At the Committee on Environmental Policy and Nature Management

The Committee of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on Environmental Policy and Nature Management, at its meeting on 22 December 2025, considered:

1. The Draft Law of Ukraine “On Amendments to the Subsoil Code of Ukraine Regarding the Improvement of Legal Regulation of Subsoil Use and the Provision of Guarantees to Investors” (reg. No. 14249 dated 26 November 2025).

The draft law proposes amendments to certain provisions of the Subsoil Code of Ukraine concerning the following issues:

1) improvement of the regulation of the automatic extension of special permits for subsoil use that were valid as of the date of introduction of martial law in Ukraine, as well as the deadlines for performance of works established by the relevant subsoil use agreements and other time limits of subsoil use set by the relevant special permits;

2) regulation of the conduct of auctions (electronic tenders) with the participation of a single bidder;

3) introduction of guarantees against changes in legislation related to subsoil use with respect to subsoil plots (mineral deposits) of strategic and/or critical importance;

4) improvement of the regulation of transitional relations related to obtaining special permits for subsoil use by holders of certain types of special subsoil use permits.

It is also proposed to establish, in the transitional provisions of the Subsoil Code of Ukraine, a clear procedure for actions of the permitting authority with regard to the automatic extension of special permits for subsoil use that were valid as of the date of introduction of the current martial law in Ukraine, the deadlines for performance of works established by the relevant subsoil use agreements, and other time limits of subsoil use.

Based on the results of consideration, the Committee adopted a conclusion and decided to recommend that the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopt the draft law at first reading.

2. The Draft Law of Ukraine “On Amendments to Legislative Acts of Ukraine Regarding the Clarification of Certain Provisions in the Field of Subsoil Use” (reg. No. 14250 dated 26 November 2025).

The draft law proposes amendments to certain provisions of the Subsoil Code of Ukraine, the Mining Law of Ukraine, the Law of Ukraine “On Oil and Gas,” and the Law of Ukraine “On Regulation of Urban Development Activities,” in particular regarding the following issues:

1) defining the term “subsoil plot” at the level of the Subsoil Code of Ukraine;

2) establishing legislative regulation of the boundaries of a special permit for subsoil use;

3) mechanisms for aligning subsoil use activities with the requirements of environmental legislation and legislation on the protection of cultural heritage, in particular through granting the permitting authority the power to indicate, in the auction documentation package, information on protected areas, cultural heritage sites, World Heritage properties, their territories and buffer zones, using relevant sets (types) of geospatial data;

4) clarification of a number of other provisions in the field of subsoil use aimed at eliminating legal and technical shortcomings in regulation.

Based on the results of discussion of the draft law, the Committee adopted a conclusion and decided to recommend that the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopt it at first reading with revision of the provisions in accordance with Article 116(1) of the Rules of Procedure of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.

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