General provisions

Article 42.

The working bodies of Parliament are its committees and commissions, in accordance with these Standing Orders.

The working bodies of Parliament discuss and debate motions and initiatives for the enactment of laws and other regulations and other matters within the authority of Parliament.

Working bodies monitor, within the limits of their competence, the work of the Government and other bodies whose work is overseen by Parliament pursuant to the Constitution and laws.

Working bodies discuss the reports of bodies and institutions which they submit to Parliament pursuant to law.

After conducting hearings, parliamentary working bodies adopt a position and establish draft legislation and report to Parliament thereupon.

Working bodies hold hearings on the petitions and proposals submitted to Parliament by citizens. If a petition or proposal for the enactment of legislation or other regulations is submitted by citizens to Parliament, then the Speaker of Parliament will direct it to the chairperson of the relevant working body which shall be obliged to notify the sponsor of the petition or proposal on the outcome of such petition or proposal within a period not to exceed three months.

Article 43.

In order to facilitate the consideration of other matters, Parliament may, in addition to the working bodies established by these Standing Orders, establish other working bodies.

The decision on the establishment of additional working bodies shall regulate their name, composition, competence and operating methods.

Article 44.

Parliamentary working bodies shall have chairpersons, deputy chairpersons and a specific number of members.

Parliament shall elect and recall chairpersons, deputy chairpersons and members of working bodies from among the ranks of parliamentary deputies, unless specified otherwise by these Standing Orders.

As a rule, the composition of working bodies shall correspond to the party composition of Parliament.

The term of office of the chairpersons, deputy chairpersons and members of the working bodies shall commence from the date of their election until the date of cessation or suspension of their term of office, or until the date of their dismissal from the duties to which they are elected.

Article 45.

The chairperson of a parliamentary working body shall co-ordinate the work of the working body with the work of Parliament and other working bodies, propose their agendas and preside over sessions of the working body.

The chairperson of a working body shall co-operate with the Speaker of Parliament, the Parliamentary Presidency, the chairpersons of other parliamentary working bodies and with Ministers of State and the directors of state administrative bodies in connection with matters under the working body’s competence.

The chairperson of a parliamentary working body shall oversee the implementation of resolutions of that working body and the resolutions of Parliament on matters under the working body’s competence and perform other operations stipulated by these Standing Orders.

In case of the inability to work or absence of the chairperson, the deputy chairperson of a parliamentary working body shall have the chairperson’s rights, obligations and responsibilities determined by these Standing Orders.

In case of the absence or inability to work of the chairpersons or deputy chairpersons, the sessions of working bodies shall be presided over by working body members authorised to do so in advance by the chairpersons of working bodies.

If a working body member is not designated to preside over the working body, the Speaker of Parliament shall designate such member.

Article 46.

Sessions of a working body are convened by the chairperson of the working body, and the chairperson shall be obliged to convene it within a period of eight days based on a parliamentary resolution, or if it is sought by the Speaker of Parliament or one third of the members of the working body, with notation of the matter to be considered at the session.

If the chairperson fails to convene a session when obliged to do so, the session of the parliamentary working body shall be convened by the Speaker of Parliament or by a deputy designated by the Speaker.

Article 47.

A parliamentary working body may only adopt a position on matters within its competence if a majority of all members are present at the session. Decisions shall be made by majority vote of all members present.

Minutes shall be maintained on the work of the working body session which are signed by the chairperson and secretary of the parliamentary working body or the persons acting in their stead.

The minutes with the materials from the session shall be maintained by the working body secretary, and after the end of the term of office of Parliament they are stored in the archives of Parliament.

Article 48.

Parliamentary working bodies initiate discussion and debate on matters within their competence, and they are obliged to consider all matters within their competence submitted for their consideration or requested by the Speaker or Parliamentary Presidency.

Article 49.

A parliamentary working body may involve scientific and other organisations and individual experts in the preparation of legislation or the consideration of individual matters within their competence if the finances therefore are secured. The working body may propose to the Government that these tasks be entrusted to Ministries or other state bodies.

When a working body concludes that the activities from Paragraph (1) hereof are best conducted on a contractual basis, the contract shall be concluded on behalf of Parliament by the Secretary of Parliament.

Article 50.

In order to facilitate the consideration of individual matters within its competence, the preparation of proposals on these matters, and the compilation of reports and draft legislation prepared by Parliament, a working body may establish sub-committees, and its chairperson may establish a special task force.

