At today’s sitting, the Riigikogu approved the Acts extending the period of validity of digital identity cards, and dividing the Defence League into four territorial defence districts.

80 members of the Riigikogu supported the passage of the Act on Amendments to the Identity Documents Act (569 SE), initiated by the Government.

The Act provides that a digital identity card is issued with the period of validity of up to five years, instead of three years.

The validity of a digital identity card issued before 1 May this year can be extended by two years by way of remote updating as of 1 November.

The aim of the Act is to make the use of and application for a digital identity card more convenient, and to harmonise the periods of validity of identity documents. The Act enters into force on 1 May.

The Riigikogu passed the Act on Amendments to the Estonian Defence League Act and the Income Tax Act (593 SE) with 77 votes in favour. Under the Act, four territorial defence districts will be formed starting from 2019.

The territorial defence districts will coordinate and support the activities of the regional units, or districts. The function of a territorial defence district will be to organise the planning and preparation of and the provision of supplies for the training of the Defence League units. The districts will continue to deal with the members, and military training and preparation on up to a company level.

Among other things, the Act simplifies becoming a member of the Defence League, and exempts children from medical examination upon becoming members of the youth organisations of the Defence League. Also, in the future, persons who have a valid weapons permit will not have to undergo a repeated medical examination.

One Bill passed the second reading

The Bill on Amendments to the Bankruptcy Act and Other Acts (575 SE), initiated by the Government, passed the second reading. The aim of the Bill is to make it simpler for employees to receive a benefit from the Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund if their employer becomes insolvent. The Bill is also intended to ensure legal clarity in the time of the payment of and the method of calculating the remuneration of interim trustees and trustees in bankruptcy.

Two drafts passed the first reading

The Bill on Acquisition of Immovables in Public Interest (598 SE), initiated by the Government, which will facilitate reaching agreements regarding transfer of land with land owners, passed the first reading in the Riigikogu. The Bill is intended to speed up the completion of civil engineering works, like for example Rail Baltic, the state border or a highway.

Upon the acquisition of immovables, according to the Bill, a payment consisting of the value of the immovable and a compensation for the patrimonial damage and the loss of profit will be offered to the owners. Additional benefits will also be added to that: if an agreement is reached, a motivational payment of 20 per cent will be added, which cannot be lower than 0.8 times or higher than 50 times the average gross wage in the previous year. If a building used for residential purposes or a dwelling needs to be acquired in public interests, an additional benefit will be provided for for the loss of housing in order to compensate for the accompanying emotional damage. This benefit will be 10 per cent of the payment. A benefit for the administration will also be provided for for every party to the proceedings.

The Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu “Use of the Defence Forces in the Fulfilment of the International Commitments of the Estonian State in France’s Military Operation Barkhane in Mali” (608 OE), submitted by the Government, also passed the first reading.

The draft Resolution will allow to send up to 50 active servicemen of the Defence Forces to France’s Military Operation Barkhane in Mali until the end of this year, to fulfil the international commitments of Estonia.

France presented an official invitation to participate in Operation Barkhane to Estonia in January.

Verbatim record of the sitting (in Estonian).

Video recordings of the sittings of the Riigikogu can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/riigikogu

(NB! The recording will be uploaded with a delay.)

Riigikogu Press Service

Kristi Sobak

Phone +372 631 6592, +372 5190 6975

E-mail [email protected]

Questions [email protected]