Deputy proposes cap on federal council annual fees

A proposal by Federal Deputy Kim Kataguiri aims to curb what he describes as abusive annual fees charged by professional regulatory bodies in Brazil. Kataguiri's bill seeks to establish a R$250 cap for professionals with higher education degrees and R$125 for those with technical qualifications. This initiative targets entities like the OAB, the Brazilian Bar Association, which have seen their fee collection scrutinized. The deputy argues that the current system, lacking clear legal limits, leads to significant disparities and excessive charges, with some councils collecting nearly R$1,000 annually. The bill also includes provisions for company fees, tiered according to capital, and seeks to prevent the kind of judicial decisions that previously allowed the OAB to bypass earlier fee limits. This move reflects a broader concern in Brazil about the financial burden imposed by professional councils on individuals and businesses, and the transparency of their operations.