LEGISLATION WATCH- House approves govt-proposed amendments to administrative prosecution, judicial authorities act: Beyond the economy, the House of Representatives voted yesterday on several pieces of high-profile legislation.

Changes to laws on prosecution, judicial authority: First, the general assembly voted to approve government-proposed amendments to the Administrative Prosecution Authority Act and the Judicial Authority Act, the local press reported. The amendments grant the president authority to appoint the head of each of the authorities from pools of the seven most-senior prosecutors or judges. Appointees will hold office for four-year terms or until they hit retirement age, whichever is earlier, and would be limited to one term in office.

House greenlights 15% increase in pensions: The House has also given a final nod to a government-proposed bill that would increase pensions by 15%, with a minimum increase of EGP 150 and a maximum pension ceiling of EGP 900, Al Shorouk reports. The increases will roll out on 1 July.

House committee approves amendment to controversial “old rent” law: A House committee approved yesterday a proposed amendment that would see commercial tenants who signed long-term leases before 1996 pay significantly higher rents, Al Shorouk reported. If passed in a final vote by the general assembly, the change would subject commercial tenants to an instant 5x hike in rent and a 15% annual increase for five years. The amendment applies only to non-residential use of properties.

Could this revive an age-old rent debate? The old leasing law still governs many contracts signed on a near-permanent basis eons ago. Legislators have been reluctant to reform the law, especially when it came to stipulations applying to homes, as any change would have meant countless families will be out on the streets.