The sub-committees and task forces from Paragraph (1) hereof shall operate exclusively within the framework of the working body and they are its components. They may not act independently nor are they entitled to bear any rights or obligations.

Article 51.

A parliamentary working body shall be obliged to inform the Parliament of its comments, opinions, positions and proposals. A working body may also provide information on the position of the minority of its members, and it shall be obliged to do so when opinions remain divided on proposals for solutions to individual issues or when an individual member of a working body requests that his/her opinion be specifically separated.

When submitting a report or proposal to Parliament, the working body shall designate a rapporteur who will explain the positions or proposals of a working body pursuant to the resolution of the working body, at his/her own initiative or at the request of Parliament.

Article 52.

Parliamentary working bodies shall co-operate, and they may hold joint sessions and submit joint reports thereupon to Parliament.

Article 53.

Sessions of parliamentary working bodies must be attended by a member of the Government, a Deputy or Assistant Minister of State when such sessions are held to consider Government proposals or positions, or by directors of state administrative bodies when such sessions are held to consider matters from within their competence.

The chairperson of a parliamentary working body shall be obliged to inform representatives of the bodies from Paragraph (1) hereof of the place and time of the session.

The representative of the Government or state body shall be entitled to participate in discussion and debate at the session.

The working body may decide to conduct hearings on individual proposals without the presence of the persons from Paragraph (1) hereof and inform the Government and Parliament thereof.

Article 54.

Parliamentary working bodies may invite scholars, professionals, public officials and other persons to sessions in order to obtain their views on matters being discussed at a given session.

Scholars, professionals and public officials appointed to the Committee on the Constitution, Standing Orders and Political System, the Legislation Committee, the Judiciary Committee, the Finance and Central Budget Committee, the Committee on the Economy, Development and Reconstruction, the Committee on Human and National Minority Rights, the Committee on Labour, Social Policy and Health, the Education, Science and Culture Committee, the Agriculture and Forestry Committee, the Committee on Local and Regional Self-government and the Committee on Information, Computerisation and the Media shall be entitled to all rights of the working body, with the exception of decision-making authority.

A parliamentary working body may, pursuant to these Standing Orders, adopt procedural rules governing its work.

Article 55.

The provisions of Article 201, Article 203(1), Article 204(1) and (2), Article 205(2), Article 206(1), Article 207(1), Article 208, Article 203 (except Paragraph (2)3 thereof) and Articles 219, 221, 223, 245, and 246 of these Standing Orders shall be applied accordingly to the work at sessions of parliamentary working bodies.

Special provisions

Article 56.

The working bodies of Parliament are:

1. the Committee on the Constitution, Standing Orders and Political System,

2. the Legislation Committee,

3. the Foreign Policy Committee,

4. the Domestic Policy and National Security Committee,

5. the Finance and Central Budget Committee,

6. the Committee on the Economy, Development and Reconstruction,

7. the Tourism Committee,

8. the Committee on Human and National Minority Rights,

9. the Judiciary Committee,

10. the Committee on Labour, Social Policy and Health,

11. the Committee on the Family, Youth and Sports,

12. the Immigration Committee,

13. the War Veterans Committee,

14. the Physical Planning and Environmental Protection Committee,

15. the Education, Science and Culture Committee,

16. the Agriculture and Forestry Committee,

17. the Committee on Transportation, Communications and Maritime Affairs,

18. the Elections, Appointments and Administration Committee,

19. the Petitions and Appeals Committee,

20. the Interparliamentary Co-operation Committee,

21. the European Integration Committee,

22. the Committee on Information, Computerisation and the Media,

23. the Gender Equality Committee,

24. the Local and Regional Self-government Committee,

25. the Credentials and Privileges Commission.

Committee on the Constitution, Standing Orders and Political System

Article 57.

The Committee on the Constitution, Standing Orders and Political System shall:

- monitor and study the implementation of the Constitution of the Republic of Croatia,

- consider matters of principle pertaining to the alignment of legislation with the Constitution of the Republic of Croatia,

- consider positions and proposals of a constitutional nature directed to Parliament,

- prepare the relevant legislation in procedures to amend the Constitution of the Republic of Croatia,

- conduct the procedures to nominate candidates to the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Croatia and to propose their election to Parliament,

- prepare the drafts of relevant legislation in procedures to hold referendums if this is sought by ten percent of the total number of voters registered in the Republic of Croatia,

- settle disputes on the competence of parliamentary bodies,

- monitor the implementation of the Standing Orders of the Croatian Parliament,

- propose the adoption and amendment of the Standing Orders of the Croatian Parliament.

