Member’s Bill in the name of Todd Muller drawn from the ballot on March 11. It requires the Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to recommend the setting of mandatory regulation under section 29 of the Fair Trading Act prescribing a product safety standard for sunscreen products. First reading completed on April 7 with the support of all parties and referred to the Health Committee. Reported back on Oct 4 with a number of changes including a long date to allow the sale of goods in stock which may not comply. Second reading on Nov 10 with the support of all parties. Committee stage completed on Feb 16. Passed third reading on March 2 with all parties in favour.

Sunscreen (Product Safety Standard) Bill

Introduced following the Budget on May 21 would lift benefit levels for those with children by 25 dollars a week from April 2016 with commensurate movements in Working for Families payments. Also puts in place tighter work requirements. Sent to the Social Services Committee for consideration with just NZ First opposed. Reported back with minor amendments on October 27 and received its second reading on Nov 5. All parties in support of the bill, but Labour and others unhappy with the tighter work requirements. Committee stage interrupted on Nov 10. Committee stage completed on Dec 1 and divided into three bills which passed with all parties in favour on Dec 3. Support for Children in Hardship Bill

Introduced on May 15. Gives effect to elements of the agreements between the govt and vocational and disability support workers, and mental health and addiction support workers. First reading on May 29. Supported by all parties and sent to the Health Committee to be reported back by Oct 15. Reported back on Oct 1 with a number of changes including around the definition of ’employer’ and backpay requirements. Third reading July 22, 2020.
Support Workers (Pay Equity) Settlements Amendment Bill.

Introduced on June 21. The increase the minimum wage rates that apply to support workers covered by the principal Act, and extend its provisions past July 1 2022, while those involved seek a pay equity claim. Passed through all stage under Urgency on June 22 with the Greens opposed.

Support Workers (Pay Equity) Settlements Amendment Bill

Introduced Nov 9. The bill introduces a mandate regime requiring fuel importers or refiners (excluding aviation fuels) to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions intensity of those fuels by blending sustainable biofuels. First reading on Nov 15 with National and Act opposed saying they would repeal the bill. Sent to the environment committee. Bill withdrawn.

Sustainable Biofuel Obligation Bill

A member’s bill in the name of Matt Doocey introduced on March 25. The bill seeks to prohibit the importation, supply and acquisition of synthetic urine to pass a workplace drug test. Voted down on June 30 with only National in favour.  Synthetic Urine (Prohibition on Importation, Supply and Acquisition to Pass a Workplace Drug Test) Bill

This Bill amends law as part of the implementation and ratification of the Free Trade Agreement between New Zealand and the Republic of Korea agreed in Seoul, Korea, on 23 March 2015. Given its first reading on June 16. The bill was sent to Foreign Affairs and Trade Committee by 95 to 26 with Greens and NZ First opposed. It was given a report back date of November 3 in order to ratify the treaty as quickly as possible.  Reported back on July 30 without amendment or dissent. MPs urged by business groups to pass before the end of the year to allow ratification and tariff impacts to take place in 2016. Second reading completed on September 17. Labour supported the bill despite misgivings over the restrictions on future governments to impose different foreign investment rules. NZ First and Greens still opposed. Committee stage completed on September 22. The third reading was completed by 95 to 25 on September 24.Tariff (Free Trade Agreement between New Zealand and the Republic of Korea) Amendment Bill

Introduced an April 12. The Bill amends  law to implement the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations Plus (PACER Plus). It enables the application of preferential tariff rates under the Agreement, and amends the rules on “goods re-entered after repair or alteration” in the Tariff.First reading completed on May 8 without debate and the Greens opposed. Sent to the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee for consideration. Second reading completed on Sept 4 and the third reading on Sept 6 with the Greens opposed.Tariff (PACER Plus) Amendment Bill

Introduced on August 14, 2018. A local bill sponsored by Nick Smith to enable the Waimea Dam to be built. Its main purpose is to give the council an inundation easement over 9.6 hectares of Conservation land in the Mount Richmond State Forest Park and ownership of the land where the dam will be built. National and Labour have indicated support. After a delay while funding was finalised the Bill received its first reading on Sept 19 with only the Greens opposed. The Bill was sent to the Governance and Administration Committee with a shortened time frame for consideration. Submissions close on Oct 5 and the report back is due by Nov 7. Reported back on Nov 6 with minor amendments. Second reading completed on Nov 28. Committee stage and third reading completed on Dec 12 with the permission of the House. Only the Greens opposed the Bill. Tasman District Council (Waimea Water Augmentation Scheme) Bill

Introduced on Dec 11. The Bill creates a new regulatory body for drinking water regulatory system. Part of a broader package of reforms to the three waters regulatory system. It will be followed by a separate Bill setting up the regulatory regime for drinking water and source water, and the regulation of wastewater and stormwater networks. A governance board will be required to consider and provide for Māori interests through Te Mana o te Wai, though this is not defined in the Bill. First reading on Dec 17 with the support of all parties and sent to the Health Committee. National expressed concern about a number of aspects including the lack of detail around the regulations and potential costs. Reported back on June 17 with minor changes. Second reading on June 24 with all parties in support with committee stage completed on June 30. Third reading completed on July 22 with all parties in support. Taumata Arowai—the Water Services Regulator Bill