Amman, March 30 (Petra) -- The Lower House of Parliament approved, by majority vote, the referral of draft amendments to the Civil Status Law, the Real Estate Ownership Law, and the Traffic Law for 2026 to the competent parliamentary committees.
During a legislative session held Monday, chaired by Speaker Mazen Qadi and attended by Prime Minister Jafar Hassan and Cabinet members, the Lower House referred the Civil Status and Real Estate Ownership amendments to the Parliamentary Legal Committee, while the Traffic Law amendment was referred to the joint Legal and Public Services Committee.
The Lower House also passed the draft law ratifying the 2024 loan agreement between the Jordanian Government and the Italian Government.
Minister of State for Political and Parliamentary Affairs Abdul Moneim Oudat said the agreement requires approval by both chambers of Parliament to complete constitutional ratification procedures, noting it constitutes a concessional loan aimed at supporting the public treasury and financing service-oriented projects.
Oudat added that the one-year loan carries an interest rate of 0.5 percent and includes a seven-year grace period, describing it as an unrestricted facility that provides flexibility in financing government programs. He stressed that such agreements reflect international confidence in Jordan’s economic stability and institutional resilience.
Chair of the Parliamentary Finance Committee Nimer Sulaihat said the €50 million loan will support implementation of the "Hakeem" program, which aims to expand the electronic medical records system and enhance the quality and efficiency of healthcare services. He noted that 60 percent of the loan value constitutes a grant component, with the remaining balance repayable over 20 years at a concessional rate.
The Finance Committee had endorsed the agreement on February 4 after reviewing its terms, which stipulate financing for digital transformation in the health sector within the framework of bilateral cooperation between Jordan and Italy.
Regarding the Civil Status Law amendment, the draft legislation introduces a legal framework recognizing digital identity as an official means of identification, granting it the same legal validity as traditional identification documents. It also obligates public and private entities to adopt digital identity solutions in line with applicable regulations, supporting secure and efficient electronic service delivery.
The Traffic Law amendment aims to digitize vehicle-related transactions, enabling remote completion of sales and purchases through electronic signatures and audiovisual communication. It also establishes a dedicated escrow mechanism within the Licensing Department to safeguard financial transactions between buyers and sellers, ensuring immediate transfer of funds upon completion.
Additionally, the amendment reduces the period for disposing of impounded vehicles from two years to one year, mitigating depreciation and safeguarding the rights of concerned parties.
The Real Estate Ownership Law amendment seeks to streamline procedures for dissolving joint ownership, facilitate electronic transactions, and enable off-plan property sales subject to regulatory safeguards. It also introduces provisions allowing decisions by a three-quarter majority of owners in certain cases, replacing the requirement for unanimous consent.
The draft law further mandates compensation for expropriated properties within a maximum of five years, with penalties for delays, while aligning provisions with relevant legislation to prevent regulatory overlap and enhance administrative efficiency.
//Petra// AJ
