First reading of the Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu "Making a Proposal to the Government of the Republic to Initiate Amendments to the Traffic Act with the Aim of Permitting Longer and Higher Gross Mass Vehicles in Traffic, Thereby Increasing the Efficiency of Road Transport" (Bill 278 OE)
Session: 15th Estonian Parliament, 3rd session, plenary session
Date: 2024-04-10 18:34
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 21
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 28m
AI Summaries: 21/21 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The Riigikogu debated Draft Resolution 278 of the Riigikogu, submitted by the faction of the Conservative People's Party of Estonia (EKRE), the aim of which was to propose to the Government of the Republic to initiate amendments to the Traffic Act to allow longer vehicles and those with a greater gross mass in traffic, thereby increasing the efficiency of road transport. Presenter Rene Kokk (EKRE) emphasized that the change would improve the competitiveness of road carriers, alleviate labor shortages (by allowing 30–40% more goods to be transported at once), and reduce the environmental impact. He referred to a Transport Agency study (2022–2023) which supported allowing larger road trains on the main highways (Tallinn–Narva, Tallinn–Tartu, Tallinn–Pärnu–Ikla).
However, Andres Sutt, the representative of the Economic Affairs Committee, highlighted serious problems that arose during the committee discussion. The main obstacle is the underfunding of the road network—the repair backlog for national roads reaches 700 million euros, and for local roads, one billion. Furthermore, according to Sutt, there is widespread violation of current weight restrictions (90,000 fine-worthy violations were recorded in half a year), and raising the restrictions could lead to even greater overloading. After the initiator withdrew the amendments submitted for the purpose of obstruction, the committee decided to move the draft resolution to the final vote. During the negotiations, Arvo Aller (EKRE) supported the proposal, emphasizing that neighboring countries, such as Latvia, have already made similar changes, which gives them a competitive advantage. The draft resolution was rejected in the final vote, as it failed to achieve a majority of the votes of the Riigikogu membership.
Decisions Made 1
Draft resolution 278 of the Riigikogu, submitted by the faction of the Estonian Conservative People's Party, was rejected in the final vote because only 15 members of the Riigikogu voted in favor, which did not constitute a majority of the Riigikogu's membership.
Most Active Speaker
Arvo Aller (EKRE, right-wing) was active, posing several relevant questions to the presenters regarding timber transport and weight limits for electric vehicles. He also delivered a speech on behalf of his parliamentary group, emphasizing the economic and regional significance of the proposal.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The next item on the agenda is Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu No. 278, submitted by the EKRE faction, concerning amendments to the Traffic Act to permit longer loads and loads with a higher gross vehicle mass, thereby increasing the efficiency of road transport. This draft is currently in the first reading stage and requires a majority vote of the Riigikogu. The report will be delivered by Rene Kokk.
AI Summary
Rene Kokk urged the Riigikogu to adopt Bill 278, which seeks to permit longer and heavier truck combinations in order to boost the efficiency and competitiveness of road transport and reduce labor and infrastructure costs, based on a study conducted by the Transport Agency and the practices of neighboring countries.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanked the presenter, noted that there were questions, and called upon Arvo Aller to respond.
Arvo Aller
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Arvo Aller asked whether the implementation of the draft bill and the task assigned to the government would lead to an improvement in the situation where half-full log loads are being transported on highways, wasting the potential of the vehicle fleet, and whether they would be able to drive with a full load.
AI Summary
Rene Kokk stated that the study revealed widespread overloading among tipper trucks and logging vehicles. He added that increasing their maximum allowable loads could be a viable option, provided that the condition of the bridges and the monitoring of specific axle pressure are kept strictly under control.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanked the rapporteur, announced that there were no questions, and asked Andres Sutt, a member of the Economic Affairs Committee, to present the discussion that had taken place in the Economic Affairs Committee regarding the Riigikogu podium.
Andres Sutt
AI Summary
The Economic Affairs Committee discussed the draft legislation concerning mass and axle load restrictions and concluded that the 52-ton derogation was insufficient and the road network maintenance backlog was substantial. Consequently, they decided by a vote of 5:3 to suspend the proceedings and await the initiators' position regarding the selection of a preferred amendment. Following this, on April 1st, the draft bill was consensually added to the plenary session agenda and moved to the final vote.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanks the presenter, notes that there are questions, and invites Rene Kokk to ask a question.
AI Summary
Rene Kokk urged the commission to make an effort regarding the development of the main highways – Tallinn–Narva, Tallinn–Tartu, and Tallinn–Pärnu–Ikla – and to find reasons to move forward, not why something cannot be done.
Andres Sutt
AI Summary
The speaker noted that insufficient funding for the road network and its maintenance is one reason why heavier loads are currently not permitted. Furthermore, the discussion of this specific issue will be handled separately within the framework of the state budget and the state budget strategy, rather than in the Economic Affairs Committee.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar invites Arvo Aller to speak.
Arvo Aller
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
They discussed the payload capacity and tare weight of future electric trucks, how much cargo they could transport, and whether the increased weight would impose restrictions under road load permits.
Andres Sutt
AI Summary
He pointed out that there had been no such discussion, and changing the weight limit must not depend on whether electric cars are introduced or not, because the gross vehicle weight is the governing factor.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanks the rapporteur, announces that there are no further questions, opens the debate, and on behalf of the EKRE faction, invites Arvo Aller to the Riigikogu rostrum to speak.
Arvo Aller
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Arvo Aller's proposal is to amend the Traffic Act to allow for longer road trains and greater gross vehicle weight, in order to increase the efficiency of road transport, reduce costs, and promote the development of the regional business environment in rural areas, while simultaneously taking into account the environmental impact and competition from neighboring countries.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman concluded the statements, closed the debate, and put Bill 278 to the final vote. The bill aims to amend the Road Traffic Act to permit longer and heavier transports with greater gross vehicle weight and to increase the efficiency of road transport.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Just before the voting results were announced, Kalle Grünthal raised his hand and asked a question regarding the procedure for conducting the session.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The bill will move to the second reading only if a majority vote is secured within the Riigikogu.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman confirms that this is indeed true.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalle Grünthal is debating the point: if the Supreme Court decides otherwise and the bill is deemed not to require a majority vote in the Riigikogu, do we start the process from scratch, or do we modify the requirement so that the current decision only needs a simple majority? And what happens next?
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The current procedure remains the same: the voting results are announced, 15 members of the Riigikogu are in favor of the proposal, there are no votes against or abstentions, and Bill 278 has been rejected.