Introduced on July 11 2018. The bill is one of three cognate omnibus bills amending legislation administered by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. The Bills address regulatory duplication, gaps, errors, and inconsistencies. The bills also update legislation and aim to reduce compliance costs. The Regulatory Systems (Workforce) Amendment Bill received its first reading on Feb 21 and referred to the Education and Workforce Committee. Reported back on May 31 with changes to clarify entitlements to parental paid leave. Committee stage of all three bills completed on Oct 22. Third reading of all three bills completed on Nov 7. Regulatory Systems (Economic Development) Amendment Bill Regulatory Systems (Housing) Amendment Bill Regulatory Systems (Workforce) Amendment Bill.

Introduced on Aug 28, the Bill returns the setting of MPs pay to the Remuneration Authority with it conducting one review after each election and would set MPs’ pay for the term of Parliament. First reading on Sept 10 supported by all parties and sent to the Education and Workforce Committee. Reported back on Dec 4 with no changes. Second reading Dec 11, committee stage Dec 12 and third reading on Dec 17 with all parties in support. Remuneration Authority (Members of Parliament Remuneration) Amendment Bill (No 2)

Introduced on Oct 11, the Bill transfer responsibility for determining the remuneration of certain judicial and statutory officers to the Remuneration Authority. First reading Oct 26 and sent to the Justice Committee with the support of all parties. Reported back on April 19 with no changes. Second reading on Sept 1 with all parties in favour. Committee stage completed on Nov 15. Third reading completed under urgency with all parties in favour.  Remuneration Authority Legislation Bill

Introduced on May 19, the member’s bill in the name of Chris Baillie seeks to remove the restriction on trading and selling alcohol on Good Friday and Easter Sunday. First reading on Aug 3 and voted down by 81 to 37 votes.

Repeal of Good Friday and Easter Sunday as Restricted Trading Days (Shop Trading and Sale of Alcohol) Amendment Bill

Introduced on March 28. This bill establishes an Artist Resale Royalty scheme which provides a mandatory resale right to eligible visual artists to receive a royalty payment when their qualifying artwork sells on the secondary art market. The law is one of the requirements under the trade deal with the UK. First reading on March 29 with all parties in agreement and sent to the social services and community committee. Reported back on July 31 with mainly technical changes. Remaining stages completed on Aug 22 with all parties in favour.

Resale Right for Visual Artists Bill

Introduced on Dec 12. This Bill amends the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act to remove the maximum sustainable employment objective from the economic objectives in the Act and provide the Reserve Bank with a single economic objective of achieving and maintaining price stability. Passed through all stages under Urgency supported by National, Act and NZ First.

Reserve Bank of New Zealand (Economic Objective) Amendment Bill

Introduced on July 23 following the Government’s review of the Reserve Bank Act. The Bill has twomain objectives; amending the objectives of monetary policy to require consideration of maximum sustainable employment alongside price stability in monetary policy decision making; and setting up a monetary policy committee to make decisions on monetary policy. First reading completed on July 26 with National and ACT opposed to watering down the focus of monetary policy. Referred to the Finance and Expenditure Committee with a report back due by December 3. Reported back on Nov 15 with just minor changes. National and ACT put in minority reports on their concerns and worries about undermining the independence of the Bank. Second reading on Dec 4, committee stage Dec 11 and third reading on Dec 18 with no major changes and National and ACT still opposed on the same grounds.
Reserve Bank of New Zealand (Monetary Policy) Amendment Bill

Introduced on July 28, 2020. The Bill is part of the review of the Reserve Bank of NZ Act and follows the introduction of maximum sustainable employment as an objective of monetary policy alongside price stability, and the creation of the monetary policy committee. The Bill repeals and replaces the parts of the 1989 Act covering institutional form, governance and accountability arrangements, and central bank powers of the Reserve Bank. It creates a new governance board. The remainder of the 1989 Act, which creates a framework for the registration and supervision of banks, remains in force but is renamed the Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act. It includes new rules and reporting around the use of foreign reserves. First reading on Dec 8, supported by Labour, the Greens and ACT. ACT’s future support was reserved. National and the Maori Party opposed. National said the Bill undermined the independence of the central bank and placed too much power in the hands of the Finance Minister. The Maori Party did not speak to their position. Referred to the Finance and Expenditure Committee. Reported back on June 8 and second reading on June 23 with National, ACT and Maori Party opposed. Committee stage completed on Aug 3 and third reading on Aug 10 with no change in parties positions.

Reserve Bank of New Zealand Bill

Introduced on Nov 22. The bill extends the final compliance date for the healthy homes standards to July 1 2025. Passed through all stages on Nov 22 opposed by the Greens and Te Paati Māori.

Residential Tenancies (Healthy Homes Standards) Amendment Bill

Introduced on March 22. The bill amends the Residential Tenancies Act to prohibit the charging of a letting fee, or any other fee charged to a tenant, in respect of charges for services rendered by a letting agent, solicitor, or any person in relation to a tenancy. Completed first reading on April 5 with National opposed and referred to the Social Services and Community Committee.Reported back on Oct 3 with minor changes and a majority of MPs recommending the Govt bring in regulation for letting agencies and property managers. National wrote a minority view opposing the Bill saying it would lead to increases in rent. Second reading completed on Oct 25 with National and ACT opposed. Committee stage completed on Oct 30 and third reading on Nov 1. No change in position of parties.Residential Tenancies (Prohibiting Letting Fees) Amendment Bill