Draft Law Amending the Hunting Act (444 SE) – First Reading
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary session
Date: 2024-10-08 13:38
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 6
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 13m
AI Summaries: 6/6 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
Agenda item number 2 concerns the draft law amending the Hunting Act 444 for its first reading, initiated by Member of the Riigikogu Kalle Grünthal. The draft’s aim is to provide exemptions from the hunting fee for certain groups of individuals who possess appropriate evidence (for example, pensioners, persons with disabilities, or individuals equated with those who have been repressed) and for whom simplifying the avoidance of payment is justified. The idea originated in the spring at a meeting of the Järvamaa Hunting Club’s board, where an environmental inspector pointed out that failure to pay the 10-euro fee is often due to age or a lack of digital skills among the elderly, and suggested consideration of a similar model as is used for recreational fishing rights fees. The draft’s author proposed that these individuals could obtain exemption with evidence documented. It was emphasized that hunting is not merely subsistence or sport, but that hunters perform various tasks for the state and local governments and have significant expenses associated with fuel and working capacity, which could be partially accounted for by the state.
The second part relayed a discussion in the Environment Committee: the committee found that the impact on the state budget and fee collection would be significant, and the draft did not have sufficient justification, therefore it was recommended to reject it. At the end of the discussion, a vote was taken, as a result of which the draft’s first reading was rejected and removed from the procedure.
Decisions Made 1
Bill 444's first reading is postponed. Voting results: 51 in favor, 3 against, 0 abstentions. Therefore, the bill is dropped from consideration.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was Hanah Lahe, a member of the Environment Committee. Position: other.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Agenda Item No. 2 addresses the first reading of Draft Act 444 on the amendment of the Hunting Act, which was initiated by Riigikogu member Kalle Grünthal. Colleague Kalle Grünthal has been invited to deliver the presentation.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalle Grünthal introduced the draft Hunting Act. The proposal seeks to exempt pensioners and other eligible individuals from the annual 10-euro hunting fee, provided they show the necessary documentation. He justified this by noting that the sum is small, pensioners have already contributed significantly to society, and a similar special provision is already in place for recreational fishing permits.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi thanked [the assembly] and stated that there were no questions, and subsequently invited Hanah Laht, a member of the Environment Committee, to the Riigikogu rostrum for the committee’s presentation.
Hanah Lahe
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Hanah Lahe described how the Environment Committee discussed a draft bill proposing a fee for hunting rights. The payment structure would have resulted in an estimated loss of 32,400 euros in revenue, based on 12,000 hunters. Nevertheless, the committee found the justification for the necessity of the bill lacking and unanimously recommended that the draft be rejected.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi said that the lead committee intends to reject Bill 444 at the first reading and is now proceeding with preparations for the vote.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The motion received support, with 51 Riigikogu members voting in favor, 3 against, and 0 abstentions; Bill 444 has been rejected and is dropped from the proceedings.