The Procedural Issues and Rules Committee discussed for the I reading the Draft Rules of Procedure, envisaging the contextual, essential, procedural, technical, terminological and editorial modifications.

The reporter, Irakli Kadagishvili noted that the current Rules of Procedure was adopted in December 2018 and the practice reveals the necessity of its amendment, improvement of mechanisms and procedures to make the document more flexible and adequate to the challenges. The Draft determines and specifies procedures for the parliamentary political subjects and parliamentary bodies in view of the effective exercise of their credentials.

Providing the parliamentary experience and lingering challenges, the Draft extends authorities and determines that the Speaker, if necessary, shall be eligible to, within his competence, set up the Advisory Council on certain issues the composition and activity of which shall be determined under the Ordinance of the Speaker; the Ordinance as well determines the rule of special seats for the attendees in the Plenary Hall.

For the purpose of consistent and effective conduct of the 2-week cycle of parliamentary activity, the Draft envisages that the consideration of the Drafts by the Committees within the plenary week shall be inadmissible other than the events when the Drafts are submitted for expedited or summary consideration; as well as the exceptional cases when the Parliament discusses the Draft State Budget.

The Draft stipulates the procedures regulating the ballot and voting at the sessions; the duration of the statements on Tuesday in the plenary session, and the floor for the addresses by MPs.

The mechanisms related to the Committee activities, as well as the procedures for the efficiency of parliamentary oversight are to be legally improved. The Committee approved the Draft.