Competences of the PSR Regional Parliament

In accordance with section 11 of Act no. 302/2001 Coll. concerning self-government of higher territorial units (Self-governing regions act):

1. Regional parliament is an assembly consisting of members of regional parliament (MRPs) elected directly in elections. Election procedures for self-governing region MPs are defined by a specific act. The regional parliament defines the number of MRPs for the entire term of office using the ratio 12,000 – 15,000 citizens to one MP against and defines constituencies according to a specific act. Term of office of the regional parliament ends when newly elected MRPs take their oath. 
2. It is reserved for the regional parliament to decide about core issues of the self-governing region, mainly to:
   a) accept decrees;
   b) define rules for management of self-governing region properties and properties rendered to be used by the self-governing region;
   c) approve of the Program of social, economic and cultural development of the self-governing region, of plans and programs of regional development, as well as of territorial plans of the self-governing region and regions;
   d) approve of a budget of the self-governing region and its changes, control the budget execution and approve of the closing balance of the self-governing region;
   e) decide about approving of a loan or credit of the self-governing region , approve of the rules of remuneration of the self-governing region employees prepared according to a specific decree (14a);
   f) decide about referendum declaration;
   g) establish, cancel and control legal entities of the self-governing region and appoint and remove their leaders (directors), unless defined otherwise by a specific act, as well as approve of the equity stake of the self-governing region in a legal entity;
   h) approve of contracts (within the meaning of section 5 – International cooperation), approve of grouping of means and activities of the self-governing region, as well as of the self-governing region’s membership in associations;
   i) elect and remove from the function vice-presidents of the self-governing region from MRPs as proposed by the president (hereinafter "vice-president"); define, upon the proposal of the president, powers that the vice-president is not entitled to execute in the president’s absence, as well as define adequate remuneration for a vice-president excused from his duties for a long-term;
   j) establish committees and other bodies of the regional parliament, elect and remove from the function their chairmen and other members;
   k) elect for the period of six years and remove from the function the chief comptroller of the self-governing region (hereinafter "chief comptroller") and define his/her salary and remuneration;
   l) define remuneration of MRPs (within the meaning of section 12 article 6);
   m) define remuneration of committee members, who are not regional parliament members;
   n) establish the self-governing region office (hereinafter "office") and define its organisational structure;
   o) approve of rules of procedure for the regional parliament.
3. Regional parliament convenes on ‚as needed‘ basis, but at least once every two months; its meeting is called for and presided over by the president. Provided at least one third of MRPs request convening the regional parliament meeting, the chairman convenes the parliament meeting within seven days from the receipt of the abovementioned request. Draft programme of the meeting is announced to MRPs in writing at least ten days prior to the regional parliament meeting, in case it is the meeting convened on the basis of the request of at least one third of MRPs, the draft programme is announced at least three days prior to its date; at the same time, it is published in an appropriate way so that the public can get acquainted with it. 
4. Regional parliament is a collective body. It is competent to deliberate and accept decisions provided absolute majority of all MRPs is present. Consent of absolute majority of all MRPs present in the meeting is needed for a resolution approval. Consent of three fifths of all MRPs is needed for a directive approval. If the parliament is not competent to deliberate and make decisions, the president convenes a new meeting within 14 days. 
5. Regional parliament meeting may be held even when the president does not convene it within the meaning of article 3 or 4; in such case the meeting of the regional parliament is convened by the vice-president or another member of the regional parliament. 
6. Provided the regional parliament has established and advisory body, it requests its opinion prior to making a decision on an issue, for which the advisory body has been established. 
7. Regional parliament meetings are public provided the regional parliament does not declare it non-public. Regional parliament declares a meeting non-public every time the subject of deliberation is any information or things protected by particular relevant acts. 
8. In case the president of the Slovak Republic, member of the parliament of the Slovak Republic, member of the government of the Slovak Republic or a person authorised by the government, representative of other state body, mayor of the municipality or city located in the area of the self-governing region, the floor is given to them; the floor can be also given to another person. 
9. Resolutions and directives of the regional parliament are signed by the president three days after their approval at the latest. 
10. Details of the regional parliament meeting are governed by the rules of procedure of the regional parliament.