In it took part members of the Senate, the government, representatives of ministries and departments, deputies of local Kengashes, members of the Youth Parliament under the Senate, and mass media workers. The plenary session, held in the format of videoconferencing, was chaired by the Chairperson of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan Tanzila Narbaeva. The plenary session was broadcast online via the Senate's YouTube channel. The senators began the first day of the fifteenth plenary session with a discussion of the Law "On making additions and amendments to some legislative acts of the Republic of Uzbekistan aimed at improving the sphere of electronic commerce." It was noted that in recent years, consistent work has been carried out in the country to widely introduce modern digital technologies and develop the sphere of electronic commerce. Along with this, the rapid development of digital technologies requires the formation of an electronic commerce space for electronic commerce participants, the creation of conditions for fair competition in the sphere, as well as the further improvement of the legal foundations for protecting the rights and interests of electronic commerce participants. The Law introduces amendments and additions to the Tax Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Law "On Electronic Commerce", providing for the establishment of specifics for making payments in the sphere of electronic commerce, cross-border electronic commerce, export and import of digital products. It also determines cases when the seller bears responsibility to the consumer within the framework of obligations of electronic commerce operators or establishes a norm of subsidiary liability of the electronic commerce operator to the consumer in case of the seller's inability to satisfy the legal requirements of the consumer. The speakers emphasized that this ensures the wide use of safe online trading services by consumers. In addition, the Law serves not only to regulate electronic trade, but also to increase the transparency of the electronic trade market, as well as to create a legal framework that meets international standards. According to the senators, the implementation of these measures is aimed at ensuring conditions of fair competition between domestic and foreign sellers, preventing the loss of tax revenues in the era of rapid development of cross-border electronic commerce, and facilitating the processes of ensuring tax revenues by involving local electronic commerce platforms as tax agents. Upon completion of the discussion, the Law was approved by the senators. Also during the plenary session, the Law "On making additions and amendments to some legislative acts of the Republic of Uzbekistan providing for bringing the national legislation of the Republic of Uzbekistan into compliance with the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures of the World Trade Organization" was considered. It was noted that in the process of the accession of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the World Trade Organization, a need arises to bring national legislation in the field of plant quarantine and protection into compliance with the rules and standards provided for by the agreements of the Organization. By the Law, the main concepts set forth in the Law "On Plant Quarantine" are brought into compliance with the glossary of phytosanitary terms approved within the framework of the International Plant Protection Convention. Also, the powers of representative state authorities on sites and executive authorities on sites in the field of plant quarantine are clearly defined. The powers of the Agency for Plant Quarantine and Protection are expanded. Thus, powers are established such as phytosanitary risk analysis, approval of the procedure for an automated selection mechanism based on risk management within the framework of phytosanitary control, development and approval of rules and methods of phytosanitary treatment of regulated products, laboratory research methods in the field of plant quarantine, development of requirements and procedures for licensing activities for phytosanitary disinfection. Along with this, norms are introduced into the laws "On State Duty" and "On Licensing, Permissive and Notifying Procedures", determining the issuance to legal entities of a license to carry out activities for phytosanitary disinfection for a limited period and the establishment of a state duty for carrying out this activity, clarifying the name of the license and its sub-types, and establishing the amounts of fines for offenses committed during the carrying out of this activity. The senators emphasized that the adoption of the Law serves to bring national legislation in the field of plant quarantine and protection into compliance with international standards, further improve activities for phytosanitary disinfection, and ensure the unhindered circulation of products in international trade. The Law was approved by the senators. Then, at the plenary session of the Senate, the Law "On making amendments and additions to some legislative acts of the Republic of Uzbekistan aimed at further strengthening the guarantees of the rights of the child and further improving the system of protection of women who have suffered from harassment and violence" was discussed. It was noted that in recent years, systemic reforms aimed at increasing human dignity and the reliable protection of the rights and interests of women and children have been consistently implemented in the country. The Law is a logical continuation of these reforms; it defines the legal status of the concept of "the best interests of the child" and fixes it as a priority criterion when resolving any issues concerning