Agenda Profile: Mait Klaassen
Draft law amending the Waste Act and, in consequence, amending other laws (461 SE) - second reading
2024-12-10
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary session
Political Position
The political position is strongly focused on supporting environmental regulation and streamlining the traffic register, with the aim of reducing the number of missing vehicles and ensuring their proper handling and disposal. He/She advocates for the introduction of the motor vehicle tax outlined in the government's action plan, while simultaneously stressing the tax exemption for those restoring historical vehicles. The overall stance is primarily policy and regulation driven, emphasizing the necessity for a clearer legal framework.
22 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates thorough expertise regarding the amendments to the Waste Act and the Traffic Act, detailing the procedures and timelines for deleting vehicles from the register (e.g., rolling deletion, 2027 deadlines). He/She explains technical terminology and clearly distinguishes the state fee from the environmental fee, which is imposed for failure to fulfill the duty of care. The expertise is based on input from ministries (the Ministry of Climate, the Ministry of Finance) and interest groups (the Federation of Vintage Technology Clubs).
22 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The speaker's rhetorical style is highly formal and procedural, focusing on a detailed presentation of the bill's amendments and the committee's procedural progress. The tone is neutral and logical, relying on facts, clarification of legal norms, and justification of procedural decisions. He/She answers questions helpfully, but remains strictly within the confines of the draft law.
22 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker has been actively involved in preparing the draft bill, thoroughly detailing the committee sessions (October 15, November 18, December 5) and the extensive involvement of interest groups. His/Her operational pattern involves the detailed and systematic presentation of the lead committee's work to the Riigikogu plenary assembly.
22 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main confrontation was with the Isamaa faction, whose amendments for invalidating the motor vehicle tax and excluding the state fee were rejected. The opposition was based on political and budgetary grounds, citing the government's action plan and state budget calculations. Raimond Kaljulaid’s proposals concerning light personal transporters were also rejected, as they were not related to the current draft bill.
22 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The style of collaboration is open and inclusive, emphasizing broad consultation with stakeholders (e.g., the Land Rover Club, the Leasing Association) and ministries. Procedural decisions were reached by consensus, and several of the commission's proposed amendments were based on stakeholder suggestions, demonstrating a willingness to make substantive compromises.
22 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is at the national level, addressing nationwide legislative changes and the organization of registers. The role of local government units (LGUs) in handling scrapped vehicles on municipal land is briefly touched upon, specifically to avoid a situation where an LGU would have to issue an enforcement order against itself.
22 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic perspectives support the introduction of the motor vehicle tax, as it is stipulated in the government's action plan and the state budget. At the same time, emphasis is placed on alleviating the tax burden for owners of temporarily deregistered vehicles and for those who restore historic vehicles, recognizing the societal benefit this provides.
22 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The main social topic is environmental responsibility and the observance of due diligence in the handling of end-of-life vehicles. The speaker justifies the 800-euro fee as an environmental levy, characterizing it as a penalty for failing to exercise due diligence, rather than a classic state administrative fee.
22 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is on supporting amendments to the Waste Act and the Traffic Act (Bill 461 SE) in order to streamline the traffic register and ensure the proper handling of end-of-life vehicles. Important priorities included clarifying the regulations concerning vehicles of historical value and simplifying the removal of lost vehicles from the register, as well as supplementing the Motor Vehicle Tax Act.
22 Speeches Analyzed