Third Reading of the Draft Act (338 SE) on Amendments to the Estonian Cultural Endowment Act and the Gambling Tax Act
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary sitting
Date: 2024-03-20 17:45
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 12
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 20m
AI Summaries: 12/12 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
Draft bill 338, currently in its third reading, addresses amendments to the Cultural Endowment of Estonia Act and the Gambling Tax Act. The goal is to improve the social safety net for creative individuals and ensure them a stable income for their creative work through the payment of creative work remuneration, which also includes health insurance, pension, and unemployment insurance. The amendments foresee a balanced cooperation between taxable and tax-exempt income: the burden resulting from taxes will be covered through funds paid out by the Cultural Endowment so that net income does not decrease and the creative landscape can operate sustainably.
The second area of focus concerns the supplementation of the list of cultural buildings and the consideration of funding for a nationally important cultural building, the studio complex of the Estonian Public Broadcasting (ERR). Discussions focused on transparency, legal aspects, and the impact of additions to the list on the rights of approved projects. The positions of the National Audit Office and the cooperation between the government and the Cultural Committee were important, and ultimately the draft bill was directed toward a better transition phase so that the cooperation among cultural objects would function openly and efficiently. Finally, approval is sought from the head of government, and the draft bill is ready for proceedings and the final vote in the Riigikogu (Estonian Parliament).
Decisions Made 1
Bill 338 was adopted as an Act; the result was 54 in favor, 1 against, with no abstentions. Consideration of the third item on the agenda is concluded.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was Tõnis Lukas, a member of the Isamaa faction. He represented the right-wing position and drew attention to concerns related to both parts, including the discussion of issues such as the list of cultural buildings and social guarantees for creative individuals.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
We are commencing the debate on the third reading of Draft Act 338, initiated by the Culture Committee, concerning amendments to the Estonian Cultural Endowment Act and the Gambling Tax Act. I now open the floor for negotiations, with Heljo Pikhof speaking on behalf of the Social Democratic Party faction.
Heljo Pikhof
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The report proposes a legislative amendment aimed at funding the new ERR building using resources from the Cultural Endowment. Concurrently, it seeks to replace the current creative work allowance with a permanent creative salary, paid to freelance artists, inclusive of social guarantees and taxes. This funding increase would be achieved through additional revenues for the Cultural Endowment generated by raising the gambling tax and the alcohol and tobacco excise duties, thereby ensuring that projects next in line on the cultural construction priority list can be completed as scheduled.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi asked for the debate to continue for three more minutes.
Heljo Pikhof
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Heljo Pikhof explained that the bill does not reduce anyone's net income or their need for support; instead, it strengthens the social safety net for creative individuals, allows for continuous health insurance coverage, and could affect around 5,000 people in the cultural sector. The Social Democrats are backing this initiative.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi offered thanks and, on behalf of the Reform Party faction, invited his colleague Signe Kivi to take the floor.
Signe Kivi
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The draft bill on amending cultural sector legislation, submitted to the Riigikogu, aims to improve the viability of the cultural sector, guarantee social benefits for creative individuals, add a new item to the list of nationally important cultural buildings—the Estonian Public Broadcasting studio complex—and clarify the procedure for submitting information to the Riigikogu and the Council of the Cultural Endowment of Estonia prior to decision-making, thereby enhancing transparency and parliamentary oversight. However, the matter of expanding the list generated disagreements, and the current path, which has been supported by the Reform Party faction, has been adopted.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Deputy Chairman thanks the colleague and, on behalf of the Isamaa faction, introduces Tõnis Lukas.
Tõnis Lukas
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Tõnis Lukas called for support for the initiation of the bill, emphasizing its two main themes—cultural construction projects and social guarantees for creators—as well as the necessity of incorporating the ministry's legal proposals and the authority of the creative sector. Simultaneously, he acknowledged the budget uncertainty and the need for clear funding and additional time to maintain the priority of the Cultural Endowment objects and the Estonian National Broadcasting house.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Jüri Ratas asked for three minutes.
Tõnis Lukas
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
He/She emphasized that the absence of a dedicated building for the Estonian Public Broadcasting (ERR) jeopardizes the creation of high-quality Estonian-language television and media output, and that for the younger generation, both a high-quality studio and the cultural significance are crucial. He/She also hopes for a proposal to be submitted to the Minister of Culture, and for consensus within the Riigikogu between the coalition and the Cultural Affairs Committee, so that construction of the building can commence via a public procurement tender.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Jüri Ratas concluded the negotiations, announced the preparation of the final vote on Draft Bill 338, and requested that his colleagues take a position and vote.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Draft Act 338, initiated by the Cultural Affairs Committee, amending the Estonian Cultural Endowment Act and the Gambling Tax Act, was adopted as law with a result of 54 votes in favor, 1 against, and no abstentions, and the consideration of the third item on the agenda was concluded.