Astana, March 13, the House of the Mazhilis. Three bills were approved in the first reading by deputies at the plenary session of the Mazhilis chaired by Speaker of the Chamber Yerlan Koshanov. These are draft laws on improving and expanding the sphere of administrative justice, optimizing the Criminal, Criminal Procedure and Penal Enforcement Codes, as well as supporting the use of renewable energy sources, electric power industry and natural monopolies.

Presenting the draft law on improving and expanding the sphere of administrative justice, Minister of Justice Azamat Eskarayev noted that the document is aimed at implementing the Message of the Head of State "A just state. A united nation. A prosperous society" and includes three main areas.

– The first is the transfer of certain categories of public law disputes from the Civil Procedure Code to the Administrative Procedural Code. The second is the consolidation of the Government's powers to resolve disputes between state bodies, as well as state bodies and state organizations on the interpretation of legislative norms. In addition, further adjustment of certain norms of legislation on administrative procedures, making appropriate amendments and additions to the Administrative Procedural Code," Azamat Eskarayev said.

The Minister also noted that the amendments will contribute to increasing the responsibility of state bodies, as each of them will define a clear hierarchy of the procedure for reviewing complaints.

The Head of the Ministry of Justice also presented a draft law on the optimization of the Criminal, Criminal Procedure and Penal Enforcement Codes. According to him, the amendments are aimed at strengthening the protection of the rights of citizens and entrepreneurs, optimizing and de-bureaucratizing the criminal process.

– To strengthen the protection of the rights of citizens and entrepreneurs, it is proposed to exclude the possibility of returning the case to the prosecutor for "revision" and establish mandatory coordination of the inspection and audit of business entities with the prosecutor. The role of the lawyer will be significantly strengthened, especially during the examination. The list of documents from which the lawyer has the right to make copies is expanding, all additional and clarifying questions from the lawyer on the appointed examination will be immediately sent to the expert, in addition, now the lawyer can get acquainted with the objects of the examination, Azamat Eskarayev explained in his report.

The Minister added that one of the blocks of amendments will allow criminal cases to be considered in electronic format. The range of subjects of remote interrogation and confrontation is expanding.

The head of the working group, Majilisman Abzal Kuspan, noted that the draft law will strengthen the protection of the constitutional values of Kazakh society, ensure the effective implementation by participants in criminal proceedings of their procedural rights and obligations and enhance respect for human rights in the penitentiary system.

The plenary session also approved in the first reading a draft law on support for the use of renewable energy sources, electric power industry and natural monopolies. Its purpose is to solve problematic issues in the field of renewable energy use by the population, small and medium–sized businesses. One of the initiators of the project, Deputy Duisenbai Turganov, noted that installations with a capacity of up to 200 kW will be recognized as small-scale renewable energy facilities.

– Individuals who are net consumers are exempt from the obligation to register as an individual entrepreneur. The obligation of energy transmission organizations to ensure free access and connection of net consumers to electric networks is approved. Net consumers are exempt from paying for electricity transmission services, which avoids additional and unreasonable costs. The obligation of energy transmission organizations to ensure free access and connection of net consumers to electric networks is fixed," the deputy said in his report.

In addition, owners of small-scale renewable energy sources will be able to sell an excess amount of electricity to an energy supply organization at a set marginal price. This norm makes it possible to exclude controversial issues regarding the determination of the purchase price of excess electric energy from a net consumer.

Also during the plenary session, the Committee on Ecology and Nature Management of the Mazhilis adopted a draft ratification of the Agreement between the Governments of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan on cooperation in the field of ecology and environmental protection.

In conclusion, the Mazhilismen sent 11 deputy requests to the responsible state bodies. They are available on the official website and Telegram channel of the Mazhilis.

The press service is 74-66-20. Photo by J.Zhumabekova, T.Tanybayeva.