The Saeima¹ has adopted and
the President has proclaimed the following Law:

On Local Governments

Chapter I
General Provisions

Section 1.

This Law sets out the general provisions and economic basis for the activities of the local governments of Latvia, the competence of local governments, the rights and responsibilities of city or municipality councils and their institutions, as well as of the chairpersons of city or municipality councils, the relations of local governments with the Cabinet and ministries, as well as the general provisions for relations among local governments.

[17 July 2008]

Section 2.

[17 July 2008]

Section 3.

A local government is a local administration which, through bodies of representatives elected by citizens - city or municipality council - and authorities and institutions established by them, ensures the performance of the functions prescribed by law, as well as the performance of tasks assigned by Cabinet according to the procedures specified by law, and local government voluntary initiatives, observing the interests of the State and of the residents of the relevant administrative territory.

[17 July 2008]

The working language of a local government city or municipality council [hereinafter - city or municipality council] and the authorities and institutions established by it shall be the Latvian language.

[13 November 1997; 14 October 1998; 6 June 2002; 17 February 2005; 17 July 2008]

Section 4.

In implementing local territorial administration, local governments, within the scope specified in the Law On Local Governments, are subject to public law, but in the field of private law, local governments have the rights of a legal person.

[14 October 1998; 17 July 2008]

Section 5.

Local governments, within the scope of their competence and the law, shall act independently.

In implementing delegated State administrative functions and administrative tasks, a local government represents the Republic of Latvia and is subordinate to the Cabinet.

The Republic of Latvia is liable for the lawful and efficient implementation of the relevant delegated State administrative functions and administrative tasks. The type and content of the subordination of local governments shall be determined by laws and regulations.

The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development shall monitor the activities of local governments within the scope of this Law. State administrative institutions and officials who, in cases provided for and in accordance with procedures laid down by law, monitor the lawfulness of the activities of local governments and determine that a local government city or municipality council, or its chairperson, vice-chairperson, as well as other local government authorities fail to fulfil or violate the provisions of the Constitution, laws and Cabinet regulations, or also fail to execute court judgments, have a duty to inform the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development thereof.

Remuneration of the chairperson of the city or municipality council, his or her vice-chairperson, local government administrative employees, heads of local government institutions and other local government officials and employees shall be determined in compliance with the Law on Remuneration of Officials and Employees of State and Local Government Authorities.

[8 June 1995; 5 February 1997; 9 December 1999; 21 December 2000; 17 February 2005; 17 February 2005; 17 July 2008; 1 December 2009; 16 December 2010]

Chapter II
Competence of Local Governments

Section 6.

In the field of public law, the competence of local governments shall be:

1) the autonomous functions prescribed by this Law (Section 7);

2) the autonomous functions prescribed by other laws (Section 8);

3) delegated State administrative functions, the performance of which is transferred to the relevant local government in accordance with procedures laid down by this Law (Section 9);

4) other functions that are within the competence of other local governments, the performance of which has been transferred to the relevant local government in accordance with procedures laid down by this Law (Section 10);

5) administrative tasks, the performance of which in accordance with procedures laid down by this Law has been assigned to local governments by State administrative institutions (Section 11);

6) autonomous functions, which are performed as voluntary initiatives (Section 12).

[17 February 2005]

Section 7.

The autonomous functions of local governments specified in Section 15 of this Law shall be performed in accordance with procedures laid down in relevant laws and Cabinet regulations.

The performance of the autonomous functions provided for in Section 15 of this Law shall be organised by local governments that shall be liable for such. The performance of such functions shall be financed from the budget of the relevant local government if the law does not specify it otherwise.

In transferring new autonomous functions provided for in Section 15 of this Law that involve increased expenditures to local governments, the law which determines the procedures for the performance of such functions shall concurrently determine the new sources of revenue for the local governments.

[17 February 2005]

Section 8.

By means of a law, local governments may be assigned the performance of autonomous functions that are not provided for in this Law, concurrently determining in the relevant law supplementary sources of financing if the performance of the functions involves increased expenditures.

The performance of functions mentioned in this Section shall be organised by local governments that shall be liable for such.

[17 February 2005]

Section 9.

State administrative institutions may authorise local governments to perform separate functions of State administrative institutions, if such is provided for in laws or Cabinet regulations, specifying the procedures for the performance of such functions and monitoring their performance.

In transferring to local governments the performance of the functions of State administrative institutions, resources that are provided for in the budget of the relevant State administrative institutions for the performance of such functions shall be transferred to local governments concurrently.

The performance of functions of State administrative institutions transferred to local governments shall be organised by the relevant local government, but the State administrative institution that transferred these functions to the local government shall be liable for the performance of such.

Section 10.

Local governments on the basis of mutual agreement may transfer among themselves the performance of separate functions within their competence. The city or municipality council of the relevant local governments shall take a decision regarding the transfer of the performance of functions. Based on such decision, a written contract shall be entered into which shall specify the sources of financing for the performance of the functions.

The city or municipality council, which by law has been assigned the performance of these functions, shall be liable for the performance of the functions mentioned in Paragraph one of this Section and shall monitor their performance.

Functions that are within the exclusive competence of the relevant city or municipality council and are specified in Section 21 of this Law, as well as the functions transferred to local governments in accordance with the procedures laid down by Section 9 of this Law, may not be delegated to other local governments.

[17 July 2008]

[8 June 1995; 13 November 1997; 21 December 2000; 17 February 2005; 17 July 2008]

Section 11.

The Cabinet may, in cases provided for by law and according to the procedures specified in the State Administration Structure Law, delegate to local governments the performance of specific administrative tasks.

In delegating administrative tasks the Cabinet shall at the same time ensure to local governments the resources necessary for the performance of such tasks.

If local governments agree, they may perform the tasks with their own resources.

[17 February 2005]

Section 12.

Local governments, in the interests of residents of the relevant administrative territory, may voluntarily carry out their initiatives with respect to any matter if it is not within the competence of the Saeima, the Cabinet, ministries, other State administrative institutions, the courts or other local governments, or also if such activity is not prohibited by law.

Section 13.

State administrative institutions do not have the right to assign to local governments the performance of such functions and tasks for which financing is not provided.

If in adopting laws or Cabinet decisions the provisions of Sections 8 and 11 of this Law regarding the financing of temporary functions of local governments and of one-time tasks assigned to them are not observed, local governments may initiate, in accordance with procedures laid down in the Law On Local Governments, the revocation of the relevant law or Cabinet decision and request reimbursement of expenditures incurred by local governments in performing the relevant functions or tasks.

Section 14.

In carrying out their functions, local governments have the right, in accordance with procedures laid down by law, to:

1) establish local government institutions, founding societies or foundations and capital companies, as well as investing their own resources in capital companies;

2) acquire and alienate movable and immovable property, privatise facilities owned by local governments, conclude transactions, as well as perform other activities of a private law nature;

3) introduce local fees and determine their magnitude, decide on tax rates and relief from paying taxes;

4) bring actions in court and complaints in administrative institutions;

5) receive information from State institutions.

In order to perform their functions, local governments, in accordance with procedures laid down by law, have the duty to:

1) prepare a development programme for the territory of the relevant local government, ensure the implementation of the territorial development plan and the administrative supervision of territorial planning;

2) prepare and approve the local government budget;

3) manage the local government movable and immovable property rationally and efficiently;

4) collect taxes and fees;

5) in conformity with expected obligations, carry out projects included in the State investment programme;

6) in conformity with the approved local government budget, utilise the local government financial resources rationally and efficiently;

7) provide information to the Cabinet and ministers on issues related to activities of the relevant local government;

8) accumulate, utilise and preserve, until transfer to the State archives, documents created in the course of local government activities.

To ensure the performance of their functions, local governments in cases prescribed by law shall issue binding regulations.

[8 June 1995; 13 November 1997; 21 December 2000; 17 February 2005]

Section 15.

The autonomous functions of local governments are as follows:

1) to organise for residents the provision of utilities (water supply and sewerage; supply of heat; management of municipal waste; collection, conducting and purification of waste water) irrespective of the ownership of the residential property;

2) to look after the public services and facilities, and the sanitary cleanliness of their administrative territory (building, reconstruction and maintenance of streets, roads and public squares; lighting of streets, public squares and other areas designated for public use; development and maintenance of parks, public squares and green zones; control of collection and removal of waste; flood control measures; establishment and maintenance of cemeteries and places for burial of dead animals);

3) to determine procedures for the utilisation of public-use forests and waters if it is not specified otherwise by law;

4) to provide for the education of residents (ensuring the specified rights of residents to acquire primary and general secondary education; ensuring children of pre-school and school age with places in training and educational institutions; organisational and financial assistance to extracurricular training and educational institutions and education support institutions, and others);

5) to maintain culture and facilitate the preservation of traditional cultural values and the development of creative folk activity (organisational and financial assistance to cultural institutions and events, support for the preservation of cultural monuments, and others);

6) to ensure access to health care, as well as to promote a healthy lifestyle of residents and sport;

7) to ensure social assistance (social care) to residents (social assistance for poor families and socially vulnerable persons, ensuring places for old people in old-age homes, ensuring places for orphans and children without parental care in training and educational institutions, provision of overnight shelters for the homeless, and others);

8) to take care of guardianship, trusteeship, adoption and the protection of the personal and property rights and interests of a child;

9) to provide assistance to residents in resolving issues regarding housing;

10) to facilitate economic activity within the relevant administrative territory, and to be concerned about reducing unemployment;

11) to issue permits and licences for commercial activity, if such is provided for by law;

12) to participate in ensuring public order and to combat drunkenness and immorality;

13) in accordance with the territorial planning of the relevant local government, to determine land utilisation and procedures for its development;

14) to ensure in their relevant administrative territory the lawfulness of the construction process;

15) to perform civil status document registrations;

16) to collect and provide information necessary for State statistics;

17) to perform the necessary measures for elections of city or municipality councils;

18) to participate in ensuring civil defence measures;

19) to organise public transport services;

20) [17 July 2008];

21) to organise continuing education for teaching staff and pedagogical methodology work;

22) to conduct, in the relevant administrative territory, the registration of children residing therein;

23) to implement the protection of the rights of the child in the relevant administrative territory.

[17 July 2008]

In the cases and by the procedures provided for in international agreements, laws or Cabinet regulations, the State shall participate in the implementation and financing of specific autonomous functions.

The local government may delegate the tasks arising from each autonomous function of the administration to a private individual or another public person. Procedures for, types and restrictions of the delegation of the administration tasks shall be determined by State Administration Structure Law.

