Agenda Profile: Maris Lauri

The speaker strongly supports Bill 640 SE, which is aimed at amending the Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Prevention Act, emphasizing its crucial importance in safeguarding Estonia's economic reputation and national security. The political stance is highly results-oriented and focused on legislative action, specifically concentrating on enhancing the technological capacity of the Financial Intelligence Unit (RAB) to combat crime. The framework of the bill is considered a necessary response to previous negative experiences and international expectations.

The speaker demonstrates profound expertise in the field of Anti-Money Laundering (AML), distinguishing between case analysis and strategic analysis, and clarifying the core functions of the Financial Intelligence Unit (RAB). They employ technical terms such as "pseudonymization" and "depseudonymization" and reference specific legal acts (the General Data Protection Regulation, Supreme Court judgments). The expertise also encompasses a detailed understanding of data protection and legislative drafting procedures, explaining the necessity of amendments when elevating provisions from the regulation level to the statutory level.

The speaker’s style is predominantly formal, thorough, and explanatory, focusing on logical arguments and the presentation of procedural details. The tone is defensive, especially when responding to criticism concerning data protection, yet the speaker simultaneously strives to be patient and corrective toward the opposition, which, in their view, has failed to participate in the commission’s work. They repeatedly stress that decisions are still made by people, not by machines, thus balancing the technological solution with human oversight.

The speaker has been highly active in the handling of the draft legislation, attending three sessions of the Finance Committee (on June 5th, 10th, and 12th) and meeting beforehand with several interest groups, including representatives from the Data Protection Inspectorate, RAB, the Chancellor of Justice, and the National Audit Office. He/She provides a detailed description of the substance of the committee discussions and how the proposed amendments developed, demonstrating a deep commitment to the procedural process.

The speaker criticized the opposition (naming representatives from Isamaa, including Urmas Reinsalu) for procedural failures, specifically calling out their non-attendance at committee meetings. This, in his view, has led to a lack of understanding and the submission of irrelevant questions. The criticism targets the opposition's superficial engagement and their failure to pay attention to the answers provided, rather than the substance of their political stance. He regretted that, as a result, a serious discussion could not take place.

The speaker emphasized the consensus-based cooperation within the Finance Committee, noting that all decisions and proposed amendments received unanimous support in the committee. He highlighted the close collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, RAB, and the Data Protection Inspectorate (AKI), mentioning specifically that AKI’s recommendations regarding narrowing the scope of data usage and elevating the relevant provisions to the level of law have been taken into consideration.

The focus is primarily at the national and international levels, addressing the streamlining of the Estonian legal framework and the prevention of international crime (money laundering, sanctions violations). He/She highlights the importance of international cooperation and warns against the risks stemming from ineffective anti-money laundering efforts, citing the Danske Bank case and the experience of our southern neighbor regarding restrictions on dollar transactions as examples.

The speaker emphasized that effective anti-money laundering efforts are directly tied to the country's economic reputation and opportunities, helping to prevent significant economic damage, higher borrowing costs, and restrictions on international transactions. He/She supports the implementation of technological solutions (including through European funding) for the faster identification of economic crime.

The speaker focuses on the balance between personal data protection and national security, stressing that the legislative amendments are designed to strengthen data protection by elevating the rules governing data usage from the regulatory level to the statutory level. He repeatedly confirms that sensitive data belonging to ordinary citizens is not being collected, and that data processing is conducted strictly on a need-to-know and pseudonymized basis, thereby safeguarding citizens' privacy.

The main legislative priority is Draft Bill 640 SE, which streamlines RAB’s data usage and establishes the technological capability for automated case and strategic analysis. Significant amendments include narrowing the scope of data usage, specifying the processing of sensitive personal data, and establishing RAB’s reporting obligation before the Riigikogu Special Committee for the Supervision of Security Agencies.