The Riigikogu passed

The Customs Act (280 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic, was passed with 72 votes in favour. The purpose of the Act is to regulate the part of the customs rules which remains in the national competence of Estonia as a Member State of the EU. Among other things the Act provides for the terms and the manner of responding to the applications related to administrative proceedings, the details of challenge proceedings, the matters related to the activities of customs agencies, the measures of control by customs authorities, the regulation concerning the ensuring of customs debts, liability for customs offences. The acts with the goods, which are seized, occupied or transferred to the state ownership, are also regulated.

The Resolution of the Riigikogu On the Release of Uno Lõhmus from Office of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court (316 OE), submitted by the President of the Republic, was passed with 33 votes in favour (1 vote against).

The Riigikogu concluded the second reading of the following Bills:

The Bill on Amendments to the Aliens Act and to Other Acts Arising Therefrom (263 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic.

The Bill on Amendments to the Public and National Holidays Act (229 SE), initiated by the Isamaaliit Faction and Member of the Riigikogu Tiit Matsulevit?.

The Riigikogu concluded the first reading of the following Bills:

The Bill on Amendments to the Fisheries Market Organisation Act (325 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic. The term for submission of motions to amend to the Rural Affairs Committee is 13 April, 14.00.

The Veterinary Supervision over Trade in Animals and Animal Products and the Import and Export Thereof Bill (327 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic. The term for submission of motions to amend to the Rural Affairs Committee is 15 April, 10.00.

The Bill on Amendments to the Fertilizers Act, State Fees Act and Pollution Charge Act (329 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic. The term for submission of motions to amend to the Rural Affairs Committee is 15 April, 10.00.

The Bill on Amendments to the Republic of Estonia Employment Contracts Act and to the Resolution on the Implementation of the Republic of Estonia Employment Contracts Act (330 SE), initiated by the Estonian Reform Party Faction and the Estonian People?s Party Faction. The term for submission of motions to amend to the Social Affairs Committee is 14 April, 18.00.

The Riigikogu rejected the following Bills at the first reading:

On the motion of the Finance Committee the Bill on Amendments to § 48 to the Income Tax Act (239 SE), initiated by the Social Democratic Party Faction.

On the motion of the Finance Committee the Bill on Amendments to the Income Tax Act (242 SE), initiated by the Isamaaliit Faction.

On the motion of the Constitutional Committee the Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu on the Formation of the Riigikogu Study Committee to Analyse the Employment Problems in Ida-Virumaa and South-Eastern Estonia (260 OE), submitted by the Estonian Centre Party Faction.

The Riigikogu Press Service