Bill 474.

Summary.

The bill amends Article 213 of Law 49 of 1984 (ley 49 de 1984), which establishes the Organic Rules of Procedure of the National Assembly (Asamblea Nacional). For presentation to the plenary of the General Treasury Account referred to in paragraph 8 of Article 161 of the Political Constitution (Constitución Política), the Assembly’s Board would set a date within March each year, in coordination with the Minister of Economy and Finance and the Comptroller General of the Republic. The plenary could also determine when the appearance takes place. The notice and complete Account, including annexes, would be published on the institutional website and sent digitally to members at least ten (10) business days beforehand. Where applicable, the documents would include open, reusable digital formats, an annex index, and the consolidation methodology. The session would be public and broadcast; its video and transcript would be published within the following forty-eight (48) hours.

The amendment to Article 214 requires the Minister to present the Account in person. After the presentation, the presiding officer would instruct the General Secretariat to send the documents to the Economy and Finance Committee (Comisión de Economía y Finanzas) and every member, and immediately publish them with their annexes and supporting material. The Committee would submit a report with recommendations and a proposed resolution within no more than twenty (20) business days. For duly explained technical complexity, it could seek one extension of up to ten (10) business days from the plenary. The Office of the Comptroller General of the Republic (Contraloría General de la República) would assist the National Assembly in its examination and present the Committee with a technical report on findings, qualifications, and recommendations, including a risk matrix and observations relevant to determining responsibilities.

The Minister would attend Committee sessions and the plenary deliberation to explain the report and answer members’ questions. The Committee would compile questions and information requests in a matrix; the Ministry of Economy and Finance (Ministerio de Economía y Finanzas) would provide documented responses within five (5) business days after the last Committee session on the matter. The matrix and responses would be public and form part of the record. The Committee report would appear as item three on the agenda. The plenary would hear the report, draft resolution, and presentations; members could ask questions and speak once for up to thirty minutes each. The resolution would require an absolute majority in a roll-call vote. The General Secretariat would publish the votes, approved resolution, report, and annexes within the following twenty-four (24) hours.

The Committee would hold at least two (2) public, broadcast technical examination sessions, one with each institution, subject to legally restricted information supported by written reasons. It could add written observations from academic, trade, and civil society organizations to the record. Where applicable, a resolution approving the Account would include actions, responsible parties, and deadlines. The Ministry and Comptroller’s Office would report on compliance within ninety (90) calendar days after approval, and the Committee could convene a follow-up session. The bill provides for commencement upon promulgation. Its provisions concern the National Assembly, the Committee, the Comptroller’s Office, and the Ministry, and may interest academic, trade, and civil society organizations.