Second Reading of the Draft Act on Amendments to the Construction Act and Other Acts (Bill 655 SE)
Session: XV Riigikogu, 6th Session, Plenary Sitting
Date: 2025-10-22 17:07
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 27
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 15m
AI Summaries: 27/27 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The Riigikogu debated the second reading of Draft Act 655, initiated by the Government of the Republic, concerning amendments to the Building Code and other acts. The report was presented by Urve Tiidus, a member of the Economic Affairs Committee. The main objective of the bill is to mandate the construction of the necessary infrastructure for high-speed internet connection in new or extensively renovated apartment buildings, in order to facilitate the work of communication infrastructure builders, save costs, and accelerate the development of the digital state. The Economic Affairs Committee prepared the bill for the second reading on October 14, involving nearly 50 stakeholders in the proceedings.
The Committee discussed four amendment proposals. Three proposals from the Economic Affairs Committee (Nos. 1, 2, and 4) were adopted by consensus. These proposals clarified the compensation of costs related to the installation and removal of mobile network active equipment, ensured greater legal clarity for communication undertakings (by removing abstract future-referencing discretion), and changed the act's entry into force date to January 1, 2026. Amendment proposal No. 3, submitted by the Isamaa parliamentary group, which concerned the prohibition of structures and symbols supporting regimes that occupied Estonia, was disregarded by the leading committee (2 in favor, 4 against), as it did not align with the subject matter of the digital infrastructure regulation in Bill 655. During negotiations, questions were raised regarding restrictions on the installation of support masts (50 m from the road) and the standards and conditions for sharing cable conduits, to which the rapporteur replied that these specific topics were not addressed by the committee during the preparation for the second reading. The second reading was concluded.
Decisions Made 6
The second reading was concluded.
The draft bill will be included on the plenary agenda for the final vote on November 5 (Consensus Decision).
Amendment No. 1 (Economic Committee) was fully accepted (Consensus decision).
Amendment No. 2 (Economic Committee) was fully adopted (Decision by consensus).
Amendment No. 3 (Isamaa faction) was rejected (2 votes for, 4 votes against).
Amendment No. 4 (Economic Committee) was fully adopted (Unanimous decision).
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was the rapporteur Urve Tiidus, who represented the Economic Affairs Committee and answered questions (among other things).
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi announced that the second reading of Draft Act 655 on amendments to the Building Code and other acts, initiated by the Government of the Republic, was on the agenda, and Urve Tiidus, a member of the Economic Affairs Committee, was invited to the Riigikogu rostrum to present the report.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi introduced the agenda item—the second reading of Bill 655, the Government-initiated draft act on amendments to the Building Code—and invited Urve Tiidus, a member of the Economic Affairs Committee, to the rostrum to deliver her report.
Urve Tiidus
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Urve Tiidus provided an overview of the preparation for the second reading of Draft Act 655, amending the Building Code and other acts, which took place in the Economic Affairs Committee. The primary objective of this draft act is to ensure the infrastructure for fast internet connection in new apartment buildings. The Committee consensually considered several amendments concerning legal clarity for communication undertakings, the reimbursement of costs, and the law's entry into force (January 1, 2026). However, the Committee disregarded the proposal submitted by the Isamaa faction regarding symbolism supporting occupation regimes, as it did not align with the draft act's theme of digital infrastructure. The Committee subsequently proposed concluding the second reading and directing the draft act to the final vote.
Urve Tiidus
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Urve Tiidus provided an overview of Bill 655, the draft amendment to the Building Code prepared for the second reading in the Economic Affairs Committee. This bill mandates the infrastructure for high-speed internet connection in new apartment buildings. She explained that the committee had consensually considered most of the proposed amendments related to legal clarity for telecommunications operators and the law's effective date (January 1, 2026), but had rejected the proposal from the Isamaa faction concerning the prohibition of the symbolism of the occupying regime, since it did not pertain to the subject matter of the bill's digital infrastructure regulation.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanked the speaker for the clear presentation, opened the floor for questions, and invited Peeter Ernits to speak first.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
During the debate on the draft bill, Peeter Ernits questioned why Estonia enforces a 50-meter restriction when erecting support masts near roads. He asked whether this limitation stems from particularly stormy weather or from the poor quality of the masts compared to Nordic countries, which permit closer placement, and went on to criticize the bill for failing to regulate this specific issue.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits is demanding an explanation as to why Estonia maintains the requirement to erect support masts at least 50 meters away from the road, given that the Nordic countries have no such restriction and state-owned land would allow for simpler installation closer to the roadside. He questions whether this requirement stems from exceptionally stormy weather conditions or poor quality mast materials, and insists that this matter be regulated within the draft legislation.