[8 June 1995; 13 November 1997; 5 February 1998; 9 December 1999; 21 December 2000; 17 February 2005; 17 July 2008; 16 June 2009]

Section 16.

[13 November 1997]

Section 17.

[13 November 1997]

Section 17.¹

According to the procedures specified in the State Administration Structure Law, the Cabinet may enter into a public law contract with specific local governments for the performance of tasks included in specific State administrative functions.

[17 February 2005]

Section 17.²

The capital city Rīga in addition to the functions specified in Section 15 of this Law shall permanently perform the following State and local government shared responsibility capital city functions:

1) provision of support to central State institutions, foreign diplomatic missions and consular institutions, as well as ensuring the necessary conditions for the activities of international organisations;

2) ensuring the conditions for the reception of foreign delegations and the maintenance of national representation objects belonging to local government associated therewith;

3) participation in the maintenance and development of historical objects of State and international importance, cultural and historical objects of national importance, as well as of the cultural infrastructure;

4) participation in the maintenance and development of communications systems and transport infrastructure of State importance.

[17 February 2005]

Chapter III
City or Municipality Councils

[13 November 1997; 21 December 2000; 17 February 2005; 17 July 2008]

Section 18.

City or municipality councils shall be composed of elected councillors.

The number of councillors to be elected in city or municipality councils shall be determined by the City Council and Municipality Council Election Law.

The rights and responsibilities of councillors of city or municipality councils shall be specified by this Law and the Law On the Status of Councillors in City Councils and Municipality Councils.

Councillors of city or municipality councils shall receive remuneration for participation at meetings of city or municipality councils and committees, and for the performance of other duties of councillors.

[21 December 2000; 17 February 2005; 17 July 2008]

Section 19.

The first meeting of a newly elected council shall be convened by the chairperson of the city or municipality electoral commission within the time period laid down in the Law On Elections of the Republic City Council and Municipality Council. The term of office of the previous city or municipality council shall terminate with the first meeting of the newly elected city or municipality council.

Until election of the chairperson of a city or municipality council, the chairperson of the electoral commission shall chair the meeting and sign the decision of the city or municipality council regarding election of the chairperson of the city or municipality council.

The chairperson of a city or municipality council shall be elected from among the councillors of the relevant city or municipality council. Any councillor of a city or municipality council has the right to nominate a candidate for the position of chairperson of the city or municipality council.

The chairperson of a city or municipality council shall be elected if the candidate has received more than half of the votes of the elected councillors of the city or municipality council.

If none of the candidates receives the necessary majority of votes in the first round, a repeat vote shall be held for those two candidates who receive the most votes. The candidate, who receives the necessary number of votes for election, is elected. If also in the second round neither of the candidates receives the majority of votes necessary for election, a vote shall be held for the candidate who in the second round receives more votes.

If no candidate in the third round receives the necessary number of votes for election, new elections shall be held for a chairperson of the city or municipality council.

[8 June 1995; 13 November 1997; 21 December 2000; 17 February 2005; 17 July 2008; 31 January 2013]

Section 20.

After election of the chairperson of a city or municipality council, a vice-chairperson and standing committees shall be elected from among the councillors of the city or municipality council. A chairperson of a city or municipality council may have several deputies.

The vice-chairperson of a city or municipality council shall be elected by a majority vote of the city or municipality council councillors present, observing the provisions of Section 19, Paragraphs five and six of this Law.

[8 June 1995; 13 November 1997; 21 December 2000; 17 February 2005; 17 July 2008]

Section 21.

City or municipality councils may examine any issue that is under the supervision of the relevant local government; in addition, only city or municipality councils may:

1) approve local government by-laws;

2) approve the local government budget, budget amendments and reports of implementation of the budget, as well as economic and annual public reports;

3) approve the local government territorial development programme and territorial planning;

4) decide on the liquidation of the relevant administrative territory, modification of its boundaries or change of name;

5) approve the local government economic and social development and the environmental protection long term programmes;

6) approve the local government territorial divisions and its administration structure;

7) specify the official symbols of the city, municipality or rural territory (or pagasts), co-ordinating such with the Latvian State Heraldry Commission;

8) establish, reorganise and liquidate local government institutions, local government capital companies, societies and foundations and approve the by-laws of local government institutions;

9) appoint to office and remove from office the heads of local government institutions and other officials in cases provided for by law and local government by-laws;

10) elect and discharge from office (remove from duties) the chairperson of the city or municipality council, the vice-chairperson, members of standing committees, and members of the audit commission;

11) appoint to office and remove from office the executive director;

12) determine the remuneration for performing the duties of a councillor, and the procedures for payment of such remuneration and for reimbursement of work-related expenditures;

13) determine the remuneration for the chairperson of the city or municipality council, his or her vice-chairperson, local government administrative employees, heads of local government institutions and other local government officials and employees;

14) determine, if such is not prohibited or prescribed by laws or Cabinet regulations, the charges for:

a) use of (lease) of local government land and other immovable or movable property,

b) rent (lease) for local government residential and non-residential property,

c) use of local government water supply and sewerage,

d) heating provided by the local government,

e) collection of municipal waste,

f) issuance of licences (permits),

g) other services;

15) adopt binding regulations with respect to implementation of local government fees and, in cases prescribed by law, determine tax rates;

16) approve binding regulations and determine administrative liability for the violation of such;

17) take decisions with respect to the alienation, pledging or privatisation of local government immovable property, as well as local government ownership acquisition of immovable property;

18) [17 June 2010];

19) determine procedures for transactions with local government movable property, as well as procedures for accepting and managing gifts and bequests, and the taking on of loans, borrowings and other economic obligations in the name of the local government;

20) grant names to streets, parks and public squares as well as rename them;

21) suspend and revoke decisions of heads of local government institutions;

22) revoke orders of the chairperson of the city or municipality council;

23) take decisions with respect to procedures for the performance of functions mentioned in Section 15 of this Law, for determining the officials responsible for such, as well as for submission of reports on the performance of such functions;

24) elect local government representatives and members to local government or State committees, commissions, boards of directors and working groups;

25) take decisions with respect to organising elections and referendums, in accordance with procedures laid down by the Central Electoral Commission;

26) elect and release (remove) chief judges and members Orphan's courts;

27) take decisions in other cases provided for in law.

The activities and decisions of city or municipality councils shall be maximally efficient.

The Rīga City Council may delegate to a local government institution established by the Rīga City Council the examination of issues referred to in Paragraph one, Clauses 9, 18, 21, 24 and 27 of this Section.

The establishment, administration, reorganisation and liquidation of a local government capital company shall be regulated by the Law On State and Local Government Capital Shares and Capital Companies and the Commercial Law. The establishment, administration, reorganisation and liquidation of a local government association and foundation shall be regulated by the Associations and Foundations Law.

[8 June 1995; 5 February 1997; 13 November 1997; 5 February 1998; 14 October 1998; 9 December 1999; 21 December 2000; 17 February 2005; 17 July 2008; 16 June 2009; 1 December 2009; 17 June 2010]

Chapter IV
Organisation of the Work of City or Municipality Councils

[13 November 1997; 21 December 2000; 17 July 2008]

Section 22.

The work of city or municipality councils shall be conducted at meetings and in standing committees.

[13 November 1997; 21 December 2000; 17 February 2005; 17 July 2008]

Section 23.

The organisation of the work of city or municipality councils shall be determined by by-laws of the relevant local government, prepared in accordance with this Law.

[13 November 1997; 21 December 2000; 17 February 2005; 17 July 2008]

Section 24.

The by-law of a local government is a binding regulation, which determines the administrative organisation of the local government, the procedures for the taking of decisions, the rights and duties of residents in the territorial administration, as well as other organisational issues of the activities of the local government.

By-laws of local governments shall determine:

1) the territorial division of the local government;

2) the administrative structure of the local government;

3) the city or municipality council committees, their numerical composition, competence and organisation of activities;

4) the organisational and technical servicing of the city or municipality council and the committees thereof;

5) the procedures for the preparation of draft local government decisions and the entering into of contract procedure;

6) the procedures by which private persons may become acquainted with the decisions taken by local governments, contracts entered into and the minutes of city or municipality council meetings;

7) the procedures for the dispute of administrative acts issued by the local government administration;

8) the procedures by local government authorities receive visitors and examine submissions;

9) the procedures by which an official of the local government acts with the property and financial resources of the local government;

10) the procedures by which, in the case of a change of the chairperson of a city or municipality council records and documents shall be organised for transfer to the new chairperson of the city or municipality council;

11) the procedures for organising public discussion;

12) other issues, which relate to the activities of the city or municipality council or administration and in accordance with this Law shall be determined in the local government by-law.

The by-law of a local government shall come into force on the day after it is signed if there is not specified another time of coming into force therein. After the adoption of the local government by-law it shall freely accessible in the local government city or municipality council building and rural territory (or pagasts) or city administrations, as well as shall be published on the Internet home page of the local government. The local government by-law, within three days after its signing, shall be sent in writing and electronically to the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development for information.

[17 February 2005; 17 July 2008; 17 June 2010; 16 December 2010]

Section 25.

The work of a city or municipality council shall be managed by its chairperson. The vice-chairperson of the city or municipality council shall act for the chairperson of the city or municipality council during his or her absence, as well as perform duties assigned by the chairperson of the city or municipality council or which are specified in relevant local government by-laws.

If the chairperson of the city or municipality council has been discharged from office or has resigned from performing the duties of office, the vice-chairperson of the city or municipality council shall perform the duties of the chairperson of the city or municipality council until the election of a new chairperson of the city or municipality council.

The implementation of city or municipality council decisions shall be ensured by officials elected or appointed by the city or municipality council, and by local government institutions and the employees thereof, as well as capital companies. Organisational and technical services for the city or municipality council shall be provided by local government administrative employees.

In case of a change of a city or municipality council, the employment relations of local government administrative employees shall not be discontinued.

[8 June 1995; 13 November 1997; 21 December 2000; 17 February 2005; 17 July 2008]

Section 26.

Decisions of city or municipality councils shall be taken at meetings.

Meetings of city or municipality councils shall be public if not otherwise specified in law.

Decisions of city or municipality councils and the minutes of city or municipality council meetings shall be publicly accessible. Decisions of city or municipality councils shall be published on the Internet home page of the local government not later than on the third working day following the signing thereof. The accessibility to decisions of city or municipality councils and the minutes of city or municipality council meetings shall be ensured taking into account the restrictions for the accessibility to the information determined in the laws and regulations.