- considers matters of principle in issues pertaining to the protection and exercise of human rights and fundamental freedoms and national minority rights established by the Constitution of the Republic of Croatia.

The determination and monitoring of policy implementation are under the competence of the Committee on the Constitution, Standing Orders and Political System, and during the procedures to enact laws and other regulations, it has the rights and duties of the competent working body in fields that pertain to:

- association, public assemblies and peaceful protests by citizens,

- voting franchise, the election of deputies to Parliament, the election of the President of the Republic, elections for local and regional self-government units and referendums,

- the legal position of religious communities,

- the use and protection of the coat of arms, flag and hymn of the Republic of Croatia and other national symbols, national holidays, awards and other recognitions,

- general matters of constitutionality and legality,

- public information,

- general matters in the functioning of the political system,

- the structure and authority of bodies state bodies, the structure, authority and operating methods of state administrative bodies,

- matters and relations in the field of state administration and issues surrounding the fulfilment of legality in the work of state administrative bodies,

- reports from state administrative bodies on the application of laws and on general problems of state administration,

- fundamental property rights issues,

- the structure, authority and operating methods of the post of ombudsman,

- other activities stipulated by these Standing Orders.

Article 58.

The Committee on the Constitution, Standing Orders and Political System has a chairperson, deputy chairperson and 11 members from among the ranks of parliamentary deputies, while 6 additional members are appointed from among the ranks of public officials, scholars and professionals.

Legislation Committee

Article 59.

The Legislation Committee shall:

- consider draft legislation and other draft regulations which are enacted by Parliament with a view to their compliance with the Constitution of the Republic of Croatia and the legal system and with a view to their legal treatment,

- consider matters of consolidated legislative methodology and other matters essential to uniform legal techniques and terminological compliance of legislation enacted by Parliament,

- provide views on proposals for individual provisions of laws to have retroactive effect,

- oversee the unity of the political system and provides opinions on matters of principle pertaining to the development of the legal system or the uniform application of laws,

- consider regulations that are ratified or in any way whatsoever receive the consent of Parliament and provides an opinion thereupon,

- establish and issue consolidated texts of legislation and other regulations enacted by Parliament when authorised to do so by said legislation or when such regulations have been amended not less than three times,

- consider proposals to provide authoritative interpretations of laws or other regulations enacted by Parliament,

- performs other activities as stipulated by these Standing Orders.

Article 60.

The Legislation Committee shall have a chairperson, deputy chairperson and 11 members from among the ranks of parliamentary deputies, while 9 additional members of the Committee are appointed as follows: 6 from among the ranks of public officials, scholars and professionals, and one each from among the ranks of higher-level trade union representatives, employer associations and respected practising attorneys.

Foreign Policy Committee

Article 61.

The Foreign Policy Committee shall:

- consider matters of foreign policy and international relations which Parliament debates and decides upon, and prepare draft regulations within Parliament’s authority in matters pertaining to this field,

- co-operate with the corresponding parliamentary committees of other countries,

- provide opinions to the President of the Republic on the appointment and dismissal of chiefs of Republic of Croatia diplomatic missions abroad,

- consider reports of standing or temporary parliamentary delegations to interparliamentary institutions in co-operation with the Interparliamentary Co-operation Committee,

- consider international treaties that are to be ratified by Parliament and submit its proposals and views to Parliament,

- co-operate with bodies in the Republic that operate in the field of foreign policy and international relations.

The Foreign Policy Committee shall have the rights and duties of the competent working body in procedures to enact legislation on the ratification of international treaties.

Article 62.

The Foreign Policy Committee shall have a chairperson, deputy chairperson and 11 members.

Domestic Policy and National Security Committee

Article 63.

The Domestic Policy and National Security Committee shall establish and monitor the implementation of policy, and in procedures to enact legislation and other regulations it shall have the rights and duties of the competent working body in matters pertaining to:

- the structure and authority of state administrative bodies in the field of domestic policy and defence,

- citizenship and the personal status of citizens,

- defence and safety, state and public security, traffic safety, protection from fires and natural disasters,

- oversight of the legality of the work of the National Security Office and the Constitutional Order Protection Agency, particularly with a view to the fulfilment of the Constitution of the Republic of Croatia and legally-established human rights and fundamental freedoms, legal persons, state other bodies and the rights and freedoms established by the standards of international law,

- opinions on the appointment of directors of security agencies in accordance with the Constitution,

- reports from the Central Auditing Office, the financial police and criminal investigations police in that portion that pertains to irregularities in the financial operations of state bodies,

- other matters of internal policy, national security and defence.

