faq
The mediation committee on five legislative proposals is meeting in Berlin this evening. But what exactly does that mean? Who actually sits on the committee and how does it work?
The Mediation Committee will meet this evening from 6 p.m. This time, five legislative proposals will be discussed. Projects that the Bundestag has approved, but against which there is resistance from the states – for example the “Growth Opportunities Act” and the “Hospital Transparency Act”.
What is his job? Mediation committee?
The Mediation Committee has only one, but very central, task and that is, as the name suggests: to mediate. Between the Bundestag and the states, i.e. the Bundesrat. This happens when the states – or at least a majority of them – have concerns about a proposed law, reject it or want to change it. So it’s about finding compromises, an important element of democracy.
These are the laws that matter
The most controversial item on the agenda is the so-called Growth Opportunities Act, which is intended to get the German economy going again. The Federal Council referred it to the Mediation Committee on November 24, 2023 with the aim of a fundamental revision.
That too Hospital Transparency Act is the topic in committee today. It is part of Health Minister Karl Lauterbach’s planned hospital reform.
This will also be discussed Main Negotiation Documentation Act and that Law to promote the use of video conferencing technology in civil jurisdiction and specialist jurisdictions. In addition, this is on the agenda Law implementing an EU directive in the area of motor vehicle insurance.
What kind of laws are these?
Most of the new laws in Germany are so-called objection laws. Here the Federal Council can try to implement changes in the Mediation Committee. In the end, however, the Bundestag has the last word – and can overrule an objection from the state chamber.
It’s different with so-called consent laws: There aren’t many of them, but the states have to agree, otherwise the project will fail. Here too, the mediation committee can be called upon to save the law.
What is the composition of the committee?
There are 32 politicians on the committee: 16 representatives of the Federal Council – these are usually the state leaders themselves. And 16 representatives of the Bundestag, from all parties, depending on the size of the parliamentary group.
How does he advise? Mediation committee?
When they meet tonight, they will do so behind closed doors in a room in the Federal Council. This can last well into the night, including today.
And then there is haggling. The states then say, for example: We agree to this – but only if we can implement this or that elsewhere.
How is this continuing?
If the mediation committee agrees on changes, they will have to go through the Bundestag and Bundesrat again. And in fact we almost always come to an agreement. Between 2017 and 2021, the Mediation Committee was called seven times – and in the end all laws were passed.
Lissy Kaufmann, ARD Berlin, tagesschau, February 21, 2024 10:09 a.m