[17 February 2005; 17 July 2008; 17 June 2010]

Section 27.

The chairperson shall convene regular meetings of the city or municipality council not less than once a month, specifying the time and location of meetings and announcing the agenda.

Councillors of a city or municipality council shall be notified of the time, location and agenda of regular meetings, in accordance with procedures specified in the local government by-laws.

Notification regarding the time, location and agenda of regular meetings of a city or municipality council shall be posted in a visible location in or at the city or municipality council building and published on the Internet home page of the local government not later than three days prior to a regular meeting.

[13 November 1997; 21 December 2000; 17 February 2005; 17 July 2008; 17 June 2010]

Section 28.

Extraordinary meetings of city or municipality councils shall be convened by the chairperson on his or her own initiative. The chairperson of a city or municipality council has the duty to convene an extraordinary meeting if such is requested by:

1) at least one third of the councillors;

2) [21 December 2000];

3) Minister for Environmental Protection and Regional Development;

4) the Cabinet.

The submission regarding the convening of an extraordinary meeting shall indicate the agenda of the meeting, and it shall have appended the draft decision of the city or municipality council.

In convening an extraordinary meeting of the city or municipality council the chairperson shall determine the time and location of the meeting and shall announce the agenda.

Extraordinary meetings of city or municipality councils shall be convened not later than within three days from the day of receipt of a request, except in cases provided for in Sections 49 and 65 of this Law.

If the convening of an extraordinary meeting has been requested by the Cabinet or the Minister for Environmental Protection and Regional Development, the meeting agenda indicated in the submission for the extraordinary meeting shall not be amended. If the chairperson of the city or municipality council has not convened an extraordinary meeting after the request of the Cabinet or the Minister for Environmental Protection and Regional Development, the Cabinet or the Minister for Environmental Protection and Regional Development may again request the convening of an extraordinary meeting, determining the agenda, location of proceedings and time of such meeting.

[8 June 1995; 30 October 1997; 13 November 1997; 9 December 1999; 21 December 2000; 17 February 2005; 17 July 2008; 16 December 2010]

Section 28.¹

If a city or municipality council chairperson or the vice-chairperson are hindered in fulfilling their duties and it is necessary to ensure the continuity of the work of the local government, at least one third of the councillors of the city or municipality may propose the convening of an extraordinary meeting. Such extraordinary meeting shall be convened by the councillor who first signed the submission regarding the convening of an extraordinary meeting, and he or she shall also chair the meeting. The provisions of Section 28, Paragraphs two, three and four of this Law shall also apply to the submission regarding the convening of an extraordinary meeting and the procedures for the convening of the extraordinary meeting.

The chairperson of the meeting has a duty to inform the Minister for Environmental Protection and Regional Development regarding the place and time of the meeting.

The extraordinary meeting shall be held according to the procedures specified in this Law. The decisions taken at this meeting shall be signed by the chairperson of the meeting.

[21 December 2000; 17 February 2005; 17 July 2008; 16 December 2010]

Section 29.

Meetings of city or municipality councils shall be chaired by the chairperson or the vice-chairperson of the city or municipality council.

[13 November 1997; 21 December 2000; 17 February 2005; 17 July 2008]

Section 30.

Draft decisions of a city or municipality council, opinions regarding them and information materials shall be available to all councillors of the city or municipality council not later than three working days prior to regular meetings and not later than three hours prior to extraordinary meetings.

[13 November 1997; 21 December 2000; 17 February 2005; 17 July 2008; 17 June 2010]

Section 31.

City or municipality councils may discuss only such matters as are included in the announced agenda of the meeting. Exceptions may be made only if not less than two thirds of the city or municipality council councillors present consent to them.

[13 November 1997; 21 December 2000; 17 February 2005; 17 July 2008]

Section 32.

The issues to be discussed shall be examined by the city or municipality council in the sequence indicated in the announced agenda. Such sequence may be altered by a decision of the city or municipality council.

The agenda of an extraordinary meeting may not be amended by the city or municipality council.

[13 November 1997; 21 December 2000; 17 February 2005; 17 July 2008]

Section 33.

City or municipality council meetings shall examine draft decisions submitted by:

1) the chairperson of a city or municipality council;

2) committees of a city or municipality council;

3) councillors of a city or municipality council;

4) the initiator of an extraordinary meeting;

5) the manager of the administration referred to in Section 69.¹, Paragraph one of this Law.

Draft decisions shall be submitted to the chairperson of a city or municipality council.

The submission of draft decisions shall be regulated by local government by-laws, which shall provide for the procedures in accordance with which draft decisions shall be examined by standing committees of a city or municipality council and harmonised with local government institutions or their employees.

The chairperson of a city or municipality council, upon receiving a draft decision, shall determine in which committee it shall be examined.

[13 November 1997; 21 December 2000; 17 February 2005; 17 July 2008]

Section 34.

Meetings of city or municipality councils may take place if more than half the councillors of the city or municipality council participate.

A decision shall be considered taken if more than half of the city or municipality council councillors present vote for it, and if the law does not provide otherwise.

If the necessary number of votes in favour of a draft decision is not received, the draft decision shall be considered rejected. In such case the draft decision may be submitted to the city or municipality council for re-examination, observing the provisions of Section 33 of this Law.

[13 November 1997; 21 December 2000; 17 February 2005; 17 July 2008]

Section 35.

If the number of councillors of a city or municipality council mentioned in Section 34 of this Law are absent from a regular meeting of the city or municipality council, the chairperson of the city or municipality council shall, not earlier than after seven days and not later than after fourteen days, convene a repeat meeting to examine the issues planned for this meeting and, if necessary, add to the agenda of the meeting.

If the number of councillors of a city or municipality council mentioned in Section 34 of this Law are absent from the city or municipality council repeat meeting, the chairperson of the city or municipality council shall inform the responsible minister thereof within three days after the day on which the repeat meeting was to be held, as well as announce the date of the next meeting of the city or municipality council.

[8 June 1995; 30 October 1997; 13 November 1997; 21 December 2000; 17 February 2005; 17 July 2008]

Section 36.

If more than half of all the councillors of a city or municipality council are absent from a city or municipality council extraordinary meeting, the chairperson of the city or municipality council shall, for examination of the issues that were to be addressed at such meeting, convene a repeat extraordinary meeting not later than the next day without changing the agenda for the meeting.

If the number of city or municipality council councillors mentioned in Section 34 of this Law are absent from the city or municipality council repeat extraordinary meeting, the chairperson of the city or municipality council shall inform the Minister for Environmental Protection and Regional Development thereof within the time period specified in Section 35, Paragraph two of this Law.

[8 June 1995; 30 October 1997; 13 November 1997; 21 December 2000; 17 February 2005; 17 July 2008; 16 December 2010]

Section 37.

The progress of the council meeting shall be recorded in minutes. Council meetings shall be recorded in audio format, which shall be posted on the Internet home page of the local government council.

The minutes shall include:

1) where, the year, month, day and hour the meeting was convened, noting specifically if it was an extraordinary meeting;

2) when the meeting was opened and closed;

3) the agenda of the meeting;

4) the given name and surname of the chairperson of the meeting and of the local government administrative employee - minute taker of the meeting;

5) the given names and surnames of the councillors present and absent;

6) the reasons for the non-attendance of the councillors absent;

7) the given names and surnames of persons who were allowed to address the meeting;

8) the proposals and requests submitted, as well as the orders of the chairperson of the meeting;

9) the decisions taken, indicating with how many votes a decision was taken;

10) which councillors voted for, which against the relevant decision and which abstained from voting;

11) the given names and surnames of those councillors who, in compliance with restrictions regarding the taking of decisions as provided for in the Law On Prevention of Conflict of Interest in Activities of Public Officials, did not participate in the taking of relevant decisions;

12) [31 January 2013].

If any of the city or municipality council councillors does not agree to the record in the minutes, he or she has the right in the next regular city or municipality council meeting to request that the record be adjusted.

Minutes shall be signed by the chairperson of the meeting and the local government administrative employee - minute taker of the meeting. Minutes shall be signed not later than the fifth working day after the meeting indicating the date of signing.

Decisions taken by the city or municipality council shall be signed by the chairperson of the meeting.

If the city or municipality council meeting has adopted an administrative act, the decision and the voting thereof shall be indicated in the minutes and the administrative act shall be appended to the minutes, which shall be prepared in conformity with the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Law.

[17 February 2005; 17 July 2008; 17 June 2010; 31 January 2013]

Section 38.

The procedures for carrying out commercial activity of a chairperson of the local government council, his or her deputy, councillor, executive director and his or her deputy, as well as the head of a rural territory (or pagasts) or town administration, acquiring income, combination of offices and restrictions thereof, performance of duties, as well as other restrictions and duties related thereto, are laid down by the Law On Prevention of Conflict of Interest in Activities of Public Officials.

In addition to the restrictions for combining offices stipulated in the Law On Prevention of Conflict of Interest in Activities of Public Officials, a councillor of the local government council shall not:

1) take up the office of an executive director and deputy executive director, head of a rural territory (or pagasts) or town administration and his or her deputy;

2) take up such office in the administration of the relevant local government, the duties of which include:

a) preparation of draft council decisions;

b) examination of lawfulness and efficiency of council decisions;

c) control and supervision over execution of the decisions taken by the council;

d) provision of advices and consultations to local government officials;

3) directly or indirectly provide services to the local government in the matters referred to in Clause 2 of this Paragraph;

4) hold the office of the head of a local government institution or his or her deputy, except in the institution carrying out the autonomous functions of the local government laid down in Section 15, Paragraph one, Clauses 4, 5 and 6 of this Law;

5) hold the office of a member of the board in the capital company of the relevant local government, in the capital company in which the local government share in the equity capital individually or together with other local governments exceeds 50 per cent, and in the capital company in which the share of capital companies of one or several local governments in the equity capital individually or together exceeds 50 per cent, except a capital company implementing an administrative task arising from the autonomous function of the local government laid down in Section 15, Paragraph one, Clause 6 of this Law.

In addition to the duties of a head of the institution laid down in the Law On Prevention of Conflict of Interest in Activities of Public Officials the chairperson of the local government council shall ensure that the provisions of Paragraph two of this Section are complied with.

[31 January 2013]

Section 39.

[23 May 1996]

Section 40.

Voting at city or municipality council meetings shall be open and viva voce.

[31 January 2013]

[31 January 2013]

Voting for candidates proposed to the office of a chairperson of the local government council, deputy chairperson, executive director, deputy executive director, head of a rural territory (or pagasts) or town administration or deputy head of a rural territory (or pagasts) or town administration shall be carried out by ballot papers concurrently for the candidates proposed for each office.