Article 64.

The Domestic Policy and National Security Committee shall have a chairperson, deputy

chairperson and 11 members.

Finance and Central Budget Committee

Article 65.

The Finance and Central Budget Committee shall establish and monitor the implementation of policy, and in procedures to enact legislation and other regulations it shall have the rights and duties of the competent working body in matters pertaining to:

- the system to finance public needs in the Republic of Croatia,

- the Central Budget, the final settlement of the Central Budget and funds,

- the report of the Central Auditing Office on conducted audits,

- the tax system and tax policy,

- financial relations with foreign countries,

- the foreign currency system,

- credit relations with foreign countries,

- the customs system,

- the credit and banking system,

- the state treasury,

- securities,

- the monetary system,

- the Croatian National Bank,

- system of insurance for property and persons and other issues pertaining to the budget and finances,

- the structure, authority and operating methods of the Central Auditing Office and the Financial Agency.

Article 66.

The Finance and Central Budget Committee shall have a chairperson, deputy chairperson and 11 members from among the ranks of parliamentary deputies, while an additional 6 members may be appointed to the Committee: one each from among higher-level trade union representatives, employer association and the Croatian Chamber of Commerce, and three representatives of scientific and professional institutions.

Committee on the Economy, Development and Reconstruction

Article 67.

The Committee on the Economy, Development and Reconstruction shall establish and monitor the implementation of policy, and in procedures to enact legislation and other regulations it shall have the rights and duties of the competent working body in matters pertaining to:

- the concept and strategy of the economic development of the Republic of Croatia,

- the basis of the economic system and the securing of conditions for the operation of markets and the protection of market competition,

- goods stockpiles, current economic trends, and the economic development of all regions of the Republic of Croatia, particularly those lagging behind in economic development,

- the co-ordination and improvement of economic life, reconstruction and development in regions in which wartime operations were conducted or upon which wartime destruction and devastation had a direct impact,

- the reconstruction of commercial facilities destroyed in the war,

- the electricity network and supply, shipbuilding and other industrial branches,

- economic restructuring and transformation of ownership,

- economic factors, development of free enterprise, and investments of particular importance to the Republic of Croatia,

- the securing of conditions for investments by foreign partners and economic relations abroad,

- individual economic matters and other issues of economic policy, reconstruction and development.

Article 68.

The Committee on the Economy, Development and Reconstruction shall have a chairperson, deputy chairperson and 11 members from among the ranks of parliamentary deputies, while an additional 6 members may be appointed to the Committee: one each from among higher-level trade union representatives, employer association and the Croatian Chamber of Commerce, and three representatives of scientific and professional institutions.

Tourism Committee

Article 69.

The Tourism Committee shall establish and monitor the implementation of policy, and in procedures to enact legislation and other regulations it shall have the rights and duties of the competent working body in matters pertaining to:

- the concept and strategy of the development of Croatian tourism,

- the establishment and monitoring of the implementation of tourism development policies of the Republic of Croatia,

- hospitality industry and tourism activities and directly related activities,

- monitoring of concessions in tourism,

- developmental programs in tourism of particular importance to the economic development of the Republic of Croatia,

- the establishment and monitoring of the implementation of protection and maintenance of the quality of tourism sites,

- co-operation with the corresponding bodies in the European Parliament and the parliaments of other countries.

Article 70.

The Tourism Committee shall have a chairperson, deputy chairperson and 11 members.

Committee on Human and National Minority Rights

Article 71.

The Committee on Human and National Minority Rights shall establish and monitor the implementation of policy, and in procedures to enact legislation and other regulations it shall have the rights and duties of the competent working body in matters pertaining to:

- the implementation of ratified international treaties that regulate the protection of human rights,

- matters of principle, proposals and opinions related to the application of the provisions of the Constitution of the Republic of Croatia dealing with human rights and fundamental freedoms,

- the exercise and protection of human rights and freedoms,

- the exercise of the rights of national minorities established by the Constitution of the Republic of Croatia and laws, and the proposal of measures to exercise these rights,

- the legal and actual position of Croatian minorities in neighbouring countries and the proposal of measures to improve overall co-operation in order to preserve their national identity,

- international treaties and programs of international cultural, educational and other cooperation when this is of interest to individual national minorities,

- the financing of specific needs of national minorities,

- other activities established by these Standing Orders.

