First Reading of the Draft Act on Amendments to the Name Act and the State Fee Act (719 SE)
Session: XV Riigikogu, 6th Session, Plenary Sitting
Date: 2025-10-22 18:54
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 57
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 39m
AI Summaries: 57/57 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The Riigikogu debated the first reading of Bill 719, initiated by the Government of the Republic, concerning amendments to the Name Act and the State Fees Act. Interior Minister Igor Taro introduced the bill, emphasizing its goal of bringing name changes into the 21st century by utilizing e-services, automated decisions, and automated entries. The Minister stressed that this is a technological step that reduces bureaucracy and increases trust, referring to it as the "freedom bill" and the "digital state strengthening bill." Taro also highlighted that the project is funded by the European Union's Recovery and Resilience Facility, noting that the amendments must be implemented before December 2025 to avoid the obligation to repay the funds.
The most heated debate centered on the issue of name changes for criminals. MPs (Andre Hanimägi, Riina Solman, Tanel Kiik) expressed concern that the new automatic system must not simplify the concealment of a criminal past. The Minister confirmed that substantive restrictions designed to protect society (including ruling out the adoption of names of living persons) will be established in the new comprehensive Name Act bill, which will be finalized during the current calendar year. Under the current bill, automated decisions are only possible in simple cases related to lineage connections that can be verified based on registry data. Peeter Ernits (Centre Party) supported the content of the bill but criticized its rapid processing, which is necessitated by the European funding deadline (to avoid a fine of 120 million euros). Vilja Toomast (Legal Affairs Committee) provided an overview of the committee's discussion, confirming that names can still be changed in four regional vital statistics offices and that automatic name change is permitted once in a lifetime, while simultaneously preventing the use of names belonging to generally well-known individuals.
Decisions Made 2
The first reading of Bill 719 concluded.
The deadline for submitting amendments was set for November 5, 2024, at 5:15 PM.
Most Active Speaker
Peeter Ernits (Center Party, other) was very active, posing several questions to the minister and delivering a long speech on behalf of the faction, in which he criticized the rapid processing of the bill due to the European Union funding deadline, calling it a "last-minute emergency bill."
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi announced that the fifth item on the agenda was the first reading of Bill 719, initiated by the Government of the Republic, concerning amendments to the Names Act and the State Fees Act, and invited the honorable Minister of the Interior, Igor Taro, to the Riigikogu rostrum to deliver the presentation.
Siseminister Igor Taro
AI Summary
Interior Minister Igor Taro presented the draft legislation initiated by the Government of the Republic to amend the Name Act and the State Fees Act. The primary objective of this bill is to bring the name change process into the 21st century, enabling it to be done conveniently and quickly via an e-service, complete with automated decisions and entries. This move reduces bureaucracy, expresses the government’s trust in its citizens, and reflects the vision of a smarter, more personalized digital state. At the same time, the Minister emphasized the necessity of implementing these changes rapidly to secure support from the EU recovery fund.
Siseminister Igor Taro
AI Summary
Interior Minister Igor Taro is presenting a bill initiated by the Government of the Republic to amend the Names Act and the State Fees Act. The purpose of this legislation is to modernize the name change process for the 21st century, making it a fully digital e-service that uses automated decisions and entries. This technological upgrade will drastically cut down on bureaucracy, enhance the state's trust in its citizens, and result in a smarter, more efficient government. It is also linked to the deadlines of the European Union Recovery and Resilience Facility, which require the rapid execution of these amendments.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller concluded his address with words of thanks, noted that the addressee had questions, and subsequently gave the floor to Andre Hanimägi.
Andre Hanimägi
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Andre Hanimägi praised the minister's presentation but raised concerns regarding the clarity of the restrictions outlined in the new name change bill. Specifically, he asked what genuine obstacles criminals would face when attempting to change their names and how quickly the legislative gap concerning individuals who work with children could be addressed.
Andre Hanimägi
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Andre Hanimägi acknowledged the minister's enthusiastic presentation but requested clarification regarding the actual restrictions of the new name change bill, while also asking how long the situation will persist where criminals working with children can evade restrictions by changing their name, emphasizing the need to quickly resolve the issue between the two laws.
