The first reading of the Bill on the Accession to the Protocol of 1988 relating to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 (8 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic, was concluded.Motions to amend are to be submitted to the leading committee by 27 May, 18.00.

On the motion of the Constitutional Committee as leading committee the first reading of the Bill on Amendments to the Riigikogu Election Act (16 SE), initiated by the Isamaaliit Faction, was concluded.Motions to amend are to be submitted to the leading committee by 27 May, 18.00.

The Bill on Amendments to the Riigikogu Election Act, Local Government Council Election Act and Penal Code (23 SE), initiated by the Isamaaliit Faction, was withdrawn from the legislative proceeding at the first reading.The Constitutional Committee as leading committee moved not to conclude the first reading, 55 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of the motion, 11 were against it and 5 members abstained.

The Riigikogu passed with 65 votes in favour the Resolution On the Formation of the Council for Allocation of Grants from Gambling Tax Revenues (42 OE), initiated by the Finance Committee.The Council includes the following members of the Riigikogu: Jaak Allik, Kaarel Pürg, Indrek Raudne, Katrin Saks, Helir-Valdor Seeder and Andres Taimla, Deputy Secretary General of the Ministry of Social Affairs Riho Raudoja, Secretary General of the Ministry of Education and Research Peep Ratas and Secretary General of the Ministry of Culture Siim Sukles.Nobody voted against the Act, one member of the Riigikogu abstained.

The Riigikogu passed with 71 votes in favour the Resolution On the Appointment of Members of the Broadcasting Council (45 OE), submitted by the Cultural Affairs Committee.Members of the Riigikogu Jaak Allik, Peep Aru, Peeter Kreitzberg, Katrin Saks and Ela Tomson were appointed as members of the Council.Pursuant to the Resolution of April 11, 2000 of the Riigikogu, the membership of the Council also includes the following qualified persons, necessary for the performance of broadcasting tasks Andres Jõesaar, Andres Root, Hagi ?ein and Silva Tomingas.The authority of the named members lasts until 11 April 2005.Nobody voted against the Act, two members of the Riigikogu abstained.

The Riigikogu passed with 55 votes in favour the Resolution On the Appointment of Members of the Supervisory Board of the National Opera (46 OE), submitted by the Cultural Affairs Committee.Members of the Riigikogu Olav Aarna, Tunne Kelam and Signe Kivi were appointed as members of the Supervisory Board.Nobody voted against the resolution and nobody abstained.

The Riigikogu passed with 57 votes in favour the Resolution On the Appointment of Members of the Supervisory Board of the National Library of Estonia (47 OE), submitted by the Cultural Affairs Committee.Members of the Riigikogu Rein Aidma, Margi Ein, Peeter Tulviste and Ülo Vooglaid, and qualified persons in the field of library work Marge Tiidus and Ilmar Vaaro were appointed as members of the Supervisory Board.Nobody voted against the resolution and nobody abstained.

On the motion of the Social Affairs Committee as leading committee the first reading of the Bill on Amendments to the Republic of Estonia Act On the Rehabilitation of Extra-judicially Repressed and Unfoundedly Convicted Persons and to the State Pension Insurance Act (21 SE), initiated by the Estonian Centre Party Faction, was concluded.Motions to amend are to be submitted to the leading committee by 26 May, 12.00.

The Riigikogu Press Service