The Committee on Human and National Minority Rights shall co-operate with scholarly and professional, governmental and non-governmental organisations that operate in the field of the protection of human and ethnic rights, with the relevant working bodies of parliaments in other countries and with foreign and international bodies that operate in the field of the protection of human and ethnic rights.

The Committee on Human and National Minority Rights shall co-operate with working bodies entrusted with petitions and appeals and with other parliamentary working bodies and may additionally consider matters under the competence of these working bodies if it assesses that they are of significance to the protection of human and ethnic rights.

Article 72.

The Committee on Human and National Minority Rights shall have a chairperson, a deputy chairperson, and 13 members from among the ranks of parliamentary deputies, while an additional 6 members may be appointed as follows: two from among the ranks of representatives of religious communities (one representative of the Roman Catholic Church and one representative of other religious communities), two representatives of human rights protection associations and two representatives of interest groups dealing with women’s and youth issues.

Not less than one deputy from among the ranks of each national minority that has a deputy in Parliament shall be a member of the Committee.

Judiciary Committee

Article 73.

The Judiciary Committee shall establish and monitor the implementation of policy, and in procedures to enact legislation and other regulations it shall have the rights and duties of the competent working body in matters pertaining to:

- the establishment, structure, jurisdiction and operating methods of the courts,

- the establishment, structure, jurisdiction and operating methods of the public prosecution,

- the establishment, structure, jurisdiction and operating methods of magistrates’ courts and other bodies authorised to conduct lawsuits for minor infractions,

- the structure, jurisdiction and operating methods of the National Judicial Council,

- the issuing of prior opinions in procedures for the election and recall of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Croatia,

- the issuing prior opinions on the appointment and dismissal of the Chief Public Prosecutor of the Republic of Croatia,

- the issuing of opinions on the National Judicial Council in procedures for the appointment and dismissal of judges,

- petitions to initiate and implement nomination procedures for members of the National Judicial Council and the proposal of their election to Parliament,

- the establishment of grounds for the dismissal of a member of the National Judicial Council prior to the end of the period for which they were appointed and the submission of requests for dismissal,

- petitions to initiate nomination procedures for members of the Public Prosecution Council by the Chief Public Prosecutor and the dean of the Faculty of Law,

- the determination of candidates for membership in the Public Prosecution Council from among the ranks of deputies in Parliament,

- the establishment of grounds for the dismissal of members of the Public Prosecution Council prior to the end of the period for which they were appointed and the submission of requests for dismissal,

- the structure, jurisdiction and operating methods of the notary public service,

- the structure and operating methods of the attorney profession,

- ownership and other proprietary rights, contractual and other civil-legal relations,

- the regulation of criminal material and procedural rights and minor offence law and the execution of legal sanctions,

- matters of amnesty and pardons,

- the regulation of court proceedings,

- other judicial matters.

The Judiciary Committee reviews the reports on the work of the Public Prosecution of the Republic of Croatia, and if its assesses that the legally-required conditions have been fulfilled, it may initiate procedures to dismiss the Chief Public Prosecutor in accordance with law.

Article 74.

The Judiciary Committee shall have a chairperson, deputy chairperson and 11 members from among the ranks of parliamentary deputies, while an additional 6 members of the Committee shall be appointed from among the ranks of public officials, scholars and professionals.

Committee on Labour, Social Policy and Health

Article 75.

The Committee on Labour, Social Policy and Health shall establish and monitor the implementation of policy, and in procedures to enact legislation and other regulations it shall have the rights and duties of the competent working body in matters pertaining to:

- labour and the employment status of employees working in the public sector, and employment and housing policy,

- social welfare,

- health protection and the organisation of health-care services,

- pension and disability insurance,

- protection of displaced persons,

- protection of the rights of former political prisoners,

- protection of the elderly and homeless persons and other matters of social policy and healthcare.

Article 76.

The Committee on Labour, Social Policy and Health shall have a chairperson, deputy chairperson and 11 members from among the ranks of parliamentary deputies, while an additional 6 members may be appointed to the Committee as follows: two from among the ranks of higher-level trade union representatives, one from an employers association, one from the Croatian Chamber of Commerce, one from the Croatian Chamber of Trades and one from the Croatian Chamber of Physicians.

