Resolution No. 524/2012/UBTVQH13 On Certain Budgetary Regulations for Ensuring the Operation of the National Assembly

RESOLUTION
On Certain Expenditure Regimes to Ensure the Operation of the National Assembly

THE STANDING COMMITTEE OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIET NAM

BASED ON THE CONSTITUTION OF THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM IN 1992 AS AMENDED AND COMPLEMENTED BY RESOLUTION NO. 51/2001/QH10;

Pursuant to the Law on the Organization of the National Assembly No. 30/2001/QH10, which has been amended and supplemented by some articles according to Law No. 83/2007/QH11; the State Budget Law No. 01/2002/QH11; Resolution No. 27/2012/QH13 of the National Assembly on certain improvements and reforms to enhance the quality and effectiveness of the National Assembly's operations;

Pursuant to the Rules of Procedure of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, the Rules of Procedure of the National Ethnic Council and the Committees of the National Assembly, the Rules of Procedure of National Assembly Deputies and Delegations of National Assembly Deputies;

Considering the Report of the Chairman of the National Assembly Office,

RESOLUTION:

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Application

The expenditure regimes prescribed in this Resolution shall apply to the activities of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, the National Ethnic Council, the Committees of the National Assembly, the National Assembly Office, the agencies under the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, the Delegations of National Assembly Deputies, and National Assembly Deputies.

The expenditure for the sessions of the National Assembly and meetings convened by the Standing Committee of the National Assembly shall be decided by the Chairman of the National Assembly Office.

Article 2. General Principles

1. Expenditures serving the activities of the National Assembly, the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, the National Ethnic Council, the Committees of the National Assembly, the National Assembly Office, the agencies under the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, the Delegations of National Assembly Deputies, and National Assembly Deputies must be included in the budget estimate and comply with the regulations, standards, and objects as stipulated in this Resolution and relevant regulations of competent state authorities.

2. The National Ethnic Council, the Committees of the National Assembly, the National Assembly Office, the agencies under the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, and the Delegations of National Assembly Deputies are responsible for managing and using the allocated operating funds, ensuring their economical, effective, transparent, and public use.

3. Based on the legal provisions on state budget management, the expenditure regimes prescribed in this Resolution, and the assigned tasks, the National Assembly Office is responsible for allocating operating funds to the National Ethnic Council, the Committees of the National Assembly, the agencies under the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, and the Delegations of National Assembly Deputies. The allocation of operating funds for Delegations of National Assembly Deputies shall take into account and prioritize mountainous areas, remote regions, and far-flung areas.

Chapter II

SPECIFIC PROVISIONS

Article 3. Expenditure for the work of reviewing and revising draft laws, ordinances, and resolutions

1. Based on the scope, nature, and complexity of the draft law, ordinance, or resolution (hereinafter referred to collectively as the draft law) and the allocated financial resources, the Chairman of the National Ethnic Council and the Chairman of the Committee of the National Assembly shall decide on specific expenditure levels, ensuring they do not exceed the maximum limit and within the allocated budget estimate.

2. Expenditure for drafting review reports; reports explaining and revising draft laws:

a) For the leading agency conducting the review:

- For new draft laws or those replacing existing ones: expenditure from VND 3,000,000 to VND 5,000,000 per report;

- For draft laws amending and supplementing some articles: expenditure from VND 2,400,000 to VND 4,000,000 per report.

b) For the agency assisting in the review:

Expenditure for drafting participation review reports: expenditure at 50% of the expenditure level for review reports specified in point a of this clause.

3. Expenditure for individuals participating in review, revision, and discussion meetings organized by the National Assembly's agencies regarding the content that needs focused discussion, and the draft report explaining and revising draft laws:

a) Meeting expenses:

- Chairperson of the meeting: VND 200,000 per person per session;

- Participants listed in the meeting agenda: VND 100,000 per person per session.

b) Expenditure for compiling summary reports on participation in reviews and revisions: VND 800,000 per report.

