Latest news with #PublicFundsCollectionLaw
Jordan News
14-05-2025
- Business
- Jordan News
Royal Decree Expected Soon to End Ordinary Parliamentary Session - Jordan News
Royal Decree Expected Soon to End Ordinary Parliamentary Session The Senate has concluded its first session by passing three draft laws: the Cooperative Law, the Virtual Assets Regulation Law, and the Penal Code Amendment Law, in addition to endorsing the Audit Bureau's 2023 report. اضافة اعلان The first ordinary session of the 20th Parliament is set to end on May 18, and a Royal Decree dissolving the session is expected in the coming days. The decision on whether to hold an extraordinary session remains dependent on internal and external developments. This came during a session held yesterday morning, chaired by Senate President Faisal Al-Fayez and attended by several members of the government team. Key Legislation Passed: 1. Cooperative Law The law establishes a fund within the Cooperative Institution to finance the cooperative sector and a dedicated institute to promote cooperative culture. It also strengthens the institution's role in supervising the sector and regulates foreign cooperative branches and unions. 2. Virtual Assets Regulation Law This law regulates virtual asset-related activities to protect users and assigns regulatory authority to the Securities Commission. Its objectives include overseeing virtual asset operations, ensuring compliance with international standards—particularly anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing—and striking a balance between innovation and financial stability. The Securities Commission will be responsible for issuing licenses, ensuring service providers meet legal requirements, and implementing oversight measures. 3. Penal Code Amendment Law This amendment aims to expand alternatives to custodial sentences, reintegrate convicts into society, and allow suspension of sentences even after final rulings. It also enables courts to postpone or allow installment payments of fines. The bill reflects a shift toward restorative justice and includes giving the sentence enforcement judge authority to collect fines under the Public Funds Collection Law. It aims to reduce prison overcrowding and prevent recidivism. Audit Bureau 2023 Report: The Senate approved the recommendations of its Finance and Economic Committee regarding the 2023 Audit Bureau report. Key points include: Outstanding amounts: JD 633 million in uncollected cases in the Ministry of Justice's enforcement departments. JD 719 million owed by Social Security subscribers. JD 281 million owed by municipalities and joint service councils. Recommendations: Amend the Public Funds Collection Law for more effective recovery. Activate property auctions one year after asset seizure. Improve budget accuracy as 177 treasury-funded projects spent less than 35% of their allocations, and 705 projects had budget reallocations. Form a joint committee from the Audit Bureau and Ministry of Finance to close advances periodically and manage medical exemptions and arrears sustainably. Concerning financial observations: JD 755 million in loans saw zero disbursement despite the Treasury incurring over JD 5 million in commitment fees on undrawn balances in 2023. Studies related to program financing agreements must be completed before signing. Weak governance in companies under Audit Bureau oversight highlights the need to institutionalize good governance systems. Municipal debt warning: The report noted a rise in municipal debt and a high ratio of current to capital spending. It recommended continuing funding for the ERP project, institutionalizing municipal audit work, allocating training resources, and improving receivables collection. These developments signal a significant legislative and oversight effort ahead of the expected royal decision to conclude the current parliamentary session.
Jordan News
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Jordan News
Senate Legal Committee Approves Amendments to Penal Code - Jordan News
The Legal Committee of the Jordanian Senate, chaired by Senator Ahmad Tbeishat, approved on Sunday the draft law amending the Penal Code for the year 2025, as received from the House of Representatives. اضافة اعلان The committee meeting was attended by Minister of Justice Dr. Bassam Talhouni, Minister of State for Legal Affairs Dr. Fayez Al-Qudah, Secretary General of the Ministry of Justice Dr. Waleed Kanakrieh, Secretary General of the Judicial Council Dr. Ali Al-Masaimeh, and Attorney General Dr. Hassan Al-Abdallat. The main objectives of the proposed amendments are to broaden the application of alternatives to custodial sentences by granting the competent courts greater authority to implement such alternatives, thereby increasing the benefit for convicted individuals. It also aims to enable the sentencing judge to collect fines in accordance with the Public Funds Collection Law. Additionally, the bill seeks to strengthen the approach of restorative justice by contributing to the rehabilitation and reintegration of convicts into society, and reducing recidivism rates. It introduces provisions for suspending the execution of sentences after they become final, and gives the sentencing judge the authority to postpone or allow installment payments of fines, thus helping to ease overcrowding in correctional and rehabilitation centers.
