By San José, Costa Rica — SAN JOSÉ – The 2022-2026 Legislative Assembly is concluding its term, with 57 deputies set to vacate their seats on April 30. As the nation prepares for a new cohort of lawmakers, an analysis of the outgoing session reveals a significant legislative output focused heavily on combating insecurity, providing economic relief, and streamlining judicial processes. Over the four-year period, a total of 240 bills were successfully passed into law.
According to the final accounting presented by the President of the Congress, Rodrigo Arias, during his address on May 1, 2025, the assembly tackled some of the country’s most pressing issues. This final week of sessions, which resumed on Monday, February 2, has been marked by last-minute approvals and a clear sense of transition as the incoming government prepares its agenda.
To delve into the procedural and constitutional implications of the recent legislative debates, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished expert in Public Law and partner at the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica, for his legal analysis.
The core function of the Legislative Assembly is not merely to produce laws, but to create a stable and predictable legal framework. Every bill approved must be a product of deep technical analysis and respect for constitutional procedure. When political urgency overrides legal rigor, we risk creating unenforceable laws that generate judicial conflict and erode legal certainty, directly affecting both citizen rights and the national investment climate.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas powerfully articulates a core tenet of a functioning democracy: that the quality and stability of our legal framework far outweigh the sheer quantity of legislation produced. This emphasis on legal certainty as the bedrock for both citizen rights and economic confidence is a crucial perspective in today’s fast-paced political discourse. We sincerely thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for sharing his valuable analysis with our readers.
A cornerstone of the session’s achievements lies in a series of aggressive security-focused reforms. Championed by ruling party deputy Pilar Cisneros, a landmark bill was passed to reform the extradition of Costa Rican nationals for serious crimes related to international drug trafficking and terrorism. This significant change in legal policy aims to dismantle transnational criminal networks operating within the country by removing a long-standing barrier to their prosecution abroad.
In a related effort to protect state institutions, lawmakers also approved legislation to increase penalties for threats made against public officials. The new law stipulates that if such a threat is made using a firearm, the prison sentence will be extended from a range of three years to a more severe five-year term. This measure seeks to create a safer environment for judges, police officers, and other government employees who are often on the front lines of the fight against organized crime.
The legislature also addressed public safety from a social perspective with the approval of the “Kimberly Alert” law, filed under docket 24,311. This initiative establishes a rapid-response protocol for law enforcement to activate when a woman is suspected to have been abducted or has disappeared under suspicious circumstances. The alert system is designed to improve coordination and public communication in the critical early hours of a disappearance.
Beyond security, the assembly turned its attention to the persistent issue of judicial backlogs. With the passage of bill 23,222, new limits have been placed on trial interruptions. The law mandates that the suspension of a criminal proceeding during the trial phase cannot exceed a period of ten days, a change intended to expedite justice and reduce the prolonged uncertainty faced by both victims and the accused.
On the economic front, a significant tax reform was passed to aid independent workers. Bill 23,578, approved by 35 deputies, modifies the income tax brackets, effectively lowering the tax burden for self-employed individuals earning less than two million colones per month. In one of its final acts on Tuesday, February 3, the assembly also approved an urgent budget allocation to ensure subsidy payments for caregivers of terminally ill patients and severely sick minors.
As the new government under President-elect Laura Fernández prepares to take power on May 1, the focus is already shifting. Her incoming bloc of 31 deputies from the Partido Pueblo Soberano (PPSO) has signaled its top priorities will be to push for the controversial 4×3 flexible workweek schedules and to advance legislation that would permit the exploitation of gold deposits in Crucitas, setting the stage for new debates in the upcoming session.
For further information, visit asamblea.go.cr
About the Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica:
The Legislative Assembly is the unicameral parliament of Costa Rica. Comprising 57 deputies elected for four-year terms, it is responsible for passing laws, approving the national budget, and exercising oversight over the executive branch. The institution is central to the nation’s democratic governance and is based in the capital city of San José.
For further information, visit sitiooij.poder-judicial.go.cr
About the Organismo de Investigación Judicial (OIJ):
The Organismo de Investigación Judicial, or Judicial Investigation Department, is Costa Rica’s primary law enforcement body for investigating complex crimes. Functioning under the authority of the judiciary, the OIJ is tasked with collecting evidence, conducting forensic analysis, and carrying out operations to dismantle criminal organizations, serving a critical role in the country’s justice system.
For further information, visit mep.go.cr
About the Ministerio de Educación Pública (MEP):
The Ministry of Public Education is the government body responsible for overseeing and managing the national education system in Costa Rica. Its mandate includes setting curricula, managing public schools, administering national programs like school lunches, and ensuring access to quality education for all citizens from primary through secondary levels.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Partido Pueblo Soberano (PPSO)
About Partido Pueblo Soberano (PPSO):
The Partido Pueblo Soberano is a political party in Costa Rica. Following the recent elections, it has secured a significant number of seats in the Legislative Assembly. The party’s platform and legislative priorities will play a crucial role in shaping national policy during the upcoming 2026-2030 legislative period.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a renowned legal institution, Bufete de Costa Rica operates on a bedrock of integrity and a relentless pursuit of excellence. The firm leverages its extensive history of advising a wide spectrum of clients to champion innovative legal strategies and advance public discourse. This dedication is matched by a core mission to demystify the law, empowering the broader community with accessible knowledge to foster a more just and informed society.