[17 February 2005; 17 July 2008; 31 January 2013]

Section 41.

A city or municipality council shall adopt:

1) external laws and regulations (binding regulations);

2) internal laws and regulations (regulations, by-laws, instructions);

3) individual acts (administrative acts and other administrative decisions);

4) other decisions.

Decisions of city or municipality councils shall comply with the Constitution, this Law and other laws, as well as with Cabinet regulations.

[17 February 2005; 17 July 2008]

Section 42.

City or municipality council decisions, the implementation of which involves expenditures, shall be ensured with local government material and financial resources.

Losses resulting from an unlawful decision of a city or municipality council shall be compensated from the local government budget.

Chairperson of the city or municipality council shall be responsible as a member of collegial authority for the efficiency and the lawfulness of the decision of the city or municipality council.

[13 November 1997; 21 December 2000; 17 February 2005; 17 July 2008]

Section 43.

City or municipality councils are entitled to issue binding regulations that provide administrative liability for violating them, if such is not provided for in law, with respect to the following issues:

1) regarding building in republic city or municipality territory;

2) regarding the protection and maintenance of public use forests and waters, as well as of natural and cultural objects of the republic city or municipality that requires special protection;

3) regarding trading in public places, as well as restrictions on the time and place of retailing alcoholic beverages;

4) regarding public order;

5) regarding the maintenance of buildings and their territory and structures;

6) regarding maintaining sanitary cleanliness and the maintenance of territories for public use adjoining properties (footpaths, except for public transport stops, ditches, culverts or grassed territory to the edge of the road);

7) regarding the placing of advertising materials, sign boards, advertisements and other informational material in public places;

8) regarding the use of public transport;

9) regarding improvements of the territories of republic cities or counties, maintenance and protection of plantings;

10) regarding the keeping of domestic animals;

11) regarding the protection of engineering and communication systems and transport infrastructure of the local government of the republic city or municipality;

12) regarding the conversion of residential buildings (flats) into non-residential buildings (non-residential premises), in conformity with the local government territorial development plan;

13) regarding other matters provided for by law and Cabinet regulations.

Municipality councils are entitled to issue binding regulations also regarding the suppression of weeds, and the use and storage of chemicals and artificial fertilisers, and to provide for administrative liability for violation of such.

City or municipality councils may adopt binding regulations also in order to ensure the implementation of local government autonomous functions and voluntary initiatives.

In performing delegated State administrative functions and administrative tasks, a city or municipality council may adopt binding regulations only if it is provided for in the law or Cabinet regulations.

[8 June 1995; 13 November 1997; 5 February 1998; 9 December 1999; 15 June 2000; 21 December 2000; 5 June 2003; 17 February 2005; 17 July 2008; 17 June 2010]

Section 43.¹

In drawing up draft binding regulations, an explanatory memorandum shall be appended thereto in which a short outline of draft content, justification for the necessity of the draft, the information regarding the planned affect of the draft on the local government budget, entrepreneurship environment in the local government territory, administrative procedures and consultations with private persons are provided.

In drawing up draft binding regulations regarding local government fees, the information regarding the planned affect of the draft on the local government budget shall not be included in an explanatory memorandum.

An explanatory memorandum shall not be appended to draft binding regulations regarding approval of the local government budget, as well as to draft binding regulations by which territorial planning of a local government is approved.

Draft binding regulations and an explanatory memorandum appended thereto shall, in accordance with the procedures determined in the by-law of the local government, but not later than within time periods determined in Section 30 of this Law, except the case provided for in Section 31 of this Law, be published on the Internet home page of the local government, as well as the availability thereof shall be ensured in the city or municipality council building and rural territory (or pagasts) or city administrations.

[17 June 2010]

Section 44.

Republic city or municipality councils are entitled to issue binding regulations and provide for administrative liability for violating them, if such is not provided for in law, with respect to the following issues:

1) measures to be carried out in order to avert the spread of an epidemic or epizootic;

2) public order in case of natural disasters or other emergencies, and measures to rectify the consequences of such;

3) the protection of natural objects requiring special protection, and the protection of cultural monuments;

4) other matters provided for in law and Cabinet regulations.

[8 June 1995; 13 November 1997; 5 February 1998]

Section 45.

Binding regulations in force are binding to any natural person and legal person in the relevant administrative territory.

The city or municipality council shall the binding regulations and explanatory memorandum thereof in writing and in electronic form within three working days after signing thereof for the provision of an opinion to the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development, which shall evaluate the lawfulness of the adopted binding regulations not later than within one month from the receipt of the binding regulations and shall send a corresponding opinion to the local government.

If objections against the lawfulness of the adopted binding regulations have not been expressed in the opinion of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development or the opinion has not been sent to the local government within the specified time period, the local government shall publish the adopted binding regulations.

If an opinion of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development, in which unlawfulness of binding regulations or any part thereof is substantiated, has been received, the local government city or municipality council shall update the binding regulations in conformity with what has been indicated in the opinion and shall publish the updated binding regulations. If the local government city or municipality council does not agree entirely with the opinion or any part thereof, the city or municipality council shall provide an appropriate substantiation, as well as shall publish the binding regulations. Within three working days after signing of the binding regulations, they shall be sent in writing and electronic format to the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development.

The city or municipality council shall publish the binding regulations and explanatory memorandum thereof in the local newspaper or free publication. Republic city or municipality council shall publish the binding regulations and explanatory memorandum thereof in the official gazette Latvijas Vēstnesis [the official Gazette of the Government of Latvia].

The binding regulations shall come into force on the following day after publishing thereof in the newspaper or free publication, unless later time period for the coming into force is determined therein.

The local government binding regulations shall be published on the Internet home page of the local government following the coming into force thereof. The municipality councils shall ensure the availability of the binding regulations also in the building of the municipality council or city administrations.

[31 January 2013]

[17 July 2008; 17 June 2010; 16 December 2010; 31 January 2013]

Section 45.¹

The provisions of Section 45, Paragraphs two, three, four, five, six, seven and eight of this Law are not applicable to local government binding regulations in relation to spatial planning issues, which shall come into effect in accordance with the provisions of the Spatial Planning Law.

[17 February 2005; 17 July 2008]

Section 46.

A local government shall independently develop and implement the local government budget. Binding regulations regarding the approval of local government budgets and amendments to the budget shall come into force the next day after signing of such if another time of coming into force is not specified therein, and they shall be freely accessible in the city or municipality council building and rural territory (or pagasts) or city administration and they shall be published on the Internet home page of the local government.

Binding regulations regarding the approval of local government budgets and amendments to the budget shall be sent for information in writing and electronically to the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development within a three-day period.

The provisions of Section 45, Paragraphs two, three, four, five, six, seven and eight of this Law shall not apply to binding regulations regarding the approval of local government budgets and amendments to the budget.

[17 February 2005; 17 July 2008; 17 June 2010; 16 December 2010]

Section 47.

Local government administrative acts may be adopted by the city or municipality council if the law does not provide for other procedures.

Administrative acts issued by city or municipality councils may be appealed in the administrative court.

Administrative acts issued by the local government administration may be disputed within the framework of the local government.

In the cases specified by law, administrative acts shall be disputed in that direct administrative institution to which the local government is subordinate in implementing the delegated State administrative function or administrative task.

[17 February 2005; 17 July 2008]

Section 48.

Decisions of city or municipality councils shall be signed by the chairperson within five working days from the day of their adoption.

If the chairperson of a city or municipality council refuses to sign decisions within this time period, the chairperson has the duty to convene an extraordinary city or municipality council meeting at which the relevant decision shall be reviewed.

Only the chairperson of a city or municipality council is entitled to refuse to sign decisions of the city or municipality council and to convene an extraordinary meeting of the city or municipality council regarding review of the issue. The chairperson of a city or municipality council may not exercise such rights with respect to a decision of the city or municipality council by means of which an order of the chairperson of the city or municipality council is revoked, or also by means of which the chairperson of the city or municipality council is removed from office in accordance with procedures laid down in Section 65 of this Law.

Chairperson of the city or municipality council shall not be held liable for the use of the rights specified in Paragraph three of this Section.

[13 November 1997; 21 December 2000; 17 February 2005; 17 July 2008; 17 June 2010]

Section 49.

The operation of an unlawful binding regulation or other regulatory enactment or specific paragraphs of such issued by a city or municipality council, except the operation of decisions taken in accordance with the procedures of Section 47 of this Law, may be suspended by a substantiated order of the Minister for Environmental Protection and Regional Development. The order shall indicate the paragraphs of the specific binding regulations or other normative enactment that are to be revoked as unlawful, or shall indicate that the binding regulations or other regulatory enactment are to be revoked in their entirety. The order shall be published in the official gazette Latvijas Vēstnesis within three days from its issue and shall be sent to the chairperson of the relevant city or municipality council, who shall be responsible for its implementation.

The chairperson of the city or municipality council shall convene, within two weeks after receipt of an order from the Minister for Environmental Protection and Regional Development, an extraordinary meeting of the city or municipality council in which shall be examined the issue regarding revocation of the relevant binding regulations or other regulatory enactment or specific paragraphs of such. The Minister for Environmental Protection and Regional Development shall be timely notified of the time and place of the extraordinary meeting of the city or municipality council.

If the city or municipality council fails to take a decision to revoke the relevant binding regulations or other regulatory enactment or specific paragraphs thereof, it shall submit an application to the Constitutional Court regarding the revocation of the order of the Minister within three months. In such case the order of the Minister for Environmental Protection and Regional Development, regarding the suspension of the operation of the city or municipality council binding regulations or other regulatory enactment or specific sections thereof, shall remain in force until the proclamation of the judgment of the Constitutional Court.

The city or municipality council has no right to submit an application to the Constitutional Court regarding the revocation of the order of the Minister for Environmental Protection and Regional Development, if it within two months following the day of receipt of the opinion of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development has not fulfilled the duty to take a decision determined in Section 45, Paragraph four of this Law in which a substantiation is provided why the city or municipality council does not agree with that specified in the opinion of the Ministry of Regional Development and Local Government Matters.

If the city or municipality council or its chairperson fail to implement the provisions of Paragraph two or three of this Section, the unlawful binding regulations or other regulatory enactment or specific paragraph thereof shall be considered to no longer be in force. The Minister for Environmental Protection and Regional Development shall issue a notice regarding such in the official gazette Latvijas Vēstnesis.

