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NB: Unofficial translation
PARLIAMENT’S RULES OF PROCEDURE17December1999(40/2000,amendmentsupto63/2015included)
Chapter 1 — Parliamentary session
Section 1 — Convocation in session
TheParliamentshallconveneinsessioneveryyearonthefirstdayofFebruary,atnoon,unlesstheParliamenthasdecidedonanotherdateandtimeofconvocation.TheopeningoftheparliamentarysessionshalltakeplacewithinthreedaysoftheconvocationoftheParliament.
TheParliamentshallconveneintheParliamentHouse.TheSpeakermaydecideonanotherplaceofconvocation,ifthereareunavoidablereasonsforthesame.
Section 2 — Examination of Credentials
Beforethefirstplenarysessionofanelectoralterm,theChancellorofJusticeoftheGovernmentshallexaminethecredentialsoftheRepresentatives.AlistshallbedrawnupontheRepresentativeswhohavepresentedvalidcredentials.Thefirstplenarysessionoftheelectoraltermshallbeginwitharollcallinaccordancewiththelist.
TheChancellorofJusticeshallexaminealsothecredentialspresentedlater.BeforeaRepresentativetakesoffice,heorsheshallpresenttheexaminedcredentialstotheSpeaker,whothenmakesanannouncementofthesameinplenarysession.
Section 3 — Interruption of the parliamentary session
TheParliamentmay,ontheproposaloftheSpeaker’sCouncil,decidetointerrupttheparliamentarysessionandsetthetimeofreconvocationandresumptionofparliamentarywork.Whiletheparliamentarysessionisinterrupted,parliamentaryactivitiesmaybecarriedoutonlyinsofarasthereisaspecificstatutoryauthorisationtothiseffect.
TheSpeakermaysummontheParliamenttoresumeaninterruptedparliamentarysession.
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Chapter 2 — Bodies elected by the Parliament
Section 4 — Election of the Speaker and the Deputy Speakers
Inthefirstplenarysessionofaparliamentarysession,theelectionsoftheSpeakerandtheDeputySpeakersshallbeheld,withtheoldestMemberoftheParliamentpresiding.Beforetakingoffice,theSpeakerandtheDeputySpeakersshallmakethefollowingsolemnaffirmationbeforetheParliament:
“I---affirmthatinmyofficeasSpeakerIshalltothebestofmyabilitydefendtherightsofthepeopleofFinlandandoftheParliamentinaccordancewiththeConstitution.”
TheterminofficeoftheSpeakerandtheDeputySpeakerselectedforthelastparliamentarysessionofanelectoraltermshallcontinueuntilafterthenextparliamentaryelectionhasbeenheld.
IftheSpeakeroraDeputySpeakerdiesorresignsfromofficeduringtheparliamentarysession,anewSpeakerorDeputySpeakershallbeelectedwithoutdelay.IftheSpeakeroraDeputySpeakeristemporarilypreventedfromattendingtohisorherduties,theParliamentmay,ontheproposaloftheSpeaker’sCouncil,decideontheelectionofatemporarySpeakerorDeputySpeaker.
Section 5 — Speaker and the Presidency
TheSpeaker,togetherwiththeSpeaker’sCouncil,shallleadparliamentaryactivityinaccordancewiththeConstitutionandtheseRulesofProcedure.TheSpeakerandtheDeputySpeakersformthePresidency.
IftheSpeakerandtheDeputySpeakersarepreventedfromattendingtothedutiesofSpeaker,plenarysessionsshallbepresidedoverbytheoldestmemberoftheSpeaker’sCouncilpresentinthesession.Inthisevent,thesessionshalldealwithannouncementsonly,includinganannouncementofthetimeofthenextplenarysession,butnodecisionsshallbemadeonothermatters,unlessthereisanespeciallypressingreasonforthecontrary.
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Section 6 — Duties of the Speaker’s Council
TheSpeaker’sCouncilshall:
1.makeproposalsandissueinstructionsonthearrangementofparliamentarywork;
2.makeaproposalontheCommitteetowhichtoreferamatterforpreparation,andontheCommitteewhichistoissueastatementonthematter;
3.Repealed(895/2012).
4.proposetheplenarysessionforwhichamatteristobedeferred;
5.adoptthescheduleofplenarysessions;
6.makeaproposaltotheplenarysessiononthefullorpartialforfeitureofaRepresentative’sremunerationbyvirtueoftheActontheRemunerationPayabletoRepresentatives(328/1947),andontheobtainmentofthestatementoftheConstitutionalLawCommitteebyvirtueofsection28(3)oftheConstitution;
7.putforwardinitiativesfortheenactmentoflegislationgoverningparliamentaryofficials,oftheParliament’sRulesofProcedureandoftheParliament’sElectionRules;
8.makeproposalsfortheadoptionofinstructionsfortheinternaladministrationoftheParliament,insofarastherighttomakesuchproposalshasnotbeenassignedtotheOfficeCommission;
9.makeproposalsforrulesofproceduregoverningtheorgansappointedbytheParliament;
10.issuegeneralguidelinesonthesectorsofcompetenceandtheactivitiesoftheCommittees;
11.wherenecessary,decideontheparticipationofRepresentativesininternationalco-operationotherthanthatreferredtoinsection10,andtoissuegeneralinstructionsonthesame;
11a)issueinstructionsondeclaringtheRepresentative'spersonalinterestsandonothercorrespondingpracticesrelatingtotheofficeasaRepresentative;(63/2015)
12.makeproposalsontheseatingarrangementsoftheparliamentarygroupsintheplenaryhall;
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13.makeproposalsontheestablishmentoftemporaryCommitteesandonthenumberofmembersandalternatememberstobeelectedinatemporaryCommittee;
14.makedecisionsandproposalsonothermatters,ashasbeenprovidedelsewhere;and
15.actasaconsultativebodyinmatterswithinthecompetenceoftheSpeaker.
IfthereisatiedvoteintheSpeaker’sCouncil,theSpeakershallhavethecastingvote.
IfamatterwithinthecompetenceoftheSpeaker’sCouncilcannotbepresentedtotheSpeaker’sCouncilbyreasonofurgency,theSpeakermaydecidethematteronaprovisionalbasisuponpresentationbyanofficialchargedwithpresentingmatterstotheSpeaker’sCouncilfordecision.TheprovisionaldecisionshallbepresentedtotheSpeaker’sCouncilforratificationassoonaspossible.(118/2003)
Section 7 — Committees
TheParliamentshallhavethefollowingstandingCommittees:TheGrandCommitteeand,asspecializedCommittees,theConstitutionalLawCommittee,theForeignAffairsCommittee,theFinanceCommittee,theAuditCommittee,theAdministrationCommittee,theLegalAffairsCommittee,theTransportandCommunicationsCommittee,theAgricultureandForestryCommittee,theDefenceCommittee,theEducationandCultureCommittee,theSocialAffairsandHealthCommittee,theCommerceCommittee,theCommitteefortheFuture,theEmploymentandEqualityCommittee,andtheEnvironmentCommittee.(609/2007)
TheParliamentmayestablishtemporaryCommittees.ThetermofatemporaryCommitteeshallcontinueuntilithascompleteditstask.
TheGrandCommitteeshalladoptitsownrulesofprocedure.
Section 8 — Membership in Committees
TheGrandCommitteeshallhave25membersand13alternatemembers.ThestandingspecialCommitteesshallhave17membersand9alternatemembers,savefortheFinanceCommittee,whichshallhave21membersand19alternatemembersandtheAuditCommittee,whichshallhave11membersand6alternatemembers(609/2007).
TheParliamentshalldecideonthenumberofmembersandalternatemembersinatemporaryCommittee.
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Wherenecessary,theParliamentmay,ontheproposaloftheCommitteeinquestion,decidetoincreasethenumberofalternatemembersintheGrandCommitteeorthenumberofmembersoralternatemembersinanotherCommittee.
Section 9 — Excuse from membership
ARepresentativewhohasalreadybeenelectedamemberoftwoCommitteesshallhavetherighttorefusemembershipinadditionalCommittees.
Foravalidreason,theParliamentmay,ontherequestofaRepresentative,excusehimorherfrommembershipinaCommittee.