Siseminister Igor Taro
AI Summary
Internal Affairs Minister Igor Taro confirmed that they are keeping up the pace on finalizing the full text of the new draft bill so that it can be completed within this year, although substantive discussions regarding restrictions related to crimes require separate and more extensive treatment. He explained that automated decisions, which are based on registry data (such as lineage relationships), are not forced upon citizens; rather, the e-service user can always choose whether to agree with the automated decision or discuss the matter with an official.
Siseminister Igor Taro
AI Summary
Minister of the Interior Igor Taro confirmed that efforts would be made to adopt the full text of the new draft bill within this year, but stressed that complex substantive discussions regarding restrictions related to criminal offenses require a separate and longer procedure due to differing opinions. He also clarified that automatic decisions are not without limitations; rather, they require a registry-based link of descent, and individuals can always choose within the e-service whether they want an automatic decision or prefer to consult with an official.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Arvo Aller invited Peeter Ernits to the podium and gave him the floor.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits asked the minister how quickly an automatic name change could be implemented through the system once the new law comes into force on December 2nd, and when a person would be able to immediately start using the new name, citing the situation the very next day as an example.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits is seeking clarification from the minister regarding the speed and time expenditure of the automatic name change process after the relevant law takes effect on December 2nd, asking how quickly citizens, including himself and Arvo Aller, will be able to officially adopt the new name.
Siseminister Igor Taro
AI Summary
Interior Minister Igor Taro confirmed that people will be able to change their name once in a lifetime via an automatic decision and without providing any justification. The decision itself will be made instantly, but the system will only be implemented in December due to funding. Furthermore, practice shows that those who change their names rarely regret their choice.
Siseminister Igor Taro
AI Summary
Interior Minister Igor Taro confirmed that changing one's name via an automated decision is permitted once in a lifetime without requiring justification. Furthermore, simple changes (for example, switching to a common first name) will be processed immediately. He added that the system, due to its funding requirements, must be implemented and utilized at least once before the end of this year.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Speaker Arvo Aller yielded the floor to Riina Solman, calling her to the rostrum.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman asked the honorable Minister whether the new digital and liberal approaches to personal data have eliminated the previous problem where pedophiles and child molesters could easily hide their identity by assuming another person's name, citing, for example, the case of Kaur Hanson, who used the existing name Oliver Rist.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman wonders whether the new digital and open approaches have eliminated the previous problem where pedophiles and child abusers could easily appropriate the names of existing citizens, referencing the example of Kaur Hanson and asking whether such cases of identity misuse are now prevented.
Siseminister Igor Taro
AI Summary
Interior Minister Igor Taro confirms that the substantive debate concerning the new draft of the Name Act must resolve the question of how to allow individuals to adopt a completely new, arbitrary name, while simultaneously preventing situations where the name of an already living person is adopted. This is necessary to prevent abuses, such as attempts by criminals to appropriate the identity of other individuals (including lawyers). He further emphasizes the need to move quickly toward finding this solution.
Siseminister Igor Taro
AI Summary
Interior Minister Igor Taro emphasizes that the substantive discussion regarding the new draft of the Name Act focuses on the need to prevent situations where an individual seeking a new, arbitrary name adopts the name of an already living person. This is particularly crucial for preventing the abuse of names by criminals, and he confirms that they are moving quickly toward implementing this solution.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller and Tanel Kiik were called to the podium following a brief introduction.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik raises the concern that criminals must not be allowed to use the possibility of changing their name to conceal their criminal past and the atrocities they have committed, emphasizing that the law's purpose should not be to make life easier for criminals. He also asks the minister whether the practices of other European Union countries regarding the ease or complexity of name changes have been compared, in order to ensure that Estonia operates within a similar framework.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik emphasized that the option to change one's name must under no circumstances simplify the lives of criminals or allow them to hide their past, whether the offenses involve fraud or crimes against children. He then asked the minister whether comparisons had been drawn regarding the ease or difficulty of changing names in other European Union countries, in order to ensure Estonia's alignment with the broader European cultural space.
Siseminister Igor Taro
AI Summary
Interior Minister Igor Taro conceded that he currently cannot provide a detailed answer to the question concerning Estonia's unique and innovative e-service, which aims to reduce administrative burden, but promised to deliver the response in writing through officials, referencing the underlying analysis that had been carried out.
