Numerous bills have been scheduled to be passed

SEVERAL bills are scheduled to be passed by the National Assembly, when it holds plenary sessions this week.

This takes place against the backdrop of the national legislature wanting to pass finalised bills, before parliamentarians wrap up their business for the term on March 20 and go all out to campaign for the May 8 elections.

According to the schedule of the National Assembly, the Traditional Leadership and Governance Framework Amendment Bill is up for consideration by the plenary.

This bill was previously passed by a vote, in the National Council of Provinces, early in December.

It provides traditional councils with a two-year period to fulfil transformation conditions, which include 40% elected and one third women membership.

Also to be passed the same day is the amendment to the newly-assented National Minimum Wage Act, which came into effect last month.

The bill, which provides for payment of R20 an hour to workers, was apparently passed last year with error.

Its wording was such that it backdated the implementation of the bill to May 2017, but the error was picked up and this section was not promulgated into law.

The National Assembly will also pass the Carbon Tax Bill, which will be implemented from June 2019.

A report of the finance portfolio committee says the Carbon Tax Bill will give effect to the polluter-pays-principle and aims to price greenhouse GHG emissions and also ensure that firms and consumers take these costs into account in their future production, consumption and investment decisions.

On Thursday, the plenary of the National Assembly is scheduled to pass the Local Government: Municipal Structures Amendment Bill.

The bill seeks to remove all references to district management areas and plenary executive systems as a type of municipality.

Also scheduled for passing is the Public Investments Corporation Amendment Bill, which seeks to provide greater transparency and better governance in the state-owned entity.