Session Profile: Urve Tiidus

The speaker's primary political role is the neutral reporting of the positions and discussions of the Economic Affairs Committee, focusing specifically on the deliberation of draft amendments to the Traffic Act. The central political issue is the expansion of the rights of local governments (LG) in regulating rentable light vehicles, particularly concerning the imposition of quotas and age restrictions, which the Government opposes. On a personal level, the speaker emphasizes that, in addition to legislation, it is crucial to address the capacity for risk assessment and the fostering of urban culture, while simultaneously supporting environmentally sustainable modes of transport.

The speaker demonstrates profound expertise in the legislative process, explaining the handling of draft legislation, voting results, and referencing Article 103 of the Constitution. The substantive expertise lies in the regulations of the Traffic Act and the powers of local governments (e.g., Article 190), presenting technical and legal counterarguments to quota requirements (administrative burden, equal treatment). References are made to statistics concerning violations and accidents that were submitted to the commission.

The speaker's style is highly formal, factual, and procedural, focusing on the precise reporting of the committee's discussion, participants' standpoints, and voting results. The tone is neutral and analytical, avoiding emotional appeals. Personal opinions are rarely presented and are clearly marked, offering instead a philosophical and educational perspective on risk behavior.

The speaker is an active rapporteur for the Economic Affairs Committee, presenting to the plenary session summaries of the debates on several draft bills that took place over two consecutive days (May 19 and 20). This pattern of activity is focused on communicating the legislative work and the committee’s decisions during the Riigikogu sitting.

The speaker reports the clear opposition of the Government (Ministry of Climate) to the draft bills containing quota requirements, arguing that they are too rigid and create administrative burden. The opposition is both policy-based and procedural, stressing that the implementation practice of regulations that entered into force last year has not yet been adequately assessed. The criticism is directed at the substantive shortcomings of the drafts, not at individuals.

The speaker demonstrates the collaborative process by reflecting the positions and arguments of various stakeholders (the initiators of the draft legislation, the ministry, and representatives of the City of Tallinn). While consensus was reached in the committee regarding placing the drafts on the plenary agenda, clear disagreements persisted on substantive matters (namely, the rejection of the draft), which the speaker accurately reports.

The discussion and the draft legislation primarily center on the city of Tallinn and the issues related to micro-mobility there, emphasizing the positions held by the Deputy Mayor of Tallinn. Examples from smaller local governments (Pärnu, Tartu) are used in contrast, illustrating where successful good-will agreements have been implemented with rental operators.

Economic concerns center on the potential increase in administrative overhead for rental companies that the proposed quota requirement would impose. Furthermore, it is stressed that overly strict restrictions could negatively impact the advancement of sustainable mobility options in major cities, thereby calling into question the viability of outright prohibitions.

The primary social topic is traffic safety and the responsibility of minors when using light personal mobility devices (LPMDs). Requirements regarding age verification, driver's licenses, and the provision of helmets were discussed, along with the hygiene and theft problems associated with rental helmets. The speaker personally stresses the importance of home education and the ability to assess risks, viewing these as broader issues than mere laws and penalties.

The legislative focus is on amending the Traffic Act to give local governments (LGs) the right to limit the number of rentable light vehicles (a quota requirement) and establish age limits. The speaker stresses that the amendment that entered into force last year already granted LGs a multitude of powers (e.g., regulating parking areas), which is why the necessity of new laws is questionable before the implementation practice of the existing regulation has been assessed.