[30 October 1997; 21 December 2000; 17 February 2005; 17 July 2008; 17 June 2010; 16 December 2010; 31 January 2013]

Chapter V
Standing Committees

Section 50.

City or municipality councils shall elect, from among the councillors of the city or municipality council, standing committees that shall:

1) prepare issues for examination at meetings of the city or municipality council;

2) provide opinions on questions within the competence of the committee;

3) monitor the work of the local government institutions, in accordance with procedures laid down by the local government by-laws;

4) examine draft budgets of local government institutions, and submit them to the finance committee;

5) approve and monitor expenditure estimates of local government institutions;

6) perform other duties in conformity with the local government by-laws.

[17 February 2005; 17 July 2008]

Section 51.

The local government shall form a finance committee and a social, education and culture issues committee. Municipality local government may establish a territorial committee.

[17 February 2005; 17 July 2008]

Section 52.

If not less than one quarter of the residents registered in the relevant local government administrative territory are aliens or stateless persons, the city or municipality council may establish an aliens and stateless persons affairs committee.

Other standing committees shall be established by city or municipality councils in accordance with the local government by-laws.

[13 November 1997; 21 December 2000; 17 July 2008]

Section 53.

On the recommendation of the aliens and stateless persons affairs committee, the city or municipality council shall determine the issues for the examination of which aliens and stateless persons are invited to committee meetings.

[13 November 1997; 21 December 2000; 17 July 2008]

Section 54.

The number of representatives in a committee from each political party or voter association shall be determined, to the extent possible, in proportion to the number of councillors elected from each political organisation or voter association.

The number of committee members shall not be less than three. The number of members of a committee shall not exceed one half the total number of city or municipality council councillors, except for the finance committee.

[8 June 1995; 13 November 1997; 21 December 2000; 17 February 2005; 17 July 2008]

Section 55.

Each councillor shall be a member of at least one city or municipality council committee.

A committee member may terminate his or her activities in a committee only if the city or municipality council, after receiving a written submission from the committee member, has taken a decision regarding the release of such member from the performance of duties.

If during his or her term of office a councillor is relieved from working in a committee, councillors of the relevant political party or voter association may nominate a new committee member.

[13 November 1997; 21 December 2000; 17 February 2005; 17 July 2008]

Section 56.

Meetings of committees shall be open meetings.

A committee meeting may take place if more than half the members of the committee participate. Decisions shall be taken by a majority vote of the committee members present. In the event of a tied vote, the vote of the committee chairperson shall be decisive.

All councillors of the relevant city or municipality council, in accordance with the provisions of local government by-laws, shall be notified regarding the time, place and agenda of committee meetings.

Minutes shall be taken of committee meetings. The minutes shall be signed by the committee chairperson and all committee members present.

Organisational and technical services for committees shall be provided by local government administrative employees.

[13 November 1997; 21 December 2000; 5 June 2003; 17 February 2005; 17 July 2008]

Section 57.

Extraordinary committee meetings shall be convened at the request of the chairperson of the committee or of the city or municipality council or of one third of the committee members.

Extraordinary meetings shall be convened within 24 hours after receipt of a request.

[13 November 1997; 21 December 2000; 17 February 2005; 17 July 2008]

Section 58.

The chairperson of a committee, except the chairperson of the finance committee, shall be elected from among the committee members, as well as relieved from the performance of duties, by the relevant committee. The chairperson of a committee and his or her deputy may not be the head of an institution or capital company of the local government or a division thereof, the work of which, in accordance with the local government by-laws, is monitored by the relevant committee.

The chairperson of a committee shall prepare, convene and chair committee meetings and shall ensure that decisions of the committee are recorded in the minutes, as well as monitor the implementation of the decisions of the committee.

Members of a committee have the right to submit to the committee chairperson issues to be examined at committee meetings, and the duty of the chairperson is to inform committee members regarding such.

[17 February 2005; 31 January 2013]

Section 59.

[31 January 2013]

Section 60.

A finance committee shall be chaired by the chairperson of the city or municipality council.

Finance committees shall:

1) provide opinions regarding draft budgets;

2) provide opinions regarding amendments to the budget, as well as regarding priorities in the division of resources if the revenue part of the budget is not realised;

3) provide opinions regarding projects that involve the expenditure of budget resources, and also regarding draft decisions of the city or municipality council, if the execution of such decisions involves unforeseen budget expenditures or amendments to the revenue part of the budget;

4) provide recommendations regarding the management of local government property;

5) provide recommendations and opinions regarding alienation of local government immovable property;

6) [13 November 1997];

7) perform other duties specified in Section 50 of this Law and in local government by-laws.

[13 November 1997; 21 December 2000; 17 February 2005; 17 July 2008]

Section 60.¹

A municipality local government council may establish a territorial committee for the co-ordination of activities of the municipality or city or municipality council.

The territorial committee shall prepare draft decisions for the review at the city or municipality council meeting regarding:

1) issues related to the administration of separate territorial units of the municipality;

2) operational issues of rural territory (or pagasts) or city administrations, including financial and personnel policy, as well as material and technical issues;

3) the improvement of the local government service quality provided in the territorial units of the municipality;

4) the establishment of new local government structural units or workplaces in rural territory (or pagasts) or city administrations;

5) the development of an annual operational plan of rural territory (or pagasts) or city administrations;

6) other issues related to activities of counties or cities.

[17 July 2008]

Section 61.

For the performance of specific functions or for the administration of the administrative territory of a local government, a city or municipality council may form boards of directors, commissions or working groups from among the councillors of the city or municipality council and residents of the relevant local government. In order to promote a sustainable and balanced development of the entire territory of the local government, the municipality local government council may establish a board of administration of the municipality, which is managed by the chairperson of the municipality council and includes deputies of the chairperson of the municipality council and chairpersons of all permanent city or municipality council committees. The board of administration in conformity with the by-law of the local government shall co-ordinate the opinions of the committees and shall prepare proposals for the taking of the decisions of the municipality council.

The need to form such boards of directors, commissions and working groups shall be determined by specific laws or city or municipality council decisions, and specialists may be invited to work in such, with remuneration for work paid from local government revenue.

Boards of directors, commissions and working groups shall act in accordance with by-laws approved by the city or municipality council.

[13 November 1997; 21 December 2000; 17 February 2005; 17 July 2008]

Section 61.¹

For the purposes of consultation, on the basis of an initiative of an inhabitant of the local government, the city or municipality council or the chairperson thereof, and based upon a city or municipality council decision, there may be organised public discussions regarding local government autonomous competence issues.

Public discussions must be organised for:

1) amendments to the administrative territorial boundaries of the local government;

2) the local government development programme and spatial planning.

Public discussions shall not be organised for the local government budget, local government paid services, rates of taxes and fees, as well as for the appointment local government officials to positions and the removal therefrom.

[17 February 2005; 17 July 2008]

Section 61.²

The length of public discussions shall not be less than three weeks.

Local government residents and representatives of the mass media during the course of the public discussion shall be guaranteed access to not only the document under discussion, but also all the local government decisions associated with such document.

Everyone has the right to express his or her views orally and in writing in respect of the issue under public discussion.

The local government has a duty to compile the views expressed and to publish on the Internet home page of the local government city or municipality council and in the local newspaper or free publication an informative notice (summary) regarding the results of the discussion.

The local government has a duty to publish on the Internet home page of the local government city or municipality council and in the local newspaper or free publication the decision taken by the city or municipality council in which the results of the public discussion have been utilised.

[17 February 2005; 17 July 2008; 17 June 2010]

Section 61.³

Local governments are entitled to organise a local government referendum according to the procedures specified by the law.

[17 July 2008]

Chapter VI
Chairpersons of City or Municipality Councils

[13 November 1997; 21 December 2000; 17 February 2005; 17 July 2008]

Section 62.

The mandate of the chairperson and vice-chairperson of a city or municipality council shall be in effect from the moment of election.

The chairperson of a city or municipality council shall:

1) manage the work of the city or municipality council, co-ordinate the examination of issues in committees;

2) represent the local government in relations with the State and other local governments;

3) represent the city or municipality council in court without special authorisation;

4) in the name of the city or municipality council issue powers of attorney, sign contracts and other legal documents;

5) manage the work of the finance committee;

6) issue binding instructions to local government administrative employees;

7) recommend the examination of issues in the city or municipality council and committees;

8) prepare submissions from officials of State institutions for examination at meetings of the city or municipality council;

9) be responsible for the execution of court judgments in which one of the parties is the city or municipality council;

10) may recommend the dismissal from the position held by the local heads of State administrative institutions or officials from such institution within the relevant administrative territory;

11) perform other duties provided for in laws, Cabinet decisions, by-laws of the relevant local government, and decisions of the city or municipality council.

[13 November 1997; 21 December 2000; 17 February 2005; 17 July 2008]

Section 63.

The office of chairperson of a city or municipality council shall be remunerated.

A city or municipality council may take decisions regarding the determination of other remunerated positions of the city or municipality council.

The monthly salary and amount of supplement for the chairperson of a city or municipality council shall be determined by the council.

[13 November 1997; 21 December 2000; 17 February 2005; 17 July 2008; 17 June 2010]

Section 64.

[16 June 1998]

Section 65.

The chairperson of a local government city or municipality council may be removed from office, if it is requested by at least one third of the councillors of the council.

If the chairperson of a city or municipality council fails to fulfil the duties specified in law or in by-laws of the relevant local government, to execute decisions of the city or municipality council and court decisions, fails to observe the law or Cabinet regulations, the Minister for Environmental Protection and Regional Development has the right to request removal of the chairperson of a city or municipality council from office.

The Chairperson shall be considered removed from office if more than half of the total number of elected councillors of the city or municipality council voted for removal.

In cases when a recommendation has been received regarding the removal from office of the city or municipality council chairperson, the chairperson shall convene an extraordinary meeting of the city or municipality council not later than within two weeks from the day the recommendation was received, unless a regular city or municipality council meeting is to take place within this time period. If the chairperson of the city or municipality council has not convened a meeting within the specified time, the vice-chairperson shall do so.

Examination of the issue at the meeting shall be chaired by the vice-chairperson of the city or municipality council.

[8 June 1995; 30 October 1997; 13 November 1997; 21 December 2000; 17 February 2005; 17 July 2008; 16 December 2010; 31 January 2013]

Section 66.

The chairperson or vice-chairperson of a city or municipality council may resign from office by notifying the city or municipality council in writing. In such case the chairperson or vice-chairperson of the city or municipality council shall continue to fulfil his or her duties until the next meeting of the city or municipality council meeting at which time his or her term of office shall terminate regardless of whether a new city or municipality council chairperson or vice-chairperson is elected at the meeting.