4. Expenditure for preparing the content that needs focused discussion on draft laws:

- For new draft laws or those replacing existing ones: VND 1,000,000 per draft;

- For draft laws amending and supplementing some articles: VND 500,000 per draft.

5. Expenditure for compiling and summarizing opinions of National Assembly deputies and agencies contributing opinions on draft laws; expenditure for compiling reports seeking opinions from the Politburo and the Standing Committee of the National Assembly on major issues with differing views: expenditure from VND 1,800,000 to VND 3,000,000 per draft law.

Specifically, for compiling and summarizing public opinions on draft laws as directed by the Standing Committee of the National Assembly: VND 5,000,000 per draft law.

6. Expenditure for reviewing the content, technical aspects, and perfecting draft laws before and after approval: expenditure from VND 1,500,000 to VND 2,500,000 per draft law.

Article 4. Expenditure for other review work as prescribed by law or assigned by the Standing Committee of the National Assembly

For review work as prescribed by law or assigned by the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, the content and expenditure levels shall be applied similarly to the review of new draft laws as stipulated in Article 3 of this Resolution.

Article 5. Expenses for soliciting opinions on draft laws

Expenses for soliciting opinions on draft laws include the following items: expenses paid to organizations and individuals for researching and providing opinions to agencies of the National Assembly; expenses for organizing meetings to solicit opinions from central and local departments, experts involved in the draft law. The specific expense levels are defined as follows:,1. Expenses for submitting written comments: Apply according to the provisions of Clause 1, Article 14 of this Resolution.

2. Meeting expenses for soliciting opinions:

a) Written discussion contributions of participants: expense level from VND 600,000 to VND 1,000,000 per document;

b) Meeting expenses: apply according to the meeting expense regulations for examination as stipulated at point a, Clause 3, Article 3 of this Resolution.

3. Expenses for compiling reports summarizing opinions: maximum expense level is VND 800,000 per report per draft.

Article 6. Expenses for supervision and survey work

1. Expenses for supervision and survey teams:

a) Expenses for drafting supervision documents:

- For the National Assembly's supervisory activities, Standing Committee of the National Assembly:

+ Expenses for drafting resolutions establishing supervision teams: VND 2,000,000 per resolution (including both the plan and content of supervision);

+ Expenses for drafting supervision outlines: expense level from VND 1,200,000 to VND 2,000,000 per outline decided by the Head of the supervision team;

+ Expenses for drafting reports on the results of supervision conducted by supervision working groups: expense level from VND 1,200,000 to VND 2,000,000 per report per supervision round; from VND 3,000,000 to VND 5,000,000 per overall report of the supervision team. Specific expense levels are determined by the Head of the team;

+ Expenses for drafting resolutions on supervision based on supervision results: expense level from VND 3,000,000 to VND 5,000,000 per resolution of the National Assembly; from VND 2,400,000 to VND 4,000,000 per resolution of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly.

- For the supervisory activities of National Assembly agencies, Delegations of National Assembly members: expense standards for drafting corresponding documents are set at 60% of the expense standards for the National Assembly's and Standing Committee of the National Assembly's supervisory activities.

- Expenses for drafting documents on coordinated supervision: expense level from VND 1,200,000 to VND 2,000,000 per document.

b) Expenses for drafting survey documents:

Expense standards for drafting documents (if any) are applied according to the provisions at point a, Clause 1 of this Article. Specifically, for survey result reports: expense level from VND 1,200,000 to VND 2,000,000 per report.

c) Expenses for members participating in supervision and survey teams:

During the time implementing supervision and surveys, apart from travel allowances according to current laws, expense standards for supervision and survey teams of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, National Assembly agencies, Committees of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, and Delegations of National Assembly members are specified as follows:

- Team Leader: VND 200,000 per person per session;

- Team Members: VND 100,000 per person per session;

- Staff and workers serving the team: VND 80,000 per person per session.

d) Expenses for supervision and survey meetings:

Expenses for supervision and survey meetings (outside the time covered under point c of this clause) are implemented according to the meeting expense regulations for examination as stipulated at point a, Clause 3, Article 3 of this Resolution.