Section 10 — Representation of the Parliament in international bodies
TheParliamentshallelectfromamongitsmembers:
1.foreachparliamentarysession,18membersandanequalnumberofalternatemembersfortheFinnishdelegationtotheNordicCouncil;
2.duringthefirstannualsessioninaparliamentaryterm,fivemembersoftheFinnishdelegationtotheCouncilofEuropeandthesamenumberofalternatemembers;aswellas(1190/2006)
3.foreachelectoralterm,sixdelegatesandanequalnumberofalternatedelegatesfortheParliamentaryAssemblyoftheOrganisationforSecurityandCooperationinEurope,saiddelegatesformingtheFinnishdelegationtotheParliamentaryAssembly.
If,underaninternationalagreement,theParliamentistoparticipateintheactivitiesofanotherbody,theParliamentshalldecideontheelectionofitsrepresentativestherein.
TherepresentativesoftheParliament,referredtoinparagraphs(1)and(2),shallsubmitannualreportstotheParliamentontheiractivities.TheSpeaker'sCouncilmayissuegeneralinstructionsonhowtherepresentativesreferredtoinparagraph2shallbeincontactwithParliamentanditsorgans.(1023/2009)
Section 11 — Parliamentary Ombudsman
AvacancyforthepositionofParliamentaryOmbudsmanorDeputyOmbudsmanshallbeannouncedinthemannerdecidedbytheSpeaker’sCouncil.TheelectionshalltakeplaceaftertheConstitutionalLawCommitteehasevaluatedthecandidates.
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TheParliamentaryOmbudsmanshallsubmitanannualreporttotheParliament,asreferredtoinsection109oftheConstitution;wherenecessary,theOmbudsmanmaysubmitalsospecialreportstotheParliament.
Section 12 —Repealed (9.5.2007/609)
Section 13 — Governors of the Bank of Finland and auditors of the Bank ofFinland (1190/2006)
Foreachelectoralterm,theParliamentshallelectninegovernorstosupervisetheoperationsoftheBankofFinlandandtheadministrationofthefundsforwhichtheParliamentisresponsible.ThegovernorsshallsubmitanannualreporttotheParliament;wherenecessary,theymaysubmitalsospecialreportstotheParliament.Everyyear,theParliamentshallelecttheauditorsoftheBankofFinland,inaccordancewiththespecificprovisionsthereon.TheauditorsshallserveatthesametimeastheauditorsresponsiblefortheParliament’sfunds.
Section 14 — Auditors of the Parliament
TheParliamentshallelectfromamongitsmembersthreeauditorsandadesignateddeputyforeachauditor.TheauditorselectedbytheParliamentshallthenselectafourthauditorandhisorherdeputy,asprovidedinmoredetailintheParliament’sFinanceRules.
TheauditorsoftheParliamentshallauditthefinancesandadministrationoftheParliament.TheauditorsshallsubmitanannualauditreporttotheParliament.
Section 15 — Board of the Library of Parliament
Foreachelectoralterm,theParliamentshallelecttheboardoftheLibraryofParliament,inaccordancewiththespecificprovisionsthereon.
TheboardshallsubmitanannualreporttotheParliament.
Section 16 — Elections
TheParliamentshallholdelectionsasprovidedinmoredetailintheParliament’sElectionRules.ApersonalelectionshallbeheldinthesamemannerastheelectionoftheSpeaker,unlessotherwiseprovidedelsewhere.Thereshallbenodebateduringanelection.
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TheParliamentshallelecttheSecretaryGeneralafterthevacancyhasbeenannouncedandtheOfficeCommissionhassubmitteditsopiniononthecandidates.Ifthereareseveralcandidates,anelectionoftheSecretaryGeneralshallbeheld.
TheParliamentshallelecttheDirectoroftheStateAuditOfficeafterthevacancyhasbeenannouncedandtheFinanceCommitteehasevaluatedthecandidates.Ifthereareseveralcandidates,anelectionoftheDirectoroftheStateAuditOfficeshallbeheld.
Section 17 — Appointment and organisation of committees (1190/2006)
TheParliamentshallappointthepermanentcommitteeswithoutdelayafterithasassembledforthefirstannualsessionofaparliamentaryterm.OntheproposaloftheSpeaker’sCouncil,acommitteemaybere-appointedaftertheCouncilofStatehasbeenappointedfollowingageneralelection.(1190/2006)
Committeesshallconstitutethemselveswithoutdelayaftertheyhavebeenappointed.
Foritsterm,eachCommitteeshallelectfromamongitsmembersachairpersonandadeputychairperson.UnlesstheCommitteeunanimouslydecidesotherwise,theprovisionsontheelectionoftheSpeakerapply,insofarasappropriate,totheelection.TheoutcomeoftheelectionofthechairpersonandthedeputychairpersonshallbeannouncedtotheParliament.
ThefirstmeetingofaCommitteeshallbeconvenedbyitsoldestmember.Thatmembershallpresideuntilthechairpersonhasbeenelected.
IfthechairpersonandthedeputychairpersonoftheCommitteearedisqualifiedfromtheconsiderationofamatterorpreventedfromattendingameetingoftheCommittee,atemporarychairpersonshallbeelectedfortheCommittee.Theelectionshallbeheldinthesamemannerastheelectionofthechairperson.
Theprovisionsofthissectionapply,insofarasappropriate,alsototheorganisationoftheotherparliamentaryorgans.
Section 18 — Rules of procedure of the parliamentary organs (609/2007)
TheParliamentshalladopt,ontheproposaloftheSpeaker’sCouncil,therulesofprocedureoftheParliamentaryOmbudsman,thegovernorsoftheBankofFinlandandthetrusteesoftheSocialInsuranceInstitution.Inaddition,theParliamentmayadoptothernecessaryrulesofprocedure.
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Chapter 3 —The initiation of matters in the Parliament
Section 19 — Announcement of matters
TheSpeakershallannounce,inaplenarysession,thearrivalofagovernmentproposal,acommunication,astatement,areport,anannualreport,adecreeoranothersubordinateactordecisionandcitizens’initiativeforconsiderationbytheParliament.(1272/2011)
TheSpeakershallalsoannouncethewithdrawalofagovernmentproposaloraparliamentarymotion.Ifagovernmentproposalormotioniswithdrawn,itsconsiderationshallcease.
Section 20 — Parliamentary motions
ParliamentarymotionsshallbesubmittedtotheCentralOffice.Themotionshallincludebriefjustifications.Asinglemotionmaynotincludeunconnectedmatters,normayabudgetmotionproposemorethanonebudgetitemorotherdecision.(71/2011)
AparliamentarymotionmaybesubmittedwhentheParliamentisinsession.AbudgetarymotionmaybeputforwardonlyonthebasisofabudgetproposalsubmittedtotheParliament;themotionmustbeputforwardatthelatestatnoononthetenthdayaftertheannouncementofthearrivaloftheproposal.Abudgetarymotiononthebasisofasupplementarybudgetproposaloraproposalcomplementingabudgetproposalshallbeputforwardatthelatestatnoononthefourthdayaftertheannouncementofthearrivaloftheproposal.(118/2003)
Thefirstsignatoryofaparliamentarymotionmaywithdrawthemotioninwriting.
Section 21 — Proposals on parliamentary work (71/2011)
ARepresentativeshallhavetherighttoproposetheamendmentoftheParliament’sRulesofProcedure,theestablishmentofatemporaryCommitteeandothermatterswithinthecompetenceoftheParliament,unlesstherearespecificprovisionsontheinitiationofsuchmatters.TheproposalshallbesubmittedtotheCentralOffice.Wherenecessary,theSpeaker’sCouncilmayissueastatementontheproposal.
Section 22 — Interpellations (71/2011)
AninterpellationshallbesubmittedtotheCentralOffice.Theinterpellationshallthenbepresentedinplenarysessionandsent,withoutdebate,totheGovernmentforareply.
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Thereplytotheinterpellationshallbegiven,atatimeagreedwiththeSpeaker,within15daysoftheinterpellationhavingbeenmadeknowntotheGovernment.
AvoteonconfidenceintheGovernmentoraMinistershallbeconductedif,inthecourseofthedebateonaninterpellation,avoteofnoconfidenceintheGovernmentoraMinisterhasbeenproposed.TheParliamentmaydecidetoreferthemattertoaCommittee,whichshallmakeaproposalconcerningthedecisiontobemadebytheParliament.
Section 23 — Government statements and government reports (71/2011)
AGovernmentstatementandaGovernmentreportshallbepresentedtotheParliament,afterwhichitshallbetakenupfordeliberationinaplenarysession.