the child. According to the corresponding amendments introduced to the Family Code, it is established that when considering any issue affecting the interests of the child in the family, the child has the right to freely express their opinion. Along with this, the powers of state bodies to protect the rights of women who have suffered from harassment and violence are also expanded. Thus, the National Agency for Social Protection is granted the right to file applications, complaints, and lawsuits in courts without paying state duty for the purpose of protecting the rights and legal interests of persons who have suffered from harassment and violence, as well as to participate in court sessions through their authorized representative. In addition, social guarantees related to placing persons who have suffered from harassment and violence in special centers are clarified. It is provided that a period of not more than one month from the moment of placing the victim in a special center from harassment and violence is the basis for issuing them a certificate of temporary disability. The senators emphasized that this Law opens a new stage in the protection of the rights of children and women and serves to further strengthen the principles of humanism and social justice in society. Upon completion of the discussion, the senators approved the Law. At the plenary session of the Senate, the Law "On making additions and amendments to the Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Administrative Responsibility" was also considered. The Law is an important step on the path of strengthening justice and legality in society, strengthening the legal protection of citizens, and ensuring the transparency of the judicial system. The Law introduces a number of fundamental amendments and additions to the Code of Administrative Responsibility. In particular, for the purpose of preventing fraud in the automobile market, the Code is supplemented with a new article 178², according to which administrative responsibility is separately established for failing to inform the buyer about a change or replacement of the odometer readings indicating the mileage of the vehicle. This norm is aimed at ensuring the right of consumers to receive reliable and complete information about a product and suppresses unfair practices in the used car market. Another important direction of the Law is the protection of the rights and interests of minors. Now, the participation of a teacher or a psychologist in the consideration of cases on administrative offenses involving minors is mandatory. This creates a guarantee for taking into account the mental state of minors, preventing pressure on them, and protecting the interests of the child in accordance with international standards. The Law also for the first time systematized the institute of "recusal" and "self-recusal" during the consideration of cases on administrative offenses. This is aimed at eliminating the interest of a judge or other authorized person in a case and ensuring the objectivity of decisions. The procedure for reducing the term of deprivation of the right to drive a vehicle or to hunt is also being improved. Now this issue will be considered only by a court on the basis of clearly defined conditions. If a person has previously used this benefit or committed a repeated offense during the term of punishment, mitigation does not apply to them. The senators noted that the adoption of the Law contributes to reforming the system of administrative responsibility based on the principles of humanity and justice. The Law was approved by the senators. At the 15th plenary session of the Senate, the Law "On making amendments and additions to some legislative acts of the Republic of Uzbekistan in connection with the improvement of the state management system in the sphere of cultural heritage" was also discussed. It was noted that in recent years, the system of state management in the sphere of protection and use of cultural heritage objects has gradually improved, and the functions of authorized bodies have been revised. The Law is aimed at the legal consolidation of these reforms, the clear definition of powers in this sphere, and ensuring the consistency of legal acts. The Law clearly delimits the powers of state management bodies in the sphere of cultural heritage. It is provided that the protection and use of material cultural heritage objects belong to the competence of the Cultural Heritage Agency, and immaterial ones – to the Ministry of Culture. In particular, the Cultural Heritage Agency is assigned the tasks of exercising state control in the sphere of accounting for material cultural heritage objects, keeping the state land-cadastre, conducting historical-cultural expertise, and protecting and using material cultural heritage objects. The Law improves the procedure for the circulation of cultural values, including their sale through auctions, and introduces a mechanism for implementing these processes in agreement with the authorized body. In addition, a procedure is established for conducting research on archaeological monuments only in the presence of an appropriate permission, regular control over the condition of cultural heritage objects, and their inspection every five years. The senators emphasized that the Law serves to further improve the state management system in the sphere of protection and effective use of cultural heritage objects, ensure a clear distribution of powers, and establish a unified and effective management in this sphere. Upon completion of the discussion, the senators approved the Law. Also discussed was the Law "On making amendments and additions to some legislative acts of the Republic of Uzbekistan aimed at creating more favorable conditions