Senators endorse three bills as referred from Lower House

AMMAN — The Senate on Thursday endorsed three draft laws as referred from the Lower House.

The Upper Chamber approved the 2018 draft amendments to the Audit Bureau Law, the Public Administration Law and the 2018 bill of the fund of martyrs of the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army (JAF), the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The draft amendments to the Audit Bureau Law requires following international standards issued by the International Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI) on subjects related to auditing. 

As per its validating reasons, the amendments aim at enhancing the independence of the Audit Bureau in a way that enables it to implement its constitutional role in oversight over state revenues and expenditures in line with INTOSAI practices.

The Senate also endorsed deputies’ amendments to the Public Administration Law under which the base of authorities to executive bodies is expanded with the aim of speeding up procedures and limiting bureaucracy and routine.

The Upper Chamber also approved the 2018 bill of the fund of martyrs of the JAF and security apparatuses as referred from MPs.

The draft law outlines benefits and assistance to families of fallen officers, and the fund is a predecessor of the fund of the JAF, the fund of martyrs of the Public Security Department and the fund of martyrs of the Civil Defence Department. 

During the Senate session, Prime Minister Omar Razzaz said that the government will coordinate with the Royal Court to discuss the possibility of merging this fund with a similar fund affiliated with and financed by the Royal Court. 

Razazz’ remarks came in reply to Senator Fayez Tarawneh’s call to merge the two funds.

Having been endorsed by the two Houses of Parliament, the three bills will be sent to His Majesty King Abdullah for ratification.