Committee on the Family, Youth and Sports

Article 77.

The Committee on the Family, Youth and Sports shall establish and monitor the implementation of policy, and in procedures to enact legislation and other regulations it shall have the rights and duties of the competent working body in matters pertaining to:

- marriage, the family and guardianship, and special protection of children, motherhood and youth,

- the quality life of youth and their participation in all societal activities,

- protection of children and adolescents from all forms of addiction,

- occupational safety for women,

- family planning and demographic renewal,

- sports.

Article 78.

The Committee on the Family, Youth and Sports shall have a chairperson, deputy

chairperson and eleven members.

Immigration Committee

Article 79.

The Immigration Committee shall establish and monitor the implementation of policy, and in

procedures to enact legislation and other regulations it shall have the rights and duties of the

competent working body in matters pertaining to the implementation of return programmes

and the facilitation of conditions for the active involvement of immigrants in the economic,

cultural and overall development of the Republic of Croatia.

Article 80.

The Immigration Committee shall have a chairperson, deputy chairperson and 11 members.

War Veterans Committee

Article 81.

The War Veterans Committee shall establish and monitor the implementation of policy, and in procedures to enact legislation and other regulations it shall have the rights and duties of the competent working body in matters pertaining to:

- the protection of victims of Greater Serbian aggression and the armed rebellion in the Republic of Croatia,

- the protection of the rights of Croatian defenders/soldiers from the Homeland War and the members of their families,

- the protection of military personnel and civilians disabled in the Homeland War and all participants in the Homeland War and the members of their families,

- the protection of military personnel and civilians disabled during World War II as well as all veterans of that war,

- the protection of other victims of totalitarian regimes.

Article 82.

The War Veterans Committee shall have a chairperson, deputy chairperson and 11 members.

The Physical Planning and Environmental Protection Committee

Article 83.

The Physical Planning and Environmental Protection Committee shall establish and monitor the implementation of policy, and in procedures to enact legislation and other regulations it shall have the rights and duties of the competent working body in matters pertaining to:

- physical planning and the protection of the architectural heritage,

- the co-ordination of spatial resource protection activities and the co-ordination of regional spatial development,

- the promotion of spatial regulation in the interests of the most effective spatial management, construction and harmonisation of building construction of importance to the Republic of Croatia,

- the regulation of construction sites and other physical planning matters,

- fundamental solutions to the protection and promotion of comprehensive environmental protection activities pursuant to international criteria,

- measures to monitor, preserve and reinforce the biological and ecological balance between natural resources (the sea, water, air, soil, mineral wealth, flora and fauna) and economic development,

- measures to utilise and manage individual portions of the environment, particularly with a view to specially protected natural zones,

- monitoring and study of matters concerning nuclear and radioactive safety in order to secure a high level of security and effective protection of persons and the environment from ionising radiation,

- the promotion of measures to halt and turn back the current status of environmental degradation and the further prevention of pollution in order to facilitate quality conditions for human life and health,

- complaints directed to Parliament that indicate harmful activity concerning environmental degradation and investigation into whether such complaints have valid grounds.

Article 84.

The Physical Planning and Environmental Protection Committee shall have a chairperson, deputy chairperson and 11 members.

The Education, Science and Culture Committee

Article 85.

The Education, Science and Culture Committee shall establish and monitor the implementation of policy, and in procedures to enact legislation and other regulations it shall have the rights and duties of the competent working body in matters pertaining to:

- pre-school education, primary, secondary and higher education,

- science, culture and technical culture,

- international scientific and technical/technological co-operation,

- protection and utilisation of cultural resources, historical materials and heritage, archives and archival materials, and the commemoration of historical events and persons,

- co-operation with religious communities,

- information technology and other matters of education, science and culture.

Article 86.

The Education, Science and Culture Committee shall have a chairperson, deputy chairperson and 11 members from among the ranks of parliamentary deputies, while an additional 6 members may be appointed to the Committee as follows: two from the field of science, two from the field of education and two from the field of culture.

Agriculture and Forestry Committee

Article 87.

The Agriculture and Forestry Committee shall establish and monitor the implementation of policy, and in procedures to enact legislation and other regulations it shall have the rights and duties of the competent working body in matters pertaining to agriculture, forestry, water management, maritime and freshwater fishing, mariculture, veterinary medicine, and village and rural communities.

Article 88.

