The Riigikogu passed two Acts: 

The Act on Amendments to the Income Tax Act (181 SE), initiated by the Government, which brings the procedure for taxation of Estonian enterprises with income tax into conformity with the European Union directive on parent and subsidiary companies, retaining however the most distinctive feature of the income tax system which has been used in Estonia since 2000, that is, the postponement of taxation in cases where the profit of a company is used in enterprise, was passed with 52 votes in favour (30 votes against, 2 abstentions). The purpose of the directive on parent and subsidiary companies is to create within the European Community conditions analogous to those of an internal market and to avoid double taxation upon distribution of the profits of a subsidiary in a Member State to a parent company of another Member State. 

The Act on Determining of Annexes to Convention on Privileges and Immunities of Specialized Agencies of the United Nations applicable to the Republic of Estonia and on Approval of Revised Annexes (187 SE), initiated by the Government, which provides application of the Annexes to the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the Specialized Agencies of the United Nations in the Republic of Estonia, was passed with 60 votes in favour (1 vote against). 

The Riigikogu concluded the second reading of the Bill on Amendments to the Copyright Act (178 SE), initiated by the Government. The Bill amends § 133 of the Copyright Act by adding a provision to the effect that libraries have the right of home lending of sound carriers without asking permission from the owners of the rights, after elapse of a certain period of time. Also, a provision is added to the Act, granting libraries which provide services to educational institutions engaged in the field of study of audiovisual art or music the right of home lending of audiovisual and sound works at any time and without asking permission. Libraries, archives and museums are allowed to lend sound and audiovisual works for in-house use without asking permission from owners and free of charge. The Bill repeals the obligation of the copyright committee operating at the Ministry of Culture to submit an overview of the situation regarding copyright in Estonia to the Government of the Republic twice a year. 

The Riigikogu concluded the first reading of two Bills: 

The Bill on Amendments to the Nature Conservation Act (212 SE), initiated by the Government, provides repeal of the section of the Nature Conservation Act concerning exchange of immovables. Also, transitional provisions are established which allow the proceeding of applications for exchange of immovables submitted before entry into force of the Act to be continued within the framework of the proceedings for acquisition of an immovable. Also, the current regulation of acquisition proceedings is specified, so as to allow the value of a protected immovable which is being acquired to be determined as exactly as possible. 

The Bill on Amendments to the Transplantation of Organs and Tissues Act, the Artificial Insemination and Embryo Protection Act and Associated Acts (214 SE), initiated by the Government, with the purpose of ensuring safe handling of cells, tissues and organs according to the requirements prescribed in European Union directives. 

At Question Time, the Minister of Justice Rein Lang answered questions about legal policy and compliance with Acts. The Minister of Culture Laine Jänes answered questions about cultural policy and church assets. The Minister of Economic Affairs and Communications Juhan Parts answered questions about the renewable energy thematic plan and the energy sector. 

The Riigikogu Press Service