Omnibus bill to tackle red tape in the making

Ljubljana – A government task force charged with cutting red tape has drawn up an omnibus bill that would amend over a dozen laws in an effort to simplify bureaucratic procedures, according to two media outlets which have seen the bill.

A result of a year’s work by the Strategic Council for Debureaucratisation, one of the key measures is a cap on social security contributions at EUR 6,000 gross per month.

According to the news portal Necenzurirano and the business paper Finance, which have seen the bill, this has little to do with cutting red tape.

Finance quotes Statistics Office data showing that only one percent of employees had a gross monthly wage over EUR 6,000 gross.

Some of the proposed measures would expand the use of digital means, for example the use of email for electronic servicing of administrative decisions.

It has also been proposed that the population register be expanded with the individual’s email and phone number.

While this is voluntary, Finance points out that all those who leave their place of residence for more than 14 days, which would include going on holiday, would have to register their phone number and email regardless, which in effect makes that mandatory.

Card payments would no longer be considered cash payments, which means points of sale would no longer have to print out receipts for card payment except on demand.

The strategic council also proposes introducing a new register of regulations that would include only acts and other regulations adopted by parliament, government and ministries.

The new register would thus not include acts with legal power issued by government bodies and local communities, all of which are currently published by the Official Gazette.

Another proposal is an expansion of the powers of state secretaries, who would be able to issue decisions in administrative procedures, something only ministers are allowed to do now.

Additionally, the bill would erase over 200 laws from the books, none of which are in use any more, according to Necenzurirano.

Neither tax expert Ivan Simič, the chair of the strategic council, nor the Government Communication Office would comment on the blueprint for Finance.

The STA has reached out to the Public Administration Ministry.

The post Omnibus bill to tackle red tape in the making appeared first on Slovenia Times.