Monitoring of the Federal Legislation dated 30.12.2008

Federal Law No. 295-FZ of December 26, 2008 on the Ratification of the Agreement between the Government of the Russian Federation, Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Government of Turkmenistan on the Cooperation in Construction of the Caspian Gas Pipeline

Ratifies the intergovernmental Agreement of the Russian Federation, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan to implement the joint project of construction of the Caspian Gas Pipeline.

Federal Law No. 293-FZ of December 26, 2008 on the Amendments to Individual Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation Excluding Extra-Procedural Rights of the Bodies of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation Pertaining to Checks of Subjects of Entrepreneurial Activities

Now, the bodies of internal affairs may use only those procedures that are envisaged in the Code of Criminal Procedures and the Code of Administrative Violations of the Russian Federation.

Federal Law No. 281-FZ of December 25, 2008 on the Amendments to Individual Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation

Introduces an additional duty of the subjects of natural monopolies and communal organisations to publish in mass media, as well we provide to requests of consumers: information on prices (tariff rates); main figures of financial and economic activities; consumer properties of commodities (works, services) etc.

Federal Law No. 279-FZ of December 25, 2008 on the Amendment to Article 2 of the Federal Law on the Amendments to the Federal Law on the State Regulation of Production and Circulation of Ethyl Alcohol, Alcoholic and Alcohol-Containing Products and on the Invalidation of Individual Provisions of the Federal Law on the Amendments to the Federal Law on the State Regulation of Production and Circulation of Ethyl Alcohol, Alcoholic and Alcohol-Containing Products

Beginning with January 1, 2009, production of ethyl alcohol is permitted on condition of full processing and/or utilisation of draff at purification facilities.

Federal Law No. 278-FZ of December 25, 2008 on the Amendment to Article 28 of the Federal Law on Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (not yet entered into force)

According to the amendments, the Government of the Russian Federation specifies the procedure of export (import) of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors withdrawn from illegal circulation.

Decree of the President of the Russian Federation No. 1847 of December 25, 2008 on the Federal Service of State Registration, Cadastre and Cartography

The Federal Registration Service is renamed into the Federal Service of Registration, Cadastre and Cartography.