LAW FOR THE REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Prom. SG. 14/20 Feb 2004, amend. SG. 32/12 Apr 2005, amend. SG. 88/4 Nov 2005, amend. SG. 24/21 Mar 2006
Chapter one.
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Art. 1. This law settles the public relations with regard of planning, programming, management, resource provision, state support, observation, control and assessment of the regional development.
Art. 2. The objectives of the law are:
1. creation of conditions for balanced and sustainable development of the regions in the Republic of Bulgaria;
2. creation of preconditions for reduction of inter-regional and internal regional differences in the economic development of the country;
3. providing conditions for growth of the employment and the income of the population;
4. development of the cross-border cooperation.
Art. 3. The regional development is a process of formation and implementation of a policy for achieving a balanced and sustainable development of the administrative territorial units united in regions of planning on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria.
Art. 4. The regional policy is a system of normative documents and instruments directed at the realisation of the objectives of the regional development in the administrative territorial units.
Art. 5. The implementation of the state policy in the sphere of the regional development is based on the following principles:
1. a single approach of planning and programming;
2. concentration of the resources for achievement of the objectives of the regional development;
3. partnership, publicity and transparency at all levels in implementing the planning, programming, financing, observation and assessment;
4. supplementing the financing by national public sources in joint financing with other sources;
5. inter-departmental coordination of the activity of the competent bodies in the process of planning and programming, resource provision, realisation, observation and assessment;
6. coordination with the other structure determining policies, instruments and actions on international, national and regional level.
Chapter two.
REGIONS OF PLANNING AND PURPOSEFUL EFFECT
Art. 6. (1) Regions of planning shall be formed on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria.
(2) The regions of planning shall be formed on the basis of the regions, depending on their geographic location, their economic development, the number of their population and development outlook.
(3) The regions of planning shall have names and territorial range as follows:
1. North-Western region of planning comprising the regions of Vidin, Vratsa and Montana;
2. North-Central region of planning comprising the regions of Rousse, Veliko Tarnovo, Gabrovo, Pleven and Lovech;
3. North-Eastern region of planning comprising the regions of Varna, targovishte, Shoumen, Razgrad, Silistra and Dobrich;
4. South-Eastern region of planning comprising the regions of Bourgas, Sliven and Yambol;
5. South-Central region of planning comprising the regions of Plovdiv, Kardzhaly, Haskovo, Pazardzhik, Smolyan and Stara Zagora;
6. South-Western region of planning comprising the regions of Sofia, Sofia region, Kyustendil, Blagoevgrad and Pernik.
(4) The centres of the regions of planning shall be determined by the Council of Ministers.
Art. 7. (1) Within the boundaries of the regions of planning shall be formed regions of purposeful effect.
(2) The regions of purposeful effect shall be the territorial basis of implementation of the state policy of regional development through a system of measures directed at achievement of a sustainable growth of social and economic development and overcoming the internal regional differences.
(3) The regions of purposeful effect shall comprise the territories of one or more neighbouring municipalities.
(4) The regions of purposeful effect are:
1. region of economic growth;
2. region in industrial decay;
3. underdeveloped border region;
4. underdeveloped rural region;
5. underdeveloped mountain region;
6. Capital municipality.
(5) (amend. SG 32/05) The territorial scope of the kinds of regions for purposed impact of para 4, items 1 – 5 shall be determined by accounting for the level and the dynamics of the economic development the structure of economy, the employment and the unemployment, the level of construction of the technical infrastructure, the demographic, the social and the settlement structure, the geographic location and the available potential for achievement of the objectives for development of the respective kind of region.
(6) (amend. SG 32/05) The territorial range of the types of regions of purposeful effect under para 4, item 1 – 5 shall be determined according to data from the National Statistics Institute.
(7) The territory of one municipality may be included in more than one type of region of purposeful effect under para 4, item 2, 3, 4 and 5 in the cases where it simultaneously meets the criteria and indices for them.
Art. 7a. (new – SG 32/05) (1) In the territorial range of a region for economic growth shall be included municipalities with developed economy, transport, technical and social infrastructure and meeting separately two thirds of the following indices:
1. net revenues from sales per citizen over 120 percent of the average value for the country for the last three years;
2. average annual rate of the net revenues from sales per citizen over the average value for the country for the last three years;
3. level of the average salary higher than the average value for the country for the last three years;
4. average annual rate of increase of the average salary higher than the average value for the country for the last three years;
5. average level of unemployment lower than 105 percent of the average value for the country for the last three years;
6. average rate of unemployment lower than 105 percent of the average value for the country for the last three years;
7. coefficient of age dependence lower than 110 percent of the average value for the country for the last three years;
8. average annual rate of increase of the number of the population higher than the average one for the country for the last three years;
9. more than 50 percent of the population is in zone with developed transport infrastructure, at a distance up to 30 km from motor way, first class road, railway station, civil aerodrome or port for public transport.
