Madrid to Implement Five-Year Expiry for Organizational Laws, Regular Review for Others
Madrid, January 14 – The Community of Madrid’s government, under the leadership of President Isabel Díaz Ayuso, is poised to approve a decree that will introduce a five-year expiry date for organizational laws. This initiative, aimed at simplifying the legal framework and reducing bureaucracy, also mandates regular evaluations of other regional regulations every four years to assess their effectiveness.
First Meeting of the Year to Address New Decree
The proposed decree will be presented at the first government meeting of 2026. This move aligns with Ayuso’s long-standing commitment to a streamlined and efficient administration, a promise that was part of her 2023 electoral program and later announced during the Debate on the State of the Region.
Sources from the regional government explain that this measure will provide Madrid residents with an updated legal framework, better adapted to their needs and offering greater legal certainty. The decree is expected to be approved during the first half of the year.
Mandatory ‘Ex Post’ Evaluation and Sunset Clauses
The new regulation will require at least one ‘ex post’ evaluation of all normative acts within four years of their entry into force, unless a different timeframe is specified for laws of a higher rank. These evaluations will verify whether the intended objectives have been met and if any adjustments are necessary.
Furthermore, the decree establishes that regulatory provisions of an organizational nature (with the exception of organic structure decrees) and those governing the organization and operation of collegiate bodies will lose their validity five years after their entry into force. This will only be waived if an ‘ex post’ evaluation deems their continuation necessary.
Examples of norms that could expire under this new system include decrees establishing the Permanent Selection Commission, the Council for Social Dialogue, or the Council for the Promotion of Commerce of the Community of Madrid.
Administrative Simplification and ‘Positive Silence’
In parallel, the Interdepartmental Commission for the Reduction of Administrative Burdens and Normative Simplification will be tasked with formulating a proposal for reviewing administrative procedures within one year of the decree’s implementation. The goal is to prioritize ‘positive silence’ – where a lack of explicit resolution within a set timeframe implies approval – for the benefit of citizens.
This initiative is seen as a direct response to President Ayuso’s commitment to fostering a more effective and citizen-oriented administration. The overarching objective is to simplify and modernize the existing regulatory framework, eliminate bureaucratic burdens, and strengthen legal certainty for residents, businesses, and investors alike.
Context: Madrid’s Legislative Landscape and Economic Growth
In the current legislative term, the Madrid Assembly has approved 23 laws, with seven passed last year alone, including the Budget and a reform of the Chamber’s Regulations. The government’s push for fewer, more effective laws reflects a broader strategy to boost economic activity, attract investment and talent, and simplify daily life for citizens.
This development comes as Madrid continues to experience significant economic growth. Tourism in Madrid, for instance, is projected to break records, exceeding 28.5 billion euros by 2025 – a 50 percent increase compared to 2019. Such growth underscores the need for an agile and responsive regulatory environment.
The regional government remains committed to ensuring that its legal framework supports this growth while providing clarity and stability for all stakeholders.
