On the motion of the Finance Committee as leading committee the Bill on Amendments to the State Budget Act and Income Tax Act (137 SE), initiated by the Mõõdukad Faction, was rejected at the first reading. 55 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of the Act and 26 against the Act, nobody abstained. The Bill was withdrawn from legislative proceeding.

The Riigikogu passed with 79 votes in favour the Act on Amendments to § 74 of the Trade Marks Act and to § 66 of the General Principles of the Legal Regulation of Industrial Property Act (205 SE), initiated by the Economic Affairs Committee. Pursuant to the Act, the entry into force of the Trade Marks Act and General Principles of the Legal Regulation of Industrial Property Act will be postponed from January 1, 2004 to May 1, 2004. This Act enters into force on 1 January 2000. Nobody voted against the Act and nobody abstained.

On the motion of the Social Affairs Committee as leading committee the second reading of the Bill on Amendments to the State Family Benefits Act (207 SE), initiated by the Estonian Reform Party Faction, Union for the Republic ? Res Publica Faction and Estonian People’s Union Faction, was concluded. The Bill was sent to the third reading. On the motion of the leading committee the third reading of the mentioned Bill will be held on Wednesday, December 17 of the current working week.

On the motion of the Cultural Affairs Committee as leading committee the second reading of the Bill on Amendments to the Professions Act (201 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic, was concluded. The Bill was sent to the third reading. On the motion of the leading committee the third reading of the mentioned Bill will be held on Wednesday, December 17 of the current working week.

On the motion of the Legal Affairs Committee as leading committee the first reading of the Bill on Amendments to the Prosecutor’s Office Act (198 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic, was concluded. Motions to amend are to be submitted to the leading committee by 2 January, 2004, 16.00.

On the motion of the Constitutional Committee as leading committee the first reading of the Bill on Amendments to the Referendum Act, Local Government Councils Election Act, Riigikogu Election Act and European Parliament Election Act (206 SE), initiated by the same Committee, was concluded. Motions to amend are to be submitted to the leading committee by 2 January, 2004, 16.00.

The Riigikogu Press Service