2. Expenses for supervising regulatory legal documents:

Expense levels are applied according to the current State regulations on expenses for inspecting regulatory legal documents. Specifically, for reports on the results of supervising regulatory legal documents: expense level from VND 1,800,000 to VND 3,000,000 per report.

3. Expenses for supervising complaint and denunciation handling activities:

- Expenses for researching and compiling reports on complaint and denunciation handling work: VND 500,000 per report;

- Expenses for drafting reports on supervising the handling of complaint and denunciation cases submitted to the Standing Committee of the National Assembly: expense level from VND 1,800,000 to VND 3,000,000 per report;

- Expenses for verification and information collection: VND 80,000 per person per session.

4. Expenses for supervising the handling of voter petitions:

Expenses for drafting reports summarizing voter opinions and petitions; reports proposing handling measures and supervising the handling of voter petitions; reports summarizing the results of handling voter petitions: expense level from VND 600,000 to VND 1,000,000 per report.

Specifically, for reports summarizing voter opinions and petitions and reports on the results of supervising the handling of voter petitions submitted to the National Assembly: maximum expense level is VND 5,000,000 per report.

5. Expenses for questioning and explanation activities:

a) Expenses for questioning activities:

- Expenses for drafting documents supporting questioning activities during National Assembly sessions and Standing Committee of the National Assembly meetings: reports; detailed plans; coordination documents; summaries of questioning and responses to questions and other related documents: expense level from VND 1,200,000 to VND 2,000,000 per document.

Specifically, for reports summarizing questioning opinions submitted to the National Assembly and Standing Committee of the National Assembly: maximum expense level is VND 5,000,000 per report;

- Expenses for drafting resolutions of the National Assembly and Standing Committee of the National Assembly on questioning: maximum expense level is VND 5,000,000 per resolution.

b) Expenses for explanation activities:

- Expense standards for supporting explanation activities (testimony) are applied like the meeting expense regulations for examination as stipulated at point a, Clause 3, Article 3 of this Resolution.

Specifically, for detailed plans for explanation sessions: maximum expense level is VND 1,000,000 per document;

- Expenses for drafting reports summarizing the results of explanations: maximum expense level is VND 3,000,000 per report.

- For the preparation of reports summarizing the results of explanations: the maximum expenditure is 3,000,000 VND per report.

Article 7. Expenses for meetings with voters according to the schedule of meetings with voters of the National Assembly Delegation, National Assembly deputies (including meetings with voters outside the electoral district of the National Assembly deputies)

1. Depending on the conditions of each meeting point and the financial capacity of the Delegation, the Head of the National Assembly Delegation shall decide the level of support expenses for each meeting point, but not exceeding VND 5,000,000 per point to cover necessary costs such as decoration, venue rental, drinking water, security, and other expenses. For the support expenses for meeting points for National Assembly deputies (outside their electoral districts), it shall not exceed VND 15,000,000 per deputy per year.

2. In addition to the allowance for official duties as prescribed, the following levels of expenses for meetings with voters shall be implemented:

- National Assembly deputies: VND 7,000,000 per deputy per year;

- Officials and staff participating in serving meetings with voters: VND 500,000 per session of meetings with voters.

3. Expenses for compiling reports on the results of meetings with voters: For reports on the results of meetings with voters by groups: VND 300,000 per report per session of meetings with voters; for reports on the overall results of meetings with voters of the entire delegation: VND 500,000 per report.

