Law on Associations and Foundations of Bosnia and Herzegovina

1.1 GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1.

This Law governs the establishment, registration, internal organization and termination of associations and foundations that choose to register as associations and foundations at the level of BiH, or that are required to register in accordance with this Law.

Article 2.

1. An association is established by a joint agreement under which a group of three or more natural or legal persons, in any combination, voluntarily joins together to pursue a common interest without intending to make a profit. An association becomes a legal entity once it is registered as provided for by this Law. 2. A foundation is a legal entity without members whose purpose is to manage certain assets in the public interest or for charitable purposes. Foundations become legal entities in BiH once registered as provided for by this Law.

Article 3.

1. Natural persons who are citizens of or reside in BiH and legal entities registered in BiH may freely and voluntarily establish associations or foundations for any purpose in accordance with the Constitution and laws of BiH. 2. Associations and foundations are free to operate throughout BiH, regardless of where they are registered. 3. The objectives and activities of a registered association or foundation may not include engaging in an election campaign, raising funds for candidates, or financing candidates or political parties.

Article 4.

1. An association or foundation may engage in economic activities only if the primary purpose of such activities is to achieve the objectives set out in its statute. 2. An association or foundation may engage in unrelated economic activities (economic activities not directly connected with achieving the association’s or foundation’s statutory objectives) only through a separately established legal entity. 3. The annual income from such unrelated activities of an association or foundation, less expenses, may not exceed one third of the organization’s annual budget, or 10.000 KM; that is, whichever amount is greater. 4. Profits earned by an association or foundation from unrelated economic activities may be used only to achieve the objectives set out in its statute. 5. It is prohibited to directly or indirectly distribute profits or other material benefits generated by the activities of an association or foundation to its founders, members, members of its governing bodies, officers, employees or donors. 6. The restriction in the preceding paragraph does not apply to remuneration for work or reimbursement of expenses incurred by such persons in connection with achieving the lawful objectives and activities set out in the association’s or foundation’s statute. 7. The restrictions in this Article do not affect the assets of an association or foundation referred to in Article 46 of this Law.

Article 5.

1. Associations and foundations independently determine their objectives and activities in accordance with the Constitution and this Law. 2. The programme and activities of an association or foundation may not be contrary to the constitutional order of BiH, directed towards its violent overthrow, or aimed at inciting national, racial or religious hatred or discrimination prohibited by law.

Article 6.

1. An association or foundation may be entrusted by law or delegated by a competent authority to exercise public powers within the scope of its activities. 2. This may not be done against the will of the association or foundation. 3. If an association or foundation agrees to exercise public powers, it is required to ensure that those powers are exercised lawfully and without hindrance. 4. The activities of a registered association or foundation are public unless otherwise provided for in its statute.

Article 7.

1. Every registered association or foundation has a full name and registered office. 2. An association or foundation may use only its registered name in conducting its activities. 3. The names of registered associations or foundations may be in any of the three official languages used in BiH. 4. An association or foundation may have its own emblem. 5. The name, abbreviated name and emblem of an association or foundation must be clearly distinguishable from the names and emblems of other registered associations or foundations. 6. In addition to its full name, an association or foundation may also use an abbreviated name.

Article 8.

The Ministry referred to in this Law is the Ministry of Civil Affairs and Communications of BiH.

1.2 ASSOCIATIONS

1.2.1 ESTABLISHMENT OF ASSOCIATIONS

Article 9.

1. An association that meets the requirements for registration may be established by at least three natural persons who are citizens of or reside in BiH, or legal entities from BiH or registered in BiH, in any combination, provided that the founders may not be the State of BiH, the entities, cantons, cities, municipalities, local communities, government bodies, state-owned enterprises or funds. 2. An association that meets the requirements for establishment and registration must adopt a founding act. 3. Actions taken between the establishment and registration of an association may create obligations only for those who took them, unless the association ratifies those actions. Only the association’s highest governing body may ratify actions taken on its behalf before registration. 4. An association is deemed to have been established for an indefinite period unless its statute provides otherwise.

Article 10.

For an association to qualify for registration, its founding assembly must adopt the association’s governing documents and appoint its governing bodies in accordance with this Law.

Article 11.

The founding act of an association shall contain: a) the full names, abbreviated names if any, and addresses of the founders; b) the name, registered office and address of the association; c) the objectives for which the association is established; d) the name of the person authorized to represent the association in conducting its affairs and submitting the application to register the association.

Article 12.

