News from the Committees of February 18

Budgets 2025

• Health, Welfare and Sport

  The committee for Health, Welfare, and Sport discussed the input for a second round of questions by the factions of GroenLinks-PvdA, D66, SP, PvdD, and Volt. The committee requests the ministrys answers by February 28, 2025, to discuss further treatment on March 4, 2025.

• Kingdom Relations and BES Fund

  The committee for Kingdom Relations discussed the input for a second round of questions by the PvdD faction.

• Asylum and Migration

  The committee for Immigration and Asylum/JHA Council discussed the input for a second round of questions by the factions of GroenLinks-PvdA and D66. The committee proposes a plenary treatment on March 11, 2025.

• Foreign Affairs

  The committee for Foreign Affairs, Defence, and Development Cooperation discussed the input for a second round of questions by the PvdD faction. The proposal is ready for plenary treatment.

• Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation

  The committee discussed the input for a second round of questions by the factions of D66 and Volt, SP, PvdD, and Forum for Democracy.

• Interior and Kingdom Relations

  The committees for Interior and Digitalisation discussed the input for a second round of questions by the factions of PvdD and Volt.

• Education, Culture and Science

  The committee held an expert meeting on the budget proposal. Factions can provide input for a second round of questions on February 25.

• Municipal Fund

  The committee for Interior discussed the input for a second round of questions by the factions of GroenLinks-PvdA, D66, OPNL, SP, PvdD, Volt, CDA, and ChristenUnie.

Expert Meeting on Education, Culture and Science

The committee organised an expert meeting on the feasibility of budget cuts in higher education. Five experts were heard, including representatives from universities and educational associations.

Introduction Meeting Digitalisation

The committee for Digitalisation organised an introduction meeting on developments in digitalisation and artificial intelligence. High State Colleges and advisory bodies discussed their roles and challenges.

Petition “Netherlands Off the Map”

The committee for Foreign Affairs received the petition “Netherlands Off the Map” from Partos. This was prompted by the treatment of the Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation budget.

Hammer Piece

The committee for Infrastructure and Water Management reported on the bill to deviate from the circular materials plan, proposing it as a hammer piece.

Plenary

The committee for Justice and Security reported:

• The bill to repeal the prohibition of pledging is ready for plenary treatment.
• The bill to expand criminalisation of espionage activities is ready for plenary treatment.

Written Input

Before a bill is ready for plenary treatment, committees consult with ministers, often by submitting written questions. A selection:

• The committee for Health, Welfare, and Sport discussed input for the bill on long-term care. The CDA faction will provide input.
• The committee for Immigration and Asylum/JHA Council discussed the bill on revising rules for untimely decisions in immigration cases.

About the Committees

The Senate Committees discuss bills and meet regularly. They assess whether a bill is ready for plenary treatment or if further questions are needed.

Visitor Information

Committee meetings can be followed live or via livestream. More information can be found here.