The second legislative proceeding of the Act on Amendments to the Penal Code, the Public Service Act and the Aliens Act (416 UA)which the President of the Republic refused to proclaim. The new wording specifies the so-called provision of submission of false information according to which counterfeiting against the Republic of Estonia is defined as a crime. The provision concerning organising of mass disorders is specified, according to which preparation of the abovementioned act and incitement to participation therein is also criminalised. The abovementioned criminal offences will be punishable by 3 to 8 years’ imprisonment. On the motion of the Legal Affairs Committee, amendments to the Citizenship Act and the Code of Criminal Procedure as well as amendments to the Local Government Council Election Act were omitted from the Act. The Legal Affairs Committee is going to return to these issues as independent amendments in the future.

 

The Social Democratic Party Faction moved to suspend the second reading of the Bill. The motion was not supported. The result of voting: 20 votes in favour, 46 against. The Bill was sent to the third reading.

 

The purpose of the Bill on Amendments to the State Assets Act and the Nature Conservation Act (568 SE), initiated by the Government, is to amend the legal provisions concerning the right of pre-emption which is created upon transfer of state assets pursuant to the State Assets Act and to make the right of entitled persons to purchase state assets on advantageous conditions dependent on their active participation in the auction organised for the transfer, to reduce the duration and administrative burden of the transfer proceedings, and to ensure the opportunity for entitled persons to acquire immovables at the price formed at public auction. Another purpose is to enable transfer or grant of use of the state assets which are unnecessary for the Estonian state without applying the Act in the cases when government delegations or other competent institutions have entered into an international agreement to that effect.

 

The purpose of the Bill on Amendments to the Defence Forces Service Act and Other Acts (535 SE), initiated by the Government; is to amend the Act due to the necessity to improve the planning of the career of regular members of the Defence Forces, to appreciate public servants with equal professional skills and to enable them to serve at positions requiring the relevant professional skills. At the same time, it resolves the problems which have arisen in the National Defence League with the entry into force of the Defence Forces Organisation Act in connection with organisation of the service of members of the Defence Forces, appointment to positions and release from positions of regular soldiers and regular non-commissioned officers and grant of permission to take leave to members of the Defence Forces and sending of members of the Defence Forces on official travel.

 

 

The Bill on Amendments to the Penal Code, the Code of Misdemeanour Procedure, the Code of Criminal Procedure, the Punishment Register Act and the Probation Supervision Act (562 SE), initiated by the Government, has two purposes: first, to allow imposing of community service as a substitutive punishment in cases of misdemeanour and, second, to enhance the possibilities for application of electronic surveillance.

 

The Fire Safety Bill (513 SE), initiated by the Government, the basic content of which is to regulate the obligations, rights and liability of natural persons and legal persons and state and local government authorities and bodies in ensuring fire safety. It also regulates the exercise of state supervision.

 

The Rescue Bill (514 SE), initiated by the Government, regulates the functions and organisation of rescue service agencies and the rights and obligations of assistant rescuers, local governments, non-profit associations, foundations or undertakings who participate in rescue activities on a voluntary basis. A separate chapter discusses the measures which specify restricting of the fundamental rights and freedoms of persons in the performance of the functions of rescue service agencies and in ensuring the safety of persons.

 

The purpose of the Aliens Bill (537 SE), initiated by the Government, is above all to improve legal clarity. The improved organisation of the structure and more systematic regulation of the Act will allow to achieve greater clarity and a systematic arrangement, facilitating the finding of necessary regulations both for subjects of law and implementators of law and, at the same time, providing a better overview of the legislation currently in force. As a result of the fact that the Act which is currently in force has been amended 48 times, the legislation currently in force has become vague for many subjects of law. Within the framework of drafting of the new consolidated text, the regulation of the entry of aliens into Estonia, temporary stay, residence and employment of aliens in Estonia and departure of aliens from Estonia, as well as procedural issues and the legal liability is organised and restructured. The Bill does not introduce any essential amendments in the law concerning aliens which is currently in force.

 

At Question Time, the Minister of Justice Rein Lang answered the question about civilian control, submitted by Karel Rüütli, and the question about the Public Service Act, submitted by Eiki Nestor. The Minister of Education and Research Tõnis Lukas answered the question about education policy, submitted by Mailis Reps. The Minister of Social Affairs in the capacity of the Minister of Agriculture Hanno Pevkur answered the question about agricultural support, submitted by Arvo Sarapuu, and the question about the situation in agriculture, submitted by Ester Tuiksoo.

 

The Riigikogu Press Service