The statute of an association shall contain: a) the name, abbreviated name if any, and address of the association; b) the objectives of the association; c) the procedure for admitting and expelling members; d) the association’s governing bodies, how they are elected, their powers, quorum and voting rules, the term of office, the person authorized to convene the assembly, and the conditions and procedure for dissolution or termination of activities; e) the rules for acquiring, using and allocating the association’s funds, and the body authorized to oversee the use of those funds; f) public access to the association’s activities; g) the procedure for amending and supplementing the statute, and the authority and procedure for adopting other general acts; h) a description of the form and content of the seal; i) representation of the association; j) the conditions and procedure for merger, division, transformation or dissolution, or termination of the association’s activities, including any special quorum or rules for achieving a qualified majority in voting; k) the procedure for disposing of remaining assets or other funds in the event of dissolution or termination of the association’s activities.

Article 13.

1. An association may acquire public-interest status if its activities extend beyond the interests of its members and are primarily intended to serve the public interest or certain segments of the public in the following areas: health, science, social protection, civil society, human rights and minority rights, assistance to the poor and socially vulnerable, assistance to persons with disabilities, children and older persons, environmental protection, tolerance, culture, amateur sports, religious freedom and assistance to victims of natural disasters. 2. An association is considered to operate for charitable purposes if it was established primarily to assist persons and groups in need of assistance. 3. The Ministry determines whether an association has public-interest status. The Ministry shall regulate the procedure for granting and revoking public-interest status for associations in a separate regulation. 4. An application for public-interest status may be submitted at any time, in accordance with the regulations established by the Ministry. A refusal of an application is subject to review in accordance with the law. 5. A registered association with public-interest status may receive tax, customs and other benefits.

Article 14.

1. A registered association may merge with, divide into or transform into another association or foundation only. 2. A registered association with public-interest status may merge with, divide into or transform only into another association or foundation with public-interest status.

1.2.3. GOVERNING BODIES OF ASSOCIATIONS

Article 15.

An association may establish its own membership admission criteria. Such criteria are subject only to the restrictions imposed by the prohibition of discrimination established by the Constitution and laws of BiH.

Article 16.

In addition to a founding act, statute or their equivalents, a registered association must have an assembly and a management board.

Article 17.

For a foreign or international association, it is sufficient to have documents, regardless of what they are called, and bodies that perform the functions defined by this Law.

Article 18.

The assembly, as the association’s highest body, is responsible for: a) adopting the statute, amendments and supplements to the statute, and other acts specified in the statute; b) deciding on the association’s merger, division and other status changes; c) appointing and dismissing members of the management board, if the association has such a body; d) adopting reports prepared by the management board, if the association has such a body; e) deciding on all other matters that do not fall within the authority of other association bodies;

Article 19.

If the association has a management board, it shall: a) prepare the assembly’s meetings; b) prepare draft statutes and other acts for adoption by the assembly; c) implement the policies, conclusions and other decisions adopted by the assembly; d) manage the association’s assets; e) submit an annual or periodic report on its work to the assembly for approval; f) perform other duties specified in the statute.

Article 20.

Members of an association’s governing bodies may not vote on matters in which they themselves, their spouses or their relatives in the direct or collateral line up to the third degree have an interest, on matters concerning an issue under that member’s control, or on matters in which the member has an economic interest. In addition, members of an association’s governing bodies must ensure that all of the association’s financial transactions are concluded at fair market value or on terms that are more favorable to the association.

1.3 FOUNDATIONS

1.3.1. ESTABLISHMENT OF FOUNDATIONS

Article 21.

1. A foundation is considered to operate in the public interest if it was established primarily to promote, provide services or advance programmes in areas such as health, education, science, social protection, civil society, human rights and minority rights, assistance to the poor and socially vulnerable, assistance to persons with disabilities, children and older persons, environmental protection, assistance to victims of natural disasters, tolerance, culture, amateur sports, religious freedom, or other similar freedoms. 2. A foundation is considered to operate for charitable purposes if it was established primarily to assist persons and groups in need of such assistance. 3. The Ministry determines whether a foundation has public-interest status. The Ministry shall regulate the procedure for granting and revoking public-interest status for foundations in a separate regulation. 4. An application for public-interest status for a registered foundation may be submitted at any time, in accordance with the regulations established by the Ministry. A refusal of an application is subject to review in accordance with the law. 5. A registered foundation shall receive tax, customs and other benefits for its activities, in accordance with separate laws. 6. A registered foundation may merge with, divide into or transform only into another foundation.