Urve Tiidus
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Urve Tiidus explained to Peeter Ernits that the question Ernits had raised was not on the agenda during the second reading debate held by the committee she represents.
Urve Tiidus
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Urve Tiidus informed Peeter Ernits that the issue he had raised was neither on the agenda nor the subject of the debate during the committee's second reading discussion, which she was representing.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi gave the floor to Aivar Koka.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Aivar Kokk asked the commission whether the problems that arose during the first reading have been resolved, namely that the draft bill lacks conditions regulating the diameter of the empty cable conduit installed underground, and, crucially, the terms under which other businesses can use it. This is intended to prevent a situation where the conduit remains unused, as has happened in Sweden, where renting is more expensive than installing new infrastructure.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Aivar Kokk recalled the previous discussion and emphasized that although the draft bill provides for the installation of underground cable conduits, it does not specify the diameter of the conduit or the conditions under which other operators could use it. He noted the risk that installing an empty conduit would be pointless if, based on the Swedish example, renting it proves too expensive, and asked whether the conditions of use for other operators had been discussed in the committee.
Urve Tiidus
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Urve Tiidus explains that although a precise discussion has not taken place, the amendment proposals stemmed primarily from the suggestions put forward by the Estonian Association of Information Technology and Telecommunications and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The objective of these proposals is to ensure that telecommunications undertakings are informed early during the planning of roads and other infrastructure, thereby facilitating the timely installation of their networks. She noted that this specific issue was not addressed in the committee before the second reading.
Urve Tiidus
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Urve Tiidus explained that although there was no specific debate, the proposed amendments mainly resulted from suggestions made by the Estonian Association of Information Technology and Telecommunications and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The purpose of these suggestions is to ensure telecommunications operators receive early information regarding the planning of roads and other infrastructure, thereby facilitating the timely installation of cables and conduits.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi called upon Rain Epler to speak.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler expressed concern regarding the ambiguity of the grounds for refusal in the added paragraph 82² (such as technical or architectural incompatibility). He feared that excessive room for interpretation might lead to arbitrary decisions by local municipalities and subsequent lengthy litigation, and inquired whether the commission had discussed this risk and what conclusion was reached.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler expressed concern regarding the ambiguity and wide scope for interpretation of the grounds for refusal in the newly added paragraph 822 (such as technical or architectural incompatibility). He asked whether the commission had discussed how to prevent the arbitrary application of these provisions by local governments and the resulting lengthy litigation.
Urve Tiidus
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Urve Tiidus replied to Rain Epler that the discussion in question did not take place this time.
Urve Tiidus
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Urve Tiidus informed Rain Epler that the discussion in question had not been held this time.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi concluded the round of questions, thanked the participants, and then opened the discussions, giving the floor first to Peeter Ernits.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits views the European Union's directly applicable gigabit infrastructure regulation positively, arguing that it helps the digital state reach its citizens. However, he sharply criticizes the Estonian draft bill's brief and vague interpretation. While the draft does add specific nuances (such as the installation of masts on local government buildings), it fails to capitalize on opportunities to simplify everyday life (for example, concerning rules for mast placement or the depth of cables) and still leaves unresolved the question of the required "throat" width for communication cables.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits views the European Union's gigabit infrastructure regulation as a fundamentally positive step in the development of the digital state. However, he sharply criticizes the ambiguity and added restrictions present in Estonia's shortened draft bill, which fail to utilize opportunities—modeled after Nordic examples—that could simplify everyday life (e.g., mast installation and cable depth). Furthermore, he stresses that despite improved coordination of excavation work via the building register, the necessary width of the "conduit" required for cable installation remains an unresolved technical problem.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi, acting as moderator, informed the previous speaker that his time was up and inquired whether any further clarification was needed regarding the specific throat topic under discussion.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits views the new regulation, which mandates capacity for five cables and is intended to guarantee residents a choice of more favorable service providers, as fundamentally positive. However, he criticizes its vague and sloppily implemented application, arguing that the minister should have defined it more clearly to ensure adequate scope (or proper clearance).
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits views the new regulation positively, which mandates installing sufficient conduit in buildings for five cables to ensure residents have a choice of more affordable service providers, but he criticizes that it was "slapped together" (or "done haphazardly") and that the minister failed to specify the necessary dimensions.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi closed the debates and conducted the review of amendments to Draft Bill 655, during which three proposals from the Economic Affairs Committee were accepted, while the one from the Isamaa faction was rejected, thereby declaring the bill's second reading concluded.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi closed the debate and proceeded to review four submitted amendments pertaining to the second reading of Draft Act 655. The lead committee decided to fully accept three of the proposals and reject one (the one submitted by the Isamaa faction), thereby concluding the second reading of the draft act.