Jordan Times
20-04-2025
- Politics
- Jordan Times
Cabinet endorses 2025 amendments to Penal Code, says they enforce rule of law, enhance human rights
Prime Minister Jafar Hassan on Sunday chairs a Cabinet session, where amendments to Penal Code were approved (Photo courtesy of Prime Ministry) AMMAN — The Cabinet on Sunday approved the 2025 amendment to the Penal Code, saying they are line with the government's policy statement committing to a wider use of alternative sentencing. The proposed amendments will allow courts to replace prison sentences with community service and rehabilitation programmes both before and after court ruling, giving judges greater discretion and reducing prison overcrowding, according to a Prime Ministry's statement. Judges will also be empowered to collect fines under the Public Funds Collection Law and may allow payment in installments or deferral. The amendments support a shift towards restorative justice, which requires reconciliation between parties and financial compensation as a condition for sentence substitution, the statement said. Other measures include the elimination of the 100-hour cap on community service, home confinement orders, geographic restrictions, electronic monitoring, and new safeguards such as travel bans and financial obligations by offenders to avoid contact with certain individuals or institutions. The Cabinet also approved the validating reasons for amendments to the law on the Independent Election Commission in line with recent constitutional reforms, in particular Article 67, which expands the role of the commission to include the registration and supervision of political parties. The draft amendment is also in line with the Political Parties Law of 2022. In a move that reaffirms the Kingdom's commitment to the rights of persons with disabilities, the Cabinet approved the bylaw of the National Academy for Inclusive Education for 2025. The move came following His Majesty King Abdullah's participation in the Third Global Disability Summit, according to the statement. The Academy will develop institutional frameworks, implement quality standards and provide training for education professionals. It aims to institutionalise inclusive education, promote equal opportunities and support the integration of students with disabilities into mainstream education. The Cabinet directed the Ministry of Water and Irrigation to proceed with the dissolution of the Wadi Araba Development Company and to transfer its functions and employees back to the Jordan Valley Authority. The move is part of a broader public sector modernization effort aimed at eliminating duplication of roles, improving operational efficiency, and consolidating administrative oversight. The Cabinet also approved the 2025 Public Sector Organisational Structures Regulation, which redefines administrative levels and governance models in government ministries, mandates role reviews, and introduces strategic risk management plans. In support of the Hashemite Custodianship over the Islamic holy sites in Jerusalem, the Cabinet approved amendments to ensure fair salary assessments for employees of the Jerusalem Awqaf Authority. These include Royal "steadfastness bonuses" and targeted salary increases for the Holy city's Sharia judiciary employees, with improved promotion conditions for qualified employees, the statement said. The Cabinet ratified the final technical annexes for the Aqaba-Amman Water Desalination and Conveyance Project - known as the National Carrier. This massive infrastructure initiative, which will provide 300 million cubic meters of desalinated water annually, is the third largest water project in the region and a linchpin in Jordan's long-term water security strategy. To support the integration of renewable energy, the Cabinet approved a new tender process to establish battery-based electricity storage systems for the national grid managed by the National Electric Power Company. The initiative is part of Jordan's energy diversification and sustainability agenda. To stimulate the tourism sector, the Cabinet approved subsidies for participants in the "Urdunah Jannah" program until December 13, 2025. Jordanian citizens will be exempt from entrance fees to archaeological sites, and persons with disabilities will have their travel expenses fully covered. The program, which attracted more than 311,000 participants in 2024, provides guided, affordable travel experiences throughout Jordan. Finally, the Cabinet approved a cooperation agreement between the Public Security Directorate and the United Nations to improve facilities and services at the King Hussein Bridge. The plan includes maintenance work, infrastructure upgrades, modern surveillance equipment, and staff training, supporting broader efforts to modernize cross-border logistics and passenger services.