Article 22.

1. A foundation that meets the requirements for registration may be established by one or more natural or legal persons (hereinafter: the founders), provided that the founders may not be the State of BiH, the entities, cantons, cities, municipalities, local communities, government bodies, state-owned enterprises or funds. The founders need not be citizens of BiH or legal entities from BiH. 2. A foundation may be established by a unilateral declaration of intent, contract, will, legacy or other appropriate legal act. 3. A foundation must have a founding act, statute and management board, or documents and bodies that are essentially equivalent to them. For a foreign or international foundation, it is sufficient to have documents, regardless of what they are called, and bodies that perform the functions defined by this Law.

Article 23.

The founding act of a foundation shall include, in particular: a) the names and addresses of the founders; b) the name of the foundation, its abbreviated name, if any, and the foundation’s address; c) the objectives for which the foundation is established; d) a statement of the amounts and sources of the foundation’s initial capital, in the form prescribed by the regulations of the Ministries; e) the first and last name and address of the person representing the foundation in BIH and authorized to carry out the foundation’s registration;

Article 24.

The statute of a foundation shall include: a) the name, abbreviated name, if any, and registered office of the foundation; b) the foundation’s objectives; c) the foundation’s bodies, the method of their selection, their powers, quorum, voting rules, and the conditions and procedure for their dissolution; d) rules for the management and use of the foundation’s assets; e) procedures for amending and supplementing the statute, as well as the authority and procedures for adopting other general acts; f) the conditions and procedure for the merger, division, transformation or termination of the foundation, including all voting rules for which a special quorum or qualified majority is prescribed; g) criteria for disposing of the foundation’s assets in the event the foundation ceases to operate; h) a description of the form and content of the seal;

1.3.2 FOUNDATION BODIES

Article 25.

1. The governing body of a foundation is its board of directors. 2. The statute of a registered foundation may also establish other foundation bodies.

Article 26.

1. The foundation’s board of directors is responsible for achieving the foundation’s objectives and may also perform other duties prescribed by the statute and in accordance with the law. 2. A foundation’s board of directors shall have at least three members. 3. Members of a foundation’s board of directors need not be citizens of BIH. 4. The board of directors is responsible for: a. adopting or recognizing the founding act, the statute, amendments and supplements to the statute, and other acts prescribed by the statute; b. deciding on mergers, divisions, transformations and termination of operations, as well as other changes in the foundation’s status; c. receiving, adopting and submitting documentation, information and other reports or materials where required by this law or in accordance with it; d. deciding on all other matters that do not fall within the remit of other foundation bodies.

Article 27.

Members of a foundation’s bodies may not vote on matters in which they themselves, their spouses, or their relatives in the direct or collateral line up to the third degree have an interest, on matters concerning a subject under that member’s control, or on matters in which the member has an economic interest. In addition, members of a foundation’s bodies are obliged to ensure that all of the foundation’s financial transactions are concluded at fair market value or on terms more favorable to the foundation.

1.4 REGISTRATION OF ASSOCIATIONS AND FOUNDATIONS

Article 28.

1. Registration of associations and foundations is voluntary, except in the case referred to in Article 29 of this Law, but registration is required for an association or foundation to acquire legal-person status in BIH. 2. The registration, submission of documentation, and termination of an association or foundation shall be carried out in accordance with this Law, other relevant laws of BIH, the regulations of the Ministry, and the statute of the association or foundation. 3. In the event of a conflict between such laws and regulations, the Ministry is responsible for interpreting the laws and regulations in a manner that: a. promotes a policy of transparency and public access; b. minimizes the administrative burden on organizations and individuals to the greatest extent possible, insofar as this can be achieved while enhancing transparency and public access. 4. If a conflict between relevant laws cannot be resolved, the provisions of this Law shall apply. 5. An association shall be entered in the register of associations. A foundation shall be entered in the register of foundations. Both registers are maintained by the Ministry. 6. The registers shall be maintained in accordance with the provisions of this Law and the regulations issued by the Ministry. 7. The registers are open to the public. No approval from the Ministry is required to inspect any document or information in a register. No document or information stored in a register under this Law shall be treated as “confidential” or a “business secret.” 8. Any person may, in person or by mail, request a copy of any register entry or any document in the file of a registered association or foundation. A fee may be charged for such copies, not exceeding the customary amount. Copies must be issued within 15 working days of the date the request is submitted.

Article 29.

