Jordan Times
Wednesday, March 1, 2006
PARLIAMENT WATCH
The Lower House of Parliament is scheduled to
continue deliberations today on the temporary telecommunications law for 2002.
Last week, the House passed 15 articles of the law but the session was called
off due to lack of quorum.
Lawmakers are also scheduled to discuss several temporary laws and amendments of
laws on the environment and tourism, among others.
In addition, reports on temporary laws from several committees — tourism and
antiquities, public services, education and culture and health — will be tabled
for consideration.
Deputies are scheduled to discuss the temporary universities law after it was
rejected by the Senate.
According to the Constitution, the Lower House decision will be presented to the
Senate, which will either accept or reject it. Should the Upper House stick to
its resolution, a joint session of the two Houses will be held.
The law will then be deliberated by members of both Houses and will only be
endorsed if a two-thirds majority of those present approve it.
MPs will also deliberate the 2003 temporary law on environment protection.
Sunday's Lower House session was cancelled due to the Arab inter-parliamentary
conference, which was hosted by Jordan at the Dead Sea.
Meanwhile, the Senate Financial Committee recommended rejecting the temporary
customs law for 2005.
Senator Abdul Karim Kabariti, the committee's rapporteur, said the decision was
prompted because the Upper House wanted to enable the government to come up with
a draft law in line with the country's higher interests.
Earlier this month, the Lower House of Parliament rejected the temporary customs
law for the second time, saying it was “unconstitutional.”