Introduced and passed through all stages under Urgency on Feb 22. The bill follows a court judgment which cast doubt on the legality of some powers conferred under the Returning Offenders (Management and Information) Act 2015. The bill amends that law with the intention of putting all returning offenders in roughly the same position they would have been in had they offended in NZ. Accordingly, the Police will be able to collect information from returnees to establish their identity and support future investigations, and parole-like conditions will be available if a returnee has been deported after a prison sentence. Opposed by the Greens and Te Paati Māori.

Returning Offenders (Management and Information) Amendment Bill

Introduced on Feb 29, the bill provides for light electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles to pay road user charges from April 1 2024. First reading on March 5 and sent to the transport and infrastructure committee with the support of National, Labour, Act and NZ First. Reported back on March 14 with amendments including the RUC rate for hybrid EVs. Second reading on March 19, committee stage on March 27 and third reading on March 28 with Greens and Te Pāti Māori opposed.

Road User Charges (Light Electric RUC Vehicles) Amendment Bill

Introduced on April 4.  The bill requires NZTA, as the collector of road user charges,  to apply a 36% discount to all legislated rates of RUC, time-limited to 3 months, and gives it the power to issue assessments if RUC licences are purchased for distances that are excessive, unreasonable, or otherwise abuse the 3-month reduction. It is an attempt to create parity for RUC users in line with the temporary reductions in fuel excise taxes. Passed through all stages under Urgency on April 5 with the Greens opposed.

Road User Charges (Temporary RUC Reduction Scheme) Amendment Bill

Introduced and passed through all stages under Urgency on Feb 2. The bill extends the reduced road user charges that ended on Jan 31. The reinstatement of the discount will start on March 1 and end June 30 2023. Opposed by the Greens and Act.

Road User Charges (Temporary RUC Reduction Scheme) Amendment Bill (No 2)

Introduced on March 9. The Bill allows the introduction of economic, financial and other sanctions against Russia and those who supported the invasion of Ukraine through their actions. Allows for the seizure of assets of those who fall under the law with most individuals and others to be named in regulation. Passed through all stages with the support of all parties. Russia Sanctions Bill

Introduced on Dec 7. The bills intent is to improve communities’ ability to influence alcohol regulation in their area by making changes to the alcohol licensing process. First reading on Dec 13 with National and Act opposed, sent to the justice committee. Reported back on June 8 with extensive amendments. Remaining stages completed on Aug 22 with National and Act opposed.

Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Community Participation) Amendment Bill

Introduced on December 7, 2015. The bill is the latest patch up legislation for the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act passed in 2012 and corrects minor and technical issues. This includes allowing low-alcohol drinks and non-alcohol beers to be displayed in areas selling alcohol. The bill also clarifies that any company, as defined within the meanings of the Companies Act, can also hold a liquor licence. First reading interrupted on March 15 and completed on May 5 with all parties agreeing to send the bill to the Justice and Electoral Committee. Reported back on Sept 19 with just minor amendments. Completed second reading on October 18 with all parties in agreement. Committee stage completed on November 15 with no major changes. Completed third reading on November 6 with all parties in support. Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Display of Low-alcohol Beverages and Other Remedial Matters) Amendment Bill

Bill in the name of National MP Ian McKelvie drawn from the ballot and introduced on Oct 21. The bill provides an exemption from section 235 of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act for racing clubs on the days of race meetings if alcohol consumption takes place when the club holds either an on-licence or an on-site special licence that applies to the race meeting. First reading completed on June 8 and sent to the Governance and Administration Committee on a personal vote by 76 to 42 with one abstention. Reported back on Nov on 21 with no substantiative changes except to narrow down eligible courses. Second reading completed on Dec 7 with 61 in favour, 50 opposed and one abstention on a personal vote. Committee stage completed. Third reading on June 7 with 74 in favour and 43 opposed in a personal vote.

Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Exemption for Race Meetings) Amendment Bill

A member’s bill in the name of ACT MP David Seymour. After political manoeuvring was introduced by leave on August 12 and given its first reading on a voice vote. The bill grants extended licensing hours so licensed premises  can open for the broadcast of  Rugby World Cup matches without a special license. MPs agreed by leave for a reduced consideration period by select committee with it to be reported back by August 26 and then passed through all stages. This happened with just the Greens, Maori Party and a small number of Labour MPs opposed. Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Extended licensing hours during Rugby World Cup) Bill

Member’s bill in the name of Chlöe Swarbrick introduced on June 30. The bill abolishes appeals on councils local alcohol policies. It also implements a number of the recommendations of the 2014 Ministerial Forum on Alcohol Advertising and Sponsorship. Voted down at first reading on April 5 with the Ayes 29, Noes 85 in a personal vote.

Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Harm Minimisation) Amendment Bill