Toqayev Signs Law Amending Regulations on Civil Defense, Energy, and State Property

President Qasym-Jomart Toqayev has signed a law introducing amendments to several legislative acts concerning civil defense, the electric power sector, and state property management, Orda.kz reports.

The law includes changes to the Land, Forest, Water, Budget, and Entrepreneurial Codes, as well as laws such as On Civil Defense, On Defense, and On Law Enforcement Service.

The amendments cover six main areas.

1. Fire Safety

• Clear procedures have been introduced for involving state bodies and organizations in extinguishing forest fires
  
• Buildings over 28 meters tall or intended for large gatherings must obtain fire safety compliance certificates before opening
  
• Installation and maintenance of automatic fire systems now require approval from the Ministry of Emergency Situations
  
• Owners of high-occupancy facilities over 2,000 m² must obtain temporary liability insurance for harm caused to third parties
  
• Volunteers involved in firefighting are now guaranteed job protection, average wages, or, if unemployed, compensation based on the minimum wage
  
• Local authorities must supply firefighting teams with fuel and food in areas lacking state fire service units

2. Industrial Safety

• A new risk-based system categorizes facilities by inspection frequency: high-risk sites annually, others at least once every three years
  
• Inspections may now take place outside standard working hours if there is a risk to worker safety
  
• Operational and emergency response procedures have been updated

3. Emergency Response

• The Ministry of Emergency Situations has been granted expanded authority to enforce emergency response measures
  
• Seismic monitoring and early warning systems will be expanded and modernized
  
• Akims may now declare local emergencies, enabling quicker decisions on compensation and infrastructure recovery
• The national operational headquarters’ role in large-scale emergencies has been clarified

4. Civil Defense

• Agencies reporting directly to the President will now take part in civil defense activities alongside executive bodies
  
• Local governments can now support civil defense training centers using local budget funds

5. Social Support for Emergency Personnel

• The law introduces new benefits for rescue workers, including housing payments, wage increases, and incentives during periods of martial law or states of emergency

6. State Property and Energy Sector Management

• The final section includes technical adjustments to improve governance in state asset management and the electric power industry

Original Author: Rustam Muratov