of taxpayers from 50,000 KM to 100,000 KM is the obvious need, given the inflationary trends and increases in the prices of goods and services in the past period, as well as the forecasts of economic trends for the upcoming period.

The Association of Employers in the Federation of BiH and the Union of Employers of the Republika Srpska called on the deputies of the House of Representatives of the state parliament to adopt the proposed amendments to the Value Added Tax Law.