September 8, 2010


The National Assembly adopted at its meeting on September 8, 2010 at first reading amendments in the scope of notarial functions that Bulgarian consular officials can perform. The proposed changes in the Notaries and Notary Activity Act explicitly grant the right to Bulgarian consuls in foreign countries to verify the contents of private documents submitted by foreign nationals, where such documents are not subject to registration, are drawn in Bulgarian language and are designed to produce effects in Bulgaria. The motives of the Council of Ministers to propose the change are related to the fact that the present wording of the act allows for miscellaneous interpretations.

The National Assembly adopted also, at first reading, the bill amending the Implementation of the Common Organization of Agricultural Markets of the European Union Act.

Deputies decided to introduce taxation on insurance premiums. The Council of Ministers explains in the motives that the new tax is prompted by the economic crisis as a measure to increase the revenues in the state coffer. The motives also state that in most EU countries such tax exists already, so the insurers operating in Bulgaria will be put in a position comparable to other insurers in Europe.

Amendments adopted at first reading to the Mineral Resources Act mandate the Ministry of Economy, Energy and Tourism as the single authority to manage underground resources in the country. At present the administration of mineral resources is carried out by several other ministries along with the Ministry of Environment and Water. The above ministry will prepare a national policy and strategy in the field of underground resources, based on a strategy adopted by the Council of Ministers and consequently draft a new legislation to regulate this field.

MPs also adopted the amendments to the Clean Air Act at first reading, proposed by the Council of Ministers, which opt for better control over the use of ozone-depleting substances and update the penalties for violations.