Iraqi parliament to take up gas, solar and first-housing draft laws

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Council of Representatives is preparing to move three economic draft laws through the legislature, covering associated gas, solar energy and a first-housing scheme. Lawmaker Mohammed al-Baldawi said the proposed associated-gas law would require operating units in oil-producing fields to stop flaring gas, open space for investment, generate additional revenue and reduce environmental damage. The draft has been referred to the finance, oil, energy, services and reconstruction commissions for an initial reading before being finalized in the parliament's legislative department, according to al-Baldawi. He said the solar energy bill would regulate public and private investment to reduce reliance on imported fuel, while the first-housing law would offer low-income and young families simplified mechanisms to acquire their first home. Services Commission member Nazik Ahmed said the commission plans to add allocations for new service projects in the upcoming budget, citing stalled and slow-moving schemes across several provinces. Separately, lawmaker Raad al-Dulaymi said a proposal to employ engineering faculty graduates has been sent to the speaker's office and is being considered for inclusion in the budget. No date for the initial readings has been announced.