for citizens and entrepreneurs when appealing to economic and administrative courts, as well as increasing the level of accessibility of justice." It was noted that this Law introduces important amendments to the Criminal Procedure, Economic Procedure Codes and the codes on administrative responsibility and on administrative court proceedings. One of the main innovations is the introduction of an extraterritorial procedure for court proceedings. Now, an opportunity is created for citizens and entrepreneurs to appeal to a corresponding court. The institute of "preliminary hearing" is introduced in administrative courts, which will increase the quality of judicial production. In the Law, special attention is paid to increasing the responsibility of state bodies. In particular, the mandatory participation of a state body official in a court session is introduced. In addition, the principle of "legal protection of trust" is strengthened, that is, this means that the body is responsible for an error of a state body, not the entrepreneur. The system of economic courts is also being optimized, and instead of district (city) economic courts, inter-district economic courts are being created. According to the senators, the adoption of the Law serves to improve the investment climate, reduce corruption factors, and respect human dignity. The Law was approved by the senators. At the 15th plenary session of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis, the Law "On making additions and amendments to some legislative acts of the Republic of Uzbekistan aimed at improving responsibility for the illegal circulation of narcotic drugs, their analogues, psychotropic and potent substances" was considered. It was emphasized that in New Uzbekistan, protecting the health of the population and preserving the national gene pool are a priority direction of state policy. In recent years, the growing threat of new types of synthetic drugs and "drug addiction" all over the world requires a revision of legislation in this field. The Law introduces fundamental amendments to the Criminal, Criminal Procedure Codes, the Code on Administrative Responsibility, and other laws. In particular, criminal responsibility is strengthened not only for the illegal circulation of narcotic drugs, but also for the illegal circulation of potent substances. The senators noted that for the first time, the Law separately establishes responsibility for creating an "illegal drug laboratory" and for ensuring its functioning. Also, the Law fixes the distribution and propaganda of narcotic drugs through the Internet as an aggravating circumstance. For the purpose of protecting youth from this vice, punishments are tightened for drug-related crimes committed on territories adjacent to educational institutions, camps, and dormitories. It is established that persons who have committed serious drug-related crimes are not subject to early release. According to the senators, the adoption of the Law serves to create a solid legal basis for the fight against crime by law enforcement agencies and to increase the efficiency of activities in this field, creating a "drug-free environment", especially for protecting the younger generation from the vice of drug addiction. Upon completion of the discussion, the Law was approved by the senators. At the plenary session of the Senate, the Law "On making amendments and additions to the Tax Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan in connection with increasing the efficiency of the digital marking system" was also discussed. It was noted that in recent years, supporting entrepreneurship has become a priority direction of state policy, and certain work is being carried out in the country to provide financial support for entrepreneurial activity, create a healthy competitive environment, and prevent groundless inspections. Along with this, to provide the population with high-quality consumer products and prevent the illegal production and circulation of products, a need arises to further strengthen the system of mandatory digital marking of certain types of products by means of identification established by law, as well as monitoring the circulation of such products. Senators in their speeches noted that the marking of goods is called upon to protect consumers from buying low-quality, counterfeit products, and the presence of marking obliges manufacturers to strictly observe the norms of the law and quality standards. The Law introduces additions and amendments to the Tax Code, providing for conducting a remote tax inspection after two official warnings about offenses related to the mandatory marking of goods (products). The Law also establishes a 5-day period for conducting a remote tax inspection, with the act being issued in the form of an electronic document. The senators noted that the adoption of this Law serves to reduce the share of illegal trade and the shadow economy in the country's economy, as well as to prevent the sale of low-quality or counterfeit products (alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, medicines, soft drinks, etc.) to the population. Upon completion of the discussion, the senators approved the Law. Then, at the plenary session of the Senate, the Law "On making amendments and additions to the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan 'On State Power on Sites'" was considered. It was noted that a priority direction of reforms in New Uzbekistan is the full realization of popular power and increasing the role of local representative organs in state management. In recent years, the powers of local Kengashes have been expanding in the context of the socio-economic development of regions and solving problems of concern to the population. This Law