Сформовано: 2026-11-05T16:45:28.993Z (UTC) Джерело: https://minregion.gov.ua/en/blog/vitalii-bezghin-the-verkhovna-rada-has-supported-at-first-reading-a-bill-that-will-help-small-communities-remain-8c905493 [Regional development](https://minregion.gov.ua/en/blog/categories/minregion-regions) # Vitalii Bezghin: The Verkhovna Rada has supported at first reading a bill that will help small communities remain functional during the war Published September 16, 2026 To read 3 min Save Share this article ## Most read in this category [/en/blog/minregion-and-lithuanian-municipal-representatives-discussed-communities-experience-of-responding-to-the-challenges-07bb6c7a](https://minregion.gov.ua/en/blog/minregion-and-lithuanian-municipal-representatives-discussed-communities-experience-of-responding-to-the-challenges-07bb6c7a) ### Minregion and Lithuanian Municipal Representatives Discussed Communities’ Experience of Responding to the Challenges of War 28 days ago • 2 min [/en/blog/the-resilience-of-ukrainian-communities-has-a-cost-and-it-extends-beyond-damaged-infrastructure-aa9323f7](https://minregion.gov.ua/en/blog/the-resilience-of-ukrainian-communities-has-a-cost-and-it-extends-beyond-damaged-infrastructure-aa9323f7) ### The resilience of Ukrainian communities has a cost - and it extends beyond damaged infrastructure 7 days ago • 1 min [/en/blog/a-more-modern-school-and-more-accessible-services-two-ternopil-region-communities-complete-eib-supported-projects-6ee6d06b](https://minregion.gov.ua/en/blog/a-more-modern-school-and-more-accessible-services-two-ternopil-region-communities-complete-eib-supported-projects-6ee6d06b) ### A more modern school and more accessible services: two Ternopil region communities complete EIB-supported projects 2 months ago • 3 min [/en/blog/ukraine-and-slovenia-strengthen-cooperation-on-regional-development-and-community-support-b2cb7d81](https://minregion.gov.ua/en/blog/ukraine-and-slovenia-strengthen-cooperation-on-regional-development-and-community-support-b2cb7d81) ### Ukraine and Slovenia strengthen cooperation on regional development and community support 9 days ago • 1 min ### Useful links Find documents, services and open public discussions. - [Documents and regulations](https://minregion.gov.ua/en/documents) - [Services and guidance](https://minregion.gov.ua/en/services) - [Public consultations](https://minregion.gov.ua/en/consultations) ### Need help? Evacuation information hotline 1548 Hotline for prisoners of war, missing, deported and unlawfully detained persons 1648 [Ministry contacts →](https://minregion.gov.ua/en/contacts) The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has supported draft law No. 14405 “On ensuring the powers of local councils under martial law”. The law will ensure the stable and proper functioning of local governments when the early termination of the mandates of individual deputies in village, settlement and city councils of territorial communities creates problems with quorum. “The adopted law will enable local governments to make decisions needed by communities. This is an important step towards regulating their work under martial law. I thank the members of parliament who supported the bill regardless of political affiliation. Special thanks to First Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada Oleksandr Korniienko for advocating the bill, and to Artur Herasymov and Oleh Syniutka for their work on a balanced version. I thank the associations of local governments for their shared position and systematic work. It is now important to move quickly through the second reading and resolve an issue that directly affects the work of communities,” stressed Vitalii Bezghin, Minister for Communities, Territories and Internally Displaced Persons. Why the bill was needed For a number of reasons, including the mobilisation of deputies, early termination of mandates and the impossibility of holding local elections under martial law, the functioning of some local councils elected under the majoritarian electoral system is currently difficult or even impossible. In particular, in 2025, 211 village, settlement and city councils did not hold a single plenary meeting (14.6% of their total number). As of 1 February 2026, there were nearly 3.5 thousand vacant deputy mandates in village, settlement and city councils (about 10% of their total number). What the law provides for, The law establishes temporary arrangements for the work of local councils of territorial communities during martial law and for 6 months after it ends or is lifted. The key change is the introduction of a special mechanism for local councils whose membership has decreased. If the mandates of individual village, settlement or city council deputies are terminated early, so that the council has no more than half but no fewer than one-third of its full membership, the council will be considered duly constituted. This will preserve the local council's ability to make decisions needed by the territorial community. Other innovations in the law include: ▪️a council decision will be considered adopted if a majority of the council's members vote in favour; ▪️the head of a community will be entitled to suspend a council decision within 5 days and return it for reconsideration. If the council reconfirms the decision with 2/3 of the votes of its members, it will enter into force. ▪️specific rules are also established for the early termination of the powers of a village, settlement or city head. The relevant council decision may be adopted by secret ballot with the support of 2/3 of deputies if the relevant legal grounds exist. The law also provides for special arrangements for the exercise of powers by local council deputies who are serving in the military, whether mobilised, serving under contract or called up from the reserve. During their military service, certain legal requirements will not apply to them, such as the obligation to participate in council sessions and committee meetings. In addition, where there are security risks, a village, settlement or city council will be able to determine independently the form and method for deputies to report and make their reports public, for example, a written or online report instead of a report in person. Thus, the law creates a mechanism that will allow local councils to continue exercising their powers even when their membership has been substantially reduced and to ensure that decisions needed by the community are made. ## Other news - October 29, 2026[The resilience of Ukrainian communities has a cost — and it extends beyond damaged infrastructure](https://minregion.gov.ua/en/blog/the-resilience-of-ukrainian-communities-has-a-cost-and-it-extends-beyond-damaged-infrastructure-aa9323f7) - October 28, 2026[Nearly 4.5 thousand streets and 33.5 thousand addresses verified in Ukraine during the III quarter](https://minregion.gov.ua/en/blog/nearly-4-5-thousand-streets-and-33-5-thousand-addresses-verified-in-ukraine-during-the-iii-quarter-b26fefb3) - October 28, 2026[Minregion will mobilise an additional UAH 4 billion for housing vouchers for IDPs from temporarily occupied territories: agreement with the Council of Europe Development Bank](https://minregion.gov.ua/en/blog/minregion-will-mobilise-an-additional-uah-4-billion-for-housing-vouchers-for-idps-from-temporarily-occupied-0a3d7717) ### Join the discussion Read draft materials and send your proposals during open public consultations. [View consultations →](https://minregion.gov.ua/en/consultations) ### Housing and support Find community contacts and guidance on temporary housing. [View guidance →](https://minregion.gov.ua/en/services/temporary-housing) ## Other news - October 29, 2026[The resilience of Ukrainian communities has a cost — and it extends beyond damaged infrastructure](https://minregion.gov.ua/en/blog/the-resilience-of-ukrainian-communities-has-a-cost-and-it-extends-beyond-damaged-infrastructure-aa9323f7) - October 28, 2026[Nearly 4.5 thousand streets and 33.5 thousand addresses verified in Ukraine during the III quarter](https://minregion.gov.ua/en/blog/nearly-4-5-thousand-streets-and-33-5-thousand-addresses-verified-in-ukraine-during-the-iii-quarter-b26fefb3) - October 28, 2026[Minregion will mobilise an additional UAH 4 billion for housing vouchers for IDPs from temporarily occupied territories: agreement with the Council of Europe Development Bank](https://minregion.gov.ua/en/blog/minregion-will-mobilise-an-additional-uah-4-billion-for-housing-vouchers-for-idps-from-temporarily-occupied-0a3d7717)