Monitoring of the Federal Legislation dated 5.01.2009

Federal Constitutional Law No. 8-FKZ of December 30, 2008 on the Amendments to the Federal Constitutional Law on the Government of the Russian Federation

According to the amendments, the Government of the Russian Federation must report to the State Duma on the annual basis, including the issues raised by the Parliament.

Law of the Russian Federation on the Amendment to the Constitution of the Russian Federation No. 7-FKZ of December 30, 2008 on the Authority of the State Duma to Control the Government of the Russian Federation

The State Duma of the Russian Federation is empowered with authority to control the Government of the Russian Federation.

Law of the Russian Federation on the Amendment to the Constitution of the Russian Federation No. 6-FKZ of December 30, 2008 on the Change of the Term of Office of the President of the Russian Federation and the State Duma

The term of office of the President of the Russian Federation is extended from 4 years to 6 years, and that of the State Duma, to 5 years.

Federal Law No. 324-FZ of December 30, 2008 on the Amendments to the Federal Law on the Federal Budget for the Year 2009 and for the Planed Period of 2010 and 2011

The Federal Law is expected to support the financial market and individual sectors of economy of the Russian Federation.

Federal Law No. 322-FZ of December 30, 2008 on the Amendments to Individual Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation Pursuant to the Adoption of the Federal Law on the Ratification of the Convention Revising the Seafarers' Identity Documents Convention of 1958 (Convention 185)

From January 1, 2014, the seafarer passport is excluded from the list of documents permitting the citizens of Russia to exit (enter) the country.

Federal Law No. 321-FZ of December 30, 2008 on the Amendments to Individual Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation on the Issues of Combating Terrorism

Refines the composition of the court processing criminal cases pertaining to terrorism.

Federal Law No. 316-FZ of December 30, 2008 on the Patent Agents

Replaces the Regulation on the patent agents of February 12, 1993.

Federal Law No. 314-FZ of December 30, 2008 on the Amendments to Part 2 of the Tax Code of the Russian Federation and Individual Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation Pertaining to Efficiency of Taxation in the Fishing Sector

Fishing organisations and independent entrepreneurs may apply the system of taxation for agricultural producers.

Federal Law No. 313-FZ of December 30, 2008 on the Amendments to Individual Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation Permitting to Replace Obligatory Certification with Declaration of Compliance

The amendments reduce administrative barriers in the entrepreneurial sphere.

Federal Law No. 312-FZ of December 30, 2008 on the Amendments to Part 1 of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation and Individual Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation

Refines the legal status of limited liability companies.

Federal Law No. 310-FZ of December 30, 2008 on the Amendments to the Budget Code of the Russian Federation and the Federal Law on the Amendments to the Budget Code of the Russian Federation Pertaining to Regulation of the Budget Process and on the Bringing of Individual Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation in Compliance with the Budget Legislation of the Russian Federation

Implements the measures of support of the financial market and a number of sectors of the economy of the Russian Federation.

Federal Law No. 309-FZ of December 30, 2008 on the Amendments to Article 16 of the Federal Law on the Protection of the Environment and Individual Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation

Improves legislation in the sphere of environmental protection, use of subsoil resources and handling waste.

Federal Law No. 308-FZ of December 30, 2008 on the Amendments to the Federal Law on the Placing of Orders for Supplies of Commodities, Carrying out Works, Rendering Services for the State and Municipal Needs and to Individual Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation

Participation in the placing of orders is permitted also through representatives.

Federal Law No. 307-FZ of December 30, 2008 on the Audit Activities

Adoption of the new Federal Law is stipulated by the switchover from licensing to self-regulation in this sphere.

Federal Law No. 301-FZ of December 30, 2008 on the Amendment to Article 14 of the Federal Law on the Citizenship of the Russian Federation

Extends from January 1, 2009 to July 1, 2009 the time limit for adoption of the Russian citizenship according to the simplified procedure by the former citizens of the USSR having arrived to the Russian Federation from the former USSR constituent countries and registered as of July 2002 or having received a permission for temporary stay or residence permit.

Federal Law No. 300-FZ of December 30, 2008 on the Ratification of the Convention between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Federal Republic of Brasilia on the Avoidance of Double Taxation and Prevention of Evasion of Income Taxes

Legal entities and natural persons of Russia and Brasilia will not pay taxes from the same incomes in both states.

Federal Law No. 298-FZ of December 30, 2008 on the Ratification of the Convention between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela on the Avoidance of Double Taxation and Prevention of Evasion of Taxes on Incomes and Capital

Excludes the cases of double payment of taxes from the same type of incomes and capital in both states.

Federal Law No. 296-FZ of December 30, 2008 on the Amendments to the Federal Law on the Insolvency (Bankruptcy)

Defines the notion of the "national association of self-regulating organisations of bankruptcy commissioners".