Draft law amending the Act on Responding to Complaints and Information Requests and Submitting Collective Petitions (475 SE) - First Reading
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 4th sitting, plenary session
Date: 2024-09-25 23:05
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 10
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 7m
AI Summaries: 10/10 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The eighth agenda item concerns an amendment to the law on responding to government-initiated notifications, requests for clarification, and collective appeals. The draft aims to change the distributive response deadline – from the current 30 days to 15 days – and thereby introduce a faster and digital response process in public service and entrepreneurship. Internal justifications emphasize that digitally prepared responses can become more readily available and quickly accessible, allowing businesses and citizens to receive necessary information from the state more rapidly, which in turn promotes productivity and a fair working environment.
The second part of the discussion addressed questions raised by the Constitutional Committee: whether the possible implementation of a 15-day response deadline could create situations where officials are unable to respond during vacation time or where necessary documentation requires additional time. The committee’s consensus approach found that, in addition to the maximum of 15 days, substitution and extension mechanisms (up to two months with justification) will remain in place, and officials should continue to follow ethical and legal requirements. Notes were also raised regarding the risk of increased bureaucracy, but ultimately the first reading was concluded and a thorough discussion and deadline for submitting proposals will be conducted for the future.
Decisions Made 1
The first reading is concluded. The leading committee decided to conclude the first reading of bill 475, and the deadline for submitting amendments is October 9th of this year at 5:15 PM.
Most Active Speaker
The most active participant was Andres Metsoja (other) – a member of the Riigikogu who participated by posing questions and in discussions; his role is expressed as having played an active part, being associated to a moderate degree with a political right/left position of “other.”
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Riigikogu is debating, under the eighth item on the agenda, the response to the memorandum and the request for clarification initiated by the government, as well as the first reading of the draft act amending the Collective Appeals Act, which will be presented as a report by the Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs, Liisa-Ly Pakosta.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
According to Liisa-Ly Pakosta, the Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs, the deadline for responding to memoranda and requests for clarification will be shortened from 30 days to 15 days. This is intended to ensure that digitally prepared answers reach the questions posed by entrepreneurs and citizens faster.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Chair announced that there were no questions, thanked the rapporteur, and said that the positions and decisions of the leading committee would be heard; next up is the Chairman of the Constitutional Committee, Hendrik Johannes Terras.
Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
The Constitutional Committee discussed the draft bill and found that officials in small local governments, when subject to a 15-day response period, are entitled to request a justified extension of up to two months. The ensuing discussion confirmed that the majority of officials adhere to the code of ethics and the law when responding to correspondence, after which the first reading was concluded by consensus.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Deputy Speaker thanks [the previous speaker] and asks Andres Metsoja to pose one question.
Andres Metsoja
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
The speaker raises the point of whether this wouldn't increase bureaucracy, given that the official would spend time extending correspondence instead of dealing with the substantive process, and asks whether this risk hadn't been foreseen.
Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
The Commission found that official misconduct cannot be presumed, and although this creates bureaucracy, the fact that there are also people who take the deadline seriously and thus shorten the time required to receive a response outweighs the issue that some people disregard the law.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi thanks the audience, announces that there are no questions, opens the debate, and invites Tarmo Tamm to speak on behalf of the Eesti 200 faction.
Tarmo Tamm
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tarmo Tamm urged support for the bill that reduces the response time for citizen inquiries from 30 days to 15 days, and he believes that quicker responses will benefit businesses and the public.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi declared the negotiations concluded, announcing that the first reading of Bill 475 has been completed in the lead committee, and the deadline for submitting amendments is October 9th at 5:15 PM.