First Reading of the Draft Act on Amendments to the Electronic Communications Act and the Nature Conservation Act (392 SE)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 3rd plenary sitting
Date: 2024-03-12 12:01
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 7
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 15m
AI Summaries: 7/7 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
Draft Act 392, initiated by the National Defence Committee, amending the Electronic Communications Act and the Nature Conservation Act, was debated by the Riigikogu (Parliament) in its first reading. The draft was submitted as urgent because its entry into force is planned for May 1st in connection with the upcoming major exercise "Kevadtorm" (Spring Storm), which is part of the NATO exercise Steadfast Defender 24. The main objectives were to create a legal basis for practicing threat notification during military training and to enable training for national defence purposes in the restricted zone for coastal and shore protection.
The draft generated discussion regarding the amendments to the Nature Conservation Act, particularly concerning the provision that would allow, with the consent of the Environmental Board, the construction of non-national defence related structures in the building exclusion zone, provided they are related to the exchange of lands acquired for ensuring national defence. Although the purpose of the amendment is to ensure fair treatment of landowners (e.g., in the case of land exchanges related to the expansion of Nursipalu or the construction of the Baltic defence line), representatives of the Environmental Board and the Ministry of Climate expressed concern that this would grant the Environmental Board discretionary power, which might contradict the principles of the Nature Conservation Act. The Environment Committee decided to give the ministries and stakeholders time to find a compromise before the second reading.
Decisions Made 2
The first reading of Bill 392 was concluded.
The deadline for submitting amendments was set for March 21, 2024, at 10:00.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker during the introduction of the draft bill was Peeter Tali, who represented the National Defence Committee that initiated the legislation. Tali presented the substance of the bill and stressed its urgency, citing the need to ensure the legal basis for conducting the major exercise "Kevadtorm" (Spring Storm), which begins in May, especially in Pärnu County, Lääne County, and the islands. His position was clearly supportive of the bill and driven by national defense interests (pro-urgency, pro-defence).
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The first item on the agenda is the first reading of Draft Bill 392, initiated by the National Defence Committee, concerning amendments to the Electronic Communications Act and the Nature Conservation Act. Peeter Tali has been invited to serve as the rapporteur.
Peeter Tali
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The National Defence Committee decided to expedite the processing of the draft bill, which has three main objectives: 1) to provide a legal basis for issuing danger zone-based threat notifications during the conduct of military training; 2) to permit military training to be conducted in coastal and shore protection zones and building exclusion zones for the achievement of national defence objectives and under special conditions, and to grant the Environmental Board the authority to give the Defence Forces consent for the use of these areas; 3) to allow for the construction of structures in the coastal and shore building exclusion zone that ensure the fulfillment of national defence objectives, and to offer the owner of the immovable property equivalent immovable property in return. The reason for the urgency is the exercise Spring Storm (Kevadtorm) starting in May, in which approximately 13,000 Estonian and allied soldiers will participate in the LIVEX phase in Pärnu County, Lääne County, and the islands, and which is part of Steadfast Defender 24. Colleagues are requested to support the draft bill and smoothly send it to the second reading.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi thanked the rapporteur, stated that he had no questions, and requested that Igor Taro take the Riigikogu podium to introduce the positions and decisions of the leading committee.
Igor Taro
AI Summary
The first reading of Draft Bill 392, which was debated in the Environment Committee, centered on granting an exception to the third amendment of the Nature Conservation Act for national defense objectives. Although all ministries represented supported the proposed changes, representatives from the Ministry of Climate requested further clarification and sought a compromise on the specific wording, particularly in light of issues concerning the construction of the Baltic defense line and the expansion of the Nursipalu training area. Consequently, it was agreed to allocate two weeks for further deliberation and the collection of stakeholder opinions, to request input from the Economic Affairs Committee, to conclude the first reading, and to set the deadline for submitting amendments as March 21st at 10:00 AM.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi opened the discussion, thanked for the presentation, and gave the floor to Tiit Maran, who requested three additional minutes.
Tiit Maran
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tiit Maran noted that the purpose of the bill, which is being processed urgently, is to ensure national defense capability during the Kevadtorm exercise, but that most of the proposed amendments require thorough consideration and could potentially extend into the coastal zone. Consequently, the solution should come either through the draft Nature Conservation Act or through existing laws, and he expressed hope for cooperation between the two ministries in the period between the two readings.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi said that there were no requests to speak, closed the debate, declared the first reading of Draft Bill 392 concluded, announced the deadline for submitting amendments as March 21st at 10:00 AM, and noted that we have finished processing the first item on the agenda.