On Monday, May 26, the Digitalization Committee, together with the committees for Internal Affairs (BIZA), Justice and Security (J&V), and Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Development Aid (BDO), organized an expert meeting. Various experts warned about the undermining influence of big tech on the functioning of the democratic rule of law. The sovereignty of countries is being eroded by the excessive power and influence of American technology companies. Digital interference and manipulation, including disinformation, also play a significant role in undermining trust in democratic institutions.

The Infrastructure and Water Management/Housing and Spatial Planning Committee (I&W/VRO) held an oral consultation with Minister Keijzer of Housing and Spatial Planning (VRO). The consultation focused on the Quality Assurance Act for Construction and specifically on the option for the law to be partially withdrawn and partially undone.

The Social Affairs and Employment Committee (SZW) has submitted the legislative proposal Improvement Measures for Childcare for voting at the next plenary meeting.

The Economic Affairs/Climate and Green Growth Committee (EZ/KGG) discussed Amendment of the Framework Act on EZK and LNV subsidies and several other laws in the field of EZK 20.. The committee has submitted the legislative proposal to be handled as a hammer item.

Before a legislative proposal is ready for plenary consideration, committees consult with ministers and state secretaries, usually by asking written questions. A selection:

The Interior Committee discussed:

• - 

  Quality Improvement Act for Election Process. Contributions for the report are provided by members of the GroenLinks-PvdA factions (Roovers) and D66 (Dittrich).
• - 

  Tightening of Criminalization of Recruitment Act. Contributions for the report are provided by members of the GroenLinks-PvdA factions (Fiers) and D66 (Dittrich).
• - 

  Initiative Proposal-Van Nispen Inclusion in the Constitution of Provisions Regarding the Corrective Referendum [LINK 36468]. The committee decided to offer the opportunity to contribute to the second report on July 1, 2025.

The Finance Committee (FIN) discussed the treatment of the Spring Note 2025. The committee decided to agree to a plenary debate on the Spring Note based on the Rules of Order of the Senate, scheduled for July 1, 2025. Contributions for written consultation are provided by the factions of PvdA-GroenLinks (Martens), CDA (Bovens), D66 (Van Meenen), SP (Van Apeldoorn), ChristenUnie (Holterhues), PvdD (Visseren-Hamakers), JA21 (Baumgarten), SGP (Schalk), Volt (Hartog) and 50PLUS (Van Rooijen). Joint contributions are provided by members of the factions of OPNL, GroenLinks-PvdA, CDA, D66, ChristenUnie, SP, PvdD, SGP, and Volt (Van der Goot c.s.). The members of the D66 faction join the questions of the CDA faction.

The Social Affairs and Employment Committee (SZW) discussed the proposal Act on the Admission of Labor Forces. Contributions for the report come from the factions of BBB (Heijnen), GroenLinks-PvdA, SP, and OPNL jointly (Vos, Van Apeldoorn, Van der Goot), VVD (Petersen), CDA (Bakker-Klein), D66 (Belhirch), PVV (Bezaan), ChristenUnie (Huizinga-Heringa) and Volt (Perin-Gopie).

The Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Development Aid Committee discussed the Initiative Proposal-Diederik van Dijk, Ellian, Boswijk, Dassen, Olger van Dijk, Paternotte, Eerdmans, and Ceder Act on Financial Defense Obligations. The committee has submitted the legislative proposal for plenary consideration. The committee aims to conclude the treatment of the legislative proposal before the NATO summit on June 24-25, 2025.

Senate committees discuss legislative proposals and meet regularly. Committees assess whether a legislative proposal is ready for plenary consideration or if there are still questions to be asked of the government. Legislative proposals accompanied by a blank report are handled as a hammer item. The most important decisions of the committees are made public as short notes.

Committee meetings can be followed live or via livestream. More information about the options can be found via this link: visiting the Senate.