The Riigikogu passed with 67 votes in favour the Courts Act Amendment Act (983 SE), initiated by the Legal Affairs Committee. The purpose of the Act is to make the process for the appointment of lay judges more flexible and to stipulate a new procedure for the remuneration of judges. The amount of remuneration and the procedure for the payment to the lay judges will be established by the regulation of the Minister of Justice. Nobody voted against the Act and nobody abstained.

The Act on Amendments to the Acts associated with Official Publications Ametlikud Teadaanded (997 SE) was passed by the Riigikogu with 67 votes in favour. Pursuant to amendments to the Act, from 1 January 2007 the Ministry of Justice will organise the publication of Official Publications Ametlikud Teadaanded, because the majority of publications, like court, registration, enforcement notices etc. come from the area of administration of the Ministry of Justice. Minister of Justice may assign the task to organise the publication of Official Publications Ametlikud Väljaanded to a state agency administered by the Ministry or, under the contract of public law, to a legal person in private law. In addition to amendments to the Riigi Teataja Act, the amendments will be also made to the Notarisation Act, Code of Civil Procedure, Code of Enforcement Procedure, Commercial Code, Non-profit Associations Act and Foundations Act. The Act enters into force on January 1, 2007. Nobody voted against the Act and nobody abstained.

The Riigikogu passed with 68 votes in favour the Defence Forces Service Act Amendment Act (981 SE), initiated by the Estonian Reform Party Faction, Estonian Centre Party Faction and Estonian People’s Union Faction. The amendment to the Act stipulates the length of the term of office of the Commander of the Defence Forces to be five years and specifies other provisions related to the appointment to office and release from office of the leadership of the Defence Forces. The Act enters into force on the day following its publication in the Riigi Teataja. Nobody voted against the Act and nobody abstained.

The Riigikogu passed with 65 votes in favour the Estonian Health Insurance Fund Act Amendment Act (1009 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic. The amendments to the Act enable the Health Insurance Fund to use the surplus of revenues of the previous periods and direct it to the improvement of availability of health care services, which should shorten the waiting lists for specialised medical care and improve the availability of services to patients. Nobody voted against the Act, one member of the Riigikogu abstained.

The first reading of the Bill on Amendments to the Public and National Holidays Act (963 SE), initiated by the Res Publica Faction and Isamaaliit Faction, was concluded. The Bill was sent to the second reading.

The first reading of the Bill on Amendments to the State Public Servants Official Titles and Salary Scale Act (1018 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic, was concluded. The Bill was sent to the second reading.

The Riigikogu Press Service