Draft law amending the Customs Act (515 SE) – First Reading
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 4th sitting, plenary session
Date: 2024-10-23 17:13
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 4
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 6m
AI Summaries: 4/4 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The representative discussion on the draft law amending the Customs Act, bill 515, continued yesterday as a continuation of the unfinished negotiations. The main topic was the extent of the interaction of ideas: the draft allowed the Tax and Customs Board (MTA) and its employees, as well as the Academy of Internal Security, the right to process forms and expanded the rights to use special equipment for institutions. However, contradictions arose regarding the increase of fines for legal entities – the current maximum fines of 3200, 2600, and 1300 euros would increase to 50,000–100,000 euros. The EKRE faction proposed rejecting the draft on the first reading due to the lack of undertaken minimum conditions and justifications, emphasizing that the information concerning the increase of fines and the sharing of special equipment needs to be explained more broadly and clearly to see the overall picture of the state.
Several colleagues also spoke, recalling that these rights were not granted in earlier times and that the simultaneous handling of special equipment in different institutions creates legal and administrative uncertainty. According to the speakers, the minister’s answers lacked clarity as to why these rights are at all regulated on a limited level in the law and whether such an expansion is justified. Ultimately, the working group’s proposal did not receive sufficient support and the discussion was left unattended, leaving the impression that consideration of the draft needs to continue on the first reading.
Decisions Made 1
The EKRE faction’s proposal to reject Bill 515 in the first reading failed to gain support; the conclusion of the first reading and the deadline for submitting amendments were set for November 6th at 5:15 PM.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was a member of the EKRE faction in the Riigikogu, who, as their representative, presented and more broadly discussed draft law 515 amending the Customs Act, and due to the shortcomings and limitations they raised, the need to reject the draft law in its first reading was emphasized. This speaker's role is depicted as representing a right-wing political orientation.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi announces that we will continue the first reading of Draft Act 515 on the Amendment of the Customs Act, which was adjourned yesterday. The floor is now open for debate, and Rene Kok is invited to the rostrum on behalf of the EKRE faction.
AI Summary
Rene Kokk criticizes Bill 515 of the Customs Act, pointing out that the expansion of rights to use special equipment and the right to wear uniforms is unjustified, and that the increase in fines for legal entities—from 3,200, 2,600, and 1,300 euros up to 50,000–100,000 euros—is disproportionate. Consequently, the EKRE faction plans to reject the bill.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi concludes the debate and moves to a vote on the EKRE faction's motion to reject the first reading of Draft Bill 515.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Riigikogu voted on Bill 515 in the first reading: 28 votes were cast in favor of rejection, 49 against, and 0 abstentions; the deadline for submitting amendments is November 6th at 5:15 PM, and today's first agenda item is concluded.