(2) In the territorial scope of a region in industrial degradation shall be included municipalities, in which has been implemented or is being implemented restructuring of industrial structural enterprises, which has lead or is leading to decline of production, increase of unemployment, low level of incomes and depopulation and meeting separately two thirds of the following indices:
1. share of the industrial employment more than 115 percent of the average value for the country for the last three years;
2. average rate of unemployment higher than 105 percent of the average value for the country for the last three years;
3. average annual rate of the net revenues from sales of the enterprises of higher than the average rate for the country for the last three years;
4. level of the average salary lower than the average value for the country for the last three years;
5. average annual rate of increase of the average salary lower than the average value for the country for the last three years;
6. average annual rate of decrease of the number of the population higher than the average one for the country for the last three years.
(3) In the territorial range of a backward border region shall be included municipalities in which part of the administrative boundary of at least one of them coincides with part of the state border and meeting separately two thirds of the indices of para 6.
(4) In the territorial range of a backward rural region shall be included municipalities in which over 20 percent of the fit for work population is engaged in agriculture and forestry and meeting separately two thirds of the indices of para 6.
(5) In the territorial range of a backward mountain region shall be included municipalities with territory of each of them with average height over sea level over 500 m or below 500 m but with average depth of segmentation of the relief over 150 m difference between the lowest and the highest point per square kilometer, with average for the territory segmentation of the relief over 1.5 km per square km and average slope of the relief over 7 degrees, and meeting separately two thirds of the indices of para 6.
(6) At determining the territorial scope of a backward border, backward rural and backward mountain region shall be accounted for the following indices:
1. net revenues from sales per citizen below 70 percent of the average value for the country for the last three years;
2. level of the average salary lower than the average value for the country for the last three years;
3. average level of unemployment over 110 percent of the average value for the country for the last three years;
4. coefficient of age dependence over 120 percent of the average value for the country for the last three years;
5. density of the population below 70 people per square kilometer;
6. over 25 percent of the population has no constructed road connection with asphalt cover between them and the municipal center;
7. over 30 percent of the settlements are without constructed sewerage network;
8. over 30 percent of the settlements use drinking water with deviation from the quality accepted as standard for the country or have regime in the water supply for the last three years.
Art. 7b. (new – SG 32/05) (1) Upon occurred changes in the values of the indices, accounted in the annual reports for the fulfillment of the regional development plans but not earlier than three years after their entering into force, shall be admitted changes in the territorial scope of the regions for purposed impact by:
1. excluding of one or more municipalities at reaching values out of the defined thresholds of the indices for the respective criteria;
2. including of one or more new municipalities, meeting the defined thresholds of the indices for the respective criteria.
(2) The changes in the territorial scope of the regions for purposed impact shall be implemented by changes in the regional development plans.
Chapter three.
STRATEGIC PLANNING OF THE REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Art. 8. The strategic planning for achievement of the objectives of the regional development shall be carried out through:
1. National Strategy for regional development;
2. regional strategies for development.
Art. 9. (1) The National Strategy for regional development shall determine the long-term objectives and priorities of the regional policy of the Republic of Bulgaria.
(2) The National Strategy for regional development shall contain:
1. a comparative social and economic analysis of the regions of planning;
2. the basic and specific objectives and priorities of development to be achieved for a definite period;
3. the necessary actions of the competent bodies for achievement of the objectives of the strategy;
4. the necessary actions regarding the observation, assessment and updating of the strategy.
(3) The National Strategy for regional development shall take into account the prognoses of the National Development Plan.
(4) The National Strategy for regional development shall be adopted by the Council of Ministers at a proposal of the Minister of Regional Development and Public Works and shall be promulgated in the State Gazette.
Art. 10. (1) The regional strategy for development shall determine the objectives and priorities for development of the region, as well as the measures for their achievement.
(2) The regional strategy for development shall be worked out in compliance with the National Strategy for regional development.