Siseminister Igor Taro
AI Summary
Although Interior Minister Igor Taro failed to provide a detailed answer, citing the development of innovative e-services in Estonia aimed at reducing bureaucracy—which is why a similar automated decision system is absent in other countries—he did promise to deliver a written overview of the topic's background and analysis through officials.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller handed the podium over to Riina Solman at the conclusion of his speech.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman requested the minister’s assistance for a young person with a difficult background who wishes to put their past behind them by adopting a new, Germanic name—a name that officials had prohibited due to the requirement for Estonian authenticity. She further inquired whether it would be possible to bypass expensive court proceedings and permit the name, given that it is a part of the Estonian cultural sphere.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman requested help and advice from the minister regarding a young person facing hardship. This individual's desire to adopt a new, German-style name was rejected by officials based on the requirement for Estonian authenticity, and they cannot afford to challenge the state in court. Solman asked whether, in the context of freedom and cultural space, it might still be possible to permit the name.
Siseminister Igor Taro
AI Summary
Interior Minister Igor Taro addressed the complex balance between personal freedom and the protection of the Estonian linguistic and cultural space when regulating and Estonianizing names, referencing both the historical campaign for the Estonianization of names and the conflicting provisions of the current law (e.g., names inconsistent with gender). However, he concluded by noting that the specific naming issue concerning the young man under discussion had, in the interim, resolved itself.
Siseminister Igor Taro
AI Summary
Interior Minister Igor Taro addressed the complex dilemma pitting the Estonianization of names and the protection of the cultural space against individual liberty, citing examples from both the historical campaign to Estonianize names and the cultural exceptions found in the current law. He concluded, however, by noting that the specific name dispute which had prompted the discussion had resolved itself in the interim, as the young man had successfully received the name he desired.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Arvo Aller gave the floor to Peeter Ernits, inviting him to the rostrum.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits is concerned about the protracted delay of the draft law granting minimal rights to auxiliary police officers, a matter that has been dragged on for years, and asks the minister when it will finally reach the Riigikogu and whether there is hope that it will be adopted faster than the planned year and a half.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits is concerned about the lengthy delay of the draft legislation that would grant minimal rights to auxiliary police officers, a bill that has been under discussion for years. He asks the Minister directly whether there is any hope that this bill will reach the floor of the Riigikogu and be adopted in less than eighteen months, or if things will proceed "the old way."
Siseminister Igor Taro
AI Summary
Minister of the Interior Igor Taro was flustered because the question presented did not address the current agenda item, which is why he turned to the presiding officer of the session to receive instructions on how to proceed.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller established the rules of procedure, giving the respondent the option either to answer the question substantively or simply to say "thank you" and immediately proceed to the next topic.
Siseminister Igor Taro
AI Summary
Interior Minister Igor Taro offered his thanks, deferred further discussion of the matter until after the session, and directed the meeting to proceed with the current agenda item.
Siseminister Igor Taro
AI Summary
Minister of the Interior Igor Taro offered his thanks, proposed time after the session for further discussion of the topic, and moved the meeting forward from the current agenda item.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller yielded the floor to Andre Hanimägi, inviting him to speak.
Andre Hanimägi
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Andre Hanimägi is requesting clarification regarding the rules for the Estonianization of surnames, specifically asking whether a German name that was in use prior to Estonianization can be approved if it is historically linked to the family, thereby satisfying both the criteria of Estonian character and historical connection.
Andre Hanimägi
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Andre Hanimägi wants to know whether, when Estonianizing a surname, a historical connection—such as a German name used before the Estonianization process—would give the green light for the name change, even if other criteria for Estonian authenticity also apply.
Siseminister Igor Taro
AI Summary
Interior Minister Igor Taro explains that automated decisions are feasible, provided that the population register contains machine-readable and traceable data that allows for the automatic identification of lineage connections.
Siseminister Igor Taro
AI Summary
Interior Minister Igor Taro explains that automatic decisions in establishing lineage are possible only if the data in the Population Register is available, traceable, and accessible in machine-readable format.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller concluded the Q&A session, thanked the participants, and subsequently gave the floor to Vilja Toomast, a member of the Legal Affairs Committee, who proceeded to summarize the discussion held in the lead committee.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller thanked the previous speaker, concluded the round of questions, and then gave the floor to Vilja Toomast, a member of the Legal Affairs Committee, to summarize the debate that had taken place in the leading committee.
