Member’s Bill in the name of Julie Anne Genter drawn from the ballot on June 8. The Bill amends the Misuse of Drugs Act to make a specific exemption for any person with a qualifying medical condition to cultivate, possess or use the cannabis plant and/or cannabis products for therapeutic purposes, provided they have the support of a registered medical practitioner. The exemption for cultivation and possession would also apply to an immediate relative or any other person nominated by the person with such a diagnosis, for the sole purpose of administering or supplying cannabis or its related products to the person. Transferred to Chlöe Swarbrick.  Defeated by 47 to 73 at its first reading on Jan 31. Opponents said it would be de facto decriminalisation. Some National MPs had indicated they would vote for the bill, but in the end all its MPs opposed. All NZ First MPs voted against the bill as did some in Labour. Most Labour MPs, ACT’s David Seymour and all Green MPs backed it. Some of those who were sympathetic to the bill voted against it as they were convinced the Government’s much narrower bill was a better vehicle to debate the issues.. Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis and Other Matters) Amendment Bill

Introduced on Dec 20. The Bill creates an exception and a statutory defence for terminally ill people to possess and use illicit cannabis. It creates a regulation-making power to set standards for cannabis products manufactured, imported, and supplied under licence must meet; and amends the law so cannabidiol (CBD) and CBD products are no longer classed as controlled drugs. Completed first reading on January 30 and was referred to the Health Committee with all parties in support. A number of MPs expressed personal concern about the further progress of the Bill and others said it was far too restrictive in terms of decriminalisation. There was general agreement the issues should be examined at select committee. Reported back on July 25 with the evenly divided committee unable to agree on changes, but the report included a raft of changes they considered. National also began promoting a draft Bill on the same subject but was refused leave to introduce it, so it will have to go through the Ballot process. After talks between the governing parties the second reading debate was held on Nov 29. The Government indicated it would be introducing a number of amendments. These included around the defence also covering those requiring “palliation” and clarification about what the regulations would cover in terms of supply and standards, and how those supplying to qualifying people would be treated. National supported the Bill, but expressed doubts around the lack of detail around what would be in the regulatory framework. Second reading completed on Nov 29. Committee stage completed on Dec 5 with changes made along the lines of agreement with the Government parties. National suggestions for a more detailed regime were rejected and the third reading was completed on Dec 11 with just National opposed. Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Amendment Bill

Introduced on July 28, a member’s Bill in the name of Shane Reti. It proposes a new medicinal cannabis regulatory scheme to license domestic medicinal cannabis production, regulate health practitioner controlled gateway access, and facilitate pharmacist dispensing. First reading on March 10 and voted down with just National and ACT in support.
Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Amendment Bill (No 2)

Introduced on August 9. The Bill tidies up flaws and oversights in the stock animal monitoring system after problems were highlighted in the last year. First reading, second reading and committee stage all completed under Urgency on August 15. National did support the bill, but strongly opposed parts of it. In particular they expressed concerns about the power for officials to conduct searches of farmers homes. They said it was an extension of powers beyond those originally contemplated. Government parties maintained it was envisaged and aligned the powers and protections contained in the Search and Surveillance Act. Third reading completed on August 16 with all parties in agreement. National Animal Identification and Tracing Amendment Bill

The Bill introduced on July 23 makes changes to NAIT system as a result of the recommendations of the OSPRI-led Review 2016-18 and addresses issues identified during Mycoplasma bovis response. First reading on July 30 with all parties in support and sent to the Primary Production Committee with a Nov 4 report back. Reported back on Oct 31 with a large number of changes including placing an obligation on those transporting animals. Second reading completed on Nov 12 with National supporting despite concerns some of the obligations may be unfair. Committee stage Nov 19. Third reading Dec 10 all parties in support. National Animal Identification and Tracing Amendment Bill (No 2)

Introduced on Nov 15. The bill replaces and repeals the Resource Management Act in tandem with the Spatial Planning Bill. The NBEA will lay out the framework for regulating both environmental management and land use planning. Its intent is to enable use and development within environmental limits and targets. First reading on Nov 22 with National, Act and Te Paati Māori opposed. Sent to the environment committee. Reported back on June 27 with extensive changes but the initial intent of the bill intact. National, Act and Green party all filing minority reports. National pledged to repeal the RMA reform bills before Christmas if elected to govt saying the replacement would be worse than the original. Second reading completed on July 18 with Labour, Greens and Kerekere in favour. Committee stage completed on Aug 1. Third reading on Aug 15 with National, Act and Te Paati Māori opposed.

Natural and Built Environment Bill

Introduced on March 16. This bill replaces the Earthquake Commission Act 1993 and changes the name of the Earthquake Commission to Toka Tū Ake – Natural Hazards Commission. The overarching objectives of the changes are to enable better community recovery from natural hazards, to clarify the role of the Commission and the cover provided. First reading on March 30 and sent to the Finance and Expenditure Committee with all parties in agreement. Reported back on Sept 29 with minor changes. Second reading on Nov 15 with all parties in favour. Committee stage completed on Nov 8. Third reading on Feb 21 with all parties in favour.

Natural Hazards Insurance Bill

Establishes a natural health products regulator in the Ministry of Health; requires online registration of natural health products; requires assessment and regulation of ingredients, claims and evidence of health benefits and manufacturing standards; lists prohibited ingredients; requires notification of new ingredients before marketing; exempts some categories. The select committee had difficulty balancing consumer choice, public health safety, light regulation when risk is low, and scientific evidence. It tightened provisions on allowable health benefit claims except where the claim is based on traditional use. Greens opposed this tightening and the proposal to charge fees. First reading Sept 2011 report back from select committee was delayed until Oct 2012. Second reading in March 2013 and now awaiting clause-by-clause debate. After becoming stalled the Government tabled sweeping amendments on March 15 2016. They widen the definition of natural health and supplementary product with a definition of natural health product. The widening of the definition means manufacturers of any natural health product must comply with the requirements of this Bill. However, the requirement for a natural health product to contain only permitted substances will continue to apply to natural health products for sale or export. The Government had indicated it was ready to proceed with the committee stage. However an intense lobbying campaign from some in the sector, particularly exporters, has seen the bill once again parked down the Order Paper. Lapsed August 22 2017. Natural Health and Supplementary Products Bill

Introduced on Nov 22. The bill requires the New Plymouth District Council to use its Perpetual Investment Fund for purposes that primarily benefit current and future New Plymouth communities. The fund was set up in 2004 from the sale of the council’s shareholding in PowerCo for $259m. First reading on Dec 7 with all parties in favour and sent to the governance and administration committee. Reported back on May 5 with minor changes. Second reading on May 10 with all parties in favour. Committee stage on June 7 and third reading June 28 with all parties in favour.

New Plymouth District Council (Perpetual Investment Fund) Bill

Introduced on March 18, 2020 the Bill provides a mechanism for the Executive and the House to consider, and, if they think fit, respond to, a declaration of inconsistency made under the NZ Bill of Rights Act or the Human Rights Act. First reading on May 27 and referred to the Privileges Committee, opposed by National. Report back due by March 4, 2021. Reported back on Sept 30 with minor changes and National now accepting it is a worthwhile piece of legislation. Second reading May 11 with all parties in favour. Committee stage Aug 2 and third reading on Aug with no opposition  New Zealand Bill of Rights (Declarations of Inconsistency) Amendment Bill