(3) The regional strategy for development shall contain:
1. analysis of the economic and social state of the region;
2. the specific long-term objectives and priorities of development of the region and the regions of purposeful effect;
3. organisation and coordination of the activity for achievement of the objectives;
4. the necessary actions of observation, assessment and updating;
5. scheme of arrangement.
(4) The regional strategy for development shall be adopted by the regional development council.
Chapter four.
PLANNING AND PROGRAMMING OF THE REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Art. 11. (1) Regional development plans shall be worked out for the regions of planning.
(2) The regional development plans shall be worked out in compliance with the prognoses of the National Strategy for regional development, as well as with the priorities and the specific objectives contained in the regional development strategies for the respective programme period.
(3) The regional development plans shall contain:
1. analysis of the economic, social and ecological state and of the potential of development of the respective region of planning;
2. the objectives, priorities and measures for development;
3. the regions of purposeful effect;
4. the size of the necessary resource provision, including in types of aids, as well as their distribution among the regions of purposeful effect;
5. preliminary assessment of the plan for the expected results;
6. indicative financial table – for sources of financing, measures and priorities, summarising the necessary resources for realisation of the plan;
7. the order and the way of holding consultations for fulfilment of the plan with the partners on regional level.
Art. 12. The regional development plans shall be adopted by the Council of Ministers at a proposal of the Minister of Regional Development and Public Works and the Minister of Finance.
Art. 13. The annual planning of the resources for realisation of activities in the regions of purposeful effect shall be carried out at a proposal of the Minister of Regional Development and Public Works, in coordination with the regional development councils and with the Minister of Finance, within the framework of the budget procedure, whereas the resources shall be provided by the Law for the state budget for the respective year.
Art. 14. (1) The municipal development plan shall determine the objectives and priorities of the development of the municipality, as well as the financial resources for its realisation.
(2) The municipal development plan shall be worked out in compliance with the prognoses of the regional development strategy.
(3) The municipal development plan shall contain:
1. analysis of the economic and social development of the municipality;
2. the priorities and the specific objectives and measures for development of the municipality;
3. description of joint activities and projects contributing to the achievement of the objectives of the development of neighbouring municipalities;
4. indicative financial table summarising the possible resources for realisation of the activities and projects, including those under item 3;
5. the order and the way of providing information and publicity of the plan.
(4) The municipal development plan shall be adopted by the municipal council at a proposal of the mayor of the municipality.
Art. 15. (1) The programming and the resource provision of the regional development shall be carried out within the framework of the National Operative Programme for regional development.
(2) The National Operative programme for regional development shall be worked out according to prognosticated annual limits determined by measures approved by the Council of Ministers at a proposal of the Minister of Finance.
Art. 16. (1) The National Operative Programme for regional development shall contain:
1. a synthesised analysis of the problems in the regions of planning;
2. basic medium-term programme objectives and priorities for the economic and social cohesion in the development of the regions of planning;
3. description of the measures for fulfilment of the priorities, including information for verification of their compliance with the schemes for granting state aid and for carrying out observation and assessment;
4. a system of indices for assessment of the expected effect from the realisation of the programme;
5. the indicators of observation and assessment of the fulfilment;
6. a general indicative financial plan containing the total size of the resources necessary for its fulfilment with regard of measures and sources of financing;
7. the terms and the order of management and fulfilment of the programme.
(2) Worked out to the National Operative Programme for regional development shall be a programme supplement including:
1. the measures for fulfilment of its priorities;
2. preliminary assessment of the measures under item 1;
3. definition of indicators of observation and assessment of the fulfilment of the measures under item 1;
4. a financial plan for every measure, detailed for types of financial sources;
5. the activities related to providing publicity and transparency of the programme;
6. description of the informational system for computerised exchange of the necessary data for management, observation and assessment.
Art. 17. The National Operative Programme for regional development shall be worked out in compliance with the prognoses of the National Development Plan and shall be adopted by the Council of Ministers.
Art. 18. (1) Taken into account in programming the regional development shall be the initiatives of the municipalities for sustainable local and regional development.
(2) The municipal council shall adopt a programme for realisation of the municipal development plan at a proposal of the mayor of the municipality.
(3) The programme under para 2 shall specify the measures for development, the projects for their fulfilment and the respective financial resources, the units to fulfil the projects and activities for information and publicity, the control and assessment of the fulfilment of the programme.