Article 8. Expenses for receiving citizens and handling complaints and denunciations

1. Expenses for receiving citizens:

a) In cases where National Assembly deputies receive citizens at the central reception center, or at the reception centers or locations in the localities, the expense regulations are as follows:

- National Assembly deputies and representatives of relevant agencies assigned to receive citizens: VND 150,000 per person per session;

- Officials and civil servants directly serving National Assembly deputies in receiving citizens: VND 80,000 per person per session;

- Officials and civil servants indirectly serving National Assembly deputies in receiving citizens: VND 50,000 per person per session.

b) In cases where officials and civil servants receive citizens without the participation of National Assembly deputies, the expense regulations shall be implemented according to the current laws on expense regulations for receiving citizens and handling complaints and denunciations, petitions, and reflections.

c) Expenses for compiling reports to the National Assembly and the Standing Committee of the National Assembly on the situation and results of receiving citizens: The expense level ranges from VND 1,200,000 to VND 2,000,000 per report.

2. Expenses for handling complaints and denunciations: Implemented according to the current laws on expense regulations for handling complaints and denunciations. Specifically, for compiling reports proposing solutions to complaints and denunciations submitted to or recommended to competent authorities: the maximum expense level is VND 1,000,000 per report.

Article 9. Expenses for serving external activities

In addition to the current State regulations on expenses for serving external activities, the expense regulations in certain cases are as follows:

1. Expenses for compiling documents to serve outgoing delegations led by National Assembly leaders; incoming delegations invited by National Assembly leaders, international receptions hosted by National Assembly leaders, and international conferences at the level of Chairpersons of Committees and above:

- Expenses for compiling project proposals and organization plans: the expense level ranges from VND 1,200,000 to VND 2,000,000 per document;

- Expenses for compiling negotiation outlines: the expense level ranges from VND 600,000 to VND 1,000,000 per document;

- Expenses for compiling cooperation agreements (if any): the expense level ranges from VND 1,800,000 to VND 3,000,000 per document.

2. Regulations on gift-giving expenses for delegations traveling abroad are as follows:

a) For delegations led by the Chairman or Vice-Chairman of the National Assembly: Gift-giving expenses according to the work plan and program;

b) For delegations led by members of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, the Chairman of the National Ethnic Council, the Chairperson of Committees of the National Assembly, the Chairperson of the National Assembly Office, the Director of Departments of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly: the maximum expense level is VND 15,000,000 per country;

c) For delegations led by Deputy Chairmen of the National Ethnic Council, Deputy Chairpersons of Committees of the National Assembly, Deputy Chairpersons of the National Assembly Office, and equivalent positions, the President of the Legislative Research Institute, Deputy Directors of Departments of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly: the maximum expense level is VND 10,000,000 per country;

d) For delegations led by Permanent Members of the National Ethnic Council, Committees of the National Assembly; Deputy Presidents of the Legislative Research Institute: the maximum expense level is VND 8,000,000 per country.

3. Expenses for hosting receptions for incoming delegations are based on the rank of the host to determine the level of the guest delegation as the basis for applying the reception expense levels according to current laws.

Expenses for organizing intimate meals for ambassadors and heads of international organizations during their working period in Vietnam: the maximum expense level does not exceed the expense level for organizing farewell meals for ambassadors at the end of their term according to current laws.

4. Regulations on pocket money support for incoming delegations from countries with special relations; regulations on allowances for forces participating in serving external activities of the National Assembly from the level of Chairpersons of Committees and above are decided by the Chairperson of the National Assembly Office.

Article 10. Regulations on expenditure for drafting proposals, programs, and annual work plans for each term; expenditure for preparing reports to be submitted to the Party Group of the National Assembly, the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, and the National Assembly

1. Expenditure for drafting proposals to be submitted to the Party Group of the National Assembly and the Standing Committee of the National Assembly: shall be implemented according to the regulations on expenditure for scientific and technological projects funded by the state budget.

2. Expenditure for drafting programs and annual work plans of the Party Group of the National Assembly and the Standing Committee of the National Assembly: the maximum expenditure is 5,000,000 VND per document.

