El Salvador: Public Media ActWednesday, September 18, 2013 The government has presented to the Legislative Assembly a draft for the Media Act on state property. The government of President Mauricio Funes presented today to the Legislative Assembly a draft Law on Public Media which seeks to turn Televisión de El Salvador (Channel 10) and Radio Nacional de El Salvador (96.9 FM) into public media, starting from the establishment of legal and institutional framework necessary for its fully independent operation. Tax on Remittances in PanamaThursday, September 14, 2017 A bill that will be discussed in the Assembly proposes that a 5% tax be imposed on remittances sent from Panama to other countries. The initiative presented by Deputy Ruben De Leon also includes an article that regulates operations of money remittance houses. Guatemala: Criticism of Competition LawTuesday, November 15, 2016 Warnings have been given over the fact that the project does not include international best practices, and that "the chapter on concentrations needs to be revised because it contains elements that would make its prior controls inoperative." From a statement issued by Asies: Disincentive to Consumption of Ultraprocessed FoodsWednesday, June 21, 2017 In Costa Rica a bill aims to discourage the consumption of products such as packaged french fries, ice cream and chocolates with an additional tax that would be charged on the final price. Bill No. 20,365 proposes establishing a tariff of 1.5 colones per 5 grams, proportional to the total amount of grams of the product. Costa Rica: Minimum Wage Adjustment of 35%Wednesday, June 8, 2016 The draft Minimum Living Wage Act under discussion in Costa Rica eliminates the wage adjustment formula agreed in 2011 and could mean a rise of 35% in the minimum wage in the private sector. From a statement issued by the Costa Rican Union of Chambers and Associations of Private Business Sector (UCCAEP): Moratorium on Payment of Property Tax ExtendedThursday, August 23, 2018 In Panama, the National Assembly has approved extending until December 2017 the moratorium on the payment of real estate taxes, which also extends to interest, fines and surcharges generated by the non-payment of the single rates for private interest companies and foundations. From a statement issued by the National Assembly: Guatemala: Initiative to Ban Plastic BagsMonday, October 30, 2017 A bill that has already received endorsement from a legislative commission in Congress proposes to ban the use of plastic bags in the country. Dca.gob.gt reports that "...If the project is approved, a period of five years would be granted, so that companies dedicated to manufacturing this product would have enough time to make the transition to biodegradable materials." Rules for Disposing of Used TiresWednesday, October 4, 2017 In Guatemala, a bill proposes that manufacturers and importers take over the entire process of collecting, processing and disposing of used tires. The aim of the bill introduced by Rep. Ronald Arango is to reduce the sources of pollution that are generated in places where used tires are disposed of inappropriately. Property Tax Bill Makes ProgressTuesday, September 5, 2017 With the modification proposed in the first debate, properties that constitute a main dwelling, regardless of who inhabits it, may benefit from the higher exemption and lower rates. Bill 509 was approved in a first debate by the National Assembly of Panama, and although it still has to be approved in second and third debate, and later regulated, it was agreed that banks will be the agents withholding the property tax. Panama to Ban Use of Plastic BagsWednesday, May 3, 2017 The Assembly has approved in a first debate a bill that bans plastic bags in commercial establishments and promotes the use of reusable bags. The Committee on Trade and Economic Affairs at the National Assembly approved in a first debate Bill 492, which promotes the use and giving out of reusable bags in commercial establishments in the country. Panama: A Duty Free Area in BarúTuesday, April 18, 2017 A bill approved in its first debate aims to create a Special Free Trade Area within the perimeter of Puerto Armuelles and Paso Canoa, to facilitate the sale of tax free goods to tourists. From a statement issued by from the National Assembly: Panama: Proposal for More Private Parking LotsFriday, September 23, 2016 A bill proposes to allow municipalities to grant concessions to private companies to build and manage public parking lots in buildings or underground. From a statement issued by the National Assembly of Panama: NO to Regulation of Private EducationMonday, September 26, 2016 The way to prevent rising tuition fees in private educational institutes is not by regulating them but by raising the quality of public education. EDITORIAL Guatemala: Law on Financial LeasingFriday, April 22, 2016 A bill is being discussed in Congress which establishes a legal framework so that banks and financial institutions can include leasing in their product portfolios. From a statement issued by the Congress of Guatemala: Guatemala: Liability for Damages in Parking LotsMonday, November 16, 2015 A bill dating from 2008 has been revived to regulate parking lot services imposing liability for theft and damage to the owners of these spaces. An articel on Republica.com.gt reports that "... Deputies want to revive a bill that seeks to regulate parking services in the country, which would force the owners to take responsibility for vehicles. The proposal was presented in 2008 and to date has made no progress in the approval process. " |
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