Draft law amending the Defence Service Act and, in consequence thereof, amending other laws (664 SE) - first reading
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 6th sitting, plenary session
Date: 2025-09-10 23:33
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 8
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 8m
AI Summaries: 8/8 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The Riigikogu will debate Bill 664 for its first reading, which concerns the amendment of the Defence Forces Service Act and the amendment of other related laws initiated by the government. The purpose of the bill is to strengthen the Defence Forces’ readiness and increase national defence by expanding contribution opportunities for various parties – both those serving within the Defence Forces Service and representatives of other service branches. Attention will be paid not only to the level of the law itself but also to the regulations associated with its implementation and the conditions for handling state secrets and classified external information, in order to prevent potential transmission problems.
Decisions Made 1
The Defence Committee decided to place the bill for discussion on the Riigikogu's agenda for its September 10th sitting and to conclude the first reading based on the committee's will.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was Peeter Tali, a member of the National Defence Committee; his position is member of the National Defence Committee (other).
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
We have now reached the sixth item on the agenda: the first reading of Government initiated Draft Act 664, which proposes amendments to the National Defence Service Act and related legislation. The honorable Minister of Defence, Hanno Pevkur, has already taken the floor at the Riigikogu podium.
Kaitseminister Hanno Pevkur
AI Summary
Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur announced that the bill's objective is to expand the execution of Defense Forces duties by involving civilian employees in the same exercises, creating a voluntary service, enabling the inclusion of conscripts, making amendments to the State Secrets and Classified Foreign Information Act, and appointing active servicemen for a five-year service term or tenure (with the possibility of a two-year additional period). Furthermore, this legislation is expected to enter into force on January 1st.
Kaitseminister Hanno Pevkur
AI Summary
Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur presented amendments to the Military Service Act and related legislation, the primary goal of which is to strengthen defense readiness by expanding opportunities for contribution. The most significant proposals in the draft bill include the involvement of civilian personnel in exercises, the creation of a voluntary service for long-term contributions by reservists (such as training Ukrainian fighters), broader involvement of conscripts in carrying out Defense Forces duties (especially in the Navy), and establishing a five-year term for senior executives appointed by the Defense Minister, in order to promote rotation and keep the Defense Forces fresh.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi offers his thanks, notes that there are no questions, and yields the floor to Peeter Tali, a member of the National Defence Committee, for his presentation.
Peeter Tali
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Tali gave an overview of the State Defence Committee session, where they discussed the draft bill submitted by Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur. The bill focused mainly on voluntary service and the potential involvement of conscripts in international operations. The committee unanimously supported the general principles of the draft and proposed to the Riigikogu that it be put up for the first reading on September 10th.
Peeter Tali
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The National Defence Committee discussed the draft bill at its session on June 9, focusing primarily on voluntary service and the inclusion of conscripts in international operations. The Committee supported the general principles of the bill and decided to submit the draft legislation under discussion to the Riigikogu Board for inclusion on the agenda of the Riigikogu session on September 10 for its first reading, to conclude the first reading, appointing me as the committee’s rapporteur, and setting a deadline of 10 working days for the submission of urgent amendments.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi announced that, based on the proposal of the lead committee, the first reading of Draft Act 664 is concluded; the first reading has been concluded, and the deadline for submitting amendments is 17:15 on September 24th of the current year.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi thanked the presenter for the report, quickly closed the debate, and confirmed the conclusion of the first reading of Draft Bill 664, setting the deadline for submitting amendments as 17:15 on September 24 of the current year.