3. Expenditure for drafting guiding documents of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly containing legal norms: shall be implemented according to the current regulations on state budget expenditure to ensure the work of drafting legal normative documents and perfecting the legal system, at the same level as Circulars.

4. Expenditure for preparing reports and motions of the Party Group of the National Assembly; reports of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly; periodic reports to be submitted to the National Assembly and the Standing Committee of the National Assembly are regulated as follows:

- Reports of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly: expenditure ranges from 3,000,000 VND to 5,000,000 VND per report;

- Reports of the National Ethnic Council, Committees of the National Assembly, the Office of the National Assembly, agencies under the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, and Delegations of National Assembly Members submitting to the National Assembly and the Standing Committee of the National Assembly: expenditure ranges from 1,800,000 VND to 3,000,000 VND per report;

- Reports of the Party Group of the National Assembly: expenditure ranges from 3,000,000 VND to 5,000,000 VND per report.

For reports on the implementation of resolutions of the Party Group of the National Assembly: the maximum expenditure is 1,200,000 VND per report.

Article 11. Travel expenses and conference fees

In addition to travel expense regulations and the regulations on organizing meetings as currently prescribed by the State, the following regulations apply in certain cases:

1. For working delegations of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, the National Ethnic Council, Committees of the National Assembly, the Office of the National Assembly, and agencies under the Standing Committee of the National Assembly:

a) During the concentrated working period with the delegation, the agency leading the delegation ensures payment for transportation costs, accommodation rental fees at the destination, baggage charges, and document carrying costs for members participating in the delegation.

b) The regulations on travel expenses for going from the place of residence or work to the location of the concentrated working period with the delegation, except when the leading agency decides to provide air tickets and other travel expenses (specifically announced in the invitation letter, summons, program, work plan...), are as follows:

- Each Delegation of National Assembly Members ensures travel conditions and travel expenses for their own National Assembly Members. Specifically, for National Assembly Members based in the Central Government:

+ For dedicated National Assembly Members based in the Central Government, the Office of the National Assembly provides the assurance;

+ For non-dedicated National Assembly Members based in the Central Government, the agency or unit where the Member works provides the assurance.

- Agencies and units receiving state budget funding ensure travel expenses for officials and civil servants of their own units.

2. Each Delegation of National Assembly Members pays all travel expenses as prescribed for their own National Assembly Members when participating in activities such as meeting voters, supervision, or tasks assigned by the Delegation. Specifically, for National Assembly Members based in the Central Government, when participating in activities of the Delegation of National Assembly Members in the constituency where they were elected, travel expenses for going between the Central Government and the constituency are handled as follows:

- For dedicated National Assembly Members based in the Central Government, the Office of the National Assembly provides the assurance;

- For non-dedicated National Assembly Members based in the Central Government, the agency or unit where the Member works provides the assurance.

3. Expenses for meals and accommodations during conferences and while traveling:

a) Conferences of the National Ethnic Council, Committees of the National Assembly, the Office of the National Assembly, and agencies under the Standing Committee of the National Assembly: in cases of centralized meals and accommodations, the agency organizing the conference covers meal and accommodation expenses for all delegates attending the conference.

b) The maximum allowance for meals at conferences specified in point a, clause 3 of this Article and along the way for working delegations (if applicable) is set at the level of meal allowances for National Assembly Members during the most recent session of the National Assembly.

Days spent attending conferences and days spent traveling, if already covered for meals, will not be eligible for lodging subsidies (meal and incidental expenses support).

c) Accommodation standards for National Assembly Members while traveling:

National Assembly Members are allocated one room per person, and the reimbursement rate is applied according to current laws.

4. Sessions of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, the Party Group of the National Assembly, and the Secretariat Delegation of the Session apply the expenditure levels specified in point a, clause 3 of Article 3 of this Resolution. Refreshment expenses are implemented according to the refreshment allowance for the Chairmanship Delegation during the most recent session of the National Assembly.

