Russia's upper house approves law on fines for foreign agentsThe Federation Council has approved on Wednesday a law imposing administrative fines for violating the provisions on the foreign agent status for non-profit organizations. The corresponding amendments have been introduced to the Code of Administrative Offenses.16:10 31.10.2012
Law on high treason approved by Russia's upper houseThe Federation Council has approved a law increasing the punishment for disclosing state secrets and imposing criminal liability for the illegal acquisition of classified information.12:48 31.10.2012
Russia's upper house committee supports law on state treasonThe Federation Council Committee on Constitutional Legislation has approved the law on state treason on Monday and recommended that the council approve it during its plenary meeting on October 31.16:20 29.10.2012
Senate approves bill banning conditional sentences for recurrent criminalsThe Federation Council approved on Wednesday a government-proposed bill banning courts from handing down conditional sentences to repeat serious offenders and individuals who have committed grave crimes.14:24 10.10.2012
Senate endorses bill on unified notary databaseThe Federation Council approved a draft law introducing a single notary information system on Wednesday. The relevant amendments have been made to the Fundamentals of the Laws on the Notary System and other legislation.15:42 26.09.2012
Russian Senators oppose foreign assets ban for civil servantsThe Council of the Federation Committee on Constitutional Legislation, Legal and Judicial Affairs and Civil Society Development believes it is unjustified to prohibit state officials from having bank accounts and property abroad.11:56 18.09.2012
Federation Council drafts bill increasing punishment for cybercrimesThe Federation Council has put together a draft bill on cyber-security strategy which increases the severity of the punishment for hacking state websites.14:38 11.09.2012
Senators against equating hacking websites to taking over state authoritiesThe Federation Council does not support lawmakers' proposal to equate hacking websites with taking over the authorities. Such hacking envisages imprisonment for up to five years.15:24 27.08.2012
Gun legalization bill to be submitted to parliament in 2013A bill to legalize short-barreled guns will be submitted to parliament in early 201317:22 20.07.2012
Senators endorse law blacklisting websitesThe Federation Council adopted on Wednesday a law whereby a single blacklist of websites with unlawful content will be established as of November.17:16 18.07.2012
Upper house ratifies protocol on Russia's WTO accessionThe Federation Council ratified on Wednesday the protocol on Russia's accession to the WTO.17:05 18.07.2012
Federation Council ratifies adoption treaty with United StatesThe Federation Council ratified a treaty on Russia-United States cooperation in adoption after lengthy negotiations on Wednesday.16:44 18.07.2012
Federation Council committee comments on 'foreign agents' billThe Federation Council's Committee discussed the draft law branding non-profit entities financed from abroad and engaged in politics as "foreign agents."15:45 17.07.2012
Volunteers law to be prepared for consideration by SeptemberThe team drafting a law to regulate volunteer activities plan to complete their work by September.15:00 17.07.2012
Federation Council report won't affect Magnitsky blacklist billThe Federation Council's report on Magnitsky's case has not convinced the U.S. to cancel the adoption of Magnitsky's list. On Wednesday, a group of Federation Council members submitted a report to U.S. senators, congressmen and representatives of the state department which contained the preliminary Russian parliamentary investigation material.11:35 13.07.2012
Parliamentary investigation says Magnitsky's arrest and detention were lawfulThe arrest of Hermitage Capital auditor Sergei Magnitsky and the decision to hold him in custody were lawful; however the circumstances surrounding his death and the reasons for which he was denied medical aid must be scrupulously investigated, according to a report on a preliminary parliamentary investigation presented in Washington by a group of Federation Council members.10:51 12.07.2012
Court to consider cases on violations in past election campaignOn Wednesday, the Federation Council adopted a government law allowing the courts to consider cases on violations committed during past election campaigns.14:40 06.06.2012
Senate approves regulations on operating in AntarcticThe Federation Council has endorsed a law on providing compulsory licensing to individuals and entities operating in the Antarctic.14:48 30.05.2012
Draft law on electing senators subjected to publicThe Federation Council has opened public discussion of a draft law on the senators' election prepared by the council's working group.12:02 04.04.2012