AvoteonconfidenceintheGovernmentoraMinistershallbeconductedif,inthecourseofthedebateonaGovernmentstatement,avoteofnoconfidenceintheGovernmentoraMinisterhasbeenproposed.TheParliamentmaydecidetoreferthemattertoaCommittee,whichshallmakeaproposalconcerningthedecisiontobemadebytheParliament.
WhenadebateonaGovernmentreporthasbeenconcluded,theParliamentshalldecidetowhichCommitteethematteristobereferredaswellaswhetheroneormoreCommitteesshallsubmittheirstatement(s)onthemattertotheCommitteepreparingthematter.TheCommitteeshallproposethewordingofstatementofopinionontheGovernmentreport.However,ParliamentmaydecidenottoreferthemattertoaCommittee,inwhichcasetheParliamentdoesnotadoptanopinionontheGovernmentreport.
Section 24 — Prime Minister’s announcements
AnannouncementbythePrimeMinister,oraMinisterdesignatedbythePrimeMinister,onatopicalissueshallbepresentedtoParliamentatatimeagreedwiththeSpeaker.(71/2011)
TheSpeakershalldecidewhethertoallowdebateontheannouncement.Thefloormaybegivennotwithstandingtheprovisionsinsection50.WhentheSpeakerdeemsthattherehasbeensufficientdebate,heorsheshallclosethedebate.(895/2012)
Section 25 — Question time (895/2012)
TheSpeaker’sCouncilmaydecidethatadebatebeheldinplenarysessiontoallowfortheRepresentativestoputquestionstoMinisters(questiontime).
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Inthedebateduringaquestiontime,thefloormaybegivennotwithstandingtheprovisionsinsection50.TheSpeakershallgivethefloortoRepresentativesforbriefquestionsandtoMinistersforresponsesasheorsheseesfit.WhentheSpeakerdeemsthattherehasbeensufficientdebate,heorsheshallclosethedebate.
TheSpeaker’sCouncilshallissuemoredetailedinstructionsonthematter.
Section 26 — Topical debates
ARepresentativemayproposetotheSpeaker’sCouncilthatadebatebeheldinplenarysessiononagiventopicalissue.(71/2011)
TheSpeaker’sCouncilshalldecideonwhethertoholdatopicaldebate.Thefloormaybegivennotwithstandingtheprovisionsinsection50.WhentheSpeakerdeemsthattherehasbeensufficientdebate,heorsheshallclosethedebate.(895/2012)
TheSpeaker’sCouncilshallissuemoredetailedinstructionsonthematter.
Section 27 — Written questions
ARepresentativemayposeawrittenquestiontoaMinisteronamatterwithinthecompetenceoftheMinister.Thequestion,whichmusthaveadefinedcontent,shallbesubmittedtotheSpeaker,whoshallthensendittotheGovernment.Aquestioncanbeposedalsoduringaninterruptionoftheparliamentarysession.
Theanswertoawrittenquestionshallbegivenwithin21daysofthequestionbeingsenttotheGovernment.Thereceiptofrepliestowrittenquestionsshallberecordedintheminutesoftheplenarysession.(71/2011)
Thefirstsignatoryofaquestionmaywithdrawthequestioninwriting.
Foraspecialreason,theParliamentmay,ontheproposaloftheSpeaker’sCouncil,decidethateachRepresentativemayposeonlyalimitednumberofwrittenquestionsduringaparliamentarysessionorapartofasession.
Section 28 — Certain matters of criminal liability
Theinitiation,intheConstitutionalLawCommittee,ofamatterconcerningthelegalresponsibilityofaMinister,asreferredtoinsection115oftheConstitution,shallbeannouncedinplenarysession.
AcommunicationpertainingtothePresidentoftheRepublic,asreferredtoinsection113oftheConstitution,shallbepresentedtotheParliamentandreferred,withoutdebate,totheConstitutionalLawCommitteeforanopinion.
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Section 29 — Declarations of personal interests (63/2015)
AcommunicationoftheGovernment,containinganaccountofthepersonalinterestsofaMinister,asreferredtoinsection63(2)oftheConstitution,shallbepresentedtotheParliament.Adebateonthemattershallbeheldinplenarysession.TheParliamentshallnotmakeadecisiononthebasisofthecommunication.ThesameprovisionsapplywhensomeoneelsethanaMinistermakesastatutorydeclarationofpersonalintereststotheParliament.ProvisionsondeclarationofpersonalinterestsofaRepresentativeisprovidedinSection76a.
Section 30 —European Union matters. (1023/2009)
TheSpeakershallreferacommunicationoftheGovernment,referredtoinsection96(2)oftheConstitutiontotheGrandCommitteeortheForeignAffairsCommittee,dependingonthenatureofthematter.Atthesametime,theSpeakershalldesignatetheCommitteethatistoprovideastatementtotheGrandCommitteeortheForeignAffairsCommittee.TheGrandCommitteeortheForeignAffairsCommitteemaysetadeadlineforthestatementofthatCommittee.
ThereferralofthecommunicationoftheGovernmenttotheCommitteesshallbeannouncedinplenarysession.
DocumentssuppliedtoParliamentbytheEuropeanUnion'sinstitutionsaccordingtotheTreatyonEuropeanUnionthatwasconcludedinLisbonon13December2007(EUTreaty),thatcontainaproposalforalegislativeactshallberecordedasreceivedbytheGrandCommittee,whichshallsendthemtotheappropriatespecialcommitteesaswellastheLegislativeAssemblyofÅlandsothattheymayexpresstotheGrandCommitteetheiropiniononthelegislativeproposalfromtheviewpointoftheprincipleofsubsidiarityasdefinedinArticle5oftheEUTreaty.(1023/2009)
Parliamentmay,ontheproposaloftheGrandCommittee,decidetosendareasonedopinionasreferredtoinArticle6oftheprotocolontheapplicationoftheprinciplesofsubsidiarityandproportionalityattachedtotheEUTreatyanddecideonParliament'spositionregardinganactionasreferredtoinArticle8oftheprotocol.IncasesreferredtoinArticle6oftheprotocol,Parliament'sdecisionandthereportoftheGrandCommitteeshallbeforwardedtotheEuropeanUnion'sinstitutions.(1023/2009)
TheexaminationofaninitiativetakenbytheEuropeanCouncilonthebasisofArticle48(7)oftheEUTreatyshallbesubjecttotheprovisionsinsection32.(1023/2009)
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Section 30 a — Information received by a Committee (895/2012)
OnthemotionofaCommittee,theSpeaker’sCouncilmaydecidethatinformationreferredtoinsection47(2)oftheConstitutionbedebatedinplenarysession;inthisevent,theParliamentshallnotmakeadecisiononthematter.Thefloormaybegivennotwithstandingtheprovisionsinsection50.WhentheSpeakerdeemsthattherehasbeensufficientdebate,heorsheshallclosethedebate.
Section 31 — Supplementary government proposals
AproposalthatsupplementsanearliergovernmentproposalshallbereferredtotheCommitteewhichisdealingwiththeoriginalproposal.ThatCommitteeshalldealwiththeoriginalgovernmentproposalandthesupplementaryproposaljointly.
Section 31a — Audit Committee´s right of initiative (609/2007)
Theauditcommitteemayonitsowninitiativeraiseissuesthatarewithinthecommittee'sremitaccordingtosection90,paragraph1oftheConstitutionandmayissuereportsonthemfortheplenarysession.
Chapter 4 — Preparation of matters for plenary session
Section 32 — Referral to Committee
Governmentproposals,parliamentarymotions,legislativeproposalsleftinabeyance,Actsnotconfirmed,citizens’initiatives,reportssubmittedtotheParliament,decreesandothersubordinateactsanddecisionssubjectedtoparliamentaryscrutiny,andproposalsfortheParliament’sRulesofProcedure,proposalsforactsgoverningparliamentaryofficials,Parliament’sElectionRulesandotherinstructionsandrulesofprocedure,InitiativestakenbytheEuropeanCouncilonthebasisofArticle48(7)oftheEUTreatyaswellastheothermatterssoordained,shallbepreparedinCommitteebeforetheyaretakenupforadecisioninplenarysession.Inaddition,othermattersshallbereferredtoCommitteeforpreparationwhentheParliamentsodecides.(1272/2011)
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Adebate(introductorydebate)shallbeheldinplenarysessionforthepurposeofreferringthesematterstoCommittee.Attheconclusionoftheintroductorydebate,theParliamentshalldecide,ontheproposaloftheSpeaker’sCouncil,towhichCommitteethematterisreferred.TheSpeaker’sCouncilmaydecideonthereferralofasupplementarygovernmentproposaltoCommitteewithoutanintroductorydebate;suchadecisionshallbeannouncedinplenarysession.Section33containsprovisionsonthereferralofpetitionarymotionstoCommittee.