introduces a number of amendments aimed at the systemic organization of management in the activities of local representative organs and improving territorial forms of parliamentary control over the executive branch. In particular, the institute of deputy chairperson of the Kengash is introduced into the local Kengashes of people's deputies. It should be noted that the person holding this position simultaneously exercises the powers of the head of the secretariat of the Kengash. Granting them the right to appoint and dismiss secretariat workers ensures the full independence of the Kengash apparatus from the local executive power. For the purpose of ensuring the continuity of the activities of local Kengashes and the effective coordination of their work between sessions, the Presidium of the Kengash is created. It is provided that the composition of the Presidium includes the chairperson of the Kengash, their deputy, the chairpersons of permanent commissions, and the leaders of party groups. For the first time, the institute of "Kengash hour" is introduced, intended for hearing the answers of leaders of local authorities and organizations to the questions of deputies. At the same time, deputies will have the opportunity to promptly receive answers from officials on urgent issues of concern to the population. In cases when it is impossible to delay, the issue can be considered by the Presidium and then approved at a session. The senators noted that this Law is an important legal basis for consolidating the mechanisms of democratic checks and balances in the system of local power. The adoption of the Law serves to increase the public status of local Kengashes, strengthen the effectiveness of representative control in solving territorial problems, as well as strengthen the mechanisms of checks and balances in the state management system. Upon completion of the discussion, the Law was approved by the senators. At the 15th plenary session of the Senate, the Law "On making additions and amendments to some legislative acts of the Republic of Uzbekistan" was discussed. In recent years, systematic work has been carried out in our country to create conditions for the realization of the rights of the population to housing, and the recognition of rights to real estate objects built by physical and legal entities. Along with this, a need arises to further accelerate the work on recognizing rights to arbitrarily occupied land plots and buildings and structures erected on them, increasing the responsibility of authorized organizations, simplifying certain mechanisms related to the recognition of rights, and creating additional conveniences for citizens. By this Law, amendments and additions are introduced into the laws "On the recognition of rights to arbitrarily seized land plots and buildings and structures built on them" and "On state registration of rights to real estate property", aimed at reducing the terms for considering documents related to the recognition of rights, and improving the procedures for considering complaints concerning the recognition of rights. The speakers emphasized that to create additional conveniences for citizens, the concept of tax debt is clarified, and a procedure and conditions for a lump-sum payment in installments for the recognition of the right to lease a land plot are introduced. According to the senators, the norms of this Law serve to eliminate factors preventing the recognition of the rights of physical and legal entities to real estate objects. Upon completion of the discussion, the Law was approved by the senators. At the plenary session of the Senate, the Law "On making additions and amendments to some legislative acts of the Republic of Uzbekistan" was also considered. It was noted that the Law is aimed at ensuring human rights and freedoms, further improving the penal system, and increasing the efficiency of the probation institute. The Law contains a number of important innovations. In particular, in accordance with the amendments introduced to the Criminal Code, control over persons conditionally early released from serving a sentence is strengthened. They are obliged to periodically register with authorized bodies. Also, an opportunity is created for filing a petition to the court by a lawyer or by the person themselves when considering the issue of full or partial cancellation of the duties imposed on the conditionally early released person. By the amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code, the procedure for cancelling conditional early release is clarified. The consideration of these issues is carried out by a judge of a district (city) court on criminal cases at the place of residence of the convicted person. At the same time, the Penal Code is supplemented with a new chapter. The legal mechanisms for control over conditionally early released persons, their duties, and the procedure for terminating control are determined. Amendments are introduced into the Law "On detention in custody during production on a criminal case", according to which persons held in pre-trial detention centers must have the opportunity to walk for at least two hours on weekends and non-working holidays. Provision is also made for increasing the amount of money established for them to purchase food products and essential goods up to a single size of the minimum wage. Members of the Senate emphasized that the Law serves to further improve the system of crime prevention in society, reform persons, and ensure human rights. The Law was approved by the senators. On this, the first day of the work of the fifteenth plenary session of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan concluded. Information Service of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan.