The Bulgarian Parliament begins work on key legislative changes aimed at easing the administrative burden, modernizing environmental legislation, and expanding social support for sporting achievements. The session is packed, with a focus on reforms that affect both businesses and citizens, as well as on steps related to the country's international defense policy.
Easing procedures for ports and environmental legislation
The first item on the National Assembly's agenda is the second reading of amendments to the Maritime Spaces, Inland Waterways and Ports Act. The proposed changes are aimed at significantly easing administrative procedures for investors. According to the new texts, the developer of a general plan for a public transport port will no longer be obliged to submit physical documents related to environmental procedures. Instead, they will only have to specify the number, date, and issuing authority of the corresponding administrative act. The responsibility for the official collection of these documents will be transferred to the "Maritime Administration" Executive Agency. These measures aim not only to speed up processes but also to reduce bureaucracy, which often delays important infrastructure projects.
The Bill to Amend and Supplement the Clean Ambient Air Act is also at its second reading. These changes are part of a broader trend toward the digitalization of public administration. The bill provides for the elimination of the need for citizens and businesses to submit paper documents that can be verified in public registers. This includes payment documents when payment has been made electronically. The report of the Environment Committee emphasizes that the bill also provides for the expansion of the powers of control bodies, as well as the introduction of new sanctions that have not existed in the law until now.
International cooperation and ratification of agreements
The National Assembly will also consider a Bill on the Ratification of key international agreements related to the country's defense capability. One of the documents is a Program Agreement between the Ministry of Defense of Bulgaria and the ministries of defense of a number of European countries, as well as with the European Defense Agency and the European Investment Bank. The agreement concerns the "Financial Mechanism for Cooperation" Program.
In addition, a Memorandum of Understanding with the NATO Communications and Information Organization, represented by the NATO Communications and Information Agency, will be brought to the attention of the Members of Parliament. This memorandum regulates cooperation in the field of C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance). The ratification of such agreements underlines Bulgaria's commitment to collective defense and the modernization of its armed forces within the framework of Euro-Atlantic structures.
Justice for sports heroes: Two proposals in parliament
Two bills to amend and supplement the Physical Education and Sports Act will be discussed at first reading. Both documents aim to expand the circle of athletes who receive lifelong support for their achievements.
One proposal, submitted by the political party "Vazrazhdane", seeks to establish a state policy for fairer recognition of the merits of all Bulgarian athletes who have contributed to the country's international prestige. The proposers point out that the existing law provides for the right to lifelong bonuses only to Olympic and Paralympic champions. This creates a "disbalance" as world and European champions, whose achievements are "no less significant", remain outside the scope of this privilege. To ensure sustainable funding for this initiative, the bill proposes the creation of an off-budget account "Champions' Bonuses", which will be funded by tax revenues from the gambling industry.
The second bill, submitted by Daniel Alexandrov (GERB-SDS), also aims to recognize and support the merits of Bulgarian athletes who have won medals from world and European championships in Olympic sports. The proposal covers athletes who have ended their competitive careers and have reached the age of 40. It is stipulated that the amount of the monthly cash premium will be equal to the minimum wage, and will be determined based on the highest achievement of the athlete.
Both legislative initiatives reflect the public consensus on the need for greater state care for sports veterans. Their debate in parliament will be followed with interest by the sports community and the whole of society.