Associations and foundations referred to in Article 1 of this Law that intend to request from the Ministry the status of an association or foundation of public interest, or the status of an association or foundation established for charitable purposes, as well as all associations or foundations exercising public authority, and all associations or foundations with offices or activities in BIH that receive, from or through government institutions of BIH, support or any donations in a total annual amount exceeding 5.000 KM, shall proceed as follows:

1. They shall be entered in the register in accordance with the law;
2. They shall submit an annual report to the Ministry, which shall be filed in the register in the form prescribed by Ministry regulations. The annual report may generally include a description of the activities of the association or foundation and any legal entities established within the meaning of Article 4, and must include a balance sheet showing the revenues and expenditures of the association or foundation, as well as of any separate legal entities established within the meaning of Article 4 of this Law.

Article 30.

1. If provided for in the statute, the name of an association or foundation may also be entered in the register in one or more foreign languages, provided that the name in the official languages of BIH is entered first. Foreign associations or foundations may use only their registered names.
2. If two or more associations or foundations register names or symbols that are substantially identical, the Ministry shall issue a decision ordering the association or foundation registered later to submit an application to change its name or symbol in the register within one month. If that association or foundation fails to comply with the decision, the Ministry shall suspend or revoke its registration, dissolve the association or foundation, and impose other forms of sanctions provided for in this Law. The provisions of Article 34 of this Law shall apply to the procedure under this Article.

Article 31.

An application for entry in the register of associations or foundations shall include:
a) the founding act or instrument of establishment;
b) the statute of the association or foundation;
c) a list of the founders and members of the governing bodies;
d) the names and addresses of the persons authorized to represent the association or foundation in BIH;
e) the information required under Article 45 of this Law, if the application concerns the registration of a foreign association or foundation;
f) the name of the association or foundation and its abbreviated name, if any;
g) a sample of the association’s or foundation’s symbol, if any;
h) the objectives of the association or foundation;

The form and method for submitting an application for registration shall be prescribed by Ministry regulations.

Article 32.

Upon receipt of an application for entry in the register or an application to amend or supplement information in the register, the Ministry shall issue a receipt to the founders of the association or foundation. The Ministry is required to issue a registration decision within 30 days of the date the application is submitted.

If the Ministry does not issue a decision within 30 days of receiving an application for registration or an application to amend the registration, the application shall be deemed rejected.

Article 33.

A decision issued by the Ministry on the entry of an association or foundation in the register shall include:
a) the date of entry;
b) the registration number under which the entry was made;
c) the name, abbreviated name, if any, and address of the association or foundation;
d) the symbol of the association or foundation, if any;
e) the objectives for which the association or foundation was established;
f) the names and addresses of the persons authorized to represent the association or foundation;

Article 34.

If, during the registration procedure, the Ministry determines that the association’s or foundation’s statute does not meet the requirements set out in this Law or that the application for registration is incomplete, it shall notify the applicant, stating the reasons why registration has not been completed. The applicant shall be given an opportunity to correct or supplement the application within 15 days of receiving the notice. If the applicant fails to remedy these deficiencies within the prescribed period, the Ministry shall issue a decision rejecting the application for entry in the register, stating the reasons for the negative decision.

If the Ministry determines that the objectives of the association or foundation contravene Article 3, point 3 of this Law, or Article 5 of this Law, the Ministry shall issue a decision refusing the application for entry in the register, stating the reasons for that decision.

The procedures described in this Article shall be carried out in accordance with the rules and procedures prescribed by Ministry regulations and other relevant laws.

Article 35.

An appeal may be filed against a Ministry decision refusing, rejecting, suspending or revoking an entry, or an amendment or supplement to an entry, under this Law; imposing penalties pursuant to Article 53 of this Law; refusing an application under Article 13 of this Law; automatically dissolving an association or foundation pursuant to Article 30, point 2, or Article 51 of this Law; ordering the distribution of assets pursuant to Article 52 of this Law; or against any other decision issued under this Law.

Article 36.

An appeal under Article 35 of this Law may be filed on the following grounds:
- violation of procedural rules
- incorrect or incomplete determination of the facts
- violation of substantive law.

Article 37.

Appeals under Article 35 of this Law shall be decided by the Appeals Commission (hereinafter: the Commission), appointed by the Council of Ministers. The Commission is a permanent body consisting of three members.

Article 38.

1. Appeals against the decisions referred to in Article 35 of this Law shall be filed with the Ministry.
2. Upon receiving an appeal, the Ministry shall examine whether it was filed on time and by an authorized person.
3. If the Ministry determines that an appeal was filed late or by an unauthorized person, it shall reject the appeal by decision.

