The Riigikogu passed two Acts and a Resolution: 

The Riigikogu passed with 77 votes in favour the State Audit Office Act and Local Government Organisation Act Amendment Act (603 SE and 614 SE), initiated by the Isamaaliit Faction and the Government of the Republic. The Act extends the rights of economic control of the State Audit Office to local governments irrespective of whether it is state assets or municipal property. The State Audit Office will exercise supervision over legality, not expediency of the use of property and means of local governments.  

The Riigikogu passed with 80 votes in favour (1 vote against) the Technical Regulations and Standards Act Amendment Act (604 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic. The Act specifies the procedure for referring to standards in legal acts and some aspects regarding the drafting of standards programmes.

The Riigikogu passed with 77 votes in favour the Resolution of the Riigikogu On the Use of the Estonian Defence Forces Unit in Performance of International Duties of the Estonian State in the Membership of the NATO Response Forces (629 OE), initiated by the Government of the Republic. This provides for the participation of the Estonian Navy?s Command and Support Ship Admiral Pitka, with a team of up to 50 members of the Defence Forces, in the membership of the NATO Response Force from 12 May 2005 to 31 March 2006, in the military operation, organised for the purpose of maintaining or restoring the peace and security or in any other military operation in compliance with generally recognised practices and principles of international law, as stipulated in Chapters VI and VII of the UN Charter.

The Riigikogu concluded the second reading of seven Bills:

The Bill on Amendments to the Local Government Council Election Act (607 SE), initiated by the Constitutional Committee. The Estonian People?s Union Faction moved to suspend the second reading. The result of voting: 42 votes in favour, 44 against. The motion was not supported.

The Bill on Amendments to the Riigikogu Internal Rules Act (613 SE), initiated by Members of the Riigikogu Väino Linde and Ain Seppik. The Social Democratic Party Faction and the Isamaaliit Faction moved to suspend the second reading. The result of voting: 22 votes in favour, 52 against. The motion was not supported.

The Bill on Amendments to the Maritime Safety Act and Associated Acts (518 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic;

The Bill on Amendments to the Traffic Act and State Fees Act (617 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic;

The Bill on Amendments to the State Fees Act, Law of Ship Flag and Registers of Ships Act and Traffic Act (553 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic;

The Bill on Amendments to the Riigi Teataja Act and to the State Fees Act (539 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic;

The Bill on Amendments to the Gambling Act and Lottery Act (594 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic.

The Riigikogu concluded the first reading of four Bills:

The Bill on the Accession to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 and its Agreement Relating to the Implementation of Part XI (618 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic;

The Bill on Amendments to the Structural Support Act (630 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic;

The Employment Services and Subsidies Act (611 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic;

The Bill on Amendments to the Citizenship Act (612 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic.

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At Question Time Prime Minister Andrus Ansip answered the questions about the state budget of the next year, sickness benefits and about communication with the European Union. Minister of Agriculture Ester Tuiksoo answered the questions about the sugar fine. Minister of Social Affairs Jaak Aab answered the questions about the Employment Contracts Act, the financing of health care and the planning of one?s time.

The Riigikogu Press Service