Art. 19. The Council of Ministers shall adopt an ordinance for the terms and the order, including the terms of working out, coordination, adoption, financing, updating and fulfilment of the strategies and plans under art. 8 and 11 and of the programme under art. 15 at a proposal of the Minister of Regional Development and Public Works and the Minister of Finance.
Chapter five.
MANAGEMENT OF THE REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Art. 20. The Minister of Regional Development and Public Works shall:
1. organise the working of the National Strategy for regional development;
2. organise the working of the regional development plans of the regions of planning;
3. organise, coordinate and bring in concordance the basic priorities and measures of the National Operative Programme for regional development and the programme supplement to it;
4. manage and organise the fulfilment of the National Operative Programme for regional development, as well as the updating of the programme supplement;
5. organise and coordinate the system of gathering information for the fulfilment of the National Operative Programme for regional development;
6. organise the preparation of annual reports and a final report for the fulfilment of the National Operative Programme for regional development;
7. organise the working of an intermediate assessment of the fulfilment of the National Operative Programme for regional development;
8. give methodological instructions to the bodies participating in the working and implementation of the documents under art. 8, and 11;
9. participate in negotiations with the structures of the European Union within the frames of his competence;
10. participate in inter-governmental commissions for cross-border cooperation;
11. contribute to the approximation of the Bulgarian legislation in the sphere of the regional development with the norms of the European law.
Art. 21. (1) Regional development councils shall be established in the regions of planning.
(2) The regional development council is a body of implementation of the state policy for regional development on a level of region of planning.
(3) Chairman of the regional development council shall be a regional governor from the regions included in the respective region of planning and he shall be appointed by the council on the principle of rotation. The term of rotation shall be one year.
(4) (amend. SG 88/05) Members of the regional development council shall be representatives of: the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Environment and Waters, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forests, the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy and the Ministry of Transport appointed by the respective minister, representative of the State agency for information technologies and communications; the regional governors of the regions included in the respective region of planning, as well as one representative each of the municipalities of every region included in the respective region of planning.
(5) The representatives of the municipalities under para 4 shall be appointed by the respective regional development council.
(6) The chairman of the regional development council shall invite to the sittings of the council to attend, with advisory power, individuals and representatives of corporate bodies related to the regional development.
(7) The resources necessary for the activity of the regional development councils shall be planned by the budgets of the regional administrations in the centres of the regions of planning, which will also provide conditions for their activity.
Art. 22. (1) The regional development councils shall:
1. discuss and coordinate the projects of the regional strategies for development for the respective region of planning;
2. discuss and approve the draft regional development plan for the respective region of planning by observing the principle of partnership;
3. discuss and coordinate the measures to be included in the National Operative Programme for regional development;
4. accept the preliminary assessment of the projects proposed in fulfilment of the measures included in the National Operative Programme for regional development;
5. give opinion on the annual reports and on the final report;
6. carry out interaction with the regional development councils and with the central bodies of the executive authority;
7. fulfil other functions assigned by an act of the Council of Ministers or of the Minister of Regional Development and Public Works.
(2) The organisation and the activity of the regional development council shall be settled by regulations issued by the Minister of Regional Development and Public Works.
Art. 23. (1) Established in the structure of the regional administrations in the centres of the regions of planning shall be directorates for technical assistance, coordination and management of regional programmes and plans.
(2) The requirements for occupying the positions in the directorates under para 1 shall be determined by the regulations under art. 24, para 2.
Art. 24. (1) The directorate sunder art. 23 shall fulfil the following functions:
1. assist the activity and fulfil the functions of secretariat of the regional development council;
2. organise the working and coordination of the regional development plans and present them for consideration to the regional development councils;
3. participate in the discussing of the basic measures, programmes, sub-programmes, activities and projects in creating the National Operative Programme for regional development;
4. participate in the working of the preliminary assessment of the projects received from the ultimate recipients for fulfilment of the measures included in the National Operative Programme for regional development in the part regarding the region of planning;
5. assist methodologically the ultimate recipients of the aid in the realisation of the approved projects;
6. render assistance to the applicants for receiving aid for observance of the requirements stipulated by the normative acts;
7. carry out coordination and interaction with the central structures of the executive authority for fulfilment of the planned measures;
8. assist the gathering of information for analysis and assessment of the fulfilment of the National Operative Programme for regional development for the territory of the respective region of planning;
9. participate in the working of intermediate and annual reports regarding the progress of the fulfilment of the National Operative Programme for regional development;
10. work out periodical information on the process of planning and fulfilment of the National Operative Programme for regional development for the territory of the region of planning;
11. fulfil other functions determined by their structural regulations.
