Zagreb - The law on management of the state-owned real estate and movables and the Tourism Law were adopted by the Croatian parliament by a majority vote on Friday.
The legislation on managing state property envisages the delegation of powers to the local authorities, that is, to the governments in counties and county seats plus the cities of Velika Gorica, Vinkovci, Kaštela and Pula.
County heads or mayors will be authorised to launch the procedure for the use of state-owned real estate and movable property as well as for properties whose estimated value or the total amount of the estimated rent is below or equal to €130,000.
If the value is between €130,000 and 1,000,000, a decision to launch the procedure for the use of state-owned real estate and movable property and a decision on the use of such property will be made by the county assembly or the town council.
Income from using state-owned property will be divided in such a way that the state gets 60%, and the county and local government unit where the property is located each get 20%.
There are 6,206 state-owned flats, and another 945 flats co-owned by the state and other owners, plus 5,067 business premises owned by the state, as well as some other types of property owned by the state.
The new Tourism Law makes it possible for local government units to decide on the development of their tourism industry based on exact data.
Local authorities are given new powers and obligations in tourism management, in accordance with the specific features of their tourist destinations.
Towns and cities will be able to decide on the number and category of hospitality establishments and accommodation facilities, restrictions on the number of tourist arrivals or schedule of their arrivals, and the introduction of a tourist environmental contribution.