Vilja Toomast
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Vilja Toomast provided an overview of the discussion held in the Legal Affairs Committee during the preparation of Bill 719, concerning amendments to the Names Act and the State Fees Act, for its first reading. She emphasized that while a convenient e-application for name changes would be established, officials would retain the right of discretion in more complex cases (such as applications from criminals or invented surnames). She then proposed concluding the first reading and setting the deadline for submitting amendments at ten working days.
Vilja Toomast
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Vilja Toomast provided an overview of the Legal Affairs Committee's discussion during the preparation of the draft bill (SE 719) amending the Names Act and the State Fees Act for its first reading. The primary objective of this bill is to establish a convenient e-application for name changes. The Committee thoroughly examined restrictions, particularly those related to name changes by criminals and the use of names belonging to well-known individuals. It was stressed that the automatic procedure is only applicable to simple cases, while more complex cases (such as the grammatical suitability of a fabricated surname) will remain subject to assessment by vital statistics officials and the Institute of the Estonian Language. The Committee unanimously decided to propose concluding the first reading of the draft bill.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller briefly concluded the round of questions and subsequently opened the faction debates, yielding the floor first to Peeter Ernits, the representative of the Estonian Centre Party faction.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits notes that although the content of the name law bill currently under discussion is sound and simplifies the process of changing a name, it is primarily a "last-ditch emergency bill." Its swift passage is critical to avoid a 120 million euro fine related to the EU recovery fund. He expresses doubt as to whether the law can be adopted before the deadline (even accounting for the President's two-week period for assent), while simultaneously criticizing the political-technological stalling of other legislative acts.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits points out that while the amendment to the Names Act, presented as the "freedom bill," is fundamentally sound and simplifies name changes by largely digitizing the process, it is actually a last-minute emergency bill. Its rapid adoption before New Year's Eve is crucial to avoid a 120 million euro fine for failing to utilize EU funds. He further expresses hope that the law can be passed before dawn and before the President's two-week deadline.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller posed a short and specific question, inquiring whether the listeners or participants needed additional time.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits stated briefly that he would keep his remarks to just a couple of minutes.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller expressed his gratitude and requested a couple of minutes of additional time to conclude his presentation.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits raises a philosophical problem: why domestic legislation, such as the Name Act, has been "marinating" for nearly ten years, while European Union directives move at lightning speed. He concludes that the pace of lawmaking is motivated by the fear of punishment or financial penalties.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits discusses the speed at which draft legislation moves, noting that while the necessary Name Law has been shelved for nearly ten years, the threat of the whip and heavy fines coming from Brussels forces bills related to EU funding to move extremely quickly, demonstrating that action is only taken to avoid punishment.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Arvo Aller gave the floor to Stig Rästa, the representative of the Eesti 200 faction, requesting him to speak on the faction's behalf.
Stig Rästa
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Stig Rästa stressed that the amendment to the Names Act and the State Fees Act, which allows for convenient and secure name changes online, represents a small but symbolic step in the evolution of Estonia’s digital state—the country’s greatest asset and calling card. He further emphasized that the digital state must remain grounded in trust, be smart, and above all, be caring, in order to simplify people's lives by eliminating bureaucracy.
Stig Rästa
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Stig Rästa stresses that the draft legislation amending the Names Act and the State Fees Act—which will allow names to be conveniently changed online—is a small but symbolic step forward. He asserts that this confirms Estonia's position as a digital frontrunner. Furthermore, he emphasizes that the e-state is Estonia’s greatest asset and its calling card to the world. This digital state, he concludes, must remain reliable, smart, and above all, human, in order to simplify the lives of citizens and eliminate unnecessary bureaucracy.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Arvo Aller closed the debate, concluded the first reading of Bill 719 upon the proposal of the lead committee, setting the deadline for submitting amendments as 17:15 on November 5, and declared the sitting closed due to the exhaustion of the agenda.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Arvo Aller closed the debate, as the Minister did not request the floor, concluded the first reading of draft bill 719—the deadline for submitting amendments being 17:15 on November 5th—and declared the agenda exhausted and the sitting closed.