Draft law amending the Arms Act and, in connection therewith, amending other laws (468 SE) – first reading
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 4th sitting, plenary sitting
Date: 2024-09-24 13:55
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 14
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 16m
AI Summaries: 14/14 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The Riigikogu debated the draft law amending the Weapons Act and related laws in its first reading 468. Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur presented the draft, whose main objective is to strengthen Estonia's defence industry and reduce bureaucracy to encourage investment and international cooperation. Significant changes include extending the citizenship requirement to friendly countries, allowing participation in the defence industry not only to citizens of EU and NATO member states, but also to citizens of OECD countries and countries associated with the classified information protection agreement (e.g., Ukraine). Simplification is also planned for the provision of transport services for military weapons and ammunition, recognizing transport licenses issued by other EU/NATO countries. The draft law reduces administrative burden by harmonizing permits for handling weapons and explosives and limiting background checks to employees who directly handle weapons or related information. Raimond Kaljulaid, representative of the National Defence Committee, supported the draft, emphasizing the reduction of regulations for entrepreneurs. After brief discussions, the first reading was concluded.
Decisions Made 2
Bill 468 has completed its first reading.
The deadline for submitting amendments was set for October 8th at 5:15 PM.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Riigikogu is moving on to the fourth item, which is the first reading of Draft Act 468, initiated by the Government of the Republic, concerning amendments to the Weapons Act and related legislation, and Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur is invited to give the presentation.
Kaitseminister Hanno Pevkur
AI Summary
Draft Act 468, which proposes amendments to the Weapons Act and accompanying legislation, aims to strengthen the Estonian defense industry, facilitate broader international cooperation, and reduce bureaucracy and administrative burden for businesses.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi thanks the Minister and calls upon Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart to take the floor for questions.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart emphasizes that the draft bill corrects the mistake made previously, which excluded citizens of Ukraine and other non-OECD countries and only permitted Estonian or European Union citizens to be owners. It now adds citizens of OECD countries in order to continue cooperation with them.
Kaitseminister Hanno Pevkur
AI Summary
Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur stated that the draft bill focuses exclusively on the defense sector, improves cooperation between businesses and Ukraine and Singapore, and takes into account the bottlenecks facing the defense industry, without affecting civilian firearms.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi called Lauri Laats to the stage.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats thanked the presiding officer and the minister, stating that the proposal presented would give a boost to the defense industry. He also asked for a forecast or analysis regarding its impact on turnover, new markets, and volume growth.
Kaitseminister Hanno Pevkur
AI Summary
Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur stated during negotiations with businesses that current bottlenecks—such as bureaucratic restrictions and excessive obligations, like the requirement to process two separate permit applications—are stifling the development of the defense industry. He added that the weapons law package, which is designed to attract investment, cut red tape, and accelerate processes, represents the first step toward eliminating these limitations.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
This is a brief invitation, issued by Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi, for Arvo Aller to speak.
Arvo Aller
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
I note that the preliminary development intention has been coordinated or sent out for feedback, but I do not see the Defence League (Kaitseliit) and the Rescue Board (Päästeamet) included. I ask whether separate discussions will be held with them, or if they are included under the purview of a specific ministry.
Kaitseminister Hanno Pevkur
AI Summary
The Defence Minister said the draft bill mainly concerns the defence industry and won't directly affect the Defence League or the Rescue Board, except if their members are involved in the munitions or arms manufacturing sectors. The ultimate goal is to develop the industry.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi thanked the minister, greeted his colleagues and the delegation from the Norwegian Parliament, and invited Raimond Kaljulaid, a member of the National Defence Committee, to the Riigikogu podium to deliver the report on behalf of the lead committee.
Raimond Kaljulaid
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The National Defence Committee discussed the draft bill at its session on September 16th and emphasized that the burden of regulations and bureaucracy in the defense industry would decrease. They discussed the participation of citizens of the states and the guarantees of the European Defence Fund, and it was unanimously decided to include the draft bill in the first reading at the Riigikogu session on September 24th and conclude the first reading, appointing me as the rapporteur and setting the deadline for submitting amendments at ten working days.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Arvo Aller announced that there were no questions, the first reading of draft bill 468 was concluded, the deadline for submitting amendments is October 8th at 5:15 PM, the agenda is exhausted, and the session is adjourned.