Introduced on July 28, the bill sets up an administrative framework intended to address systemic accessibility barriers for disabled people. First reading Aug 2 opposed by Greens and  Te Paati Māori. Referred to the Social Services and Community Committee with a longer than usual report back date of May 16 2023.

Accessibility for New Zealanders Bill

Introduced on June 20. The bill amends the Climate Change Response Act to remove agriculture activities from the emissions trading scheme. First reading on June 25 under Urgency and sent to the Primary Production Committee with the support of National, Act and NZ First.

Climate Change Response (Emissions Trading Scheme Agricultural Obligations) Amendment Bill

Introduced on Dec 2. The bill creates a new penalty regime for ETS participants with low-volume liabilities of less than 25,000 units on average per year from forestry activities who fail to surrender or repay units by the due date. The bill also reforms industrial allocation settings for NZUs. Read a first time on Feb 21 with all parties in favour and referred to the environment committee, to be reported back by July 20.  Reported back on Aug 9 with numerous amendments including how the free units are allocated and on what terms allocations are reviewed. All remaining stages completed under Urgency on Aug 15 with Act opposed. Climate Change Response (Late Payment Penalties and Industrial Allocation) Amendment Bill

Member’s bill in the name of Deborah Russell drawn from the ballot on Feb 15. The bill provides a mechanism for directors who have serious concerns about their safety regarding the publication of their residential address information to request that their residential address be substituted with an address for service. First reading on March 20 and sent to economic development, science and innovation committee with National and NZ First opposed.

Companies (Address Information) Amendment Bill

Member’s bill drawn from the ballot on April 11 in the name of Marama Davidson. The bill would require manufacturers to make repair parts and information available to consumers in order to extend the lifetime of products with the intent of keeping resources in circulation and waste out of landfills.

Consumer Guarantees (Right to Repair) Amendment Bill

Introduced on April 30.  The bill attempts to reform and improve insurance contract law currently fragmented across 6 different Acts, some over 100 years old. A series of reviews, including by the Law Commission, have identified a number of long-standing issues with insurance contract law. In particular, there are changes to consumer disclosure rules and insurer’s remedies for breach. The Bill also amends the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013 to require insurance contracts to be worded and presented in a clear, concise, and effective manner. First reading on May 2 with all parties in agreement and sent to the finance and expenditure committee to be reported back by Sept 3.

Contracts of Insurance Bill

Member’s bill in the name of National’s Rima Nakhle drawn from the ballot on Feb 1. The bill would create an obligation on Correction’s chief executive and prison managers to protect those who are subject to a protection order and victims of crime from unwanted contact from prisoners. First reading on March 20 and sent to the justice committee with all parties in favour.

Corrections (Victim Protection) Amendment Bill

Introduced on June 21. The bill includes a suite of prison law reform ranging from new powers to monitor inmates’ communications, controls over weapons, rehabilitation programs and best practice corrections policy.  First reading on June 27 with Greens and Kerekere opposed and sent to the justice committee.

Corrections Amendment Bill

Introduced on March 7. The bill intends to increase remote participation in court proceedings. First reading on March and sent to the justice committee with National, Act and NZ First in favour to be reported back by July 31.

Courts (Remote Participation) Amendment Bill

Introduced on April 6. A member’s bill in the name of Ibrahim Omer. The bill makes it an offence of theft under the Crimes Act for an employer to deliberately not pay an employee their full entitlements with imprisonment of up to a year or a fine of up to $30,000. First reading on Aug 30 and sent to the Education and Workforce Committee with National and Act opposed.

Crimes (Theft by Employer) Amendment Bill