Source: Own elaboration based on SONAR (System for Guidance and Navigation in Regulatory Matters)
Last Thursday, December 16th, the first ordinary session period of Congress concluded. It began on July 20th amidst a turbulent debate over the selection of the legislative chambers' leadership committees.
Although the government called for an extraordinary session to process three projects, it's already possible to take stock of the initiatives that have gained traction and those that will be left for this Congress's final legislative period, which will begin in March 2022.Â
This group of post-pandemic projects was related to various themes such as environmental issues, security, citizenship and human rights, and labor issues, as we will see on the following pages.
As expected, the current electoral moment the country is experiencing directly affected the functioning of Congress leading up to its last legislative session. On one hand, the national government has sought to champion issues on its agenda to face the final days of its term. On the other hand, congress members are in an electoral dynamic, while some are still holding sessions virtually.
This scenario not only facilitates the execution of their political campaigns, but also hinders the traction of projects that too heavily commit legislators, as they have their attention focused on the 2022 elections.Â
The most important projects approved during this period were:
- Increased penalties for those who recruit minors
- Removal of stamp tax related to procedures processed before Colombian consulates and embassies abroad
- Maternity leave extended to 18 weeks after childbirth
- Creation of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation
- Early Warning System for the Prevention of Sexual Violence Against Children and Adolescents
- Measures to promote the purchase, renewal, and non-evasion of SOAT
- Financial data retention and deletion parameters in databases
- Comprehensive Immigration Policy Law
- Creation of the remote work regime
- Promotion of fuel gas supply and coverage in the country
- Expansion of paternity leave and creation of shared parental leave
- Creation of an information system, registration, and monitoring system to control and prevent illegal wildlife trafficking in Colombia
- Social Investment Law or tax reform
- Budget Law for fiscal year 2022
- Climate Action Law
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