(2) (amend. SG 88/05; suppl. - SG 24/06) The structure and the activity of the directorates under para 1 shall be settled by regulations issued by the Minister of Regional Development and Public Works upon coordination with the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Economy, the Minister of Labour and Social Policy, the Minister of Agriculture and Forests, the Minister of Environment and Waters, the Minister of Transport and the Minister of State Administration and Administrative Reform.
Art. 25. The regional governor shall:
1. organise the working of the regional development strategy;
2. present the draft of the regional development strategy for consideration and coordination in the regional development council and for adoption in the district development council;
3. assist the municipalities on the territory of the region in working out the municipal development plans;
4. render assistance in the working, fulfilment, control and assessment of the respective regional development plan;
5. coordinate the preparation of projects in compliance with the regional development strategy and with the prognoses of the regional development plan;
6. provide publicity and transparency of the planning and programming of the regional development on the territory of the region;
7. conclude agreements for cooperation with neighbouring regions for joint activities in fulfilment of the measures for regional development.
Art. 26. (1) District development councils shall be established in the regions.
(2) Chairman of the district development council shall be the regional governor, and its members shall be the mayors of the municipalities in the region, one representative each of the municipal council of every municipality, a delegated representative of the regional associations of the municipalities on the territory of the region, a delegated representative of the regional structures of the nationally represented organisations of the employers and of the employees.
(3) The district development council shall:
1. discuss and adopt the district development strategy;
2. assess the initiatives of the municipalities and of non-profit corporate bodies related to the district development strategy;
3. make proposals for conclusion of agreements for cooperation with other neighbouring regions for joint activities on the regional development;
4. discuss and coordinate the activities of providing publicity and transparency of the planning and programming of the regional development on the territory of the region at a proposal of the regional governor.
(4) The organisation and the activity of the district development councils shall be determined by regulations issued by the Minister of Regional Development and Public Works.
Art. 27. The mayor of municipality shall:
1. organise the working of the municipal development plan and of the programme for its realisation and shall present them for consideration and adoption by the municipal council;
2. manage, organise and control the activity on the fulfilment of the programme for realisation of the municipal development plan;
3. present an annual and final report for the fulfilment of the programme for realisation of the municipal development plan for approval by the municipal council;
4. provide publicity and transparency of the municipal development plan, as well as of the activities for its realisation.
Art. 28. The municipal council shall:
1. discuss and adopt the municipal development plan and the programme for its realisation;
2. approve the reports for the fulfilment of the programme for realisation of the municipal development plan at a proposal of the mayor of the municipality.
Chapter six.
FINANCING AND STATE SUPPORT OF THE REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Art. 29. Sources of financing of the regional development are:
1. the state budget;
2. the budgets of the municipalities;
3. resources of individuals and corporate bodies;
4. international financial institutions;
5. other sources determined by a law.
Art. 30. The resources under art. 29 shall be spent for:
1. financing the measures include in the National Operative Programme for regional development;
2. financing of the activities of individuals and corporate bodies proposed for support in fulfilment of the priorities of the regions of purposeful effect;
3. co-financing of projects financed by resources of the funds of the European Union according to the signed agreements.
Art. 31. The regional development in the regions of planning and in the regions of purposeful effect may be supported in compliance with the Law for the state support, as well as through:
1. gratuitous provision of financial aid for:
a) fulfilment of the measures included in the National Operative Programme for regional development;
b) covering a part of the expenses for acquiring long-term tangible and intangible assets in the regions of purposeful effect;
2. tax relief determined by a law;
3. real estates – private state property and unfinished sites of construction by the order of the law for the state property;
4. real estates – private municipal property and unfinished sites of construction by the order of the Law for the municipal property;
5. other forms of state support determined by a law.
Chapter seven.
MANAGEMENT, ASSESSMENT AND CONTROL OF THE FULFILMENT OF THE PROGRAMMES AND THE REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLANS
Art. 32. The management, as well as the observing, assessment and control of the effective fulfilment and the informational provision of the programmes and regional development plans shall be carried out under terms and by an order determined by ordinances of the Council of Ministers, at a proposal of the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Regional Development and Public Works.
Art. 33. (1) For working out the regional development plans, as well as of the National Operative Programme for regional development, and the programme supplement to it shall be carried out a preliminary assessment of the priorities and measures proposed for inclusion therein.
