THE Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO) Bill is among the various pieces of legislation that will be presented to Parliament when it resumes sitting on Tuesday, July 14, 2009.

The Bill signed by Attorney General Mumba Malila seeks, among other aspects, to coordinate operations and registration of NGOs.

Under the Bill, an NGO registration board will be established comprising 15 part-time members who include two members appointed by the minister of Community Development and Social Welfare.

Others are representatives from the ministries of Health, Home Affairs, Finance and National Planning, Community Development and Local Government.

The board will also comprise a representative of the attorney general, seven members elected by the Zambia Congress of NGOs and the Registrar as an ex-officio member.

The Bill, if passed, will empower the minister of Community Development and Social Welfare to accept or reject nominations, and in the event that a nominee is rejected the organisation or institution will be required to propose a replacement.

Apart from registering NGOs, the board will recommend rules and procedures for the audit of accounts, and prescribe rules for the declaration of assets and liabilities.

The Bill provides for the establishment of an NGO council that would, among others, devise a code of conduct for the self-regulation of NGOs.

Other Bills include the Service Commission Bill, which seeks to establish the Local Government Service Commission.

Consequently, the Local Government Act Cap 281 of the Laws of Zambia is being amended to empower the Local Government Service Commission to employ council staff.

The Local Government Amendment Bill provides that a mayor and chairperson and their deputies will hold office for a period of two-and-a-half years from the date of election.

Furthermore, no mayor, chairperson or deputy shall hold office for more than one term and where one has once held such an office, he or she shall not be elected again until after a period of five years has elapsed.

The Constitution Amendment Bill will revise the Budget cycle so that the minister of Finance can present estimates of revenue and expenditure three months before a new financial year begins.