Congress Proposal

A proposal before Congress would raise from 150,000 to 300,000 lempiras (about $6,000 to $12,000) the transaction ceiling up to which individuals pay the 2-lempira-per-thousand Security Tax on personal bank accounts, extending the standard rate to a broader range of transactions.

A proposed law would make tenants responsible for electric bills incurred during their lease term and allow utilities to report unpaid debts to credit agencies after a 30-day notice period, protecting property owners from inherited arrears.

Congress President Tomás Zambrano proposed working groups with fuel importers, distributors, and industry sectors to explore alternatives to 11 consecutive weeks of fuel-price increases, while transport leaders demanded a diesel-tax exemption and threatened a nationwide shutdown if the government does not respond this week.

Finance Minister Emilio Hernández Hércules warned that a six-month suspension of the fuel tax, proposed in Congress, would cost the government 6.6 billion lempiras (about $264 million) in lost revenue that would have to be offset by cutting other budget areas.

Liberal congressman Jhosy Toscano introduced a proposal to improve drinking-water service to several neighborhoods in Cantarranas, aiming to benefit approximately 23,000 residents.

Congress President Tomás Zambrano announced a proposal to restructure agricultural and livestock producers' debts at 2.5% interest, with about 15 billion lempiras (roughly $600 million) in funding identified from the Latin American development bank to support the sector.