The Agriculture and Forestry Committee shall have a chairperson, deputy chairperson and 11 members from among the ranks of parliamentary deputies, while an additional 6 members may be appointed from among the ranks of public officials, scholars and professionals.

Committee on Transportation, Communications and Maritime Affairs

Article 89.

The Committee on Transportation, Communications and Maritime Affairs shall establish and monitor the implementation of policy, and in procedures to enact legislation and other regulations it shall have the rights and duties of the competent working body in matters pertaining to maritime affairs, transportation and communications, protection of the sea from pollution by ships, the coast guard and the social and economic development of the islands.

Article 90.

The Committee on Transportation, Communications and Maritime Affairs shall have a chairperson, deputy chairperson and 11 members.

Elections, Appointments and Administration Committee

Article 91.

The Elections, Appointments and Administration Committee shall:

- prepare and submit to Parliament proposals for the election and recall of chairpersons, deputy chairpersons and members of parliamentary working bodies,

- propose the appointment and dismissal of representatives of Parliament in specific national and other bodies and associations,

- propose the election, appointment, recall and dismissal of other officials that are appointed or elected by Parliament unless specified otherwise by law,

- establish and submit to Parliament the draft regulations on the material rights of parliamentary deputies,

- have the rights and obligations of the competent working body in matters pertaining to labour relations, salaries and other income earned by public officials in procedures involving the enactment of legislation and other regulations,

- draft individual solutions pertaining to ongoing monetary compensation and other income of deputies and the salaries of officials appointed and dismissed by Parliament and its working bodies unless specified otherwise by law,

- decide on measures to establish income and compensation of costs to scholars, professionals and public officials who are members of parliamentary working bodies or are involved in their work,

- draft individual solutions pertaining to monthly monetary compensation paid to scholars, professionals and public officials who are members of parliamentary working bodies,

- perform other activities stipulated by these Standing Orders.

Article 92.

The Elections, Appointments and Administration Committee shall have a chairperson, deputy chairperson and 11 members.

Petitions and Appeals Committee

Article 93.

The Petitions and Appeals Committee shall:

- consider petitions, appeals and proposals directed to Parliament and alert the responsible authorities of violations of the law and civil rights in procedures before the state administration and bodies which are vested with public authority,

- alert the Parliament of the violation of laws and other negative phenomena of wider significance and proposes the initiation of the necessary measures for their elimination,

- investigate, through the offices of the authorised bodies, the grounds for petitions, appeals and proposals and indicates the need for undertaking legally-founded measures to the authorised bodies and report thereupon to the sponsor of the petition, appeal or proposal,

- submit a report on its work once annually to Parliament.

Article 94.

The Petitions and Appeals Committee shall have a chairperson, deputy chairperson and 11 members.

Interparliamentary Co-operation Committee

Article 95.

The Interparliamentary Co-operation Committee, together with the Foreign Policy Committee, shall oversee the implementation of the foreign policy of the Republic of Croatia within the framework of interparliamentary co-operation with other countries and international organisations in activities of common interest.

The Interparliametnary Co-operation Committee shall facilitate co-operation with representative bodies of other countries and international organisations by establishing joint bodies and friendship groups, undertaking joint actions, aligning positions on issues of common interest, and exchanging experiences through mutual work exchange programs, documentation and informative materials and bulletins, joint meetings between deputies and exchanges of delegations.

The Interparliamentary Co-operation Committee, together with the Foreign Policy Committee, shall consider reports from permanent and temporary parliamentary delegations to international parliamentary institutions, as well as reports on the work of friendship groups with the representative bodies of individual countries.

The chairperson and deputy chairperson of the Committee are elected by Parliament from among the ranks of deputies who are elected to permanent parliamentary delegations to international parliamentary institutions, while the members of the Committee are the members of these delegations.

European Integration Committee

Article 96.

The European Integration Committee shall:

- monitor the harmonisation of the legal system of the Republic of Croatia with the legal system of the European Union,

- monitor the exercise of the rights and commitments of the Republic of Croatia that ensue from international treaties pertaining to the Council of Europe,

- monitor European Union aid and co-operation programmes,

- co-operate and exchange experiences with bodies in European integration processes.

Article 97.

The European Integration Committee shall have a chairperson, deputy chairperson and 11 members.

Committee on Information, Computerisation and the Media

Article 98.