Atthesametime,theParliamentmaydecidethatoneormoreotherCommitteesshallissueastatementtotheCommitteepreparingthematter.
Aproposalontheenactment,amendmentorrepealoftheConstitutionshallbereferredforpreparationtotheConstitutionalLawCommittee.TheannualreportoftheGovernmentshallbereferredforpreparationtotheAuditCommittee.AninitiativetakenbytheEuropeanCouncilasreferredtoinparagraph1shallbesenttotheGrandCommitteeortheForeignAffairsCommitteeforpreparatoryexamination.(1022/2013)
TheParliamentmayissueinstructionstotheCommitteesonthepreparationofthematter.
Section 33 — Referral of petitionary motions to Committee
TheSpeaker’sCouncilshalldecideonthereferralofapetitionarymotiontoCommittee.AnannouncementofthereferralofapetitionarymotiontoCommitteeshallbemadeinplenarysession.
TheSpeaker’sCouncilmayassignthedecisiononthereferralofapetitionarymotiontoCommitteetobemadebytheParliament;inthisevent,anintroductorydebateonthemattershallbeheldinplenarysession.
Section 34 — Order of business (10/2006)
ACommitteeshallwithoutdelaydealwiththemattersreferredtheretoand,asthecasemaybe,issueitsreporttotheplenarysessionoritsstatementtoanotherCommittee.
MattersrelatingtotheconfidenceintheGovernmentoraMinistershallbedealtwithasurgent.Ingeneral,aCommitteeshalldealfirstwithgovernmentproposalsandgovernmentcommunicationsonEuropeanUnionaffairs.(71/2011)
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Governmentproposalsandparliamentarymotionsconcerningthesamemattershallbedealtwithinconjunctionwitheachothershallbethesubjectofajointreport,unlessspecialreasonsrequireadifferentproceduretobefollowed.Committeesshall,however,ensurethatreportsonGovernmentproposalsarenotdelayedbymattersbeingjoined.(10/2006)
TheSpeaker’sCouncilmayissuemoredetailedinstructionsontheorderofbusinesstobefollowedintheCommittees.
Section 35 — Meetings of the Committees
TheCommitteesshallmeetaccordingtotheirworkload.WhentheParliamentisinsession,theCommitteesshallmeetprimarilyonweekdaysotherthanMondayorSaturday.ThechairpersonofaCommitteeshallcalltheCommitteetoameeting.
WhentheparliamentarysessionisinterruptedorwhentheParliamenthasconcludeditswork,aCommitteeshallmeetontheinitiativeofthechairpersonorifatleastonethirdofthemembersoftheCommitteesorequestfromthechairperson.ThechairpersonshallcalltheCommitteetoameetingalsoontherequestoftheGovernment.(71/2011)
WhenthechairpersonofaCommitteeispreventedfromattendingtohisorherduties,theprovisionsinparagraphs(1)and(2)aboveapplytothedeputychairpersonoftheCommittee.IfamemberofaCommitteeispreventedfromattendingameetingoftheCommitteeordisqualifiedfromdealingwiththematterathand,analternatemembershalltakehisorherplace.
Section 36 — Right to be present in Committee meetings
TheSpeakerandtheDeputySpeakershavetherighttobepresentinCommitteemeetings.
WhentheGrandCommitteeisconsideringalegislativematter,everyRepresentativehastherighttobepresentinthemeeting.However,theRepresentativeelectedfromtheconstituencyoftheÅlandIslandshasalwaystherighttobepresentinthemeetingsoftheGrandCommittee.
Section 37 — Hearing of experts
ACommitteemayhearexpertopinions.
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Whenacitizens'initiativeisbeingconsidered,theCommitteeshallreservetherepresentativesoftheinitiative'sauthorsanopportunitytobeheard.WhenalegislativeproposaloranothermatterspecificallyinvolvingtheSámiisbeingconsidered,theCommitteeshallreservetherepresentativesoftheSámianopportunitytobeheard,unlesstherearespecialreasonsforthecontrary.(1272/2011)
Section 38 — Statement of another Committee
ACommitteemayrequestthestatementofanotherCommitteeonamatterunderitspreparationoroninformationreferredtoinsection47(2)oftheConstitution.Inaddition,theGrandCommitteeandtheForeignAffairsCommitteemayrequestthestatementofanotherCommitteeonaproposalorreportreferredtoinsections96and97oftheConstitution.(118/2003)
If,inrespectofalegislativeproposaloranothermatterunderpreparationinaCommittee,aquestionarisesastoitsconstitutionalityorrelationtohumanrightstreaties,theCommitteeshallrequestastatementonthematterfromtheConstitutionalLawCommittee.
Asregardsitsownfieldofcompetence,aCommitteemay,onitsowninitiative,issueastatementontheStatebudgetproposaltotheFinanceCommitteewithin30daysofthereferraloftheproposaltotheFinanceCommittee.
Section 39 — Consideration in Committee (10/2006)
Havingreceivedtheinformationnecessaryforadecisioninthematter,Committeesshallconductapreparatorydiscussion,atwhichitsmembershavetheopportunitytoexpresstheirviewsonthematterinallrespectsandonthebasisofwhichthesecretaryoftheCommitteepreparesadraftofareportorstatement.Ageneraldiscussionshallbeconductedonthebasisofthedraftandthemattergivenadetailedreading,atwhichadecisionismadeontheCommittee’sproposalsaswellasonthereasonstobepresentedinsupportofthereportorstatement.
TheCommitteemaydecideunanimouslytoregardthedetailedreadingastheoneinwhichthefinaldecisioninthematterismade.Inothercases,themattershallbegivenaseparatedecisivereading,basedonthereportorstatementadoptedbytheCommittee.Inthatcase,themembersoftheCommitteeshallbeaccordedtheopportunitytoconductageneraldiscussionandadetailedreadingshallbeconducted.
Aproposalforrejectionshallbedecidedonafterproposalsconcerningthecontentsofthematterhavebeendealtwith.
Uponsecondedproposal,amattershallbedeferredoncetoasubsequentmeetingoftheCommittee.Afterthis,themattershallbedeferrediftheCommitteesodecides.(71/2011)
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ACommitteemaychoosearepresentativefromamongitsownnumbertosubstituteforitschairpersoninpresentingareportorstatementataplenarysessionorattheGrandCommitteewhenastatementismadetoit.
Section 40 — Voting in a Committee (10/2006)
TheCommitteeshalldecideonthevotingproceduretobeusedinagivenmatter.However,anopenvote,inaccordancewiththerollcall,shallbetakenifthechairpersondeemsthisnecessaryoramemberoftheCommitteesodemands.
Intheeventofatiedvote,thedecisionshallbemadebydrawinglots.However,iftheConstitutionalLawCommitteevotesinamatterreferredtoinsection28andthereisatie,themorelenientpositionshallbethedecisionoftheCommittee.
Section 41 — Committee sections
ACommitteemayassignasection,fromamongitsmembers,toprepareamatterunderconsiderationandtodrawupadraftreportorstatement.
TheprovisionsontheconsiderationofmattersinaCommitteeapply,insofarasappropriate,totheconsiderationofmattersinaCommitteesection.
Section 42 — Committee reports and statements (10/2006)
ThereportsandstatementsofaCommitteeshallbeconcise.TheproposalsoftheCommitteeshallbeformulatedasresolutions.Thesameappliestoreservationsanddissentingopinions,unlessthesearelimitedtotheexpressionofapositiondifferentfromthatoftheCommittee.
Areportandastatementshallbearthenamesofthemembersparticipatinginthedecisivereadingofthematter.Ifamemberhasparticipatedonlypartially,thisshallalsobeindicated.
