Draft law amending the Accounting Act (600 SE) - second reading
Session: XV Riigikogu, V Session, Plenary Sitting
Date: 2025-06-16 18:43
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 18
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 9m
AI Summaries: 18/18 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The Riigikogu began debating the second reading of Draft Act 600, initiated by the Isamaa faction, which seeks to amend the Accounting Act. The primary goal of the draft is to reduce bureaucracy for businesses by postponing the obligation to submit sustainability (ESG) reports. The report was presented by Kristina Šmigun-Vähi, a member of the Economic Affairs Committee. She explained that although no amendments were received from Riigikogu members, the Economic Affairs Committee discussed the draft act on June 10th with the participation of representatives from the Ministry of Finance and the initiator. The committee unanimously adopted four technical amendments that had been submitted by the leading committee.
During the debate, the question was repeatedly raised as to why the obligation was merely being postponed by two years instead of abolishing this bureaucratic requirement altogether, as the Isamaa faction had originally wished. Mart Maastik (Isamaa) emphasized that while the postponement is a positive step, it is hoped that within two years the European Union will also come to the realization that such reporting is an excessive burden and should be made voluntary or abandoned entirely. After reviewing the amendments, all of which were fully taken into account, the leading committee proposed concluding the second reading of the draft act.
Decisions Made 2
The second reading of Bill 600 was concluded.
The four amendment proposals submitted by the Economic Committee were fully accepted.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was Kristina Šmigun-Vähi, a member of the Economic Affairs Committee, who presented a report and answered several questions regarding the content of the draft bill and the justifications for its postponement. Her role was neutral/other, representing the positions of the lead committee.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar opened the Riigikogu sitting, announcing that they would proceed to debate the second reading of Bill 600, the amendment to the Accounting Act, initiated by the Isamaa parliamentary group, and invited Kristina Šmigun-Vähi, a member of the Economic Affairs Committee, to the podium to give the report.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman opens today's agenda and notes that the first item is the second reading of Draft Act 600 on Amendments to the Accounting Act, initiated by the Isamaa faction, and the report will be presented by Kristina Šmigun-Vähi, a member of the Economic Affairs Committee.
Kristina Šmigun-Vähi
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The Economic Affairs Committee prepared for the second reading of the draft bill amending the Accounting Act. Consensus was reached on four proposed amendments with the support of the initiator, and the completion of the second reading in the Riigikogu plenary session was scheduled for June 16, with the final vote set for June 19.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanks [the previous speaker/group] and asks Evelin Poolamets to pose one question.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Evelin Poolamets thanks the manager and the server, and asks whether the commission discussed the content of the sustainability report, and what its general requirements and obligations are for the company.
Kristina Šmigun-Vähi
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
We are delaying for two years obligations that should have been fulfilled much earlier, just so we can start compiling the sustainability report.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar calls upon Rain Epler to speak.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler claims that the requirement for the ESG report should be abolished entirely because the goal of 100% renewable energy is unattainable. He asks whether the law will be supplemented by Isamaa's proposal and predicts that within two years, Europe will also reach the point where the focus shifts to working, promoting the economy and defense capability, and this preoccupation will disappear.
Kristina Šmigun-Vähi
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Kristina Šmigun-Vähi said there was a discussion regarding the senselessness of the bureaucracy and its postponement.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman calls upon Helle-Moonika Helme to speak.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme asks the Commission why the chosen time principle is exactly two years, and why not one or five years, and what we will do if the European sustainability reports are discontinued one day.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme inquired why specifically a two-year period—neither shorter nor longer—was chosen for postponing the sustainability reports. She also wanted to know whether the commission discussed what would happen regarding the fulfillment of these reports in Estonia should the European Union cease requiring them.
Kristina Šmigun-Vähi
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
This was a compromise solution that suited the proposal's initiator and was adopted unanimously by common consent.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanks the presenter, announces that there are no questions, opens the floor for discussion, and invites colleague Mart Maastik to the podium.
Mart Maastik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Mart Maastik noted that although the draft bill to postpone the reduction of bureaucracy by two years passed the commission with government support, he believes it is still reasonable to discuss, as the European apparatus may reach a decision on whether it remains voluntary or is abolished entirely. He also stressed that ESG reports influence lending policy and that monitoring the young workforce is complicated, but it is better to take a step than do nothing at all—better half an egg than an empty shell.
Mart Maastik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Mart Maastik considers the mandatory ESG reporting an unnecessary bureaucracy and foolishness, arguing that it is too costly and difficult for companies to monitor. He expresses satisfaction that the Isamaa (Pro Patria) proposal to postpone its entry into force by two years found support, giving hope that the requirement will eventually either be abolished or made voluntary, because, as he put it, "half an egg is better than an empty shell."
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced the conclusion of the debate and moved on to address the 600 amendments to the draft bill. He noted that the steering committee had decided to fully incorporate all four proposals submitted by the Economic Affairs Committee, following which the second reading of the bill was successfully completed.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar declared the debate concluded, noting that the four amendments to Bill 600 had been reviewed and the second reading was complete.