(2) The preliminary assessment shall include:
1. assessment of their impact on the social and economic situation;
2. assessment of their impact on the environment by the order of the Law for protection of the environment.
(3) The assessment of the measures proposed to the programme supplement shall include a qualitative assessment of their implementation regarding the respective priorities and the criteria for choice of the of the projects within the National Operative Programme for regional development.
Art. 34. (1) Intermediate assessment shall be made for the fulfilment of the National Operative Programme for regional development.
(2) The intermediate assessment shall include:
1. assessment of the initial results from the fulfilment;
2. assessment of the degree of achievement of the respective objectives;
3. assessment of the using of the financial resources and the procedures of management and observing.
Art. 35. (1) A subsequent assessment shall be made upon expiration of the period of effect of the National Operative Programme for regional development.
(2) The subsequent assessment shall include:
1. assessment of the effectiveness and efficiency of the used resources;
2. assessment of the total impact;
3. analysis of the positive and negative factors in fulfilment of the programme;
4. assessment of the degree of achievement of the objectives and of the sustainability of the results;
5. conclusions and recommendations regarding the implementation of the policy of regional development.
Art. 36. The assessments shall be made on assignment under the terms and by the order of the Law for the public procurement as follows:
1. of the preliminary and intermediate assessment – by the Minister of Regional Development and Public Works;
2. of the subsequent assessment – by the Minister of Finance.
Art. 37. For the working of the municipal development plan, as well as for the fulfilment of the programme for its realisation, the mayor of the municipality shall assign assessments in the meaning of art. 33, 34 and 35.
Art. 38. (1) The strategies, plans and programmes, as well as the documents related to the activities of the respective bodies on their working, approval, adoption, fulfilment, control and assessment shall be official public information.
(2) The bodies carrying out activities within the competence assigned to them by this law and by the normative acts for its implementation shall be obliged to inform in time and in an appropriate way the public about the nature and the essence of these activities, about the necessity and the potential benefit from their fulfilment, about the consequences from them, as well as about the achieved results.
Additional provisions
§ 1. In the meaning of this law:
1. "Programming" is a process of organising, taking decision and financing, carried out on a long-standing basis for the purpose of realisation of the strategic objectives and priorities.
2. "Regional development plan" is an medium-term document containing analysis of the social and economic state of the region of planning, the basic objectives and priorities of development, the necessary actions and the indicative financial resources for the achievement of these objectives.
3. "National Operative Programme for regional development" is a document for realisation of the objectives and priorities of the regional development for the whole territory of the country through medium-term measures which may be financed by various sources within the National development Plan.
4. "National Development Plan" is a programme document based on an analysis of the overall development of the country and a single programme for integrated development of social and economic priorities of national importance provided by an indicative financial plan for their fulfilment.
5. (revoked – SG 32/05)
6. (revoked – SG 32/05)
7. (revoked – SG 32/05)
8. (revoked – SG 32/05)
9. (revoked – SG 32/05)
10. "Measure" is a combination of activities united in programmes and sub-programmes which are realised in order to achieve definite priorities in the development of a group of regions and municipalities.
Transitional and concluding provisions
§ 2. (1) This law revokes the Law for the regional development (SG 26/1999).
(2) The national Plan for regional development shall be brought in compliance with the requirements of art. 9 and 19 within three months from promulgation of the Law in the State Gazette.
(3) The regional development plans shall be brought in compliance with the requirements of art. 10 and 19 within six months from promulgation of the law in the State Gazette.
(4) The municipal development plans shall be brought in compliance with the requirements of this law within one year from its promulgation in the State Gazette.
(5) Until the adoption of the National Development Plan the National Strategy for regional development and the National Operative programme for regional development shall take into account the prognoses of the National Plan for economic development.
§ 3. In the law for the roads (prom., SG 26/00; amend., SG 88/00, SG 111/01; SG 47 and 118/02; SG 9 and 112/03; SG 6/04) in art. 50, para 1 the words "the Regional development Council" are replaced by "the Minister of Regional Development and Public Works at a proposal of the executive director of Executive Agency "Roads".
§ 4. The fulfilment of the law is assigned to the Minister of Regional Development and Public Works and to the Minister of Finance.
§ 5. The law shall enter into force on the day of its promulgation in the State Gazette.
The law was adopted by the 39th National Assembly on February 5, 2004 and was affixed with the official seal of the National Assembly.