Senate opens lawmaking season

Astana, September 11, 2009 (Khabar) - Members of parliament have to concentrate on anti-crisis laws and the implementation of initiatives sounded by the head of state. Over one hundred draft laws including the tax code, the law on mass media and the internet. In his speech at the new season opening, the upper house speaker Kasym-Zhomart Tokayev said all senators worked well last season. He added that it was necessary to carry on working on the anti-crisis documents. This season the parliament is also set to scrutinize a three-year budget.

Kasym-Zhomart Tokayev, Kazakhstan Senate Speaker:
- Currently, the Senate has 19 laws to consider. The head of state called some of them very urgent which is why we need to be very careful with these laws. In general, every draft law has to be scrutinized thoroughly.

The agenda of the first session also contains some projects which the MPs began working on last season. The list also contains the law on anti-corruption examination. It was initiated by the President and stipulates compulsory analysis of all legal documents to make sure there is no ground for corruption in them.

Nikolai Turetskiy, MP of RK:
- The introduction of such a law will require additional expenses and the government is aware of these issues. This law is to be adopted in 2010 which will enable the examination of projects offered by the head of state, the government and local executive bodies.

Senators approved the creation of a special institution of scientific examination but added some amendments to it and sent back to the Majilis.