The Legislation Law is the foundation of China's legal system. It regulates how national and local laws come into shape, and which organizations hold legislative power in the country. But just how will the draft revision affect ordinary people's lives? Let's take a closer look.
First, the bill mandates that all taxes be imposed through legislation. The existing system allows the State Council to levy taxes based on regulations and provisional rules. Of China's 18 existing items of taxation, only three are provided by legislation. The bill doesn't mean people will suddenly start paying less taxes, but that there will be greater consistency and transparency to China's taxation process.
The revision also expands legislative power from 49 cities to 284. The national law is sometimes too rigid. This allows cities to better address their own problems.
And finally, several provisions in the bill aim to rein in administrative power. Ministries and local governments are banned from issuing rules and policies that mitigate citizens' rights or increase their obligations without legal foundation. That means no more car or apartment purchasing bans without due legal course.