The Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis held its latest plenary session.

Judicial Efficiency Will Increase

During the second reading of the session, the draft law was reviewed aimed at enhancing the efficiency of the judiciary.

It was noted that according to the current provisions, deputies of the Chairman of the Supreme Court - chairpersons of the respective judicial panels are elected for specific areas (administrative, civil, criminal, and economic). However, the procedure for electing judges of the Supreme Court for specific areas has not been established.

This, in turn, hinders the broad implementation of the principle of judicial self-governance and does not allow for the transfer (rotation) of deputies of the Chairman of the Supreme Court from one judicial panel to another.

In this regard, the draft law proposes amendments to Article 19 of the Law "On Courts" concerning the chairpersons of the Supreme Court's judicial panels.

The adoption of the draft law will enhance the efficiency of the judiciary, improve the quality of justice, create opportunities for the transfer (rotation) of managerial personnel to the relevant judicial direction, and elevate the country's reputation in international rankings.

The draft law was adopted by the deputies.

Convenient and Safe Conditions for Road Users

The deputies also reviewed a draft law aimed at ensuring road traffic safety on highways.

Significant work is underway in the country to ensure road traffic safety and to create comfortable and safe conditions for road users.

This draft law establishes norms aimed at preventing vehicles from driving on sidewalks, bicycle paths, and green zones.

It also includes measures of responsibility for preventing cases of illegal installation of barriers by the public on the roadway or blocking roads, hindering the movement of vehicles and citizens.

The adoption of the draft law will ensure the safety of road users and create conditions for their free movement.

The draft law was adopted by the deputies.

Control Over Dedicated Lanes for Public Transport Will Strengthen

Representatives of the people conceptually reviewed in the first reading a draft law that provides for amendments and additions to the Administrative Responsibility Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan aimed at increasing the efficiency of public transport use.

It was noted that in recent years, practical measures have been taken to prioritize the use of public transport to reduce traffic jams in the capital and provide quality transportation services to the population. Specifically, in Tashkent, the number of buses has doubled over the last two years, with dedicated bus lanes established over a length of 48.2 km, the interval between buses has halved, and the number of passengers has also doubled.

However, traffic jams have become one of the pressing issues for the population, especially in Tashkent. In the last 2-3 years, Tashkent has experienced daily traffic jams rated at 7-9 points, sometimes reaching 10 points.

Current legislation does not provide for the responsibility of drivers of vehicles traveling in lanes designated for public transport. This negatively impacts traffic flow and the free movement of public transport.

The draft law proposes to define responsibility for violations of traffic rules in lanes specifically designated for public transport.

The initiators of the law noted that the adoption of this draft law will facilitate the organization of quality and convenient service for passengers on public transport, ensure the priority of public transport, and enhance road traffic safety.

The draft law was adopted by the deputies.

The Scope of Factoring Services Will Expand

During the session, a draft law was conceptually reviewed in the first reading titled “On Amendments and Additions to Certain Legislative Acts Aimed at Developing Relations for Financing through the Assignment of Monetary Claims (Factoring).”

Currently, the main norms regulating operations related to financing through the assignment of monetary claims (factoring) in favor of another party are governed by the Civil Code.

However, the existing norms for the implementation and regulation of factoring relations hinder the development of this sphere.

This, in turn, is the reason for the absence of a separate financial institution on the country's financial market that is solely engaged in factoring activities and that entrepreneurs and investors do not invest in the factoring market. In this regard, in order to develop factoring relations in Uzbekistan, it is planned to introduce a number of changes and additions to the legislation, particularly in the Civil Code and other legislative acts, based on international experience.

During the session, the deputies noted that the adoption of this draft law will align the norms of legislation regulating factoring relations in Uzbekistan with international experience and expand the possibilities for using factoring services.

The draft law was conceptually adopted by the deputies in the first reading.

Online Fraud Will Be Prevented

During the session, the deputies conceptually reviewed in the first reading a draft law aimed at further improving relations in the field of lending.

It is known that there have been increasing cases of loans being issued in the name of citizens without their knowledge and the misappropriation of these funds. Such situations require the introduction of a mechanism for voluntary withdrawal of citizens from loans.

The draft law prohibits individuals from entering into a loan agreement with a credit bureau by submitting a request to the credit bureau to prevent fraud related to the processing of a loan transaction without their participation or knowledge.

As the deputies noted, the adoption of this draft law will help prevent cases of fraudulent loans being issued in one's name without the knowledge of citizens and the misappropriation of these funds, as well as improve the regulation of the activities of credit bureaus.

The draft law was adopted by the deputies during the session.

Jewelry Producers Will Receive Tax Benefits

A draft law aimed at further developing the jewelry industry was also conceptually reviewed in the first reading.

The document proposes to introduce a series of changes and additions to certain legislative acts aimed at meeting the demands of jewelry producers for precious metals, creating a favorable business environment for their development, and liberalizing bureaucratic barriers in the legislation.

In particular, according to the draft law, until September 1, 2027, entrepreneurs who are members of the association "Uzbekzargarsanoati" will be exempt from property tax and land tax.

It is also proposed to grant refining enterprises (companies operating with a license using raw materials containing precious metals and gemstones) the right to sell precious metals in forms and quantities convenient for jewelry producers, as well as to manufacture and sell souvenir coins made of precious metals.

Jewelry producers, in turn, are granted the right to sell the semi-finished jewelry products they manufacture from precious metals to other jewelry producers.

Additionally, it is specified that the acquisition of precious metals and jewelry from legal entities and individuals will be carried out by notifying the authorized body.

The draft law prohibits the sale and retail distribution of jewelry produced abroad that lacks documents confirming the payment of customs duties.

During the discussions, the initiators of the law provided detailed answers to the questions raised by the deputies regarding some norms.

According to the deputies, the adoption of the draft law will create the necessary conditions for the development of the jewelry industry in the country, further support local jewelry producers, protect their rights and interests, enhance the export potential of the industry, and meet the population's demand for quality jewelry products.

The draft law was adopted by the deputies in the first reading.