5. Full meetings (excluding meetings to review draft laws and provide opinions on draft laws) of the National Ethnic Council, Committees of the National Assembly, the Office of the National Assembly, and agencies under the Standing Committee of the National Assembly; political activities of Party organizations and mass organizations within the Office of the National Assembly; full meetings of Delegations of National Assembly Members: the expenditure for the chairperson is 200,000 VND per person per session, and for participants, it is 100,000 VND per person per session.

6. National Assembly Members and officials who travel by airplane, if they arrange their own transportation from their residence or office to the airport and back, can have taxi fares reimbursed based on actual expenses or be provided with a monthly allowance for transportation expenses according to the guidance of the Director of the Office of the National Assembly.

7. Positions that have standards for pick-up and drop-off services from residence to workplace, if they do not request vehicle service or if the agency has not yet arranged a vehicle, can receive daily transportation expense support from residence to workplace (agency headquarters, conference venues within city limits) with a monthly allowance of 10,000,000 VND.

Article 12. Support for National Assembly Deputies

1. Support for National Assembly Deputies to conduct self-study to contribute opinions on draft laws:

The support amount for new draft laws and those replacing existing laws is VND 1,000,000 per draft per year; for draft laws amending and supplementing certain provisions, it is VND 500,000 per draft per year.

2. Expense system for inviting experts:

National Assembly Deputies can invite experts to study to serve their Deputy work.

The expenses for inviting experts for National Assembly Deputies are guaranteed by the National Assembly Delegation. For full-time National Assembly Deputies at the central level, these expenses are guaranteed by the National Assembly Office.

The support amount for inviting experts is agreed upon in writing between the National Assembly Deputy and the expert, but shall not exceed VND 2,000,000 per article and VND 50,000,000 per Deputy per year. In the transitional year between two terms, this amount shall not exceed VND 25,000,000 per Deputy per year. Settlement documents must include contracts, contract settlements, and accompanying products.

3. During each term of the National Assembly, National Assembly Deputies are provided with funds to tailor two sets of ceremonial attire at a cost of VND 5,000,000 per set.

4. During each term of the National Assembly, National Assembly Deputies are provided with one laptop computer.

Other equipment serving the work of National Assembly Deputies is equipped and managed according to current State regulations.

5. Equipment and usage quota for mobile phones and office phones at home:

In addition to the objects and usage quotas stipulated under current State regulations, for the Chairperson of the National Assembly Delegation, the Vice-Chairperson of the full-time National Assembly Delegation, the expense system is applied similarly to that for the Chairman of the People's Council, the Vice-Chairman of the People's Council of provinces and centrally-administered cities.

6. National Assembly Deputies are provided with materials including: Official Gazette, People's Newspaper, local newspapers, internet access fees allocated at VND 1,000,000 per person per month. Specifically, the Representative People's Newspaper, Audit Newspaper, and Legislative Research Magazine are directly delivered to each National Assembly Deputy.

7. Support system for regular health check-ups and annual rest:

In addition to the systems stipulated (if any), National Assembly Deputies are supported with funding for regular health check-ups and annual rest at a rate of VND 5,000,000 per person per year. In the transitional year between terms, National Assembly Deputies (excluding re-elected Deputies) are supported at 50% of the above rate.

Article 13. Support for civil servants and workers serving National Assembly activities

1. Civil servants and workers of the National Assembly Office are supported with funding for law drafting, with a maximum amount for new draft laws and those replacing existing laws being VND 800,000 per draft per year; for draft laws amending and supplementing certain provisions, it is VND 400,000 per draft per year, but not exceeding VND 15,000,000 per person per year.

Specific objects and amounts of support are decided by the Chairman of the National Ethnic Committee, the Heads of National Assembly Committees, the Head of the National Assembly Office, and the heads of agencies under the Standing Committee of the National Assembly based on balancing the allocated budget.

