At yesterday’s session in Sarajevo, the Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH) determined four legislative proposals which, if adopted by the FBiH Parliament, could bring significant changes in the areas of judiciary, energy, spatial planning, and policy towards returnees.
A chamber of experts is being established – the new law regulates status, appointment, and responsibility
At the proposal of the Federal Ministry of Justice, the Government of FBiH determined the Proposal of the Law on Expert Witnesses in the FBiH, which enters parliamentary procedure as a complete legal solution. This law defines in detail the conditions for appointing expert witnesses and legal entities for expert assessments, their rights, obligations, and responsibilities, as well as procedures for oversight, dismissal, and deletion from the registry.
“As the most significant novelty, the establishment of a chamber of expert witnesses is envisaged, as an independent and autonomous organization with mandatory membership,” states the explanation of the law.
The proposal also specifies the fields of expertise, the method of calculating compensation, the obligation to maintain confidentiality, professional development, and mandatory liability insurance. The Ministry of Justice reminds that the existing law is nearly 20 years old and that during its application, a number of shortcomings were identified, which were the basis for drafting the new law.
New mining law – mineral resources under special protection
At the proposal of the Federal Ministry of Energy, Mining and Industry, the Government of FBiH also determined the Proposal of the Law on Mining of the FBiH. The new law regulates the management of mineral resources, execution of mining works, safety measures, inspection oversight, and other issues related to mining activity.
“Mineral wealth is defined as a good of general interest and placed under special protection,” it was emphasized by the ministry.
The law also introduces novelties in the planning and execution of mining works and introduces a Strategy and Plan for the management of mineral resources. Cantonal ministries, mines, economic companies, unions, and expert institutions were included in its drafting.
Adoption of planning documents is being accelerated
The Government of FBiH, through a shortened procedure, submitted to the FBiH Parliament the Proposal of the Law on Amendments to the Law on Spatial Planning and Land Use at the level of the FBiH. With these amendments, the aim is to accelerate the long and complex procedure of adopting planning documents under federal jurisdiction.
“It is envisaged that drafts of planning documents are determined by the Government, and that the procedure for adopting urban and spatial bases is shortened,” explained the Federal Ministry of Spatial Planning.
The amendments also prescribe the mandatory conducting of public consultations before the adoption of planning documents.
Support for young returnee families: new amendments to the law
At the proposal of the Federal Ministry of Displaced Persons and Refugees, amendments to the Law on Displaced Persons and Returnees in FBiH have also been determined. The amendments, proposed through a shortened procedure, are focused on young returnee families and the expansion of their rights.
“It is envisaged that it will be possible to renew or build housing units belonging to their ancestors, which have not been rebuilt after the war, as well as the construction of new units in return areas,” states the explanation.
The legal amendments more precisely define terms such as place of return, displaced person, refugee, and sustainable return. Also, the importance of cooperation with the diaspora is emphasized, which is also envisaged by the Strategy of Cooperation with the Diaspora of FBiH.
The Government emphasizes that the implementation of these amendments will not require additional budget funds, but will be realized through existing transfers of the Federal Ministry of Displaced Persons and Refugees.
Interest write-off with repayment of principal debt
The Government of FBiH determined the Proposal of the Law on Amendments to the Law on the Rate of Default Interest on Public Revenues, which enables the write-off of interest accrued until December 31st, 2023, under the condition that taxpayers settle the principal debt within 18 months from the entry into force of the law.
For interest to be written off, the debt decisions must be final, enforceable, and legally binding, and the interest is written off in full if the debt is paid within the prescribed period. This measure is a continuation of the previous decision from 2022, which resulted in the collection of principal debt in the amount of over 54 million BAM, while more than 23 million BAM of interest was written off.
Aid to workers extended until the end of 2025
The Government also adopted amendments to the Regulation on the Payment of Aid to Workers, which allow employers to continue with the payment of non-taxable aid until the end of 2025. Until July 31st, 2025, it is possible to pay up to 450 BAM per month, while from August to December the amount is reduced to up to 400 BAM.
Payments of aid for December 2025 may be made no later than January 31st, 2026, and the new regulation enters into force on August 1st, 2025.
Financial assistance to the economy with adjusted coefficients
At the proposal of the Federal Ministry of Development, Entrepreneurship and Crafts, amendments were adopted to the Regulation on Measures of Financial Assistance to Private Employers, Crafts and Independent Activities. The amendments are aligned with the new Law on Contributions, which lowers contribution rates, and the amounts of financial assistance are redefined. The application of the new calculations begins on July 1st, 2025.
Revised list of infrastructure projects in the field of environment
The Government of FBiH gave consent to the revised list of priority infrastructure projects in the field of environment, prepared by the Federal Ministry of Environment and Tourism in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture, Water Management, and Forestry. The list contains 121 projects with a total value of over 1.7 billion euros, of which 63 projects come from the FBiH, worth over 902 million euros.
This list will be submitted to the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of BiH for final verification at the state level.
Staffing decisions in social protection institutions
The Government of FBiH adopted several decisions on dismissal and temporary appointment of management boards in social protection institutions, including the institutions Drin, Bakovici, Ljubuski, Pazaric, and Sarajevo. All appointments are for a temporary period of no more than three months, until the completion of the competition procedure.
