The Law of Succession Bill (56 SE) passed the second reading. One of the fundamental changes in the Bill is the adoption of the so-called estate waiver system instead of the so-called acceptance system. Pursuant to the legislation in force, the estate passes to the successor solely in case the latter accepts it. In the case of the waiver system, the right of succession stipulated in the Act is automatic and the successor must submit a claim to waive the estate. The Bill will be brought to the final voting on Thursday, 17 January.

The Riigikogu concluded the first reading of three Bills:

The Bill on Amendments to the Pre-school Child Care Institutions Act, Private Schools Act and Hobby School Act (165 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic, with the objective of replacing the term of “framework curriculum” used for the curriculum stipulated in the Act with the term of “national curriculum of pre-school child care institution”, as well as specifying the goals and principles set by this curriculum. Pursuant to the Bill, the Government enforces the national curriculum of pre-school child care institution by a regulation, which sets out, among other things, the expected general skills of a 6-7 year old child.

The Bill on Amendments to the Energy Efficiency of Equipment Act (167 SE), which proceeds from the need to harmonise Estonian legislation with the European Parliament and Council Directive on eco-design requirements for energy-using products. The objective of the Bill is to set eco-design requirements for energy-using products and to ensure the free movement of such products within the internal market. The Bill is concerned with requirements to be fulfilled by equipment falling under the implementing measures, in order to be allowed into the market and utilisation. The requirements are meant to improve the energy-efficiency of the equipment and the level of environmental friendliness of their production.

The Bill on Amendments to the Land Tax Act (161 SE), initiated by the Government, with the objective of specifying the rates of land tax on various protected areas, and better implementing the principle of uniform taxation. The amendments concern lowered land tax rates deriving from restrictions on economic activities in diverse protection zones provided in the Nature Conservation Act. The rates have until now amounted to 25, 50 or 75 per cent of the land tax rate. The Bill preserves only one lowered tax rate – 50 % of the land tax – in order to avoid the situation where different advantageous rates have been set for equivalent nature conservation areas. The land tax will no longer be levied in the nature conservation areas formerly taxed at the rate of 25 % of the land tax rate.

At Question Time, the Minister of the Environment Jaanus Tamkivi answered the questions about waste handling, land readjustment in areas of mineral resources and use of peat. The Minister of Education and Research Tõnis Lukas answered questions about teachers’ salaries and secondary education institutions in rural areas. The Minister of Regional Affairs Vallo Reimaa answered the questions about problems of regional employment.

The verbatim record of the sitting (in Estonian) is available at: https://www.riigikogu.ee/?op=steno

The Riigikogu Press Service