AreservationconcerningareportandadissentingopinionrelatingtoastatementshallbesubmittedgtothesecretaryoftheCommitteewithinthetimedeterminedbytheCommittee.Aprotestandadissentingopinionshallcorrespondtothestanceofthesignatorieswhenthematterwasdecided.(71/2011)
Areport,astatementandtheappendedreservationsanddissentingopinionsshallbescrutinisedbythesecretaryoftheCommittee,unlesstheCommitteedecidesotherwise.
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Section 43 — Committee minutes (10/2006)
MinutesshallbekeptatCommitteemeetings,indicatingthememberspresentandtheexpertsheardaswellastheproposalsanddecisionsmade,withvotes.ThesecretaryoftheCommitteeshallvalidatetheminuteswithhisorhersignature.
CommitteeminutesandotherdocumentsshallbearchivedinaccordancewithseparateinstructionsconfirmedbytheSpeaker’sCouncil.
Section 43a — Publicity of Committee documents (10/2006)
Committeeminutesshallbestoredinaninformationnetworkaccessiblebythepublic.PreparatorydocumentsconcerningamattershallbecomepublicwhenconsiderationofthematterbytheCommitteehasbeenconcluded.However,aparliamentarygroupnotrepresentedonaCommitteeorasectionofaCommitteeshallhavetherighttoreceivecopiesofthedocumentsrelatingtoapendingmatter,unlesstheyaresecret.
ACommittee’sdocumentsshallbekeptsecretifdivulginginformationaboutthemwouldcausesignificantharmtoFinland’sinternationalrelationsortocapitalorfinancialmarkets.Documentscontainingconfidentialcommercialorprofessionalinformationordetailsofaperson’sstateofhealthorfinancialsituationshallbekeptsecretifdivulginginformationonthemwouldcausesignificantharmordamage,unlessacompellingpublicinterestrequirestheirpublication.ACommitteemay,foracomparablecompellingreason,decidethatadocumentistobekeptsecret.
DocumentsdeclaredconfidentialbyaCommitteeinaccordancewithSection50.3oftheConstitutionshallalsobekeptsecret.ArequestbytheGovernmentthataCommitteeobserveconfidentialityinamatterrelatingtoFinland'sinternationalrelationsorEuropeanUnionmattersshallbecompliedwithuntiltheCommitteeinquestionhasmadeadecisionconcerningtherequest.
TheprovisionsofSection31oftheActonOpennessofGovernmentActivities(621/1999)shallapply,whereappropriate,tothelengthoftheperiodforwhichaCommittee’sdocumentsshallbekeptsecret,unlesstheCommitteedecidesonashorterperiod.
TheSpeaker’sCouncilmayissuemoredetailedinstructionsconcerningthepublicityofcommitteedocuments.
Section 44 — Grand Committee (10/2006)
UnlessotherwiseprovidedintheRulesofProcedureoftheGrandCommittee,theprovisionsinsections34,35,37and39—43and43aapply,insofarasappropriate,totheconsiderationofmattersintheGrandCommittee.
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Chapter 5 — Consideration of matters in plenary session
Section 45 — Plenary sessions
PlenarysessionsshallbeheldaccordingtotheworkloadoftheParliament.TheSpeakershallconvenetheplenarysessions,wherepossibleinaccordancewithascheduleofplenarysessionsadoptedbytheSpeaker’sCouncil.PlenarysessionsshallprimarilybeheldonweekdaysotherthanMondayorSaturday.
Section 46 — Agendas of plenary sessions
Theagendasofplenarysessionsshallcontainalistofthematterstobeconsidered,theirstageofconsiderationandthepertinentdocuments.
TheSpeakershalldeterminetheagendasofplenarysessions.Whenmattersarebeingincludedintheagenda,theearlierdecisionsoftheParliamentandthescheduleofplenarysessionsadoptedbytheSpeaker’sCouncilshallbetakenintoaccount.
TheSpeakerhastherighttoalterapostedagendaandtointerrupttheconsiderationofamatter.
Section 47 — Presence
Therollshallbecalledinthebeginningofeachplenarysession.Inaplenarysessionheldlateronthesameday,therollneednotbecalled,atthediscretionoftheSpeaker;inthisevent,theRepresentativespresentintheearlierplenarysessionshallbedeemedpresent.
Arepresentativewhoappearsinplenarysessionwithin15minutesoftherollcall,shallbedeemedtohavebeenpresentintherollcall.ARepresentativeappearinglaterthanthisshallbedeemedtohavebeenpresentasfromthetimewhenheorsheannounceshimselforherselftotheSpeaker.
Subsection3repealed(895/2012)
Section 48 — Recording absence (219/2007)
Arecordofanabsencefromaplenarysessionbecauseofataskassociatedwithparliamentaryworkorduetoillness,maternity,paternityorparentalleaveshallbeenteredintheminutesoftheplenarysession.
TheSpeaker’sCouncilshallissueguidelinesconcerningthetaskstobedeemedasassociatedwithparliamentaryworkaswellasconcerningtherecordingofattendancesandabsences.
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Section 49 — Speaker's duties in plenary sessions
TheSpeakershallchairtheplenarysessionandmaintainordertherein,aswellasmaketheproposalsfordecisionsandforvoting.TheSpeakershallmakeproposalsonlyasisrequiredfortheimplementationoftheConstitution,theParliament’sRulesofProcedureandthedecisionsoftheParliament.
TheSpeakershallseetoitthatthosewhohavethefloorkeeptotheissueunderconsideration.Ifapersonwhohasthefloordigresses,theSpeakershallexhorthimorhertokeeptotheissue.Iftheexhortationisnotheeded,theSpeakermaydenythefloortothepersoninquestion.
Section 50 — Giving the floor
Inplenarysession,theRepresentativesshallbegiventhefloorintheorderofrequests.
Beforethefloorisgiventootherswhorequestit,itshallbegrantedtothespokespersonofaCommitteeand,inthecaseofaparliamentarymotionduringanintroductorydebate,tothefirstsignatoryofthemotion,ortothechairpersonofaParliament-appointedbodythathasgivenitsreport,ifthispersonisaRepresentative,ortoaRepresentativedesignatedbythebody.TheSpeakermaygivetheflooralsotoaspokespersonofaCommitteethathaspresenteditsstatementand,whenaspecialgroundexists,tothefirstsignatoryofareservation,aftertheotherpresentationshavebeenmade.Afteraninterpellationhasbeenrepliedto,thefloorshallbegivenfirsttothefirstsignatoryoftheinterpellation.(10/2006)
TheSpeakermay,athisorherdiscretion,givethefloortoaMinister,theChancellorofJusticeoftheGovernmentortheParliamentaryOmbudsmanbeforeothersrequestingthefloor.
TheSpeaker’sCouncilmayreserveapartofadebateinadvanceforspeeches,whichshallhaveamaximumdurationfixedbytheSpeaker’sCouncil.
Sections24–26and30aapplytothegivingofthefloorduringtopicaldebates,questiontimesandthedebatesarisingfromthePrimeMinister’sannouncements.(895/2012)
TheSpeaker’sCouncilshallissuemoredetailedinstructionsonrequestingthefloorandonspeaking.
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Section 51 — Group speeches
WhenthedebateconcernstheStatebudget,agovernmentstatementorreportoraninterpellation,thefloorshallbegivenforgroupspeeches,unlesstheSpeaker’sCouncildecidesotherwise.TheSpeaker’sCouncilmaydecidethattheflooristobegivenforgroupspeechesalsowhenothersignificantmattersarebeingconsidered.However,theprovisionsinsection50(2)and(3)applytothegivingofthefloorforgroupspeeches.
Theorderofthegroupspeechesshallcorrespondtothesizeoftheparliamentarygroupsconstitutedinthebeginningofanelectoralterm,fromthelargesttothesmallest.TheorderofgroupsofthesamesizeshallbedeterminedbytheSpeaker'sCouncilbydrawinglots.TheSpeaker’sCouncilmayaltertheorderofgroupspeechesif,duringtheelectoralterm,aparliamentarygroupofatleastthreeRepresentativeshasbeenconstitutedorifthereisanotherpersuasivereasonforthealterationoftheorder.
TheSpeaker’sCouncilmaydecidethat,afterthegroupspeeches,otherrequestsforthefloormadebeforethesessioncanbegrantedintheorderreferredtoinparagraph(2).
TheSpeaker’sCouncilshalldecidethestageofthedebateatwhichtheRepresentativesinparliamentarygroupsnotincludedintheorderreferredtoinparagraph(2)canmaketheirspeeches.
TheSpeaker’sCouncilmayissuemoredetailedinstructionsontheapplicationofparagraphs(1)–(4).
Section 52 — Responses
Notwithstandingtheprovisionsinsections50and51,theSpeakermaygivethefloorforbriefresponsesathisorherdiscretion.(895/2012)
TheSpeaker’sCouncilshallissuemoredetailedinstructionsonresponses.
Section 53 — Consideration of a legislative proposal (895/2012)
AmattercontainingalegislativeproposalshallbeconsideredintheplenarysessionintworeadingsonthebasisofthereportofaCommittee.
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Inthefirstreading,thereportoftheCommitteeshallbepresentedandageneraldebateheld.Thecontentofthelegislativeproposalshallthenbeconsideredindetailanddecided.Duringtheconsiderationindetail,thecontentsofthelegislativeproposalmaybeadoptedonthebasisoftheCommitteereportwithoutgoingintothetextoftheactualsections,insofarasthedocumentsonthematterdonotcontainproposalsforalterationsdivergingfromthereportandnosuchproposalshavebeenmadeinaccordancewiththeprocedureprovidedinsection58,either.Inthefirstreading,noproposalshallbemadefortherejectionofthelegislativeproposal.
IfthecontentofthelegislativeproposalisadoptedaccordingtotheCommitteereport,thefirstreadingofthemattershallbeconcluded.Ifthisisnotthecase,themattershallbereferredtotheGrandCommitteeintheformcontainedinthedecisionoftheParliament.TheGrandCommitteemayconcurwiththedecisionoftheParliamentorproposealterationstoit.IftheGrandCommitteeproposesalterations,theParliamentshalldecideonwhethertheseareadoptedornot.Thereafter,thefirstreadingofthemattershallbeconcluded.
Inthesecondreading,whichshalltakeplacenotearlierthanonthethirddayaftertheconclusionofthefirstreading,theParliamentshalldecidetoadoptorrejectthelegislativeproposalaswellasonanystatementsitmaywishtomake.
Aproposalfordeclaringalegislativeproposalurgent,unlessmadeintheCommitteereport,shallbemadeinthesecondreadingofthematterbeforetheconclusionofthedebate.
Duringthefirstreading,theParliamentmayre-referthemattertotheCommitteewhichprepareditortoanotherspecialCommittee,orduringthegeneraldebatetotheGrandCommittee.Thereadingshallresumeonthebasisofthenewreportonceithasbeencompleted.
Section 54 — Consideration of a legislative proposal left in abeyance and anunconfirmed Act
AlegislativeproposalleftinabeyanceandanunconfirmedActshallbeconsideredinplenarysessioninonereading.Inthebeginningofthereading,thereportoftheCommitteeshallbepresentedandadebateonthematterheld.Thereafter,adecisionshallbemadeontheadoptionofthelegislativeproposalortheActwithoutmaterialalterations,oronitsrejection.
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Section 55 — Single reading
Mattersontheagendaoftheplenarysession,otherthanthosereferredtoinsections53and54,tobedecidedonbytheParliamentandnotsubjecttodifferentprovisionselsewhere,shallbeconsideredintheplenarysessioninasinglereading.(895/2012)
Section59containsprovisionsontheconsiderationofaStatebudgetproposal.
Section 56 — Acceptance of international obligations and their denouncement
AmatteroftheacceptanceofinternationalobligationsortheirdenouncementshallbeconsideredinasinglereadingonthebasisofaCommitteereport.
IftheCommitteereportcomprisesproposalsonboththeacceptanceofaninternationalobligationanditsimplementingAct,theproposalontheobligationshallbepresentedforthesinglereadingatthesametimeasthelegislativeproposalispresentedforthesecondreading.TheParliamentshallfirstdecideontheproposalontheobligation.
Section 57 — Deferral (71/2011)
Amattershallbedeferredfromanintroductorydebatetooneoftheclosestfollowingplenarysessions,ifaRepresentativesorequests.Thereafter,themattermaynotbedeferredfromtheintroductorydebate.
ACommitteereportshallfirstbepresentedfordeferraltoasessionthatisheldonthenextdayattheearliest.However,foraspecialreasonParliamentmaydecidetodeferthemattertoaplenarysessionheldlateronthesameday.
Inafirstreadingandinthereadingreferredtoinsections54and55,themattershalluponsecondedproposalbedeferredonce.OtherwisethemattershallbedeferredifParliamentsodecides.
Oncethedebateonagovernmentstatementorreportoraninterpellationhasbegun,themattershallnotbedeferred.TheprovisionsondeferraldonotapplytothePrimeMinister’sannouncementsortotopicaldebates.
Section 58 — Proposals for amendment
AproposalmadebyaRepresentativeinplenarysessionandnotincludedinthedocumentsshallbehandedintotheSpeakerinwriting,iftheSpeakersorequests.
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Aproposalforamendmenttobemadeinthefirstreadingofalegislativematterandnotincludedinthedocumentsshall,ifpossible,beprovidedtotheCentralOfficewithoutastatementofreasons,atleasttwohoursbeforetheplenarysession.TheproposalshallbedistributedtotheRepresentativesbeforeadecisionismadeonthematter.Foraspecialreason,theSpeakermaypresentaproposalforvotingevenifitisproposedlater.(71/2011)
Theprovisionsinparagraph(2)applytoaproposalmadeinthesecondreadingofalegislativematter,aswellastoaproposalmadeinareadingreferredtoinsections54and55,wherenotconcerningrejection.
Section59(2)containsprovisionsonthemakingofproposalsforamendmentduringtheconsiderationoftheStatebudgetproposal.
Section 59 — Consideration of a budget proposal
TheStatebudgetproposalshallbeconsideredinasinglereadinginaplenarysessiononthebasisofareportoftheFinanceCommitteeaccordingtotheprocedureapprovedbytheParliament.Aclassorsectioninthebudgetproposalorachapterthereofshallbenotedtohavebeenadoptedasitappearsinthereport,ifnoproposalsforamendmenttheretohavebeenmadeasprovidedforlaterinthisparagraph.(895/2012)
AproposaltoamendthereportoftheFinanceCommitteeshallbesubmittedtotheCentralOfficewithinthetimedeterminedbytheParliament,evenifitisincludedinthedocuments.Aproposalmadelatershallnotbetakenupforconsideration,unlesstheSpeakerforaspecialreasondeemsitsconsiderationnecessary.(71/2011)
Aproposalconcerningtheinclusionofanewappropriationorotherdecisioninthebudget,notincludedintheGovernmentproposal,canbetakenintoaccountwhenadecisiononthebudgetisbeingmade,onlyifithasbeeninitiatedbywayofabudgetarymotion.(71/2011)
IftheParliamenthasnotadoptedthereportoftheFinanceCommitteewithoutalterations,themattershallbere-referredtotheFinanceCommittee.TheCommitteemayconcurwiththepositionoftheParliamentorproposeamendmentsthereto.IftheCommitteeproposesamendments,theParliamentshalldecidewhethertoadoptorrejectthem.
IfthepublicationoftheStatebudgetisdelayedintothenewbudgetaryyear,theFinanceCommitteeshallproposetotheParliamenthowtheStatebudgetproposalbeappliedasaprovisionalbudget.TheproposaloftheCommitteeshallbeconsidered,insofarasappropriate,inaccordancewiththesameprocedureasthebudgetproposal.
Theprovisionsontheconsiderationofthebudgetproposalapply,insofarasappropriate,totheconsiderationofthesupplementarybudgetproposal.
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Section 60 — Proposals for decision and for voting
Whenthedebateonthematterathandhasbeenconcluded,theSpeakershallpresentasummaryontheproposalsmade.IfanobjectionismadeagainstthesummaryoftheSpeaker,andtheSpeakerconsiderstheobjectionjustified,heorsheshallrectifythesummary.IftheSpeakerconsidersthattheobjectiondoesnotwarrantachangeinthesummary,theParliamentshalldecideonthesummary.(895/2012)
Afterpresentingthesummary,theSpeakershallmakeaproposalfortheorderofvotingontheproposals.IfthereisacallforthealterationoftheSpeaker’sproposalfortheorderofvoting,buttheSpeakerconsidersthecallunwarranted,theParliamentshalldecideontheorderofvoting.
Oncetheorderofvotinghasbeendecided,theSpeakershallpresentthematterforvotingsothatthereply“Yes”or“No”expressesthedecisionoftheParliament.Ifthereareseveralproposalsfordecision,theyshallbevotedononeagainstanother,untilavotehasbeentakenonallofthem.
AproposalmadebyaRepresentative,butnotseconded,shallnotbetakenupforavote.
Thereshallbenootherdebateonthematterscoveredbythissection.Thereshalllikewisebenovotetakenonwhetheravoteshouldbetaken.
Section 61 — Mode of voting
Avoteshallbetakenbythevotingapparatus,bystandinguporbyopenballot.TheSpeakershallannouncethemodeofvoting.Thereshallbenodebateonthemodeofvoting.
Avoteshallbetakenbythevotingapparatus,regardlessofwhetheravotehasalreadybeentakenbystandingup,iftheSpeakerdeemsthisnecessary,ifthevotebystandinguphasintheopinionoftheSpeakernotyieldedaclearresultorifaRepresentativesorequests.
Avoteshallbetakenbyopenballotifthevotingapparatusisoutoforder,ifthevotebyusingthevotingapparatushasintheopinionoftheSpeakernotyieldedaclearresultorifthereisatie.However,ifthereisatieinavotenotpertainingtothefinaldecisionoftheParliamentatthecurrentstageofconsideration,thevoteshallberetakenbythevotingapparatus,andavotebyopenballotshallbetakenonlyifthereisatiealsointhissecondvotebyusingthevotingapparatus.
TheParliament’sElectionRulescontainmoredetailedprovisionsonthevotingprocedureinelections.
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Section 62 — Vote by open ballot
Avotebyopenballotshallbetakeninaccordancewiththerollcall,byusingballotsofvariouscolours.Aballotshallbearthepre-printednameoftheRepresentativeandtheword"Yes","No"or"Abstention”.Aballotnotconformingtothisprovisionshallbevoid.TheRepresentativesshallputtheirballotsintotheballot-boxintheorderthattheirnamesarecalled.Theballotsshallbereadoutaloudandcounted.
Section 63 — Result of a vote
TheSpeakershalldeclaretheresultofavote.
Theresultsofallvotesshallbearchivedandpublished.(895/2012)
Thereshallbenodebateonthismatter.(895/2012)
Section 64 — Reasons in a Committee report
ThereasonscontainedinaCommitteereportshallbedeemedtohavebeenadopted,unlesstheParliamentdecidesotherwise.
Section 65 — Election of the Prime Minister
ThenotificationofthePresidentoftheRepublictotheParliamentconcerningthenomineeforPrimeMinistershallbeintroducedintheParliamentanddeferredtooneofthefollowingsessions.AvoteontheelectionofthenomineeasPrimeMinistershallbetakenbythevotingapparatusorbyopenballot.TheSpeakershallannouncethemodeofvoting.
AnelectionofthePrimeMinister,asreferredtoinsection61(3)oftheConstitution,shallbeheldinaccordancewiththerollcall,byusingballotsbearingonlythepreprintednameoftheRepresentative.TheRepresentativeshallwriteintheballotthenameofthepersonvotedfor,soclearlythatthereisnodoubtastowhothatpersonis,orcastablankballot.Aballotnotconformingtothisprovisionshallbevoid.Theballotsshallbereadoutaloudandcounted.
Theminutesshallcontainanoteonhoweveryonehasvoted.
Thereshallbenodebateonmattersreferredtointhissection.
Section 66 — Maintenance of order in plenary sessions
ThereshallbenoopenexpressionsofapprovalordisapprovalinplenarysessionsoftheParliament.
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ThepersonsfollowingtheplenarysessioninthegalleryshallabidebytheinstructionsissuedbytheOfficeCommissionandtheotherrulesforthemaintenanceoforder.Ifnecessaryforareturntoorder,theSpeakermayhavethegallerycleared.
Section 67 — Closed sessions
IftheSpeakerdeemsthatamatterisbynaturesuchthatitcannotbeconsideredinopensession,orif25Representativesmovethatamatterbeconsideredinclosedsession,theSpeakershallhavethegalleryclearedandproposethattheParliamentdecide,inaccordancewithsection50(1)oftheConstitution,whetherthematteristobeconsideredinclosedsession.
TheParliamentshalldecideontheaccessto,orsecrecyof,theminutesofaclosedsessionandthedocumentsdealtwithduringthesession.
Chapter 6 — Parliamentary documents
Section 68 — Parliamentary replies and communications
ThedecisionoftheParliamentonagovernmentproposalshallbenotifiedtotheGovernmentbywayofaparliamentaryreply.However,theStatebudget,asadoptedbytheParliament,andtheotherdecisionsandnotificationsbytheParliamentshallbenotifiedbywayofaparliamentarycommunication.
Alistshallbedrawnup,forthefinalparliamentarysessionofanelectoralterm,onthegovernmentproposals,decreesandothersubordinateactsanddecisions,andreports,whoseconsiderationhasnotbeenconcludedandwhichhavethereforelapsed.ThelapsedmattersinthelistshallbenotifiedbywayofacommunicationtotheGovernmentor,ifareportwasnotsubmittedbytheGovernment,tothepartywhichsubmittedthereport.
TheSpeakerandtheSecretaryGeneraloftheParliamentshallsigntheparliamentaryrepliesandcommunications.
Wherenecessary,theSpeaker’sCouncilshalldecideontherevisionofthewordingofaparliamentaryreplyorcommunication.
Section 69 — Minutes of plenary sessions (895/2012)
Minutesshallbekeptonplenarysessions,containingnotesontheconsiderationofmattersanddebatesheldinplenarysession.Notesonthedecisionsmadeinplenaryshallbepublishedwithoutdelayinaninformationnetwork.
Aspeechtobenotedintheminutesshallbesubjectedtothescrutinyofthespeaker.Nomaterialalterationsshallbemadeinthespeech.
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IfaRepresentativehasnotconcurredwiththedecisionoftheplenarysession,heorshehastherighttohaveadissentingopinionnotedintheminutes.
TheminutesshallbesignedbytheSecretaryGeneral.Theminutesshallbemadeavailabletothepublicwithoutdelayinaninformationnetwork.
Section 70 — Protocols of plenary sessions
Aprotocolshallbedrawnupofeachplenarysessionwithoutdelay;theprotocolshallcontainnotesonthedecisionsmade.
TheprotocolshallbepubliconcetheSecretaryGeneralhassignedit.
Section 71 — Publication of parliamentary documents (71/2011)
Parliamentarydocumentsshallbemadeavailabletothepublicinaninformationnetwork.TheparliamentarydocumentsshallcontaintheminutesoftheplenarysessionsoftheParliamentandtheabridgedSwedisheditionsoftheminutes,thegovernmentproposals,thecommunicationsonthewithdrawalofgovernmentproposals,theGovernmentcommunicationstotheParliament,thedecreesandothersubordinateactsanddecisionssubjectedtoparliamentaryscrutiny,citizens’initiatives,reports,governmentstatementsandreports,thelistoflegislativeproposalsleftinabeyance,thereportsandstatementsoftheCommittees,theparliamentaryrepliesandcommunications,theparliamentarymotions,interpellationsandwrittenquestionswithreplies.(1272/2011)
Thedocumentsreferredtoinparagraph(1)canadditionallybepublishedinprintorinotherform.
TheSpeaker’sCouncilshallissuemoredetailedguidelinesonpublicationofparliamentarydocuments.
Chapter 7 — Administration of the Parliament
Section 72 — Office Commission
TheOfficeCommissionshallseetotheadministrationoftheParliament.TheOfficeCommissionshallbecomposedoftheSpeaker,theDeputySpeakersandfourmemberselectedbytheParliamentfromamongitsmembers,andfouralternatesforthememberselectedbytheParliament.
TheOfficeCommissionshallhaveaquorumwithfivememberspresent.Intheeventofatiedvote,theSpeakershallhavethecastingvote.TheOfficeCommissionmaymakedecisionsalsowithfourmemberspresent,iftheseareunanimous.
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MattersshallbepresentedtotheOfficeCommissionbytheSecretaryGeneraloftheParliament,bytheDirectorofAdministrationintheParliament,aswellasbytheotherofficialsintheParliamentaryOfficedesignatedbytheOfficeCommissionaspresentingofficials.
Wherenecessary,theOfficeCommissionmayconvenealsowhentheparliamentarysessionisinterruptedandwhentheParliamenthasconcludeditswork.
IfamatterwithinthecompetenceoftheOfficeCommissionissourgentthatthereisnotimetopresentittotheOfficeCommission,theSpeakershallmakeaprovisionaldecisiononthematteruponthepresentationofapresentingofficial.TheprovisionaldecisionshallbepresentedfortheapprovaloftheOfficeCommissionassoonaspossible.
Section 73 — Duties of the Office Commission
TheOfficeCommissionshall:
1.manage,superviseanddeveloptheadministrationandfinancesoftheParliament,andconsiderpertinentplansanddevelopmentproposals;
2.makeproposalsontheadministrationandfinancesoftheParliament;
3.decide,insofarasspecificallysoprovided,ontheappointmentstoapositionoratemporarypositionintheParliamentaryOffice,aswellasonthedismissalofofficialsortheterminationoftheirposition;
4.decide,insofarasspecificallysoprovided,onleaveofabsenceforofficialsintheParliamentaryOfficeandontheirtemporaryreplacements;
5.afterhavingheardtheCommitteesinquestion,appointthesecretariesoftheCommittees;
6.decidetheothermatterspertainingtotheadministrationandfinancesoftheParliament,wherethesehavenotbeenassignedtotheSpeakeroranofficialintheParliamentaryOffice;
7.putforwardinitiativesfortheadoptionoftheParliament’sFinanceRules;
8.decideontheArchiveRulesoftheParliament;and
9.decideontheothermattersthatareassignedtoitbyanAct,theseRulesofProcedure,otherinstructions,orotherrulesofprocedure.
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Section 74 — The Parliamentary Office
TheParliamentaryOfficeshallcreateandmaintaintheconditionsinwhichtheParliamentcanperformitstasksasanorganoftheState.
TheParliamentaryOfficeshalloperateunderthesupervisionoftheOfficeCommission.
Section 75 — Secretary General of the Parliament
TheSecretaryGeneral,electedbytheParliament,shallactasthesecretaryoftheParliamentandastheheadoftheParliamentaryOffice.
IftheofficeofSecretaryGeneralisvacantortheSecretaryGeneralispreventedfromattendingtohisorherduties,theDeputySecretaryGeneralshallperformthedutiesofSecretaryGeneral.IfalsotheDeputySecretaryGeneralisprevented,theSpeakershallinviteasuitablepersontoperformthedutiesofSecretaryGeneral.
Chapter 8 — Miscellaneous provisions
Section 76 — Languages used in parliamentary work
TheconsiderationofamatterintheParliamentshallbebasedonitsFinnishtext;theSwedishtextshallbedrawnupbytheParliamentaryOffice.
Acitizens'initiativesubmittedforParliament'sconsiderationshallbetranslatedintoFinnishorSwedishattheParliamentaryOffice.(1272/2011)
TheproposalsoftheOfficeCommissiontotheplenarysessionshallbetranslatedintoSwedish.
TheSpeaker’ssummaryofproposalsmade,aswellasthenotificationreferredtoinsection42(2)oftheConstitution,shallbemadebothinFinnishandinSwedish.AlsotheothernotificationsoftheSpeakershallbemadeinSwedish,ifheorshedeemsthisnecessary.ThecontentsofaspeechmadeinplenarysessioninSwedishshallbesummarisedinFinnish.
ThecontentsofspeechesmadeinFinnish,theSpeaker’sproposalsforvotingandthenotificationsmadebytheSpeakeronlyinFinnish,shallbeprivatelyinterpretedtoSwedish-speakingRepresentatives,iftheysowish.
TheCommitteesshalldecideontheinterpretationneededintheirmeetings.However,thecourseofameetingshallbeprivatelyinterpretedtoamemberoftheCommittee,ifheorshesowishes.
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Section 76 a — Representative's personal interests (63/2015)
ARepresentativeshall,withintwomonthsfromwhenhisorhercredentialshavebeenexamined,provideParliamentwithanaccountofanyoutsideduties,commercialactivities,interestsasanownerinbusinessesandothersignificantassetswhichmaybeofrelevanceinevaluatinghisorherperformanceasaRepresentative.Significantchangesinthepersonalinterestsduringtheelectoraltermshallbedeclaredwithintwomonthsfromwhenthechangeoccurred.
ARepresentativeshallalsoprovideParliamentwithanaccountofsuchincomereceivedfromoutsidedutiesandcommercialactivitieswhichmaybeofrelevanceinevaluatinghisorherperformanceasaRepresentative.SuchincomeshallbedeclaredeachcalendaryearbytheendofJuneoftheyearfollowingtheyearwhentheincomewasaccrued.
TheaccountsofpersonalinterestsaresubmittedtotheCentralOffice.IfaRepresentative,despitearequesttodoso,failstosubmitanaccountofhisorherpersonalinterests,theSpeakershallannouncethisattheplenarysessionoftheParliament.
Section 76 b —Register of personal interests (63/2015)
TheCentralOfficemaintainsaregisterofpersonalinterestsdeclaredbytheRepresentatives.Theinformationispublicandmadeaccessibletothepubliconapublicinformationnetwork.OnceapersonnolongerholdsofficeasaRepresentative,theinformationisremovedfromtheregisterandtheinformationnetwork
Section 77 — Suspension of the office of Representative
ARepresentativewhohasbeenelectedasaMemberoftheEuropeanParliamentshallnotifytheSpeakerwhetherheorshewillchoosetoserveasaRepresentativeorwhetherheorshewillserveasaMemberoftheEuropeanParliament.AfteranelectiontotheEuropeanParliament,thenotificationshallbemadebeforetheEuropeanParliamentconvenesinitsfirstplenarysession.Afterparliamentaryelections,thenotificationshallbemadeatthelatestatnoononthethirddayafterthescrutinyoftheRepresentative’scredentials.IftheRepresentativehaschosentoserveasaMemberoftheEuropeanParliament,hisorherofficeofRepresentativeshallbesuspendedasfromthedatewhenthecredentialsofthesubstituteRepresentativehavebeenexamined.
Section 78 — Notifications to constituency electoral boards
IfaRepresentativediesorceasestoexercisetheofficeofaRepresentative,theSecretaryGeneralshallwithoutdelaynotifythesametotheelectoralboardoftheappropriateconstituency.
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IfaRepresentativeservesasaMemberoftheEuropeanParliament,theSecretaryGeneralshallwithoutdelaynotifythesametotheelectoralboardoftheappropriateconstituency.
Section 79 — Calculation of time limits in parliamentary work
Ifastatutoryfixeddateorthedateofexpirationofastatutorydeadlinefallsonaholiday,IndependenceDay,theFirstofMay,ChristmasEve,MidsummerEveoraSaturday,thefollowingweekdayshallbedeemedtobethefixeddateorthedateofexpiration.
Thetimelimitforameasuretobetakenduringaparliamentarysessionshallnotrunwhilethesessionisinterrupted.TheremainderofthetimelimitshallbegintorunonthedaywhentheParliamentreconvenesinsession.
Theprovisioninparagraph(2)doesnotapplytothetimelimitforthereplytoawrittenquestion.
Section 80 — Notices of plenary sessions and Committee meetings (71/2011)
Anoticeofaplenarysessionandoftheagendathereofshallbemadeaswellinadvanceoftheplenarysessionaspossible.TheSpeaker’sCouncilshalldecidethemodeofnotice.
AnoticeofaCommitteemeetingshallbeannouncedingoodtimebeforethemeeting
Chapter 9 — Entry into force
Section 81
TheseRulesofProcedureenterintoforceon1March2000.
TheseRulesofProcedurerepealtheParliamentaryRulesofProcedureof19
December1927,aslateramended.
***
Theamendment118/2003entersintoforceon1March2003.
Theamendment10/2006entersintoforceon1February2006.
Theamendment1190/2006entersintoforceon22March2007.
Theamendment219/2007entersintoforceon22March2007.
Theamendment609/2007entersintoforceon1June2007.
32
Theamendment1023/2009entersintoforceon15December2009.
Theamendment71/2011entersintoforceon1May2011.
Theamendment1272/2011entersintoforceon1March2012.
Theamendment895/2012entersintoforceon1January2013.
Theamendment1022/2013entersintoforceon1January2014.
Theamendment63/2015entersintoforceon22April2015.Theprovisionsin76a(2)arenotappliedtoincomeaccruedbeforetheentryintoforceofthisDecision.