The Riigikogu passed with 85 votes in favour the Act on Amendments to the Foreign Service Act and the Public Service Act (366 SE), initiated by the Government. The main purpose of the amendments is to apply the Foreign Service Act to those persons in public service with whom an employment contract is entered into pursuant to the new Public Service Act which will enter into force on 1 April. At the same time the Act preserves the current foreign service system which establishes uniform rotation principles for diplomats as well as administrative officials. When the amendments enter into force, the regulation of the Foreign Service Act will apply to an administrative official employed in a non-diplomatic position in a foreign mission on the basis of a contract of employment or as an official. It is not expedient to apply the Employment Contracts Act to the full extent to administrative officials employed in foreign missions because in that case different regulations would apply to diplomats and administrative officials employed in foreign missions and this would not facilitate uniform foreign service. This Act enters into force on 1 April 2013.

On the motion of the Legal Affairs Committee, the second reading of the Bill on Amendments to the Law of Obligations Act and the Code of Civil Procedure (372 SE), initiated by the Government, was concluded. The aim of the amendments is to regulate the transactions in economic or professional activity, that is, transactions between undertakings or between undertakings and public authorities (the state, a local government or other person operating in public interest) with the aim of preventing late payment and improving the general payment discipline. With the Bill, maximum periods of payment are provided for transactions in economic or professional activity deviations from which will be allowed only in limited cases. So, payment periods in transactions between undertakings may not normally exceed 60 calendar days. The Bill also provides for maximum time limits (a maximum of 30 days) for the receipt and review of goods, service or other benefit for transactions in economic and professional activities which may be agreed upon in the case when the payment period commences after the receipt or review of the goods, service or other benefit. The Bill was sent to the third reading.

On the motion of the Legal Affairs Committee, the second reading of the Bill on Amendments to § 199 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (376 SE), initiated by the Government, was concluded. The aim of the Bill is to decriminalise the cases when a person voluntarily surrenders a firearm, explosive device or an essential component thereof, ammunition or explosive in his or her unlawful possession. Voluntary surrender of dangerous object helps remove from circulation objects which pose a threat to general security, and thereby increase social security. The Bill was sent to the third reading.

On the motion of the Social Affairs Committee, the Bill on Amendments to the Social Welfare Act and Associated Acts (357 SE), initiated by the Social Democratic Party Faction, was rejected at the first reading. 43 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of the motion to reject and 37 members voted against. Thus, this Bill was dropped from the legislative proceeding.

The Riigikogu Press Service