Friday was a very busy day at the National Assembly in Costa Rica. Legislators approved six projects, five on second debate and one pending final hearing. According to an article by Fernando Francia of digital newspaper El Pais, the Friday session was one of the busiest and most fruitful of the current Assembly.

Taxes on Sportsbooks and Casinos

This was the only law passed on first debate. It seeks to levy taxes and increase oversight on the activities of casinos and Internet sportsbooks in Costa Rica. Further hearings and one more voting session will define this legislative project.

Liquor Regulations and Licenses

Two political factions were not pleased with the language on the final draft of this new law, which aims to do away with drinking alcohol in public spaces, puts a distance of 400 meters between establishments selling liquor and schools, and imposes new restrictions on liquor licenses.

LESCO, a New Official Language

This new law makes LESCO, an autochthonal and gestural communication system, an official language of Costa Rica. Legislator Martin Monestel of the Equal Access Party (PASE in Spanish) delivered his vote in LESCO.

Tax Information Sharing Agreement with Canada

This legislative project, which is in some ways similar to FATCA, was passed unanimously with 45 votes. It is an agreement between Costa Rica and Canada to share financial information on citizens of both nations who keep bank accounts here or abroad. Costa Rica does not tax her citizens for income realized abroad, so this agreement is mostly for Canada to keep an eye on the assets of her taxpayers who reside here.

Legal Framework Surrounding Cybercrimes

This is a major reform project that amends several articles and adds a chapter that formally specifies various types of online malfeasance as cybercrimes. Willful offenses committed on Internet social networks can now be prosecuted.

Transfer of Telecommunications Oversight

The Costa Rica Star previously reported on this matter, and the final round of voting at the National Assembly was mostly seen as a formality. Oversight of the telecommunications industry in Costa Rica will transfer from the Ministry of the Environment to the Ministry of Science and Technology.