Saeima advances multiple legislative changes: broader options for filling out coordinated accident report, ban on imports from Russia and Belarus, streaming platforms to invest in Latvian content
On July 23, the Saeima referred several legislative drafts to committees, including amendments to the Road Traffic Law expanding coordinated accident report options, a ban on certain industrial goods from Russia and Belarus, a requirement for streaming platforms to invest in Latvian audiovisual works, and allowing voluntary application for national defense service from age 17.
During an emergency session on July 23, the Saeima sent several bills to responsible committees for review. A key change concerns the Road Traffic Law – amendments expand the possibilities for filling out a coordinated notification after a traffic accident and allow the State Police to assess circumstances remotely.
The new regulation specifies cases when a driver must report to the police: injured persons, vehicle damage that revokes driving authorization, involvement of more than two vehicles, damage to third-party property, collision with a vehicle whose driver is absent, damage to road infrastructure, injury to a wild animal, suspicion of intoxication, or inability to agree on circumstances. After the report, the police will decide whether to dispatch officers to the scene.
If the police give no other instructions, drivers will be able to fill out a coordinated notification and leave the scene even when more than two vehicles are involved or there is a disagreement. Unilateral notification is also possible for damage to third-party property, a vehicle without a driver, or road infrastructure.
The bill also stipulates that responsibility for a vehicle's technical condition after an accident lies with the driver – police involvement is unnecessary if the damage does not revoke driving authorization.
In the same session, the Saeima urgently adopted amendments to the Law on Support for Ukrainian Civilians, banning the import of certain industrial goods from Russia and Belarus until July 1, 2027, including goods of Russian or Belarusian origin from third countries. The Cabinet of Ministers will specify the list of goods.
Another significant bill requires streaming platforms (e.g., Netflix, Go3, Apple TV+) to invest 3.5% of their Latvian revenue in European audiovisual works, particularly in Latvian-language works or Latvian films. Investment may be direct, through licensing, or contributions to the National Film Centre budget.
Changes also affect the National Defense Service – voluntary applications will be accepted from age 17, provided the applicant turns 18 at least six months before service starts. Service type can be changed until the health check is completed, and the deferral age limit is lowered from 26 to 24. Social guarantees for Latvian citizens living abroad are improved – travel expenses to and from Latvia and accommodation during health checks will be compensated.
Farmers will benefit from a more flexible approach to eligibility for marked diesel – revenue assessment can use data from the last tax year or the year before, whichever yields higher revenue. This mitigates the impact of a single bad year on fuel allocation.
