Part of the opposition wants to maintain the mixed construction administration

Prague – Part of the opposition parties is advocating for their own comprehensive amendment to the proposed new building law, which would maintain the functioning of officials under municipal and city authorities. They would not have to be transferred under the state. In contrast, the parliamentary economic committee this week recommended a different parliamentary proposal that outlines a model of pure state construction administration, where all building authorities, along with their officials, would come under the state. Representatives of the five opposition parties, Pirates, ODS, KDU-ČSL, TOP 09, and STAN, informed about this at a press conference in the Chamber today.

Chairman of the Pirates Ivan Bartoš stated that the opposition parties tried to apply their version in three committees but were unsuccessful. According to him, the comprehensive amendment from these parties is modern, significantly cheaper, and does not involve the transfer of officials. In contrast, the proposal by ANO MP Martin Kolovratník and other MPs, which was supported by the economic committee and introduces a state model of construction administration, according to Bartoš takes powers away from local governments and violates previous agreements.

KDU-ČSL MP Marek Výborný stated that the proposal from the economic committee entails costs of three billion crowns, while the opposition version would cost 900 million crowns. STAN Vice-Chairwoman Věra Kovářová said that the government proposal involves the relocation of 13,000 officials to buildings that are not available. Therefore, the opposition parties propose that building authorities in transferred jurisdiction remain in municipalities with extended jurisdiction as well as in some other smaller municipalities. Their preservation would be possible according to established criteria.

ODS Vice-Chairman Martin Kupka also informed about the proposal from the opposition parties, which includes the introduction of a fee for construction. The fee would be an alternative to the current planning agreements, where the builder commits to, for example, build a sidewalk or other infrastructure. According to him, this is expected to bring simplification and transparency to the conditions. "The fee is a predictable alternative to the planning agreement," he described.

The draft law, as it was presented by the government to the MPs last year, includes the establishment of a new system of state construction administration offices. At its top will be the Supreme Construction Office. It will have regional construction offices and a Specialized Construction Office subordinate to it. The Specialized Office will permit strategic constructions of nationwide importance. This so-called hybrid model presented by the government also assumes that construction of ordinary civic amenities, such as family houses or garages, would continue to be decided by building authorities at the municipalities.