[13 November 1997; 21 December 2000; 17 February 2005; 17 July 2008]

Section 67.

[31 January 2013]

Chapter VII
Local Government Administration

[17 February 2005]

Section 68.

On the recommendation of the chairperson of a city or municipality council, the city or municipality council shall appoint an executive director who, in accordance with procedures laid down by the local government by-laws, shall be responsible for the work of the local government institutions and capital companies.

The executive director shall ensure continuity in the work of local government institutions and undertakings in the case of a change of city or municipality council.

[13 November 1997; 21 December 2000; 17 February 2005; 17 July 2008; 31 January 2013]

Section 69.

The local government executive director shall:

1) organise the implementation of binding regulations and other laws and regulations issued by the city or municipality council;

2) issue orders to the heads of local government institutions;

3) prepare recommendations to the city or municipality council regarding the revocation of unlawful or ineffective decisions of the relevant local government institutions;

4) recommend to the city or municipality council the appointment to office or removal from office of the heads of local government institutions and undertakings, and in accordance with the procedures specified in the by-laws of the city or municipality council hire and dismiss local government administrative employees;

5) submit proposals to the city or municipality council regarding the formation, reorganisation and liquidation of local government institutions and undertakings;

6) in accordance with the procedures and within the scope prescribed by the city or municipality council, act with local government property and financial resources, and conclude economic transactions with legal persons and natural persons;

7) organise the formulation of the draft territorial development plan, the territorial planning draft and the draft budget, as well as the preparation of the economic and annual public reports;

8) perform other duties provided for in the by-laws of the relevant local government and the decisions of the city or municipality council.

[31 January 2013]

[8 June 1995; 13 November 1997; 21 December 2000; 17 February 2005; 17 July 2008; 31 January 2013]

Section 69.¹

In order to ensure the accessibility of the services provided by a local government, in municipality rural territories (or pagasti) and towns in which the local government administrative centre is not located, the local government council shall establish a rural territory (or pagasts) or city administration.

The rural territory (or pagasts) or city administration shall:

1) ensure the issue of notices within the competence of the local government and provide information regarding issues within the competence of the local government;

2) accept payments for the taxes and fees specified by the State, the collection which has been given to the local government, as well as the payments for fees specified by the municipality council and payments for the services provided by the local government;

3) ensure the payments of local government social assistance according to the procedures specified in the Social Services and Social Assistance Law;

4) accept submissions, complaints and proposals from the residents living in the relevant territory and legal person registered therein, organise the preparation of replies to submitters;

5) register civil status documents, renew and amend the civil status document register and issue again marriage, birth or death certificates according to the procedures specified in the Law On Civil Status Documents;

6) ensure access to information regarding the decision taken by the council.

The Local Government council may establish in one rural territory (or pagasts) of the municipality or town several service centres. With the permission of the Minister for Environmental Protection and Regional Development, in the relevant local government town or municipality rural territory (or pagasts) or in two municipality rural territories (or pagasti) a common service centre may be established.

[17 February 2005; 17 July 2008; 16 December 2010]

Section 69.²

Rural territory (or pagasts) or city administration shall be managed by the manager of the rural territory (or pagasts) or city administration (hereinafter - administration manager). Subordination of the administration manager shall be determined by the by-law of the local government.

The administration manager:

1) shall be responsible for the organisation of work of local government institutions that are included in the administration and for the approval of the by-laws of local government structural units in the municipality local government council, as well as if it has been provided for in the by-law of the local government, shall appoint to and remove from the office the employees of administration;

2) shall be responsible for the accessibility and quality of the local government services and information to be submitted in the administration;

3) shall submit the annual request of financial resources necessary for the functioning of the administration to the executive director for further development;

4) within the framework of the competence specified, shall operate with the financial resources granted and shall be responsible for the use thereof;

5) shall carry out other duties provided for in the by-law of the relevant local government and decisions of the city and municipality council.

[31 January 2013]

[17 July 2008; 31 January 2013]

Chapter VIII
Control of Local Government Financial and Economic Activity

[21 December 2000; 15 February 2005]

Section 70.

City or municipality councils shall ensure the performance of financial audits in order to:

1) control the use of local government financial means in conformity with approved budgets and estimates;

2) examine the lawfulness and appropriateness of the activities of the heads and officials of local government institutions and capital companies;

3) control whether local government financial means, movable and immovable property is managed in conformity with the decisions of the city or municipality council and the interests of residents.

[21 December 2000; 17 February 2005; 17 July 2008]

Section 71.

For the performance of financial audits, preparation of audit reports and submission of an opinion regarding the financial year report, city or municipality councils shall, not less than once a year, invite auditor companies or sworn auditors, the remuneration of which shall be from funds provided for in the budget of the relevant local government.

The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development is entitled to involve specialists for the performance of an extraordinary financial audit of a local government.

[21 December 2000; 17 February 2005; 17 July 2008; 16 December 2010]

Section 72.

City or municipality councils shall ensure the preparation of an annual public report and a notice regarding its publication.

The local government annual public report shall include information regarding:

1) the implementation of the two previous years budgets and the accepted budget of the current year, including regarding the amount of obligations and guarantees;

2) the valuation of local government immovable property for the last two years;

3) the value of local government capital and expected changes in it;

4) the measures performed in the previous two years, as well as those planned for the current year in implementing the territorial development plan, including regarding:

a) public investments in the infrastructure of the administrative territory of the local government,

b) private investment in the administrative territory of the local government,

c) the participation of residents and legal persons in discussion and improvement of the local government territorial development programme and territorial planning;

5) the opinions of the sworn auditor regarding the economic activities of the local government, as well as the local government annual economic report for the previous year;

6) the decision of the city or municipality council regarding the annual economic report of the previous year;

7) the audit opinions of the State Audit Office and the measures taken by the city or municipality council to rectify discovered deficiencies;

8) the participation of the local government in co-operation projects;

9) the measures taken to improve the management of local government;

10) the measures taken in order to promote the awareness of residents regarding the activities of the local government and the possibilities for their participation in the discussion of decisions.

Local governments may also add other information to the annual public report.

[21 December 2000; 17 February 2005; 17 July 2008]

Section 73.

A city or municipality council may establish an audit commission, which shall operate in accordance with by-laws approved by the city or municipality council.

[21 December 2000; 17 February 2005; 17 July 2008]

Section 74.

The State Audit Office within the scope of its competence shall supervise the actions of local governments with financial means and property.

[21 December 2000; 17 February 2005]

Section 75.

[21 December 2000]

Chapter IX
Economic Basis

Section 76.

The economic basis of local governments is property, including financial resources, which is composed of:

1) tax payments of legal and natural persons into the local government budget;

2) State budget grants and earmarked grants;

3) credits;

4) local fees and other payments into the local government budget;

5) fines that are transferred into the local government budget;

6) revenue from the management of local government property and from the economic activity of local government undertakings;

7) voluntary payments of legal persons and natural persons for the achievement of specific goals;

8) other revenue.

[21 December 2000; 17 February 2005]

Section 77.

Local government property shall be segregated from State property and the property of other holders of rights. A local government uses its property and shall act with it in accordance with procedures laid down by law.

Local government property shall be utilised to satisfy the needs of residents of the relevant administrative territory either by giving it for public use (roads, streets, public squares, parks), or by establishing institutions and local government capital companies that ensure the rights of residents and provide them with necessary services (administrative institutions, social and health care, educational, cultural, sport and other institutions).

[17 February 2005]

The local government may utilise that part of the property, that is not necessary for the aforementioned purposes, to obtain revenue by economic means for satisfying the needs of residents, or also, in accordance with procedures laid down by law, to privatise or alienate such.

Property disputes between the State, other legal persons, natural persons and local governments shall be decided in court.

If a local government official in the performance of the duties of his or her position with intent or by gross negligence has caused losses to the local government, he or she has duty to compensate such losses.

The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development may also bring a claim for compensation to a court. In such case, the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development is released from the payment of State fees, but the acquired funds shall be included in the budget of the relevant local government.

[17 February 2005; 16 December 2010]

Section 78.

Local governments have the right of first refusal, if immovable property in the local government administrative territory is being alienated and such is necessary to perform the local government functions prescribed by law, by taking into account the use of the territory permitted (planned) in the territorial planning, laws and regulations, development planning documents and other documents that substantiate the necessity of the relevant immovable property for the implementation of the local government functions.

The right of first refusal shall not apply to:

1) immovable property acquired by the State;

2) immovable property acquired by foreign states for the needs of their diplomatic or consular institutions;

3) property to be privatised by the State and local governments;

4) production facilities with all their equipment;

5) immovable property that is transferred from one person to another without remuneration or by way of exchange;

6) immovable property from which a part has been alienated and which property remains under joint ownership of the seller and purchaser;

7) immovable property that is being sold by voluntary or mandatory auction;

8) immovable property in relation to which third persons have the right of first refusal or pre-emption based on law, contract, or will;

9) residential property, including a flat, the ownership of which has been acquired up to the privatisation of the residential building.

A local government that has acquired the immovable property on the basis of first refusal may, within a period of five years, sell it only by open auction.

The procedures and time periods for exercising the right of first refusal shall be determined by the Cabinet.

[5 February 1997; 21 December 2000; 17 June 2010]

Section 79.

Local governments have the right to make a proposal to Cabinet regarding the compulsory alienation of immovable property in favour of the relevant local government, in accordance with procedures laid down by law, if such property is necessary for public use, that is, roads, streets, public squares, footpaths, trestles, as well as for the construction of harbour berths. The procedures for the alienation of property shall be determined by a separate law.

Section 80.

The preparation of local government budgets and management of finances, as well as the rights of local governments to make their own revenue, shall be determined by separate laws.

[17 February 2005]

Chapter X
District Council

[17 July 2008]

Chapter XI
Local Governments and the Cabinet

Section 86.

The Cabinet shall co-ordinate with local governments all issues that affect the interests of all local governments:

1) draft laws and draft Cabinet regulations that pertain to local governments;

2) the amounts of grants and earmarked grants to be provided to local governments for the current financial year;

3) procedures for equalisation of local government financial resources, unless specified in law;

4) [5 February 1998];

5) sources of financing for the functions specified in Section 8 of this Law;

6) other issues on local government activities regarding which the Cabinet has agreed to with local governments each year prior to the start of the financial year.

Local governments shall be represented in the co-ordination process by a local government association that has been established in compliance with the requirements of Section 96 of this Law.

