Public consultations
State administration bodies, other state bodies, units of local and regional self-government and other legal entities with vested public authories are obliged to conduct public consultation regarding drafts of laws and regulations. The conslutations are also mandatory regarding general acts or other strategic or planning documents which may have affect on the interests of citizens and legal persons.
State administration bodies (ministries and other state administration bodies) conduct consultations through the central state portal for public consultation https://esavjetovanja.gov.hr/ECon/Dashboard, while other state bodies, local and regional self-government units and other legal entities with vested public authorities may conduct consultations either through their own web sites or through the central state portal.
As a rule, public consultation should last for 30 days. Public consultation is conducting by publicising the draft of a regulation, a general act or another document, the explanation of purpose and goals to be achieved by passing a regulation, general act or other document, and the call for public to submit their suggestions and opinions.
After finalising the consultation, the public authority bodies are obliged to publish the report on conducted consultations. The public authorities are also obliged to publish the annual plan of consultations.
Citizens may file a petition with the Information Commissioner if they find irregularities in the consultation process or if the consultations were not conducted.
Publicity of work
Public authorities are obliged to ensure the publicty of their work by informing the public about the agenda of the sessions of their official bodies and the time of their maintenance, the manner of work and the possibilities for direct insight into their work (attendance of the sessions) as well as the number of persons who may simultaneously attend sessions whereby the order of registration of attendees must be taken into account.
Public authorities are not obliged to provide direct insight into their work when it comes to issues where the public is to be excluded by the law, that is, in case of information to which access is legally restricted.
The obligation on the publicity of work primarily applies to state bodies and representative bodies of local and regional self-government units, but to other public authorities as well when justified.
Citizens can file a remonstrance to the Information Commissioner concerning irregularities in ensuring the publicity of work.