Senate committees advance key legislation on behavior, water policy, and tax reforms
The Dutch Senate is moving forward with critical legislative proposals, including a Code of Conduct to tackle unacceptable behavior, updates to EU water directives, and reforms to Box 3 taxation. These changes could impact workplace rights, environmental policies, and personal finances for millions of citizens.
| Topic | Key Details | Committee Involved |
|---|---|---|
| Code of Conduct on Unacceptable Behavior | Debate scheduled for 21 April (Senate) and 19 May (response); complaints procedure outlined | Home Affairs Committee (BIZA) |
| Water Framework Directive (WFD) Revision | Input submitted by BBB, CDA, PvdD, and Visseren-Hamakers factions for EU consultation | I&W/VRO |
| State of Housing Associations 2026 | Input submitted by GroenLinks-PvdA, BBB, PVV, and ChristenUnie factions | I&W/VRO |
| Box 3 Tax Reform | Oral consultation and technical briefing held with State Secretary for Finance | Finance Committee (FIN) |
| Omnibus Digital and AI Proposals | Parliamentary scrutiny reservations discussed with State Secretaries | Digitisation (DIGI) & EZ/KGG Committees |
The Senate of the States General plays a crucial role in reviewing and debating legislative proposals before they become law. Its committees scrutinize policies, engage with stakeholders, and ensure government accountability, directly shaping laws that affect citizens' daily lives and rights.
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News from the committees of 17 March 2026
On Tuesday 17 March 2026, various standing House committees discussed ongoing legislative proposals. This news item provides a selection of these committee meetings. A full overview can be found in the committees of 17 March 2026.
Plenary
Code of Conduct on Unacceptable Behaviour in the Senate
The Home Affairs Committee (BIZA) proposed to the President that the first round of debate on the part of the Senate should take place on 21 April 2026. The committee also proposed that the response from the College of Presidents and Vice-Presidents (CVO) and the rebuttal and dupliek should be held on 19 May 2026.
The aim of the Code of Conduct ( CLXX ) is to prevent and counter unacceptable behaviour within the Senate. The code also ensures that individuals who believe they have been subjected to unacceptable behaviour by senators can report this to a confidential counsellor. They can also file a complaint with an independent complaints committee. The complaints procedure is designed to ensure that complainants and respondents have as far as possible the same rights and obligations. Anonymous complaints are not possible, and the procedures are confidential.
Written contributions
Water Framework Directive (WFD), Groundwater Directive and Priority Substances Directive
The Infrastructure and Water Management / Housing and Spatial Planning Committee (I&W/VRO) submitted input for written consultation following the European Commission Communication on the revision of the Water Framework Directive (WFD), Groundwater Directive and Priority Substances Directive ( COM(2026)39 ). This input came from the factions of the BBB ( Jaspers ), the CDA ( Rietkerk ) and the PvdD ( Koffeman ), and the Visseren-Hamakers faction ( Visseren-Hamakers ).
State of the Housing Associations Sector 2026
The Infrastructure and Water Management / Housing and Spatial Planning Committee (I&W/VRO) submitted input for written consultation following the minister of Housing and Spatial Planning’s letter accompanying the State of the Housing Associations Sector 2026 ( 29453 , H). This input came from the factions of GroenLinks-PvdA ( Janssen-Van Helvoort ), BBB ( Van Langen-Visbeek ), PVV ( Van Kesteren ) and ChristenUnie ( Holterhues ).
Other
Tasks and finances of decentralised authorities
The Home Affairs Committee (BIZA) held a public discussion with the Council for the Public Administration (ROB). The topics discussed were the ROB’s advisory reports 'Making progress with shared governance' and 'Balancing the books'. The cabinet’s response to these reports was also addressed.
Oral consultation on the Act on the Actual Return of Box 3
The Finance Committee (FIN) held an oral consultation with the State Secretary for Finance on the Act on the Actual Return of Box 3 ( 36.748 ). On 6 March 2026, the committee received a letter from the State Secretary outlining the process surrounding the Act on the Actual Return of Box 3. This letter outlined various developments and anticipated next steps. The committee therefore decided to invite the State Secretary for an oral consultation to clarify the letter.
Technical briefing on the Act on the Actual Return of Box 3
The Finance Committee (FIN) received a technical briefing on the Act on the Actual Return of Box 3 ( 36.748 ). During the briefing, officials from the Ministry of Finance and the Tax Administration provided an explanation of the Act. Members had the opportunity to ask questions.
Oral consultation on the Omnibus Digital and Omnibus AI
The Digitisation Committee (DIGI) and the Economic Affairs / Climate and Green Growth Committee (EZ/KGG) held an oral consultation with the State Secretary for the Digital Economy and Sovereignty and the State Secretary for Justice and Security. The topics discussed were the so-called parliamentary scrutiny reservations regarding the Omnibus AI ( COM(2025)836 ) and the Omnibus Digital ( COM(2025)837 ). A parliamentary scrutiny reservation allows the House to ask the government not to approve a proposal until it has held a debate with the government on the matter. After a parliamentary reservation, the government must inform the House of progress. The purpose of the oral consultation was to discuss the special political importance of the omnibus proposals and to agree on information arrangements.
About the committees
Senate committees discuss legislative proposals and meet regularly. Committees assess whether a legislative proposal is ready for plenary debate or whether further questions need to be put to the government. Legislative proposals accompanied by a blank report are dealt with as hammer items . The key decisions of the committees are published as short notes . All letters received by the committees (such as letters from citizens and interest groups) can be found here .
Watch committees again
All public committee meetings of the Senate can be viewed afterwards: