Introduced on Sept 28. The bill mostly relates to changes for statutory deadlines disrupted by the pandemic. Among them is the dates by which the government must finalise its Emissions Reduction Plan. It also extends the sunset clause of RMA fast track legislation to 2023 First reading on Sept 29 under Urgency. Opposed by ACT though National opposed the bill being reported back from select committee by Oct 14. Both parties also raised concerns about provisions allowing the govt to delay local body elections for a short time if there are pandemic lockdown conditions. There are also concerns about law changes relating to commercial rental reduction rules in lockdowns. Reported back on Oct 14 with no major changes despite strong opposition from many on changes to lease contract law. Second reading Oct 19 with National, ACT and Te Paati Māori opposed. Committee stage Oct 27 and third reading Oct 28 with no change in parties positions. COVID-19 Response (Management Measures) Legislation Bill

Introduced on April 30 and passed through all stages with just one debate. An omnibus Bill implementing a number of covid-19 related measures including bringing forward or deferral of commencement dates of new legislation, and the extension of timeframes for meeting regulatory deadlines. Substantive matters include a new temporary a tax loss carry-back measure and giving IRD temporary powers for more administrative discretion. It also creates the Small Business Cashflow (Loan) Scheme to be administered by IRD. Supported by all parties. COVID-19 Response (Taxation and Other Regulatory Urgent Measures) Bill

Introduced on March 25 and passed through all stages. The Bill makes up an economic response package to covid-19. Amongst other things it reintroduces depreciation deductions for non-residential buildings, lifts the provisional tax threshold to $5,000, temporarily increases the low asset value threshold to $5,000, brings the application date of broader refundability for the R&D tax credit forward by one year, loosens the rules around IRD’s use of money interest remission, doubles the Winter Energy Payment and clarifies the GST rules around the covifd-19 wage subsidy. It was supported by all parties.COVID-19 Response (Taxation and Social Assistance Urgent Measures) Bill

Introduced on March 25 and passed through all stages. Amongst other things enable the Education Secretary to direct education entities to open and close and to provide education in specified ways such as distance learning, added district court judges to those that can alter the rules of the court, enabled local government and Civil Defence Emergency Management Groups to meet remotely and enacted a rent freeze and restricts termination of tenancies. Supported by all parties. COVID-19 Response (Urgent Management Measures) Legislation Bill

Introduced on April 9. The Bill seeks to limit usurious lending and predatory practices. It places a limit on the accumulation of interest and fees on high-cost loans to 100% of the original loan principal, over the life of the loan. This will apply only to loans with an annualised interest rate of 50% or more. All directors and executives of lenders will be required to meet a “fit and proper person” test. Regulation-making powers will provide for greater prescription about how assessments of affordability and suitability must be conducted. The presumption that lenders can rely on information provided by borrowers and guarantors without objective verification will be removed. Debt collectors will be required to disclose key information about the debt to the debtor, at the commencement of debt collection action. Completed first reading on April 30 with all parties in support and sent to the Finance and Expenditure Committee with an Oct 30 report back. This was extended and the Bill was reported back on Nov 11 with a number of changes including placing a limit on daily interest rates. Second reading on Nov 21 with all parties in support. Committee stage completed on Dec 11 and third reading on Dec 12 with all parties in support. Credit Contracts Legislation Amendment Bill.

Introduced on Aug 5 2021. A member’s bill in the name of Angie Warren-Clark it creates new offences relating to persons 18 years or older using electronic communications (such as social media platforms) to harm persons under 16 and increases penalties for offences relating to the sexual grooming of children online. First reading on Oct 20, supported by all parties and sent to the justice committee. Reported back on Oct 4 2022 with a number of changes. Second reading on Nov 9, committee stage Dec 7 and third reading on April 5 supported by all parties.

Crimes (Child Exploitation Offences) Amendment Bill

Seeks to ensure match-fixing is a criminal offence ahead of New Zealand hosting of the Cricket World Cup and the FIFA Under 20 World Cup. Given first reading on July 31 sent to Law and Order committee for consideration with general support. Reported back from select committee on Nov 7 with only a minor change. It retains the punishment of a maximum of seven years imprisonment for fixing a match for betting purposes, however throws out a potential defence of throwing a match for sporting strategic purposes saying it could confuse the issue. The govt indicated it wanted the bill passed before the summer adjournment and did this with the bill receiving general support at its third reading on Dec 11. Crimes (Match-fixing) Amendment Bill

Introduced on March 20. The Bill makes three repeals to the Crimes Act. A protection for spouses and civil union partners in cases where they would otherwise be an accessory after the fact to an offence and the offence of blasphemous libel. The bill also repeals the year-and-a-day rule contained in section 162. This last change was cited as needed as it was one of the reasons the Police decided not to prosecute in the CTV building collapse case. First reading completed on March 28 with all parties in favour and sent to the Justice Committee. Third reading March 5 2019. Crimes Amendment Bill

Introduced on Sept 20. The bill makes changes search and surveillance law aimed at curbing criminal gang activity. First reading on Sept 27 and sent to the justice committee with Greens and Te Paati Māori opposed. Reported back on Dec 16 with minor changes. Second reading on March 7 with Greens and Te Paati Māori opposed. Committee stage March 28 and third reading on March 29 with no change in parties’ position.

Criminal Activity Intervention Legislation Bill

Establishes the Criminal Cases Review Commission to review convictions and sentences and decide whether to refer them to the appeal court. This will replace the power currently exercised by the Governor-General under section 406 of the Crimes Act 1961. Introduced on Sept 27 2018. First reading on Oct 25 with National opposing and sent to the Justice Committee. Reported back on Oct 3 with minor changes after delays. Second reading on Oct 22, committee stage on Nov 5 and third reading on Nov 6 with National opposed throughout saying it created a new bureaucracy, would be a magnet for relitigation and cause further harm to victims of crime.  Criminal Cases Review Commission Bill