History of the Tomsk Oblast State Duma

After the political upheavals in the early 90s and change of political and economic system, new regional authorities were reestablished on the ashes of the dissolved ones.

Tomsk regional lawmakers had practically no forerunners. Work experience of the former Regional Council suggested only an organization form of the Oblast legislative authority, providing no content of the required laws, though.

Deputies of the Oblast legislative assembly were to create from scratch a regulatory framework for the Oblast development in a new socio-economic and political environment. To set forth the Oblast development priorities it was essential to know the whole range of existing economic and political problems to be successfully solved.

On March 27, 1994, the first elections to the new regional administration – legislative (representative) – took place.

On April 14, 1994, the first session of the Tomsk Oblast State Duma was held where the deputies’ authorities were recognized. Boris Maltsev became the first speaker of the Tomsk Oblast State Duma. For four times have the deputies elected him to this position in the Duma of the First, Second, Third and Fourth convocations.

In May 1994, the Duma work procedures and regulations, the structure of its standing Committees – Legal, Budgetary and Financial and Control ones – were adopted. In July 1995, the official name for the regional legislative body was accepted – the Tomsk Oblast State Duma.


I Convocation (1994-1997)

The deputies of the First Convocation had to work in virtually “zero legislation” conditions. In fact, there was almost no legislation system.
The lawmakers faced a very important task. They had to develop and adopt fundamental laws providing functioning of the region management system in new life conditions of the society, such as the Oblast Charter, laws on election of regional and municipal administration heads, deputies of all levels, and a number of laws focused on the reform of the Oblast economy and social development, rules of community living in those new conditions.
The deputies of the First Convocation developed bills which then became fundamental and set the rules in various spheres of life.

The fact that the Charter has had no profound changes so far indicates that the basis is steady – the balance between the executive and legislative authorities is kept – none is superior to another. The Oblast Charter clearly delineates functions and authorities both of executive and legislative powers. This promotes normal political climate, mutual respect of two branches and their good performance. From a legal standpoint, the document was perfect. The Tomsk Oblast Charter was highly commended in Russia and abroad. It is one of a few charters translated into English as an example of efficiency of Russian democracy.

The first Duma took a decisive step in regulation of the budget process. A large set of laws was adopted which regulate financial and economic sphere of the Oblast.
In spring 1997, Tomsk deputies passed the law on the coat-of-arms and flag of the region. A multi-month work on creation of the Oblast symbols with the invited artists, historians, clergymen and other public members was completed.

Since the First Convocation the Duma has practiced such form of deputy activity as parliament proceedings. Generally, priority areas of the Oblast development are brought up for discussion: issues of forest industry development, banking activity, reformation of the regional economy, social security of the population, law and order, etc. The proceedings are attended by heads of institutions, companies and organizations, researchers, lawyers, public members. This form enables study and consideration of problems from various industries in the Oblast laws.

The Duma of the First Convocation can truly be called the “nation-building Duma”. The deputies of the First Convocation laid a foundation for the local legislation, which is their major achievement.


II Convocation (1997-2001)

In December 1997, elections of the Second Convocation of the State Duma of Tomsk Oblast took place again by majority voting but that time involving double-member constituency system. As a result, the number of deputies doubled and totaled 42.
The Duma continued shaping the legal framework for nation-building, local government, and administrative-territorial structure of Tomsk Oblast. At the same time electoral legislation was being improved. Particular attention was paid to statutory regulation of social relations and provision of social security coverage for the residents of Tomsk Oblast.

The Second Convocation was called the ‘Economic’ Convocation because that was the time when the Duma adopted the majority of laws providing assistance to business activity, improving tax regulatory and legal frameworks, stimulating rural development.

The Second and further Convocations of the Duma consisting of a larger number of deputies were able to handle more and more complex issues. The Duma established and maintained strong ties with the Oblast Administration successfully working together as a team over the issues related to the regional economy, development of the real economy sector, namely, regional industry, transport, agriculture.


III Convocation (2001-2007)

Elected in December 2001, the Third Convocation of the Tomsk Oblast State Duma consisted again of 42 deputies who were elected in 21 double-mandate constituencies.
The Third Convocation started their work in relatively stable economic conditions and turned to social issues.

On February 21, 2002, the Control Chamber was established by a Resolution of the Tomsk Oblast State Duma. And in the first year of the Chamber activity not only were procedures developed and adopted and the activity plan approved, but also external inspection of the Oblast budget execution in the first six months of 2002 conducted. The work of the Chamber turned to be so intense and efficient that by the end of the first year of existence it seemed to have worked for several years.

In December 2002, in order to develop creative and research potential of the talented youth, the Tomsk Oblast State Duma Award was established for young researchers and young hopefuls. The age limit for candidates is 33 years. The Award currently keeps the tradition of search and support for the talented youth.

In June 2006, the Duma adopted the Law “On the Youth Parliament of Tomsk Oblast” which regulates the main goals and objectives of the Parliament’s activity as a school to train young parliamentarians. The Youth Parliament generates initiatives aimed at resolving problems of the youth, the so-called “signals from the citizens” to be worked on by the “senior” deputies.


IV Convocation (2007 – present)

On March 11, 2007, the Fourth Convocation of the State Duma of Tomsk Oblast was elected. Under the new Federal Law, the number of seats remained the same (42) but all electoral districts (21) were made single-member constituencies and the second half of the Duma was elected on party lists in an Oblast-wide constituency. That was the birth of a multiparty legislative assembly of the region.
The Fourth Convocation of the Duma was represented by five parties, the deputies having been elected on the following party lists: Tomsk Regional Branch of the All-Russia Political Party Edinaya Rossiya (United Russia, 11 deputies), Tomsk Regional Branch of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation (3 deputies), Tomsk Regional Branch of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (3 deputies), Tomsk Regional Branch of the Political Party Soyuz Pravykh Sil (the Union of Rightist Forces, 2 deputies), Tomsk Regional Branch of the Political Party Just Russia: Homeland/Retired/Life (2 deputies).

21 deputies were elected in single-member constituencies (one constituency – one deputy) formed on the basis of a uniform electoral quotient per a single-member constituency.
It was the first time in the history of Tomsk politics that the major share of seats in the Duma was won by Edinaya Rossiya (28 deputies).

December 20, 2007 was the first time in the history of Tomsk Oblast when the Oblast Duma adopted a three-year budget.
The Tomsk Oblast State Duma of the Fourth Convocation has continued taking dynamic and efficient efforts towards creation of a regional regulatory framework to ensure sustainable socioeconomic development of Tomsk Oblast.

Legislative experience of the State Duma of Tomsk Oblast is frequently adopted by the legislative assemblies of other constituent entitites of the Russian Federation.
The Tomsk Oblast State Duma has celebrated its 15th anniversary a strong and robust regulatory framework it has created for successful development of Tomsk Oblast.