Draft law amending the Public Transport Act (499 SE) – first reading
Session: 15th Estonian Parliament, 4th session, plenary sitting
Date: 2024-10-14 20:57
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 10
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 12m
AI Summaries: 10/10 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The Riigikogu discussed the draft law amending the Public Transport Act, initiated by the Republic’s Government, in the first reading (499). The presentation was given by Regional and Agricultural Minister Piret Hartman. The main objective of the draft law is to bring the regulation of travel discounts into compliance with the European Court's 2022 decision, which requires compensation for the financial impact arising from the obligation to provide free transport (for preschool children and people with disabilities) for commercial carriers. The law declares invalid a provision that prohibited paying compensation to carriers and establishes an enabling clause to establish the procedure for paying earmarked support. This concerns approximately 19 commercial carriers, and the state budget expenditure is planned at 600,000 euros per year. The draft law is scheduled to come into force on January 1, 2025.
The presenter from the Economic Affairs Committee, Tarmo Tamm, confirmed that there was consensus within the committee regarding the need to resolve the situation, noting that previous retroactive refunds had reached 4 million euros. In the discussions, Ando Kiviberg (Eesti 200) highlighted the lack of consideration for consumer interests among the draft law’s objectives and emphasized the need to maintain the specialized expertise of regional public transport centers. He also drew attention to the risk that, in the case of a new system of express lines and feeder lines, feeder lines might become local lines, the funding for which would fall on the shoulders of local municipalities with insufficient capacity.
Decisions Made 2
Bill 499 has completed its first reading.
The deadline for submitting amendments was set for October 28, 2024, at 5:15 PM.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Today, the first reading of Draft Act 499 on the amendment of the Public Transport Act, initiated by the Government of the Republic, will be discussed under the third item on the agenda, and the Minister of Regional Affairs and Agriculture, Piret Hartman, is invited to deliver the presentation.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Piret Hartman
AI Summary
The proposal amends the Public Transport Act to bring it into compliance with European Union law and the 2022 ruling of the European Court of Justice. It establishes targeted subsidies for commercial carriers for fulfilling public service obligations, abolishes the requirement for free transport for certain target groups, clarifies the regulation of travel concessions (including the inclusion of air and water transport), and grants local governments the right to determine up to 100% travel concessions for specific categories. The final estimated cost of this to the state is approximately 600,000 euros per year, affecting about 19 companies, and is set to enter into force on January 1, 2025.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller invited Rain Epler to ask a question.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler asks the minister how the draft bill affects local governments and whether the compensation should be covered by the state budget, recalling the coordination table's note, "not taken into account," and requesting explanations and specific figures.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Piret Hartman
AI Summary
Overall, there is no impact on local governments. Costs amounting to approximately 600,000 euros are compensated from the state budget, as reflected in the State Budget Act, and while this currently does not affect local governments, it does generally affect public transport.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
There are no further questions; next, Tarmo Tamme, a member of the Economic Affairs Committee, will present the discussion that took place in the lead committee.
Tarmo Tamm
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
At its session on October 8, the Economic Affairs Committee discussed the preparations for the first reading of Bill 499, initiated by the Government of the Republic, which proposes amendments to the Public Transport Act. They also addressed the procedure for paying the fine resulting from the European Court decision and the compensations due to carriers, the total costs of which were estimated at roughly four million euros. A consensus was reached that a suitable IT solution must be found. Following this, the first reading was concluded, and the proceedings will continue.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller announces that there are no questions, thanks the participants, and opens the debate, giving the floor to the representatives of the parliamentary groups; the first speaker will be Ando Kiviberg, representing the Eesti 200 faction.
Ando Kiviberg
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
This reform is important for improving the quality of life, but it must include the objective of consumer satisfaction and ensure that the experience and expertise of regional public transport centers are maintained, and that funding is secure, provided the plan connects major hubs with express lines and adds circular routes.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The negotiations have concluded, and the first reading of Draft Bill 499 has ended. The deadline for submitting amendments is October 28th at 5:15 PM.