For National Assembly Delegations, based on the prescribed system and the ability to balance the budget, within the annual budget estimate for the operation of the office machinery serving the National Assembly Delegation, the Head of the National Assembly Delegation decides the support amount for law drafting projects for civil servants and workers of the National Assembly Delegation Office and People's Councils (directly assisting the National Assembly Delegation), but not exceeding the above quota.

2. Expense system for ceremonial attire and uniforms:

During each term of the National Assembly, civil servants and workers of the National Assembly Office; civil servants and workers of the National Assembly Delegation Office and People's Councils (directly serving the activities of the National Assembly Delegation) are provided with funds to tailor one set of ceremonial attire at a cost of VND 5,000,000 per set.

Additionally, civil servants, workers engaged in public reception, protocol, security, driving, cleaning... are provided with uniforms for their work according to the decision of the Head of the National Assembly Office.

3. Expense for holiday allowances and lunch subsidies for civil servants and workers:

Holiday allowances, lunch subsidies, and other welfare benefits for civil servants and workers of the National Assembly Office are deducted from the agency fund contributed by public service units and supplemented from the self-generated revenue. The Head of the National Assembly Office decides the specific expenditure amount and the contribution to the agency fund from public service units.

The monthly lunch subsidy and holiday allowance of civil servants and workers belonging to the National Assembly Delegation Office and People's Councils receiving salaries from the central budget are implemented within the annual budget estimate for the machinery supporting the National Assembly Delegation, according to the local expenditure rate; specifically, for the monthly lunch subsidy, if the locality does not specify, the Head of the National Assembly Delegation bases on the ability to balance the budget to decide, but not exceeding the expenditure rate for civil servants and workers of the National Assembly Office.

Article 14. Other expenditure regimes serving the activities of the National Assembly

1. Expenditure regime for experts to serve the functions and tasks of the National Ethnic Council, Committees of the National Assembly, the National Assembly Office, agencies under the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, and Delegations of the National Assembly members.

Depending on the content and urgency of the topic, representatives of the Permanent Office of the National Ethnic Council, Committees of the National Assembly; heads of agencies under the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, Delegation Leaders or Deputy Delegation Leaders shall enter into contracts with experts at a maximum expenditure rate of 4,000,000 VND/per article.

2. Solicit opinions in writing from relevant individuals for complex documents: the expenditure rate ranges from 100,000 VND to 300,000 VND/person/time, with the maximum total expenditure rate for soliciting opinions from one individual being 1,000,000 VND/document.

The Permanent Office of the National Ethnic Council, Committees of the National Assembly; leaders of the National Assembly Office; heads of agencies under the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, Delegation Leaders or Deputy Delegation Leaders decide on soliciting opinions.

3. Expenditure regime for term summary work; expenditure for building content for information dissemination about National Assembly activities; expenditure for serving National Assembly activities outside the contents and expenditure rates already stipulated in this Resolution for civil servants and workers, which is assigned to the Chairperson of the National Assembly Office to decide.

4. Gift-giving regime for policy and social beneficiaries:

The gift-giving regime applies to the following subjects: Policy beneficiaries as defined in Clause 1, Article 2 of the Preferential Treatment Ordinance for Those Contributing to the Revolution; collectives and individuals with outstanding achievements in combat, production labor, and contributions to National Assembly activities; families and individuals affected by natural disasters; social welfare collectives such as convalescent homes for wounded soldiers, disabled veterans, orphanages, people with disabilities; boarding schools for ethnic minorities, border and island military units, police units... When delegations visit these groups, they may give gifts. The maximum value of gifts given per visit is specified as follows:

a) The Chairman of the National Assembly, Vice Chairmen of the National Assembly give gifts according to their work plans and programs.

