Today, the Riigikogu passed the Act on the Ratification of the Amendments to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (226 SE), initiated by the Government. It ratifies five amendments to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.

The Act provides for the ratification of the amendments made to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court at the plenary meetings in The Hague in 2015 and 2019 and at the plenary meeting in New York in 2017. These amendments amend the definition of weapons, the use of which is considered a war crime, and extend the definition of military action against civilians. An amendment however deletes the transitional provision concerning the accession to the convention.

The purpose of the main part of the amendments ratified is to strengthen the provisions of the Statute and to create preconditions for bringing criminal charges against persons for war crimes more widely. Thus, war criminals are the direct target group. The amendments also protect the potential victims of war crimes. The ratification of the amendments involves no changes for Estonia because the area in question has already been regulated nationally.

The Republic of Estonia is a State Party to the Statute drawn up in Rome on 17 July 1998 as the Act on the ratification of the Statute was passed on 5 December 2001 and the Statute came into force internationally on 1 July 2002. The Statute has 123 State Parties as at February 2023.

60 members of the Riigikogu supported the passing of the Act.

A Bill passed the second reading

The Bill on Amendments to the Substitutional Performance and Non-Compliance Levies Act and Other Acts (340 SE), initiated by the Government, passed the second reading in the Riigikogu. The administration of the non-compliance levies and fines imposed by the Defence Resources Agency will be transferred to the Tax and Customs Board and the calculation thereof will be transferred, by using X-Road, to the application for inclusion into the calculation of public claims which is part of the register of taxable persons. According to the Bill, information exchange for the forwarding and payment of claims will become automatic and the Tax and Customs Board will become the body organising the collection of the non-compliance levies and fines imposed by the Defence Resources Agency and exercising the rights of the obligee.

The Bill will also specify the procedure for processing the challenges relating to the assessment of the state of health of persons liable to national defence obligation and persons applying for the national defence obligation. In addition, the grant of release from the obligation to participate in a reservist training will no longer be formulated in an administrative act in a situation where no discretionary power has been provided for the grant of release.

After the first reading, four motions to amend the Bill had been submitted which the lead committee had fully incorporated into the text. The amendments concerned specification of wording, the dates that had had to be changed due to obstruction, and the extension of the time for testing the solution.

A Bill passed the first reading

The Bill on Amendments to the Customs Act (350 SE), initiated by the Government, passed the first reading in the Riigikogu. It will simplify customs control of postal items both for customs authorities and for postal service providers. It will also enhance the prevention of sending prohibited and restricted goods to Estonia. The Bill will specify the procedure for preparing the minutes for the examination of postal items. It will be provided that no minutes for the examination of a postal item will be prepared where the postal item is examined in the presence of the postal service provider and no circumstances indicating a violation are discovered in the course of the examination. Under the current law, a report must always be prepared regarding every examination of a postal item. In the case of examination, a postal item is opened and closed by the accountable employee of the postal service provider in the presence of a customs official, and a report is prepared regarding every opening of a postal item under the Postal Act regardless of whether a breach is identified or not.

After the amendment of the Customs Act, the obligation to prepare a report will be maintained for customs only in the case a breach of law is identified. As a result of the amendment, time will be saved both for customs authorities and for postal service provider and it will be possible to direct this resource to enhance supervision so that as few as possible prohibited goods, like tobacco products, psychotropic substances and falsified medicinal products, would reach Estonia. At the same time, as customs controls will be carried out more quickly the person placing the order for goods will receive the goods faster.

During the debate, unaffiliated Member of the Riigikogu Tanel Kiik took the floor on behalf of Social Democrats.

30 Bills were dropped from the proceedings

The Riigikogu rejected at the first reading the Bill on Amendments to the Income Tax Act (102 SE), initiated by Members of the Riigikogu Kert Kingo, Kalle Grünthal and Martin Helme. It was intended to reduce the personal income tax rate to 18.8 per cent. It was not intended to change the income tax rate for legal entities.

55 members of the Riigikogu supported the motion of the Finance Committee to reject the Bill and 18 voted against it.

