< p > The Construction Law paves the way for better management, but it is a slight disappointment < /p >

Prague – The new building law approved by the Chamber today paves the way for more efficient building procedures. However, with the adoption or rejection of certain amendments, it deviates from the desired concept of one stamp, one authority, and one permission. The Czech Chamber of Commerce reported this today to CTK. The Chamber approved the new building law today, which is set to replace the existing law from 2006 and aims to speed up and simplify building procedures. However, it also has a number of critics. The law is now heading to the Senate.

The Chamber approved the law against the original government proposal so that all building authorities will fall under the state. They will be subordinate to the Supreme Building Authority and will be organized similarly to financial offices. However, part of the opposition rejects this principle and claims it will paralyze building procedures. Proposals from the opposition parties ODS, TOP 09, KDU-ČSL, Pirates, and STAN, which advocated for some offices to remain with municipalities and cities, were unsuccessful.

"The Chamber misses greater support for streamlined procedures for changing zoning plans or for adopting measures against the inactivity of authorities, which could significantly accelerate the permitting process. The Chamber of Commerce, among other things, supported the rejected proposal from MPs that in case of inactivity by the authority, the building process is automatically transferred to the superior authority after a specified deadline, which will assess the case and issue a valid decision," stated the Chamber's president, Vladimír Dlouhý.

According to him, the Chamber welcomes the overall result; however, the accepted amendments add another binding opinion to the system. "That is an additional stamp, because the law does not account for the integration of the firefighters' opinions, which will undoubtedly delay the entire building procedure. Likewise, we would welcome a higher degree of integration in the management of water resources," added Dlouhý.

The Chamber considers the change in building law as one of the essential prerequisites for revitalizing the Czech economy in the post-coronavirus period, as well as for modernizing state administration based on the principles of acceleration and digitalization.

The law will now be discussed by the Senate. Its effectiveness is expected to gradually take effect by July 1, 2023, but starting from January next year, the state will be able to begin hiring new officials. Minister for Regional Development Klára Dostálová (for ANO) already stated that between 5,000 and 6,000 people could transition from the current building authorities to state administration. According to Dostálová, there are currently 12,000 to 13,000 of them. According to the Ministry of Regional Development, up to 40 percent of the officials' agenda will decrease.