ON ISSUES OF REFORMING THE ACTIVITIES OF LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT BODIES AND OFFICIALS

Abstract

Bill No. 4298, adopted in the first reading on October 30, 2020, which provided for the transformation of local state administrations into prefectural-type bodies and the introduction of control over the legality of decisions of local self-government bodies, was never approved by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. The war significantly changed the priorities in the organization of executive power at the local level. Therefore, on April 29, 2025, the Verkhovna Rada Committee on the Organization of State Power, Local Self-Government, Regional Development and Urban Planning proposed to the Parliament to adopt in the first reading a draft law that provides for amendments to the Law of Ukraine “On Local State Administrations” and a number of other legislative acts. The document is aimed at ensuring legality in the activities of local self-government bodies and officials and has registration number 13150. The new draft law No. 13150 is aimed at reforming the activities of local government bodies and officials, which requires a constructive dialogue between the authorities and communities. Thus, another stage of discussion on the issue of supervision of the legality of decisions of local government bodies has begun. This discussion has been ongoing in Ukraine with varying levels of activity almost since the beginning of the implementation of the local government reform. Today, everything indicates that despite the claims of success in decentralization, the reform of local self-government and territorial organization of power has effectively stalled. Moreover, there has recently been a trend towards centralization, which is argued to meet the requirements of martial law. One example of this is the creation of military administrations in communities far from combat zones, where such measures are difficult to justify as necessary. At the same time, the relevance of legislative regulation of the activities of local state administrations is increasing due to changes in the administrative and territorial structure of Ukraine. Thus, it is proved that there is an urgent need to update the current legislation, that is, it is proposed: 1) at the legislative level to transfer to the district state administration the functions of the executive body of district councils, in particular regarding the implementation of district budgets. In addition, 2) to consolidate the powers to coordinate the activities of territorial executive bodies, and 3) to consolidate the function of monitoring compliance with the law in decisions of local self-government bodies. Thus, it is proved that there is an urgent need to update the current legislation, that is, it is proposed: 1) at the legislative level to transfer to the district state administration the functions of the executive body of district councils, in particular regarding the implementation of district budgets. In addition, 2) to consolidate the powers to coordinate the activities of territorial executive bodies, and 3) to consolidate the function of monitoring compliance with the law in decisions of local self-government bodies. Thus, it is proved that there is an urgent need to update the current legislation, that is, it is proposed: 1) at the legislative level to transfer to the district state administration the functions of the executive body of district councils, in particular regarding the implementation of district budgets. In addition, 2) to consolidate the powers to coordinate the activities of territorial executive bodies, and 3) to consolidate the function of monitoring compliance with the law in decisions of local self-government bodies.