The Riigikogu rejected at the first reading the Bill on Amendments to the Income Tax Act (103 SE), initiated by Members of the Riigikogu Helle-Moonika Helme and Varro Vooglaid. It was intended to reduce the personal income tax rate to 19.2 per cent. It was not intended to change the income tax rate for legal entities.

45 members of the Riigikogu supported the motion of the Finance Committee to reject the Bill and 19 voted against it.

The Riigikogu rejected at the first reading the Bill on Amendments to the Income Tax Act (114 SE), initiated by Members of the Riigikogu Martin Helme, Kert Kingo and Helle-Moonika Helme. It was intended to reduce the personal income tax rate to 18.1 per cent. It was not intended to change the income tax rate for legal entities.

44 members of the Riigikogu supported the motion of the Finance Committee to reject the Bill and 16 voted against it.

The Riigikogu rejected at the first reading the Bill on Amendments to the Income Tax Act (115 SE), initiated by Members of the Riigikogu Martin Helme, Kert Kingo and Helle-Moonika Helme. It was intended to reduce the personal income tax rate to 19.8 per cent. It was not intended to change the income tax rate for legal entities.

40 members of the Riigikogu supported the motion of the Finance Committee to reject the Bill and 10 voted against it.

The Riigikogu rejected at the first reading the Bill on Amendments to the Income Tax Act (118 SE), initiated by Members of the Riigikogu Kert Kingo, Arvo Aller and Rain Epler. It was intended to reduce the personal income tax rate to 19.7 per cent. It was not intended to change the income tax rate for legal entities.

34 members of the Riigikogu supported the motion of the Finance Committee to reject the Bill and 11 voted against it.

The Riigikogu rejected at the first reading the Bill on Amendments to the Income Tax Act(122 SE), initiated by Members of the Riigikogu Arvo Aller and Kert Kingo. It was intended to reduce the personal income tax rate to 18.2 per cent. It was not intended to change the income tax rate for legal entities.

35 members of the Riigikogu supported the motion of the Finance Committee to reject the Bill and 11 voted against it.

The Riigikogu rejected at the first reading the Bill on Amendments to the Income Tax Act (128 SE), initiated by Members of the Riigikogu Arvo Aller and Anti Poolamets. It was intended to reduce the personal income tax rate to 19.3 per cent. It was not intended to change the income tax rate for legal entities.

38 members of the Riigikogu supported the motion of the Finance Committee to reject the Bill and 9 voted against it.

The Riigikogu rejected at the first reading the Bill on Amendments to the Income Tax Act (153 SE), initiated by Members of the Riigikogu Kert Kingo, Arvo Aller and Rain Epler. It was intended to reduce the personal income tax rate to 19.1 per cent. It was not intended to change the income tax rate for legal entities.

39 members of the Riigikogu supported the motion of the Finance Committee to reject the Bill and 10 voted against it.

The Riigikogu rejected at the first reading the Bill on Amendments to the Income Tax Act  (178 SE), initiated by Members of the Riigikogu Arvo Aller and Leo Kunnas. It was intended to reduce the personal income tax rate to 18.3 per cent. It was not intended to change the income tax rate for legal entities.

38 members of the Riigikogu supported the motion of the Finance Committee to reject the Bill and 8 voted against it.

The Riigikogu rejected at the first reading the Bill on Amendments to the Income Tax Act (183 SE), initiated by Members of the Riigikogu Leo Kunnas, Arvo Aller, and Anti Poolamets. It was intended to reduce the personal income tax rate to 19.9 per cent. It was not intended to change the income tax rate for legal entities.

47 members of the Riigikogu supported the motion of the Finance Committee to reject the Bill and 6 voted against it.

The Riigikogu rejected at the first reading the Bill on Amendments to the Income Tax Act (187 SE), initiated by Members of the Riigikogu Leo Kunnas and Rene Kokk. It was intended to reduce the personal income tax rate to 18.4 per cent. It was not intended to change the income tax rate for legal entities.

