The Parliament discussed for the I reading the Draft Law on the Structure, Authority and Activity Rule of the Government of Georgia”, envisaging the reorganization of the Ministry of Culture and Sports.

According to the Parliamentary Secretary of the Government, Vakhtang Bachiashvili, the Draft Law has been developed with the initiative of the Prime Minister and envisages the set-up of two independent bodies - the Ministry of Culture, and the Ministry of Sports.

Pursuant to the Draft, two Ministries shall be established as of January 1, 2025 - the Ministry of Culture assigned for the culture policy, and the Ministry of Sports - to realize the authority in the respective sphere.

“It is an unprecedented case, when, for the first time in the history of Georgia, we establish the Ministry of Sports, which is the result of the greatest progress achieved by our athletes. It is a long-expected decision”, - the First Deputy Chair of the Sports Committee, Shota Khabareli noted.

The legal package consisting of 33 amendments was adopted with 85 votes.

Today, the Parliament discussed sundry Draft Laws for the I reading, including the Draft Tax Code, modifying the excise component on tobacco.

“The Draft has been developed within the fulfillment of the international commitments, minimization of access to cigarettes and thus, encouraging healthy lifestyle. The Draft ensures fair taxation and the competitiveness of the sphere, also increase of the revenues to the budget”, - the First Deputy Chair of the Budget and Finance Committee, Irakli Kheladze stated.

Pursuant to the Draft, the profit earned by the organizers or the slot salons and/or electronic gambling machines shall be subject to taxation at 20% instead of the current 15%.

MPs discussed for the I reading the Draft Law on State Property and adopted it with 86 votes. The amendments envisage that the National Agency of State Property, in view of ensuring the separation of the electricity and natural gas transmission system operators, realizes the authority of the shareholder (partner) in the enterprises delegated under state property with the independent management right: “Engurhesi” Ltd.; JSC “Electricity System Commercial Operator”; and JSC “Georgian Oil and Gas Corporation” to ensure independence and separation requirements of the electricity transmission and natural gas transmission system operators in line with the Law on Energy and Water Supply.

The Parliament adopted the Draft Law on Health Care and the companion Bills with 85 votes. MPs adopted the Draft Law on Transplantation of Human Organs and the deriving Bills, concerning the extension of the enactment date of the Laws with 86 votes.

The next plenary session is scheduled to be held tomorrow, December 12.