The Minister of the relevant sector shall represent the Cabinet in the co-ordination process or a person authorised by the Minister.

The procedures by which the Cabinet shall co-ordinate with local governments the issues referred to in Paragraph one of this Section shall be determined by the Cabinet.

[8 June 1995; 5 February 1997; 5 June 2003; 17 February 2005; 17 July 2008]

Section 87.

Issues that affect the interests of particular local governments and are not to be examined in accordance with procedures laid down by Section 86 of this Law shall be examined by the Cabinet in accordance with Cabinet Rules of Order.

On such issues, the relevant local government shall be represented by the chairperson of its city or municipality council, or a person authorised by the chairperson.

[8 June 1995; 17 February 2005; 17 July 2008]

Section 88.

The results of discussions regarding the issues referred to in Section 86 of this Law shall be formulated in the form of minutes.

The Cabinet, in sending to the Saeima draft laws that relate to local governments, shall attach to it a copy of the minutes of the Cabinet committee meeting in which the issues co-ordinated with local governments and differences of opinion have been recorded.

The discussion minutes on differences of opinion, regarding issues that are within the competence of the Cabinet or ministries, shall be examined by Cabinet.

[8 June 1995]

Section 89.

If Cabinet regulations or other laws and regulations that regulate the activities of local governments are contrary to the Constitution, this Law or other laws, local governments may recommend revocation of such in accordance with procedures laid down by law.

Section 90.

Proposals to amend laws shall be submitted to Cabinet by the local government associations or by individual local governments.

[17 July 2008]

Chapter XII
Dismissal of a City or Municipality Council and its Chairperson

[13 November 1997; 21 December 2000; 17 February 2005; 17 July 2008]

Section 91.

The Saeima may dismiss a city or municipality council if it:

1) repeatedly fails to observe or violates the Constitution, laws, and Cabinet regulations, or fails to execute court judgments;

2) repeatedly takes decisions and performs activities on issues that are within the competence of the Saeima, the Cabinet, ministries, other State administrative institutions, or the courts;

3) within a two-month period after the first meeting or after the resignation of relevant officials or institutions has not elected a chairperson, vice-chairperson or standing committees of the city or municipality council;

4) is unable to take decisions because at three successive meetings more than half the total number of councillors of the relevant city or municipality council have not participated.

[8 June 1995; 13 November 1997; 21 December 2000; 17 February 2005; 17 July 2008]

Section 92.

A city or municipality council shall be dismissed by means of a law, the draft of which the Cabinet shall submit to the Saeima.

A draft law, regarding dismissal of a city or municipality council shall be submitted by the Cabinet pursuant to its own initiative or pursuant to the recommendation of the Prosecutor General.

The Saeima, in adopting a law regarding dismissal of a city or municipality council, shall appoint pursuant to the recommendation of the Cabinet a temporary administration in the relevant administrative territory and shall determine the time period within which elections for a new city or municipality council shall be held. If less than 15 months remain until the regular elections of the city or municipality council, elections for a local government new city or municipality council shall not be held.

A temporary administration shall perform the functions of the city or municipality council provided for in laws and shall act until the day of the first meeting of the newly elected city or municipality council.

[13 November 1997; 21 December 2000; 17 February 2005; 17 July 2008]

Section 93.

If the chairperson of a city or municipality council fails to fulfil the duties specified by the laws, the Minister for Environmental Protection and Regional Development, after the receipt of an explanation of the chairperson of the relevant city or municipality council, may with a substantiated order relieve the chairperson from performing the duties of office. The order shall be published in the official gazette Latvijas Vēstnesis within three days after it is taken. The chairperson of the city or municipality council shall be considered relieved from performance of the duties of office from the day that the order of the Minister for Environmental Protection and Regional Development regarding the removal from office of the city or municipality council chairperson is published in the official gazette Latvijas Vēstnesis.

The chairperson of the city or municipality council has the duty to submit, within seven days from receipt of a request from the Minister for Environmental Protection and Regional Development, a written explanation regarding the reasons for the violations of the Constitution, laws and Cabinet regulations that have been permitted to occur, or for the failure to execute a court judgment. Failure to submit an explanation within the specified term shall be considered as refusal to submit an explanation.

The chairperson of the city or municipality council has the right, within 30 days after publication of the order of the Minister for Environmental Protection and Regional Development, to file a submission in court regarding revocation of the order of the Minister for Environmental Protection and Regional Development. If the chairperson of the city or municipality council has not utilised these rights, the chairperson, after expiry of the two-week term, shall be considered dismissed. If the court rejects the submission of the chairperson of the city or municipality council, the chairperson of the city or municipality council shall be considered dismissed from the day when the court judgment comes into effect.

If the order of the Minister for Environmental Protection and Regional Development is revoked by a court judgment, the chairperson of the city or municipality council shall receive the monthly salary of chairperson of the city or municipality council for the time period that the chairperson was relieved from the performance of the duties of office.

[8 June 1995; 30 October 1997; 13 November 1997; 21 December 2000; 17 February 2005; 17 July 2008; 17 June 2010; 16 December 2010; 31 January 2013]

Section 94.

The chairperson of a city or municipality council removed from office in accordance with the procedures of Section 93 of this Law may not be re-elected chairperson during the current term of the city or municipality council.

[13 November 1997; 21 December 2000; 17 February 2005; 17 July 2008]

Section 94.¹

If a local government city or municipality council or other local government institutions do not fulfil or violate the Constitution, laws, Cabinet regulations or also do not fulfil court judgments, the Minister for Environmental Protection and Regional Development may request an explanation from the chairperson of the city or municipality council.

The chairperson of the city or municipality council has a duty, within 20 days after having received the request from the Minister for Environmental Protection and Regional Development, to provide a written explanation regarding the violations of the Constitution, laws and Cabinet regulations allowed by the city or municipality council or other local government institutions or also the reasons for not fulfilling the court judgment.

[17 February 2005; 17 July 2008; 16 December 2010]

Chapter XIII
Co-operation among Local Governments

Section 95.

In order to perform tasks in which all or several local governments have an interest, local governments have the right to co-operate as well as to establish local government associations or to join such associations.

Local government co-operation agreements shall be entered into within the limitations of local government budget, if a relevant decision has been taken by the city or municipality council, or also if the procedures for entering into such are specified in the local government by-laws.

Local governments may establish associations whose regulations for founding, registration, activities and liquidation are determined by this Law and the Associations and Foundations Law.

A decision regarding the founding of a local government association or joining such, as well as terminating membership in a local government association, shall be taken by the relevant local government city or municipality council.

Local governments, in associations founded by them, shall be represented by the chairperson of the relevant city or municipality council or by a person authorised by the chairperson.

[17 February 2005; 17 July 2008]

Section 96.

A local government association, in which in accordance with procedures laid down by law and its articles of association more than half of all republic city local governments, as well as more than half of all municipality local governments have joined as members, is entitled to represent local governments in their discussions with the Cabinet.

[21 December 2000; 17 July 2008]

Section 97.

Local governments and associations established by them may co-operate with the local governments of other states and associations thereof, if such co-operation is not contrary to legislative enactments of the co-operating states and conforms to mutual agreements concluded among such states.

[17 July 2008]

Section 98.

Local governments, under the supervision of which are not the necessary infrastructure objects, have a duty to enter into agreements with other local governments in order to ensure the performance of functions prescribed by law. The procedures for settling mutual accounts shall be determined by the Cabinet.

[13 November 1997; 9 December 1999]

Section 99.

In order to resolve common tasks, local governments may, upon mutual agreement, establish joint institutions. Such institutions shall operate on the basis of a by-law approved by the relevant city or municipality councils. The by-law shall specify the competence of the local government joint institution (hereinafter - joint institution), the procedures for the financing, supervision, liquidation thereof, as well as the procedures by which withdrawal from the joint institution takes place, and other issues regarding activities of the local government joint institution.

[17 July 2008]

Section 99.¹

The local governments that established this institution shall implement the supervision of the joint institution through the supervisory council. If local governments establish several joint institutions, one supervisory council may be established for the supervision.

The supervisory council shall consist of at least three members, but not less than the number of local governments forming the joint institution. Each local government shall delegate the vice-chairperson of the city or municipality council for the work in the supervisory council, as well as other officials at its discretion.

The work of the supervisory council of the joint institution shall be managed by the chairperson of the supervisory council. Duties of the chairperson of the supervisory council shall be fulfilled by the vice-chairperson of the largest city or municipality local government council according to the number of inhabitants, if local governments do not agree otherwise.

The supervisory council shall act in accordance with the by-law approved by the relevant local governments, in which the competence and the procedures for activities of the supervisory council, as well as the procedures for the selection of the chairperson of the council, the rights and duties of the members of the council and the procedures for the replacement shall be regulated.

[17 July 2008]

Section 99.²

The supervisory council shall:

1) determine the action plan and the annual budget of the joint institution;

2) determine the monthly salary of the manager of the joint institution;

3) appoint to and remove from office, as well as apply disciplinary measures to the manager of the joint institution;

4) evaluate the results of activities of the joint institution;

5) carry out other duties specified by laws and regulations.

The supervisory council is entitled to request and receive information regarding the activity of the joint institution.

[17 July 2008]

Section 99.³

The joint institution shall act in the field of public and private rights in the name of the relevant legal persons governed by public law.

Movable property may be in the ownership, possession or use of the joint institution. Immovable property may be in the possession or use of the joint institution.

The joint institution shall have an independent budget.

[17 July 2008]

Section 99.⁴

If the by-law of the local government or another external regulatory enactment does not specify the duty to dispute the administrative act or the actual actions of the joint institution, the administrative acts and actual action of the joint institution may be appealed to a court.

Local governments that established the joint institution shall, in proportion to the number thereof, be responsible for the losses caused by the joint institution in the field of public or private rights, if local governments do not agree otherwise.

[17 July 2008]

Section 100.

A co-operative association is an institution that is established by local governments by entering into a co-operation agreement. In order to enter into a co-operation agreement, each local government city or municipality council shall take a decision regarding the entering into of a co-operation agreement.

A co-operation agreement shall indicate:

1) the purpose of co-operation;

2) the form of co-operation;

3) the financial and property participation of each local government in the achievement of the common purpose;

4) the procedures for the establishment of a co-operation council and its competence, if the relevant local government city or municipality councils consider the establishment of such council is necessary;

5) the procedures for the termination of the co-operation agreement;

6) other issues which the relevant local government city or municipality councils consider as necessary.

[21 December 2000; 17 July 2008]

Transitional Provisions

1. Rural territory (or pagasts) and city local governments shall register the permanent residence of residents, until this function is taken over by the Ministry of the Interior.