40 members of the Riigikogu supported the motion of the Finance Committee to reject the Bill and 7 voted against it.

The Riigikogu rejected at the first reading the Bill on Amendments to the Income Tax Act (195 SE), initiated by Members of the Riigikogu Rene Kokk and Leo Kunnas. It was intended to reduce the personal income tax rate to 18 per cent. It was not intended to change the income tax rate for legal entities.

34 members of the Riigikogu supported the motion of the Finance Committee to reject the Bill and 4 voted against it.

The Riigikogu rejected at the first reading the Bill on Amendments to the Income Tax Act (198 SE), initiated by Members of the Riigikogu Jaak Valge, Arvo Aller and Varro Vooglaid. It was intended to reduce the personal income tax rate to 18.5 per cent. It was not intended to change the income tax rate for legal entities.

34 members of the Riigikogu supported the motion of the Finance Committee to reject the Bill and 5 voted against it.

The Riigikogu rejected at the first reading the Bill on Amendments to the Income Tax Act (233 SE), initiated by Members of the Riigikogu Martin Helme and Rain Epler. It was intended to reduce the personal income tax rate to 1.1 per cent. It was not intended to change the income tax rate for legal entities.

35 members of the Riigikogu supported the motion of the Finance Committee to reject the Bill and 8 voted against it.

The Riigikogu rejected at the first reading the Bill on Amendments to the Income Tax Act (234 SE), initiated by Members of the Riigikogu Martin Helme and Varro Vooglaid. It was intended to reduce the personal income tax rate to 2.3 per cent. It was not intended to change the income tax rate for legal entities.

33 members of the Riigikogu supported the motion of the Finance Committee to reject the Bill and 7 voted against it.

The Riigikogu rejected at the first reading the Bill on Amendments to the Income Tax Act (235 SE), initiated by Members of the Riigikogu Arvo Aller and Rain Epler. It was intended to reduce the personal income tax rate to 7.4 per cent. It was not intended to change the income tax rate for legal entities.

37 members of the Riigikogu supported the motion of the Finance Committee to reject the Bill and 7 voted against it.

The Riigikogu rejected at the first reading the Bill on Amendments to the Income Tax Act (242 SE), initiated by Members of the Riigikogu Arvo Aller and Ants Frosch. It was intended to reduce the personal income tax rate to 1.4 per cent. It was not intended to change the income tax rate for legal entities.

38 members of the Riigikogu supported the motion of the Finance Committee to reject the Bill and 7 voted against it.

The Riigikogu rejected at the first reading the Bill on Amendments to the Income Tax Act (247 SE), initiated by Members of the Riigikogu Helle-Moonika Helme and Arvo Aller. It was intended to reduce the personal income tax rate to 6.9 per cent. It was not intended to change the income tax rate for legal entities.

38 members of the Riigikogu supported the motion of the Finance Committee to reject the Bill and 9 voted against it.

The Riigikogu rejected at the first reading the Bill on Amendments to the Income Tax Act (249 SE), initiated by Members of the Riigikogu Arvo Aller and Rene Kokk. It was intended to reduce the personal income tax rate to 2.1 per cent. It was not intended to change the income tax rate for legal entities.

39 members of the Riigikogu supported the motion of the Finance Committee to reject the Bill and 10 voted against it.

The Riigikogu rejected at the first reading the Bill on Amendments to the Income Tax Act (107 SE), initiated by Members of the Riigikogu Siim Pohlak, Martin Helme and Evelin Poolamets. It was intended to reduce the income tax rate for legal entities to 19 per cent. It was not intended to change the personal income tax rate.

36 members of the Riigikogu supported the motion of the Finance Committee to reject the Bill and 8 voted against it. One member of the Riigikogu abstained.

The Riigikogu rejected at the first reading the Bill on Amendments to the Income Tax Act (109 SE), initiated by Members of the Riigikogu Siim Pohlak, Martin Helme and Evelin Poolamets. It was intended to reduce the income tax rate for legal entities to 1 per cent. It was not intended to change the personal income tax rate.