Article 39.

1. If the Ministry does not reject the appeal for the reasons set out in Article 38, point 3 of this Law, it shall forward the appeal, together with the case file, to the Appeals Commission.
2. When deciding on an appeal, the Commission may take the following decisions:
- reject the appeal as inadmissible
- dismiss the appeal and uphold the Ministry’s decision
- annul the decision in whole or in part
- amend the decision.

Article 40.

1. The Commission shall reject the appeal as inadmissible if the Ministry failed to do so pursuant to Article 38, point 3 of this Law.
2. The Commission shall dismiss the appeal when it determines that there were no deficiencies in the proceedings before the Ministry and that the appeal is unfounded.
3. The Commission shall annul the decision in whole or in part when it determines that one of the irregularities set out in Article 36 of this Law occurred, after which it shall return the case to the Ministry for reconsideration.
4. The Commission shall amend the decision if the circumstances of the case warrant a decision different from the one issued by the Ministry.

Article 41.

The Commission is required to decide on the appeal within 30 days of receiving it.

Article 42.

No appeal may be filed against a decision of the Commission, but administrative proceedings may be initiated before the Court of BIH.

Article 43.

1. A registered association or foundation is required to submit an application to the Ministry to amend or supplement its registration if a change occurs in any of the information referred to in Article 33, point 1, under c), d), e) or f) of this Law, within 30 days of the date the change occurs.
2. The Ministry shall issue a decision on the application in accordance with Article 32, point 1 of this Law.

Article 44.

Decisions authorizing, refusing, rejecting, suspending or revoking an entry in the register of associations or foundations, as well as any decision terminating an association’s or foundation’s operations, shall be published in the “Official Gazette of BIH.”

Article 45.

1. Unless otherwise provided in this Article, the registration rules and procedures established by this Law shall also apply to foreign and international associations, foundations and other nonprofit organizations, as well as the offices of their branches located or operating in the territory of BIH.
2. Foreign and international associations, foundations and other nonprofit organizations, as well as the offices of their branches registered in accordance with this Law, shall have the same status as legal entities in BIH.
3. Along with the application for registration in BIH, foreign and international associations, foundations and other nonprofit organizations shall submit the following to the Ministry for entry in the register:
a. proof that the organization has legal entity status abroad;
b. a statement describing the activities to be undertaken in BIH;
c. the name, address and telephone number of the organization in its country of origin and its main office in BIH, if any;
d. the first and last name and title of the person heading the organization's main office in BIH. If the organization has no office in BIH, the first and last name, address, title and telephone number of the person authorized by the organization to act as its legal representative in BIH shall be provided.

1.5 PROPERTY OF ASSOCIATIONS AND FOUNDATIONS

Article 46.

The income of associations and foundations may include the following:

a) membership fees, in the case of an association;
b) voluntary contributions and gifts from public institutions, natural and legal persons, both foreign and domestic, in cash, services or property of any kind;
c) government subsidies or contracts with the state, public institutions, natural and legal persons, both domestic and foreign;
d) income from interest, dividends, capital gains, rents, fees and similar sources of passive income;
e) income earned through the pursuit of the objectives and activities of the association or foundation, as provided for in its statute.

Article 47.

1. A registered association or foundation is required to keep proper accounting records in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and to prepare financial statements in accordance with this and other relevant laws.
2. A registered association or foundation shall administer its property in accordance with its statute and this Law.

Article 48.

The governing bodies of registered associations or foundations are required to manage the property of the association or foundation with due care, responsibly and lawfully, in the best interests of the association or foundation.

1.6 CESSATION OF THE ACTIVITIES OF ASSOCIATIONS AND FOUNDATIONS – VOLUNTARY OR BY OPERATION OF LAW

Article 49.

Associations or foundations may cease their activities voluntarily or by operation of law, under the conditions established by this Law.

Article 50.

1. An association or foundation may cease its activities voluntarily or by operation of law, under the conditions established by this Law.
2. Unless otherwise provided in the statute, the decision to cease activities shall be adopted by a two-thirds qualified majority vote of the members of the association or by a two-thirds majority vote of the foundation's board of directors.

3. In the event of the voluntary cessation of activities, the registered association or foundation shall adopt a plan consistent with its statute and this Law.

Article 51.

