Verkhovna Rada Supports Legislation to Define Powers of Government Authorities

As reported by a correspondent from Ukrinform, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has approved legislative initiative No. 14412, which garnered the backing of 269 deputies. This legislative proposal is designed to clearly define who is responsible for what within the framework of local self-government and state authority.

The bill proposes a clear demarcation of powers between various levels of local government, as well as between local self-government bodies and executive authorities. This demarcation is planned to be based on the principles of decentralization and subsidiarity, which will help avoid duplication of functions and conflicts among government bodies. As a result, an increase in management efficiency is anticipated, along with improved quality and accessibility of public services, and a more rational use of budgetary funds.

According to the document, general rules and approaches to the delineation of powers are established. Specifically, it defines which bodies and levels of government are involved in public governance, the types of their powers, and the principles by which these powers should be distributed.

Furthermore, the legislative initiative suggests establishing criteria to distinguish the own powers of local self-government from those delegated by the state. It also outlines the conditions under which the state can transfer its powers to local self-government, the specifics of exercising these powers during wartime or emergencies, issues related to resource provision, including finances and other necessary means, as well as the limits of independence for local authorities in decision-making and their accountability for executing these powers.

Under the new rules, the Cabinet of Ministers is required to prepare and submit proposals to the Verkhovna Rada within one year after the law comes into effect, aiming to amend other laws to align them with the new rules for distributing powers among various government bodies.

The adoption of this initiative is expected to establish legal foundations for the delineation and distribution of powers among village, settlement, and city councils and their executive bodies, district and regional councils, and executive authorities based on the principle of subsidiarity. This, in turn, should ensure accessibility and improve the quality of public service delivery to the population.

As reported by Ukrinform, today the Verkhovna Rada may pass up to 80% of the government's legislative proposals on the agenda, as a significant portion of contentious issues has been resolved during discussions.

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