35 members of the Riigikogu supported the motion of the Finance Committee to reject the Bill and 9 voted against it.

The Riigikogu rejected at the first reading the Bill on Amendments to the Income Tax Act (113 SE), initiated by Members of the Riigikogu Evelin Poolamets, Henn Põlluaas, Ants Frosch, Kert Kingo and Rain Epler. It was intended to reduce the income tax rate for legal entities to 9 per cent. It was not intended to change the personal income tax rate.

35 members of the Riigikogu supported the motion of the Finance Committee to reject the Bill and 9 voted against it.

The Riigikogu rejected at the first reading the Bill on Amendments to the Income Tax Act (131 SE), initiated by Members of the Riigikogu Arvo Aller and Ants Poolamets. It was intended to reduce the income tax rate for legal entities to 14 per cent. It was not intended to change the personal income tax rate.

35 members of the Riigikogu supported the motion of the Finance Committee to reject the Bill and 9 voted against it.

The Riigikogu rejected at the first reading the Bill on Amendments to the Income Tax Act (134 SE), initiated by Members of the Riigikogu Leo Kunnas and Ants Poolamets. It was intended to reduce the income tax rate for legal entities to 12 per cent. It was not intended to change the personal income tax rate.

37 members of the Riigikogu supported the motion of the Finance Committee to reject the Bill and 9 voted against it.

The Riigikogu rejected at the first reading the Bill on Amendments to the Income Tax Act (172 SE), initiated by Members of the Riigikogu Kalle Grünthal and Varro Vooglaid. It was intended to reduce the income tax rate for legal entities to 3 per cent. It was not intended to change the personal income tax rate.

32 members of the Riigikogu supported the motion of the Finance Committee to reject the Bill and 5 voted against it.

The Riigikogu rejected at the first reading the Bill on Amendments to the Income Tax Act (200 SE), initiated by Members of the Riigikogu Ants Frosch, Leo Kunnas and Ants Poolamets. It was intended to reduce the income tax rate for legal entities to 7 per cent. It was not intended to change the personal income tax rate.

32 members of the Riigikogu supported the motion of the Finance Committee to reject the Bill and 5 voted against it.

The Riigikogu rejected at the first reading the Bill on Amendments to the Income Tax Act (201 SE), initiated by Members of the Riigikogu Rene Kokk and Arvo Aller. It was intended to reduce the income tax rate for legal entities to 4 per cent. It was not intended to change the personal income tax rate.

35 members of the Riigikogu supported the motion of the Finance Committee to reject the Bill and 6 voted against it.

The Riigikogu rejected at the first reading the Bill on Amendments to the Income Tax Act (211 SE), initiated by Members of the Riigikogu Helle-Moonika Helme and Siim Pohlak. It was intended to reduce the income tax rate for legal entities to 17 per cent. It was not intended to change the personal income tax rate.

36 members of the Riigikogu supported the motion of the Finance Committee to reject the Bill and 6 voted against it.

The Riigikogu rejected at the first reading the Bill on Amendments to the Income Tax Act (252 SE), initiated by Members of the Riigikogu Henn Põlluaas, Ants Frosch, Kert Kingo and Rain Epler. It was intended to reduce the income tax rate for legal entities to 5 per cent. It was not intended to change the personal income tax rate.

36 members of the Riigikogu supported the motion of the Finance Committee to reject the Bill and 5 voted against it.

The Riigikogu rejected at the first reading the Bill on Amendments to the Income Tax Act (254 SE), initiated by Members of the Riigikogu Henn Põlluaas, Ants Frosch and Leo Kunnas. It was intended to reduce the income tax rate for legal entities to 10 per cent. It was not intended to change the personal income tax rate.

37 members of the Riigikogu supported the motion of the Finance Committee to reject the Bill and 5 voted against it.

Verbatim record of the sitting (in Estonian)

Video recording will be available to watch later on the Riigikogu YouTube channel.

Riigikogu Press Service
Eleen Lindmaa
+372 631 6456, +372 5551 4433
[email protected]
Questions: [email protected]