Agenda Profile: Madis Timpson
Second reading of the draft law amending the Police and Border Guard Act (670 SE)
2025-09-24
Fifteenth Riigikogu, sixth sitting, plenary sitting.
Political Position
The speaker strongly supports the draft legislation (670 SE) amending the Police and Border Guard Act, which regulates the use of license plate recognition cameras. They emphasize that the bill resolves existing legal issues and reflects institutional consensus. The political position is clearly policy-driven and focused on ensuring the correctness of the legislative process. Furthermore, the speaker highlights that criminal proceedings are already initiated for offenses where the value of the object exceeds 200 euros, thereby supporting the expanded surveillance capabilities necessary for fighting crime.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker possesses deep expertise regarding the details of the legislative procedure and the work of the Legal Affairs Committee, describing the history of the draft bill, the deadlines for submitting amendments, and the voting results. He/She is familiar with technical details, such as the blurring of facial images, the complexity of focusing cameras, and various financial thresholds (200 euros in the case of theft versus 8860 euros). He/She relies on explanations provided by the Ministry of the Interior and the Director General of the Police and Border Guard Board (PPA).
3 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The speaker's style is highly formal, procedural, and objective, as they are primarily acting as the rapporteur for the Legal Affairs Committee. The tone is informative and neutral, focusing on the presentation of facts, summarizing the positions of institutions, and accurately communicating the voting results. Emotional appeals are absent; the discourse is dominated by logical and detailed legal argumentation.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker is actively involved in the work of the Legal Affairs Committee, either leading or presenting a complex legislative process that required the involvement of multiple institutions and a lengthy deadline for proposed amendments. His/Her pattern of activity includes organizing inter-institutional meetings (for example, on September 15) and presenting the committee's decisions to the Riigikogu plenary session. He/She also references the existence of an annual audit concerning the number of cameras.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The opposition is identified as colleague Varro Vooglaid and the EKRE faction, who do not support the system regulated by the bill at a conceptual level. The criticism was presented neutrally, also highlighting the voting results (7 in favor, 2 against) and the questions raised by the opposition (e.g., concerning blurred facial images). The resistance is principled rather than procedural.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker emphasizes broad cooperation and a willingness to compromise, involving all critical institutions in refining the draft bill: the Chancellor of Justice, the Data Protection Inspectorate, the Ministry of Justice and Digital Affairs, and the Ministry of Finance. The goal of this cooperation was to achieve a unified text acceptable to everyone, and this was reflected in a single amendment proposal submitted by the Government of the Republic.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
Not enough data
3 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The speaker addresses the economic aspects only within the context of fine revenue, explaining that the Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) does not receive any income from the fines. This explanation is intended to defend the PPA against accusations that cameras are being installed for the purpose of revenue collection, confirming instead that the revenue goes to the Ministry of Finance.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The speaker is addressing the balance between security and civil liberties, specifically focusing on the use of license plate recognition cameras and related data protection issues. They emphasize that facial images are blurred and that facial recognition is not regulated by this specific draft bill, although it may become a topic of discussion in the future. There is support for enhancing the police's surveillance capabilities for crime prevention, contingent upon the approval of the Data Protection Inspectorate.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The primary legislative focus is concluding the second reading of the draft Act amending the Police and Border Guard Act (670 SE) and preparing for the final vote scheduled for October 8, 2025. The speaker is a proponent of this initiative and serves as the main procedural lead within the Legal Affairs Committee, thereby ensuring the bill's continued processing. He/She also notes the reintroduction of the involvement of Tax and Customs Board employees into the bill's regulatory scope.
3 Speeches Analyzed