b) Members of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, Chairpersons of the National Ethnic Council, Heads of Committees of the National Assembly, Chairpersons of the National Assembly Office, Heads of Departments of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly: the maximum amount for collective gifts is 6,000,000 VND/visit; the maximum amount for individual gifts is 1,000,000 VND/visit.

c) Deputy Chairpersons of the National Ethnic Council, Deputy Heads of Committees of the National Assembly; Institute Directors of Legislative Research, Deputy Heads of the National Assembly Office, and equivalents, Deputy Heads of Departments of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, Delegation Leaders, Deputy Delegation Leaders: the maximum amount for collective gifts is 3,000,000 VND/visit; the maximum amount for individual gifts is 700,000 VND/visit.

d) National Assembly members who are permanent members of the National Ethnic Council, Committees of the National Assembly; Deputy Directors of the Institute of Legislative Research: the maximum amount for collective gifts is 2,000,000 VND/visit; the maximum amount for individual gifts is 500,000 VND/visit.

e) The specific total amount of gifts is as follows:

- For agencies of the National Assembly: up to 250,000,000 VND/year. Specifically, for the National Ethnic Council; Social Issues Committee; Defense and Security Committee; Culture, Education, Youth, Children and Adolescents Committee: up to 300,000,000 VND/year;

- For agencies under the Standing Committee of the National Assembly; Delegations of the National Assembly of Hanoi City, Ho Chi Minh City, and other Delegations of the National Assembly of border provinces adjacent to Laos, Cambodia, China, and the five Central Highlands provinces: up to 150,000,000 VND/year;

- For remaining Delegations of the National Assembly: up to 120,000,000 VND/year.

5. Commemorative gift-giving regime:

National Assembly members, civil servants, and workers are given commemorative gifts upon the end of their term in the National Assembly, with the expenditure rate implemented according to the term summary expenditure regime.

Civil servants and workers working at the National Assembly Office and Delegation Offices and People's Councils (directly assisting Delegations of the National Assembly) when transferring to another agency or retiring are given commemorative gifts with a maximum expenditure rate of 1,500,000 VND.

6. Visitation and assistance regime:

a) For National Assembly members:

- When National Assembly members fall ill, an expenditure rate of 1,000,000 VND/person/visit is allowed. In cases of serious illness, the assistance expenditure rate does not exceed 5,000,000 VND/person/visit, with no more than two visits/person/year.

- Expenditure for visiting sick former National Assembly members: 1,000,000 VND/person/visit.

- If the following individuals pass away, their families will be assisted with 2,000,000 VND:

+ National Assembly members, former National Assembly members;

+ Biological parents; parents-in-law; spouses of National Assembly members.

- Funeral service expenditure is decided by the Chairperson of the National Assembly Office.

b) For civil servants and workers at the National Assembly Office, Delegation Offices, and People's Councils (directly assisting Delegations of the National Assembly):

- The visitation and assistance regime for current and retired civil servants and workers is applied similarly to that for National Assembly members.

However, in cases of serious illness, difficulties due to natural disasters, fires, or accidents, the Chairman of the National Ethnic Council, Heads of Committees of the National Assembly, Chairpersons of the National Assembly Office, and Heads of agencies under the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, Delegation Leaders decide on the assistance amount but it should not exceed 5,000,000 VND/person.

7. Annual budget allocation for cultural, sports activities, and activities commemorating major holidays:

Normally, 0.3% is allocated, and during years with significant events and many holidays, 0.5% is allocated from the total regular budget.

Chapter III

IMPLEMENTATION

Article 15. Effective Date

1. This Resolution takes effect from January 1, 2013.

2. Resolution 773/2009/NQ-UBTVQH12 ceases to be effective from the date this Resolution takes effect.

3. Every two years, the Director of the National Assembly Office shall be responsible for reviewing the norms set forth in this Resolution and reporting to the Standing Committee of the National Assembly for comments before deciding to adjust them.