1. By decision of the Ministry, a registered association or foundation shall cease its activities by operation of law, as provided for by law, if it acts contrary to the provisions of this Law, or if, without justifiable cause, it fails to pursue activities aimed at achieving its objectives for a period of at least two full calendar years, or as a result of the circumstances set out in Article 50 of this Law.
2. Cessation by operation of law shall be ordered only in cases of repeated or serious irregularities in the conduct of activities, and only after the association or foundation concerned has been notified of the grounds and given an opportunity to respond.
3. Penalties and the cessation or dissolution of an association or foundation by operation of law shall be imposed upon the Ministry's request. Before issuing a decision imposing a penalty or ordering the cessation or dissolution of an association or foundation, the Ministry shall notify the association or foundation of the violation. The notice shall specify the possible penalties set out in Article 53 of this Law. The Ministry may allow the association or foundation to remedy the irregularities in its activities or may impose a penalty provided for in this Law.

Article 52.

1. Following dissolution, cessation of activities and settlement of its obligations, an association or foundation that does not have public-interest status shall distribute its remaining property and funds in the manner prescribed by its statute or to another registered association or foundation that has been granted public-interest status.
2. Following dissolution and settlement of its obligations, an association or foundation that has been granted public-interest status shall distribute its remaining property and funds to a registered association or foundation with public-interest status that has the same or similar objectives. This also applies to all associations and foundations that have received state funds or public donations, or have obtained tax and fiscal benefits under the laws of any jurisdiction.
3. In the event of cessation by operation of law, the Ministry shall determine the distribution of the remaining funds in accordance with the principles of this Article.
4. The Ministry's decision on dissolution by operation of law and the distribution of the association's or foundation's funds shall be published in the "Official Gazette of BIH", together with a notice to all potential beneficiaries that they may initiate an administrative dispute before the Court of BIH in accordance with Article 42 of this Law.

PART TWO – PENALTY PROVISIONS.

Article 53.

1. The Ministry shall impose a fine of 300 KM to 3.000 KM on an association or foundation that:
a. fails to register, where registration is required under this Law;
c. fails to submit an annual report, where submission is required under this Law;
d. carries out activities that substantially deviate from the objectives of the association or foundation;
e. in legal transactions, fails to use one of its registered names with the intention of misleading a natural person, legal entity or public authority;
f. fails to submit an application to amend or supplement its registration (Article 43 point 1 of this Law);
g. fails to use its profits or funds in the manner provided for in its statute or applicable law, intentionally or as a result of gross negligence;
h. provides the Ministry with information in connection with an application for registration, an amendment of information in the register, or cessation of activities under this Law that is intentionally or materially false and misleading;
2. The Ministry may also impose a fine on the responsible representative of an association or foundation found to have committed the acts listed in this Article, if the representative was aware of the acts that resulted in the violation and acted with the intention of committing the violation. The fine shall be from 100 KM to 1.000 KM.
3. The responsible person may be penalized under this Article only if that person has first been notified of the proceedings and the grounds for them, and given an opportunity to respond. The proceedings under this Article shall be conducted in accordance with regulations established by the Ministry.

PART THREE – TRANSITIONAL AND FINAL PROVISIONS

Article 54.

1. Associations and foundations registered before this Law enters into force that wish to register in accordance with this Law are required to bring their instruments into compliance with its provisions and, within 6 months of the date this Law enters into force, submit their amended registration documents to the competent Ministry.
2. Associations and foundations that register in accordance with the provisions of the preceding point are not required to pay an administrative fee.

Article 55.

1. From the entry into force of this Law, all associations or foundations required to register under this Law that have previously initiated but not completed registration proceedings before other BIH government authorities shall be permitted to discontinue the proceedings already initiated and instead continue the process in accordance with this Law.
2. The associations and foundations described in the preceding point shall be entitled to a refund of the fees paid in registration proceedings conducted under the jurisdiction of other government authorities.

Article 56.

1. Within 60 days of the date this Law enters into force, the Ministry shall adopt all implementing regulations provided for in this Law.
2. All implementing regulations adopted by the Ministry under this Law, and any amendments and supplements thereto, shall be published in the "Official Gazette of BIH".

Article 57.

This Law shall enter into force on the eighth day following its publication in the "Official Gazette of BIH".

Parliamentary Assembly of BIH No. 72/01
30. November 2001, Sarajevo

Chairman
House of Peoples
Parliamentary Assembly of BIH
Sejfudin Tokić, signed

Chairman
House of Representatives
Parliamentary Assembly of BIH
Dr. Željko Mirjanić, signed