The Bill on the establishment of the Land and Spatial Planning Board passed the second reading in the Riigikogu

The Bill on Amendments to the Government of the Republic Act and Amendments to Other Associated Acts (reorganisation of the Land Board into the Land and Spatial Planning Board) (457 SE), initiated by the Government, is intended to consolidate the structural units engaged in land and spatial planning in various agencies into a single entity. The Land and Spatial Planning Board will provide help with issues relating to services regarding land, planning, construction as well as architecture.

The explanatory memorandum states that the Bill will resolve the issue of the fragmentation of activities in the spatial sector and the lack of a central implementation unit which has persisted for years. The knowledge, competence and data concerning the living environment and   the land and spatial sector will be consolidated in one place which will create an opportunity make better spatial decisions, to use resources better and to save costs. More professional spatial creation will help adapt to climate change, reduce forced commuting, prevent segregation, preserve the environment and improve people’s mental and physical health.

Besides the current tasks of the Land Board, the following will be consolidated to the Land and Spatial Planning Board: the activities of the e-Construction platform from the Construction and Living Environment Department of the Ministry of Climate ; implementation tasks in spatial planning from the Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture ; land improvement sector  tasks from the Agriculture and Food Board;  services relating to the maintenance of unimproved state real estate, land consolidation and land improvement provided to the Ministry of Climate from the Ministry of Finance; as well as tasks in the area of activity of strategic space creation.

According to the Bill, the Land and Spatial Planning Board will start operating on 1 January 2025.

Mart Maastik and Andres Metsoja from Isamaa Parliamentary Group, Arvo Aller from the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Group and Igor Taro from Estonia 200 Parliamentary Group and unaffiliated Member of the Riigikogu Kalle Grünthal took the floor during the debate.

The Bill on Amendments to the Identity Documents Act and Amendments to Other Associated Acts (497 SE), initiated by the Government, passed the first reading. It will transpose the directive aimed at enhancing cooperation in consular protection for European Union citizens in the third countries in which the Member State is not represented.

The Bill will transpose the conditions and procedure for issuing the emergency travel document to unrepresented EU citizens in third countries. It is a single-journey document, allowing the bearer to return home in the event that their documents have been lost, stolen or destroyed during travel. In addition, the EU Emergency Travel Document will be issued to Estonian citizens and aliens who reside in Estonia on the basis of a residence permit and who hold an alien’s passport, a temporary travel document or a travel document for a refugee or who are received by the country on the basis of a treaty. The new travel document will be replacing the current certificate of return and permit of return in such cases.

Verbatim record of the sitting (in Estonian)

Video recording will be available to watch later on the Riigikogu YouTube channel.

Riigikogu Press Service
Merilin Kruuse
+372 631 6592; +372 510 6179
merilin.kruuse@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: The Bill on the establishment of the Land and Spatial Planning Board passed the second reading in the Riigikogu

Source: Parliament of Estonia