The Riigikogu passed with 76 votes in favour the Act on the Ratification of the Amendment to the Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters (16 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic. The Act specifies the duties of the parties to the Convention in connection with public participation in decision-making about the deliberate release of genetically modified organisms into the environment. Pursuant to the amendment, a party to the Convention must, in an appropriate, timely and efficient manner, make available to the public a summary about an application submitted for the deliberate release of GMOs into the environment or to the market as well as the assessment report on the impact of the relevant activities.

The Riigikogu concluded the second reading of two Bills:

The Bill on Amendments to the Police Act (26 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic;

The Bill on Amendments to the Police Act, Government of the Republic Act, Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances and Their Source Materials Act, Police Service Act and Forensic Examination Act (37 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic.

The Riigikogu concluded the first reading of six Bills:

The Bill on Amendments to the Income Tax Act (63 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic, which lowers the income tax rate of an individual to 18 percent by the year 2011 and increase the income tax exempt minimum to EEK 36,000 by the same time. The Estonian Centre Party Faction moved to reject the Bill at the first reading. The result of voting: 30 votes in favour, 52 against. The motion was not supported.

The Bill on Amendments to the Alcohol, Tobacco and Fuel Excise Duty Act, Environmental Charges Act and Roads Act (64 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic which increases the alcohol, tobacco and fuel excise duties. Pursuant to the Bill, the Environmental Charges Act is also amended, and electricity producers do not pay carbon dioxide pollution charges, in order to compensate the increase in prices proceeding from the establishment of electricity excise duty. The Estonian Centre Party Faction moved to reject the Bill at the first reading. The result of voting: 27 votes in favour, 50 against. The motion was not supported.

The Bill on the Ratification of the Amendment Agreement to the Cotonou Agreement (58 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic.

The Bill on the Ratification of the Internal Agreement between the Member States of the European Union Concerning the Financing of the Community Aid and Granting of Financial Assistance under the Cotonou Agreement to Certain Overseas Countries and Territories (59 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic;

The Maintenance of Law and Order Bill (49 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic, which creates a modern, common rule of law basis for the public order protection system in Estonia. The Bill completely reshapes the valid state supervision system in Estonia and has a bearing on all the functions concerning protection of public order by the state and other persons. As a result, the far-reaching impact of the Act on the Estonian law and order would be guaranteeing security for each individual in a legally better way and in conformity with the Constitution as well as the protection of the integrity of the society and the state;

The Bill on Amendments to the Republic of Estonia Child Protection Act, Basic Schools and Upper Secondary Schools Act, Social Welfare Act, Punishment Register Act, Private School Act, Vocational Educational Institutions Act, Pre-School Child Care Institutions Act, Youth Work Act, Penal Code, Code of Misdemeanour Procedure and Hobby School Act (43 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic.

At Question Time Minister of Finance Ivari Padar answered the questions about the excise duty and income tax reform and the financing and tax policy of local governments. Minister Urve Palo answered the question about the integration programme..Minister of Agriculture Helir-Valdor Seeder answered the questions about the improvement of the living environment of rural regions.

The sitting ended at 6.42 p.m.

The verbatim record (in Estonian) can be found at: https://www.riigikogu.ee/?op=steno

The Riigikogu Press Service