By Months: Lauri Laats

Linking the expense allowances and the salary and performance of Riigikogu members through 2–3 draft bills (524, 498 OE; 504 SE), alongside the draft bill on the transparency of ministers' representation expenses. This involves the transparency of representation expenses and schemes for salary payment based on work contribution (85–100% scales; 70% and 50% thresholds)—including specific indicators and tiers. Discussions are anticipated during the second reading, and various systems (Belgium, Sweden, Austria, etc.) are being evaluated comparatively. He/She stresses the necessity of incorporating proposed amendments and the efforts required to achieve a modular and transparent solution throughout the entire legislative framework.

The legislator's priorities include discussing the impact of VAT and notary fees, along with interpellations and proposed amendments. They wish to establish an investigative committee for Rail Baltic and elevate parliamentary cooperation and transparency to a significant status. In response to criticism, they stress the need to strengthen fundamental budget laws and the vision for input-based budgeting, incorporating various procedures and solutions. Attention is paid to the quality of omnibus bills, and there is a desire for discussion and consensual procedures. The legislator sees the necessity for thorough oversight and the drafting of conclusions, emphasizing that studies and reports must be mutually understandable to the Riigikogu (Parliament).

Main legislative bills and inquiries: Bill 507 (the omnibus bill covering amendments in the health and social sectors), Bills 510 (and 511), and inquiries concerning Tartu Agro, the financing of the Health Insurance Fund (Tervisekassa), and the transparency of budget explanations. They serve both as the proposers of these bills and as their critics, demanding either outright rejection or comprehensive analysis. They have also submitted questions and requested short or extended recesses to confirm or re-evaluate the planned changes.

Key priorities: lowering the VAT on food; drafts for amending health and occupational safety legislation; and monitoring health insurance. This also includes the review of energy and green transition laws (offshore wind farms, onshore wind farms, subsidies), and the role of the Health Insurance Fund in sickness benefits. The need for more thorough engagement with coordination rounds and interest groups, as well as updating the legislative drafts, has been emphasized.

The Legislative Priority involves suspending or amending the bill's proceedings: amendments have been submitted, along with a review of the legal analysis; emphasis is placed on the necessity for changes following the President's decision, with the objective being to avoid implementing the car tax and to identify superior solutions for balancing the budget.

The main objective is the thorough deliberation of draft legislation and the review of proposed amendments. This requires high-quality explanatory memoranda and analyses, and the intention is to involve experts and allies. Furthermore, there are plans to establish a Riigikogu (Parliamentary) investigative committee to clarify the circumstances related to the Rail Baltic project. The process also addresses the procedure and timeline for handling the bills, and there is opposition to rushing the process.

The main legislative bills and issues include: the temporary introduction of the bank tax, resolving unfair tax structures (tax wedges), and the discussion of bills related to opposing the sugar tax or dealing with ambiguous taxation; matters concerning subsistence benefits and funding for extracurricular activities; support and credit mechanisms for the renovation of the housing stock and apartment associations (HOAs); the regulation of permits for offshore wind farms and the broader theme of the green transition; and topics concerning the availability of materials for presentations by the Riigikogu Board and ministers, and the quality of the resulting discussion.

The legislative focus includes Bills 351 SE and 344 SE, e- and m-voting (e-elections and mobile voting), their supervision, and security. It emphasizes the need for faster decision-making and transparent mechanisms, and discusses the necessity of paper ballots for election oversight. In terms of legislation, the focus continues on terminating the universal service and finding alternatives, tax policy (motor vehicle tax, bank tax), and the ongoing discussion regarding income tax reform.

Primary attention is directed towards inquiries and legislative initiatives: topics concerning the bank tax and rental income tax, the objection to the car tax, and the discussion of biofuel policy and energy sector reforms; emphasizes the need to receive precise answers regarding the government's plans and proposals concerning the financing of the green transition and energy performance contracting; expanding the energy structure, accelerating foreign interconnections, and developing onshore wind and solar capacity.

Key legislative priorities: interpellations to the Prime Minister concerning the economy and price increases; reviewing and accelerating the implementation of the initiative to terminate the universal service; increasing funding for the road maintenance plan and protecting the financing of local governments. Emphasis is placed on the urgent progression of these measures and the rapid processing of draft legislation; focus on inflation and the impact of taxation reaching the people.

It primarily addresses topics related to interpellations and draft legislation: submitting inquiries on climate and housing fund issues, and handling bills concerning income tax and rental tax. The focus is on the scrutiny of government plans, reports, and cooperation decisions, and demanding substantive answers, rather than merely introducing new laws.