Draft law amending the State Duty Act and the Act on Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances and Their Precursors (502 SE) – Second Reading
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary sitting
Date: 2024-11-21 02:41
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 6
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 7m
AI Summaries: 6/6 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The Riigikogu discussed the draft law amending the State Levy Act and the Law on Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances and their Precursor Substances, in its second reading, 502. The chairman of the Social Affairs Committee, Madis Timpson, presented an overview, noting that no proposals were received from members of the Riigikogu, committees, or factions by the deadline for submitting amendments (November 6th). The committee discussed the draft law on November 12th, involving the Estonian Association of Social Workers and the Estonian Union of Rehabilitation Institutions, both of whom expressed opposition to the increase in state levies, citing concerns about the accessibility of social services and the salaries of caseworkers. The leading committee initiated two technical amendment proposals, which gained support.
During the debate, Aleksandr Tšaplõgin, representing the Centre Party faction, sharply criticized the draft law, calling it a "poor law" that increases the burden on consumers and, in particular, pensioners, under the pretext of covering administrative costs. The Centre Party faction proposed to halt the second reading of the draft law. After reviewing the amendment proposals, the Centre Party’s proposal to halt the proceedings was put to a vote and rejected with 2 votes in favour and 51 against. The second reading of the draft law was then concluded.
Decisions Made 3
The Social Affairs Committee's proposed amendments 1 and 2 were fully taken into account.
The proposal to suspend the second reading of the draft law amending the state levy act and the law on narcotic and psychotropic substances and their precursor substances, submitted by the Centre Party faction, was rejected (2 in favor, 51 against, 0 abstentions).
Bill 502's second reading was concluded.
Most Active Speaker
Aleksandr Tšaplõgin (member of the Centre Party faction) was the only participant in the negotiations who voiced strong criticism of the draft and proposed that the reading be interrupted (otherwise).
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The next item on the agenda is the second reading of Draft Law No. 502 amending the State Fee Act and the Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances and Their Precursors Act, and the presenter is requested to be Madis Timpsoni, the chair of the Riigikogu's Social Committee.
Madis Timpson
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Madis Timpson gave an overview of the proceedings of the first reading of the draft bill, where, despite amendment proposals scheduled for November 6, no additional proposals were submitted. The opinions of 24 organizations were collected (including the Estonian Association of Social Work and the Estonian Union of Rehabilitation Institutions), their positions were discussed with the minister's explanations, and the committee initiated two technical amendments, with all decisions adopted by consensus, setting the draft bill for the second reading on the plenary's agenda on November 20 and for the third reading and final vote on December 4.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanked the audience, informed them that there were no questions, opened negotiations, and invited Alexander Chaplygin to speak.
Aleksandr Tšaplõgin
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Aleksandr Tšaplõgin said that the draft bill is bad because the government raises state fees to cover administrative costs in health care and the social sphere, which burden citizens and especially pensioners, and the costs for entrepreneurs ultimately affect consumers, therefore he does not support the draft bill and the Centre Party faction wants to suspend the second reading.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi announced the termination of the negotiations, two amendment proposals submitted by the two Social Committees were discussed, and it was announced that the Centre Party faction's proposal to suspend the second reading of Bill No. 502 would be put to a vote.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
As a result of the vote, 2 in favor, 51 against and 0 abstentions; the proposal did not gain support, and the second reading of Bill 502 was terminated.