2. [5 February 1998]

3. All officials appointed by the previous local government and all employees of local government institutions and undertakings have the right to continue employment regardless of a change of city council (rural territory (or pagasts) council). A name change of a local government decision-making body shall not be a basis for dismissing a local government employee.

4. [5 February 1998]

5. [5 February 1998]

6. [5 February 1998]

7. [5 February 1998]

8. [5 February 1998]

9. [5 February 1998]

10. On the day this Law comes into force the following laws are repealed:

1) On City Local Governments (Latvijas Republikas Augstākās Padomes un Valdības Ziņotājs, 1991, Nos. 25/26, 39, 42; 1992, No. 1; 1993, No. 7; Latvijas Republikas Saeimas un Ministru Kabineta Ziņotājs, 1993, No. 33; 1994, No. 3);

2) On Parish Local Governments (Latvijas Republikas Augstākās Padomes un Valdības Ziņotājs, 1991, Nos. 25/26, 39, 42; 1992, No. 1; 1993, No. 7; Latvijas Republikas Saeimas un Ministru Kabineta Ziņotājs, 1993, No. 33; 1994, No. 3);

3) On District Local Governments (Latvijas Republikas Augstākās Padomes un Valdības Ziņotājs, 1992, No. 8/9; 1993, No. 7; Latvijas Republikas Saeimas un Ministru Kabineta Ziņotājs, 1993, No. 33; 1994, No. 3);

4) On the Capital City Rīga Local Government (Latvijas Republikas Augstākās Padomes un Valdības Ziņotājs, 1992, No. 26; 1993, No. 7; Latvijas Republikas Saeimas un Ministru Kabineta Ziņotājs, 1993, No. 33; 1994, No. 3); and

5) Chapters two, four and five of the Law On Additions and Amendments in Some Laws of the Republic of Latvia to Ensure Preservation of Personnel Documents (Latvijas Republikas Augstākās Padomes un Valdības Ziņotājs, 1993, No. 20/21).

11. On the day this Law comes into force, the decision of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Latvia On By-laws Regarding Audit Commissions of People's Deputy Councils of Districts, Cities, City Districts and Parishes (Latvijas Republikas Augstākās Padomes un Valdības Ziņotājs, 1992, No. 6/7) is repealed.

12. On the day this Law comes into force, the following decisions of the Presidium of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Latvia are repealed:

1) On the Application of Section 30, Paragraph five of the Republic of Latvia 24 April 1991 Law On City Local Governments and, Section 30, Paragraph five of the Republic of Latvia 24 April 1991 Law On Parish Local Governments (Latvijas Republikas Augstākās Padomes un Valdības Ziņotājs, 1991, No. 29/30);

2) On the Application of Specific Sections of the Republic of Latvia Laws On Parish Local Governments, On City Local Governments, On District Local Governments (Latvijas Republikas Augstākās Padomes un Valdības Ziņotājs, 1992, No. 17);

3) On the Application of the Republic of Latvia 10 June 1992 Law On the Capital City Rīga Local Government (Latvijas Republikas Augstākās Padomes un Valdības Ziņotājs, 1992, No. 29/31);

4) On the Application of Specific Sections of the Republic of Latvia Laws On Parish Local Governments, On City Local Governments, On District Local Governments and On the Capital City Rīga Local Government (Latvijas Republikas Augstākās Padomes un Valdības Ziņotājs, 1993, No. 18/19).

13. [21 December 2000]

14. The newly established district councils shall:

1) [21 December 2000]

2) continue to maintain institutions supervised by the district local government, and supervise district local government undertakings until they are transferred to rural territory (or pagasts) or city local governments or to other holders of rights, or until they are reorganised. The discontinuance of the activities of medical treatment, educational, cultural, children's and social institutions shall be allowed only if the relevant services to residents are ensured by another institution or by other means;

3) ensure the operation of the civil defence system until such function is taken over by the State;

4) perform other functions specified for district local governments in other laws until amendments are made in relevant laws, if in accordance with Section 15 of this Law the relevant function is not to be handed over to a rural territory (or pagasts) or city local government.

15. [21 December 2000]

16. [21 December 2000]

17. [21 December 2000]

18. [16 June 1998]

19. Amendments to Section 5 and Section 20, Paragraph one (regarding the election of an audit commission); Section 21, Paragraph two, Clause 2 (regarding an annual public report); Section 26, Paragraph five (regarding the public accessibility of decisions of an audit commission); Section 28, Paragraph one, Clause 2 and Section 33, Paragraph one, Clause 2 (regarding the submission of draft decisions of an audit commission); Section 35, Paragraph two (regarding the chairperson of an audit commission); Section 36, Paragraph two (regarding the chairperson of an audit commission); Section 38, Paragraph one (regarding members of an audit commission); Section 65, Paragraph one, Clause 3 and Section 69, Paragraph one, Clause 7 (regarding an annual public report); the title and text of Chapter VIII and Section 82, Paragraph two (regarding an annual public report); Section 82.1, Paragraph one, Clause 2 (regarding an annual public report); Section 85.1 and the title of Chapter XII (regarding the dismissal of an audit commission); Section 91, Paragraphs one and two (regarding an audit commission) and Section 92, Paragraphs one, two and five (regarding an audit commission) of the Law shall come into force on 11 March 2001.

20. Up to the day of the coming into force of new Cabinet regulations, but not later than by 1 January 2004, Cabinet Regulation No. 460 of 24 December 1996, Procedures by which the Cabinet shall Co-ordinate with Local Governments Issues, which Involve Local Government Interests, shall be applied insofar as it is not in conflict with this Law.

21. City councils (rural territory (or pagasts) councils) shall up to 1 September 2005 adopt a local government by-law in conformity with the provisions of Section 24 of this Law.

[17 February 2005]

22. By 1 November 2008 the Cabinet shall draw up and submit to the Saeima draft laws regarding amendments necessary to other laws for the co-ordination thereof with this Law. By 1 May 2012 the Cabinet shall draw up and submit to the Saeima a draft law regarding local government referendums.

[17 July 2008; 17 June 2010; 15 December 2011]

23. Section 61.³ of this Law shall come into force concurrently with the law on local government referendums.

[17 July 2008]

24. If during the administrative-territorial reform one municipality is created in the territory of a district local government, the relevant municipality shall ensure the fulfilment of competence of the district council, observing the organisation of the work of local government specified by this Law.

[17 July 2008]

25. If during the administrative-territorial reform two counties are created in the territory of district local government, the district council shall continue to work in the composition, which was prior to the creation of counties, until 1 July 2009.

[17 July 2008]

26. Within a year after the first meeting of the newly created municipality council, the municipality council shall evaluate the adopted biding regulations of the former local governments forming the municipality and shall adopt new binding regulations of the municipality. Binding regulations of the former local governments forming the municipality shall be in force until the date of the coming into force of the binding regulations of the municipality, except for the binding regulations in spatial planning matters and amendments to the budget.

[17 July 2008]

26.¹ If a municipality council has not revoked or recognised as invalid the binding regulations adopted by former local governments (of rural territories (pagasti), cities) forming the municipality, except binding regulations in respect of territorial planning matters, such binding regulations shall become invalid on 1 October 2010.

[17 June 2010]

27. Binding regulations of district local governments, except for binding regulations in spatial planning matters and binding regulations regarding the approval of the budget of local governments and amendments to the budget, shall cease to have effect on 1 July 2009.

[17 July 2008]

28. Local governments, where joint institutions have been created before 1 July 2009 and that operate, shall ensure the conformity of these institutions with the provisions specified in Sections 99, 99.¹, 99.², 99.³ and 99. ⁴of this Law until 1 November 2009.

[17 July 2008]

29. Local government councils elected in the local government elections of 2009 shall come together for the first meeting on 1 July 2009. The first meeting of the newly elected city or municipality council shall be convened by the chairperson of the municipality electoral commission.

[17 July 2008]

30. In 2009 the remuneration (salary etc.) specified in accordance with this Law shall be determined pursuant with the Law On Remuneration of Officials and Employees of the State and Local Government Authorities in 2009.

[12 December 2008]

31. The local government binding regulations issued in accordance with the wording of Section 43, Paragraph one, Clause 11 and that were in force until 1 October 2010, shall remain in force also after 1 October 2010, unless it is decided otherwise in accordance with the procedures determined by the law.

[17 June 2010]

32. The local government shall ensure recording of the council meetings in audio format and posting on the Internet home page of the council stipulated in Section 37, Paragraph one of this Law not later than until 1 July 2014.

[31 January 2013]

33. Amendments to this Law regarding rewording of Section 38, supplementation of the second sentence of Section 58, Paragraph one after the word "chairperson" with the words "and his or her deputy", as well as amendments to this Law regarding deletion of Section 67, the second sentence of Section 68, Paragraph one, of Section 69, Paragraph two and Section 69.², Paragraph three shall come into force on 1 July 2013.

[31 January 2013]

Note*. This Law shall come into force concurrently with the Law On Remuneration of Officials and Employees of the State and Local Government Authorities in 2009.

Note**. This Law shall come into force on 1 July 2009.

This Law has been adopted by the Saeima on 19 May 1994.

Acting for the President,
Chairperson of the Saeima A. Gorbunovs

Rīga, 24 May 1994

Transitional Provisions Regarding Amendments to the Law On Local Governments

Transitional Provisions
(regarding amending Law of 5 February 1997)

With the coming into force of this Law Cabinet Regulations Nos. 106 and 323, Amendments to the Law On Local Governments, issued in accordance with Article 81 of the Constitution of the Republic of Latvia (Latvijas Republikas Saeimas un Ministru Kabineta Ziņotājs, 1996, Nos. 10 and 20), are repealed.

Transitional Provisions
(regarding amending Law of 9 December 1999)

With the coming into force of this Law Cabinet Regulation No. 285, Amendments to the Law On Local Governments, issued in accordance with Article 81 of the Constitution of the Republic of Latvia (Latvijas Republikas Saeimas un Ministru Kabineta Ziņotājs, 1999, No. 18), is repealed.

Transitional Provisions
(regarding amending Law of 5 June 2003)

With the coming into force of this Law Cabinet Regulation No. 5, Amendments to the Law On Local Governments, issued in accordance with Article 81 of the Constitution of the Republic of Latvia (Latvijas Republikas Saeimas un Ministru Kabineta Ziņotājs, 2003, No. 9), is repealed.

¹ The Parliament of the Republic of Latvia

Translation © 2013 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre)