Parliament finalizes 17 bills
September 27, 2024
The Federal Assembly concluded the fall session on Friday with the final votes. 17 bills have been approved by parliament:
- by 131 votes to 61 with 3 abstentions (National Council) and 31 votes to 10 without abstentions (Council of States) amendments to the Environmental Protection Act, which regulate the construction of residential buildings in areas with high levels of noise pollution and the remediation of polluted sites;
- by 124 votes to 67 with 4 abstentions (National Council) and 29 votes to 13 without abstentions (Council of States) amendments to the Nature and Cultural Heritage Protection Act, which restrict the right of associations to lodge complaints about smaller residential buildings in building areas;
- by 133 votes to 61 with one abstention (National Council) and 31 votes to 11 with no abstentions (Council of States), the federal resolution recommending that Parliament reject the Young Greens' environmental responsibility initiative to the people and the cantons;
- by 127 votes to 68 with no abstentions (National Council) and 38 votes to 4 with no abstentions (Council of States) amendments to the Swiss Federal Railways Act, which allow a capital subsidy to SBB and regulate loans from the Confederation to SBB;
- by 113 votes to 79 with 3 abstentions (National Council) and 29 votes to 12 with one abstention (Council of States) to extend the federal government's daycare stimulus program until the end of 2026;
- by 133 votes to 62 with no abstentions (National Council) and 42 votes to 0 with no abstentions (Council of States) the law on budget relief, under which the unemployment insurance fund will receive less money from the federal government for five years;
- by 174 votes to 13 with 7 abstentions (National Council) and 42 votes to 0 without abstentions (Council of States) an amendment to the Forest Act, according to which forest owners and purchasers of raw timber can agree on target prices in future;
- by 195 votes to 0 with no abstentions (National Council) and 42 votes to 0 with no abstentions (Council of States) amendments to the law on the processing of compulsory welfare measures and placements prior to 1981, so that solidarity contributions from cantons and municipalities to victims do not lead to a reduction in any bridging or supplementary benefits;
- by 195 votes to 0 with no abstentions (National Council) and 41 votes to 0 with no abstentions (Council of States) for an amendment to the Language Act to allow the federal government to promote Italian and Romansh outside the traditional areas;
- by 105 votes to 65 with 25 abstentions (National Council) and 41 votes to 1 with no abstentions (Council of States), amendments to the Research Promotion Act that simplify the planning of infrastructure for the Cern nuclear research center;
- by 195 votes to 0 with no abstentions (National Council) and 42 votes to 0 with no abstentions (Council of States) the Act on the Conclusion of International Agreements on the Recognition of Professional Qualifications;
- by 195 votes to 0 with no abstentions (National Council) and 42 votes to 0 with no abstentions (Council of States) the Agreement between Switzerland and the United Kingdom on the recognition of professional qualifications.
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