The Committee on Information, Computerisation and the Media shall establish and monitor the implementation of policy, and in procedures to enact legislation and other regulations it shall have the rights and duties of the competent working body in matters pertaining to information and the print and electronic media, and in particular the Committee shall:

- consider matters of communications, information and the media that are subject to decision by Parliament,

- monitor, encourage and participate in the enactment of legislation on the print and electronic media (the press, radio, television, the Internet),

- promote the emergence, formation and signing of the relevant international documents on information and the media,

- monitor the application of international documents on information and the media and monitors the work of media and/or information committees in other countries,

- uphold the right to information, the protection of intellectual property, and the protection of privacy in the electronic media,

- promote the right to information and communication with new technologies and means of electronic communication (Internet, electronic commerce, Internet education),

- promote technical/technological culture and international technical/technological cooperation in terms of the use of computers and computer networking (Internet),

- be involved with activities aimed at the co-ordination, promotion and advancement of economic activity based on information technologies,

- monitor existing and proposes and encourages the use of new information technologies in the work of Parliament and on the work of Parliament,

- co-operate with associations, the media, research institutions, commissions of the Government and the President of the Republic with reference to the study of communications, information and the media.

Article 99.

The Committee on Information, Computerisation and the Media shall have a chairperson, deputy chairperson and 11 members from among the ranks of parliamentary deputies, while an additional 6 members may be appointed to the Committee as follows: two from the media, two from the field of science and research and two from relevant associations.

Gender Equality Committee

Article 100.

The Gender Equality Committee shall establish and monitor the implementation of policy, and in procedures to enact legislation and other regulations it shall have the rights and duties of the competent working body in matters pertaining to the promotion and monitoring the application of the principles of gender equality in the legislation of the Republic of Croatia, and in particular the Committee shall:

- promote the signing of international documents on gender equality and monitors the application of these documents,

- participate in the drafting, implementation and analysis of the implementation of the National Gender Equality Policy in the Republic of Croatia,

- co-operate and establish measures and activities to improve gender equality,

- propose packages of measures to eliminate discrimination between the sexes,

- promote equal gender representation in the composition of parliamentary working bodies and delegations,

- participate in the drafting of documents on the integration activities of the Republic of Croatia through the amendment and adaptation of legislation and executive measures to achieve gender equality according to the standards applied in the legislation and programmes of the European Union,

- prepare draft legislation and other regulations on gender quality,

- undertake efforts to introduce the principles of gender equality in education, health-care, public information, social policy, employment, free enterprise, decision-making processes, family relations, etc.,

- encourage co-operation between the Government Gender Equality Commission and associations and other institutions.

Article 101.

The Gender Equality Committee shall have a chairperson, deputy chairperson and 11 members.

Local and Regional Self-government Committee

Article 102.

The Local and Regional Self-government Committee shall establish and monitor the implementation of policy, and in procedures to enact legislation and other regulations it shall have the rights and duties of the competent working body in matters pertaining to:

- the structure, jurisdiction and operating methods of local and regional self-government units,

- the establishment, dissolution and merger of local and regional self-government units and the functioning of representative bodies in local and regional self-government units,

- the financing of local and regional self-government units,

- the legal position of employees in the administration of local and regional self-government units.

Article 103.

The Local and Regional Self-government Committee shall have a chairperson, deputy chairperson and 11 members from among the ranks of parliamentary deputies, while an additional 9 members may be appointed to the Committee at the proposal of representative bodies of local or regional self-government units, as follows: one each from Zagreb, Osijek, Split and Rijeka, two from regional self-government units, two from local self-government units (one from the inland section and the other from the coastal section of the Republic of Croatia) and one from among the ranks of respected legal experts.

Credentials and Privileges Commission

Article 104.

The Credentials and Privileges Commission shall:

- propose to Parliament decisions on the termination of a deputy’s term of office or decisions on the suspension of a deputy’s term of office when the legal conditions for this are fulfilled and submit reports to Parliament on the fulfilment of legal conditions for the commencement of the term of office of the alternate deputy,

- propose to Parliament the passage of decisions on legal immunity of deputies, and when Parliament is not in session it decides on legal immunity, provided that such decisions are subsequently confirmed by Parliament,

- propose to Parliament the passage of decisions in procedures to approve the detention or filing of criminal charges against the Chief Public Prosecutor, and when Parliament is not in session it decides on such approvals, provided that such approvals are subsequently confirmed by Parliament.

- perform other activities as stipulated by these Standing Orders.

Article 105.

The Credentials and Privileges Commission shall have a chairperson, deputy chairperson and 7 members.

Relations between Parliament and the President of the Republic